Changeling cave system, Equestria
Eggman's bases have better security than this place.
Shadow skated through the caves with relative ease, the cries of its defenders spreading for miles. He could hear the buzzing of wings not too far away… and the more attention he got, the better.
It means I'm getting close.
He rounded a bend and was unfazed at the approaching swarm. He saw fangs that threatened to sink into his flesh and heard hisses that spelled an approaching doom. The hedgehog was unfazed at this. So far, these beings hadn't put up much of a challenge… or any kind of challenge.
The ones in front morphed into unicorns in flashes of green light. They opened fire with a barrage of magic bolts, hoping to gun Shadow down. The black hedgehog simply weaved between the shots and increased his speed, jumping high over a large burst with clenched teeth.
"Chaos SPEAR!"
Energy bolts shot from his hands and bombarded the swarm from above. With pained howls, the changelings were thrown aside and knocked down from the blasts. As soon as Shadow touched down, he was off again.
He skated down tunnels and around tight corners while the distant flutter of wings flashed through his peripheral vision. Changelings ambushed him from small hiding spots, but the hedgehog was quick to react. He grabbed one changeling and threw it into another. He nailed the third with a Spin Dash, knocking it out instantly.
He continued to move forward, having never broken a sweat.
An entire squadron of the creatures came in from behind him, beginning to open fire like some of Eggman's machines. Shadow skated in a zigzag pattern, evading emerald blasts that scorched the ground. He aimed down another tunnel… until the changelings' blasts cut him off.
Damn! Shadow mentally hissed as he sped down the opposite path. The changelings continued to pursue the black hedgehog down the underground sanctum, their shots barely making their mark.
Shadow emerged from a tunnel and found himself headed right for a natural platform hanging over a deep abyss. "We have him now!" he heard one of his pursuers shout. "He's cornered!"
Shadow only narrowed his eyes at the huge gap before him… and pressed on.
"Wait, what is he doing?!"
"He's not slowing down!"
"Is he crazy?! He'll never make that jump!"
Shadow reached the end of the platform and shot high into the air, leaving the three changelings behind him in shock. As Shadow expected, several more changelings emerged from holes and buzzed towards him, screeching all the while.
"STOP, INTRUDER!"
Shadow spun up in a bright orange orb… and ricocheted off each of the flying creatures with rapid Homing Attacks. After he slammed into the last one, he landed perfectly on the opposite side of the chasm and sped off.
"We're gonna need more drones," squeaked one of the changelings. His comrades only looked down into the chasm where the others had fallen into.
Shadow moved through tight passageways to avoid approaching changelings and neared a small patrol of four drones on sentry duty near another tunnel. "Keep your eyes peeled," one of them said. "The intruder could be-"
"Oof!"
"Ow!"
"Agh!"
"Ugh!"
He was gone before any of them even realized he was there. Pathetic, Shadow thought. Is this the best this 'Chrysalis' has? These creatures are a waste of my-
"THERE HE IS!"
Shadow snapped out of his thoughts… to see he was speeding right for an entire swarm of changelings. He brought himself to a screeching halt inside the chamber, coming face-to-face with hissing sounds, open fanged mouths, and forked tongues flickering in the air.
Shadow spun behind him and noticed more changelings blocking the way he entered. The entire swarm circled the hedgehog from all sides, and yet he remained unfazed at their actions.
"We have you surrounded, intruder!" growled a changeling in armor. "Surrounded and outnumbered a hundred to one!"
The changelings in front hissed and crouched into a ready-to-pounce stance. Shadow only lifted a corner of his mouth and clenched his fists. "Hmph," he said to the armored changeling, which he presumed was their commander.
"I'll take those odds."
"GET HIM!"
Shadow jumped into the air as two changelings lunged for him, making them crash into each other head-first. Two more swooped up to meet him in the air, ready to snatch him up like a hawk catching a mouse. Shadow fired out two Chaos Spears at them, knocking them out of the air like the bugs they were.
He landed right in the middle of another hissing group of changelings, who all rushed him. One by one, Shadow punched and kicked at the changelings- landing a strong uppercut to one's chin- until a whole bunch of them snarled and piled on top of him. The black bodies hissed and growled as they tried to get at Shadow's helpless form…
SHAPOW! Shadow shot out in a spinning ball, blowing apart the pile with ease. He bounced off a flying changeling during his ascent, downing it in the process. He landed standing; it didn't.
Another changeling screeched and lunged from behind, grabbing ahold of Shadow. "Let's see you spin your way out of this, you-!"
In a bright blink of light, Shadow vanished from its grip. "What the-?!"
Shadow elbowed the changeling from behind before following up with a series of five swift attacks. He finished by kicking the changeling away, knocking it into three more.
"It can use magic?! What is this thing?!"
"I don't care how strong it is!" barked the commander. "Change your form and bring it down!"
Two changelings morphed into unicorns and fired two magic beams at Shadow from opposite directions. The hedgehog sidestepped with a grunt, resulting in the beams hitting the changeling across from them. Changelings disguised as pegasi flew around him in circles, kicking up dust to keep him trapped.
"RRAAAH!" Shadow countered by spinning around at breakneck velocity, conjuring a black-red tornado that swept the screaming changelings aside. Shadow bashed off other airborne changelings and prepared to attack another…
...until he vanished in another blink. The changeling popped open an eye, confused as to how he could perform such a thing. Shadow suddenly reappeared and slammed both his feet into the changeling's back, sending it crashing to the ground. Riding its body like a skateboard, the hedgehog jumped off and landed an overhead somersault kick on another changeling's head.
"Grr! Change your shape all you want!" Shadow growled at more disguised changelings. "I'll destroy you all the same!" He backflipped over a charging squad of changelings disguised as earth ponies, then spun right through them like bowling pins.
Shadow swept low near another group of changelings, unleashing flames from his shoes that threatened to engulf any changeling it touched. Nearby, one changeling looked on nervously "H-he's so fast! He's taking us all out one by one!"
"He wants fast?" Another changeling stepped forth… and, in a flash of green light, disguised itself as Rainbow Dash. "He's got fast!" With a streak of color, it shot towards the black hedgehog.
Grabbing a changeling and throwing it into another, Shadow quickly landed a strong hook to another's face. "You are nothing to the Ultimate Life-HRNGH!" The Rainbow Dash changeling blitzed him from the side, sending him sprawling across the cavern floor. Shadow was quick to recover, growling at the dozens of changelings remaining. He started to speed across the chamber and trained his eyes on the Rainbow Dash changeling.
The impostor swooped down for another go at Shadow… but the hedgehog was ready for it this time. With a strong flip kick, he knocked the changeling into the air. As soon as it came back down, he kicked it again and sent it careening into the rock wall. The changeling fell limp to the ground; completely stunned.
The remaining changelings were relentless and unwilling to be defeated so easily. Luckily, so was Shadow. Again, they attacked in a rage, looking to outright kill the hedgehog rather than subdue him. Shadow only gave them a grim glare before he vanished in a flash of blue light.
Shadow teleported throughout the cave, striking and vanishing before any of the creatures could get a bead on him. One by one, they fell like the insects they were. But Shadow knew that no hive would be neutralized unless…
He reappeared in front of the armored commander and seized him by the throat, cutting off a gasp of surprise. Shadow lifted the creature off its feet.
"Where is your queen?"
"You… you took them all out… like they were nothing…" he stammered breathlessly. "What are you?!"
"Who I am is of no meaning to you," Shadow growled. "Where. Is. Your. Queen?"
"I will never… betray Queen Chrysalis… not to any creature… not to you."
Shadow snarled. "Have it your way." He drew back a fist and punched the commander across the face, hard enough to knock off its armor. He fell to the ground, completely unconscious.
"No…!" The feminine voice earned Shadow's curiosity… but when he turned to look, a colored blur shot past him and rocketed down the tunnels.
The hedgehog fought a rising burst of annoyance. Whoever this form was based off, it had to be almost as fast as Sonic. And perhaps as irritating as him. But fortunately, Shadow was just as swift as his blue rival.
The black hedgehog couldn't help but smile. That changeling had to have left in a hurry for one reason… a reason that would prove futile. Shadow skated in the flying changeling's direction, awaiting his inevitable confrontation with the alpha of these pests.
…
"These caves stretch on forever!" Spike whined. "I don't think we'll ever get to Chrysalis in time!"
"No worries!" replied the jogging Sonic. "We just need to follow the trail of beaten bugs and anything that sounds like action!"
"And that itself is a trail that is slowly getting cold!" Rarity added. "I'm beginning to see fewer signs of changelings… which I'm not sure is good or bad."
"That Shadow guy better have left some for me!" snorted Rainbow Dash, anxious for a fight. "I always love a good old-fashioned beatdown!"
The group and the reformed changelings neared an intersection in the caves and briefly slowed, unsure of which way to go… until a streak of color shot by!
"Uh, hey, Dash?" asked Sonic. "Are you, perchance, so fast you can appear in two places at once?"
"As impressive as that is… no," Rainbow replied. "I wish I could, though."
A black and red blur rocketed through the intersection, chasing after the colored blur at high speed. "Shadow!" shouted Knuckles. "After him!" Everyone ran into the intersection and took off after the streaks. Twilight could only hope they would not be too late…
…
Sunset Shimmer crept through the catacombs, which were surprisingly quiet. Whatever had made its way here was making enough of a ruckus to draw the attention of every changeling in the cave.
And that made her job easier.
The unicorn was nearing another chamber: this one larger than the rest. She trotted towards a small opening that looked out over the scene like a castle balcony. Down below, she saw two dozen changelings facing the main entrance to the chamber. They were on high alert, waiting for the mysterious invader as if preparing an ambush.
"What do you mean, you haven't stopped him?!" a voice roared, taking Sunset by surprise. "There are hundreds of you in this entire cavern system! And you can't eliminate ONE intruder?!"
Sunset's cyan eyes widened at the one who spoke… and then narrowed. Down below, a larger changeling with jade eyes and a twisted horn sitting at the top of stone steps growled at one of its servants like a crocodile. The other changeling shirked away and stammered, trying to find words.
Sunset knew the shape well. Queen Chrysalis… I knew it.
Her hunch was right after all. Somehow, the Legion of Doom had been freed from their imprisonment. But while one question was answered, another took its place: where were Tirek and Cozy Glow?
"A-apologies, my queen!" the changeling frantically spoke. "We've been making a stand since the minute he got in, but he's just too fast! H-he's been plowing through changelings like they're nothing!"
Sunset started to hop down stony ledges as quickly and quietly as she could. The unicorn could only hope the changelings were too occupied to notice her. As she descended into the makeshift throne room, she kept her ears trained on the current conversation.
"ARGH!" Chrysalis roared, furtherly frightening the changeling before her. "I escape the princesses' punishment and begin my path to vengeance by rebuilding the glorious Changeling Kingdom, but ONE pony is tearing it all down at this very moment?! Who is this interloper?! Twilight Sparkle?! Starlight Glimmer?! Or perhaps that insufferable pegasus who keeps running her mouth?!"
"N-none of them, my queen!" replied the panicked changeling. "It's not a pony at all!"
"Then what manner of creature would DARE to invade my new kingdom?!" Chrysalis snarled as Sunset took cover behind a large boulder. "A dragon? Or… no, I imprisoned that traitorous Thorax and his foolish rebels! Unless they managed to escape?'
"W-we don't know!" shouted her shivering servant. "We don't know what it is! We've never seen a creature like it! And it-"
"SILENCE!" Chrysalis screeched right in its face. "It doesn't matter! Should it manage to get this far, I will crush him myself!" She spun to face one of the armored guards, allowing the changeling to run off. "You! How are our outer defenses?"
"We have thirty of our best soldiers positioned right on the other side of those doors, your majesty," he reported, gesturing towards the tall rocks that served as the objects in question. "The intruder will not get past them. That I assure you."
Drat. That meant Sunset couldn't leave that way. But if what she had heard about the intruder was true…
"GANGWAY!" screamed a voice that made Sunset's mind flare up. "HE'S COMING! HE'S COMING!"
That voice… Rainbow Dash?! Sunset quickly squeezed her eyes closed and shook her head. No, no! That's how ponies are tricked by them!
"HERE HE COMES!" roared a different voice from outside. "BLAST HIM!"
All pairs of eyes- including Sunset's- turned to the rocks that sealed the entryway to the chamber. From beyond, magic blasts rang out with incredible speed… and they were quickly followed by grunts and screaming.
Something zipped all around and was attacking the changelings with terrifying precision and brutal aggression. Whatever was out there, it was starting to put the changelings (both outside and inside the chamber) on edge.
"He's too strong! We can't-UGH!"
"It's no use! AAAGH!"
"FOR QUEEN CHRYSALIS! AUGH!"
The changeling guards inside stood in ready stances, their eyes locked on the entrance. The magic blasts of false unicorns and the swooshes of fake pegasi continued to echo… until something unfamiliar growled in annoyance.
"ENOUGH! CHAOS BLAST!"
BRAKOOM! With a devastating explosion of red light, the two rocks were obliterated into pebbles and the nearby changelings were sent flying back. Chrysalis covered herself with a wing and Sunset winced, hoping her own hiding spot would be spared from the destruction.
The remaining changelings- Chrysalis among them- growled like a pack of angry dogs as they eyed the cloud of dust. The sound of something moving came from the cloud, followed by footsteps. The guards braced for contact, every one of them on edge…
...and a battered form of Rainbow Dash collapsed into the room. The pained gasps freakishly similar to her friend brought chills to Sunset's spine. A pair of magenta eyes that constantly flickered to blank pupils turned to the irritated Chrysalis.
"My queen…" she moaned. "Forgive… me…" In a green flash, the changeling impersonating her went limp and fell with a moan. Behind it, a new figure on two legs strode into the chamber.
As Sunset had overheard, it was no creature she had ever seen before. The sight of it made her quietly gasp.
It was black with blazing red eyes, the back of its head covered with spikes. A red stripe ran down its forehead and a white patch of fur stood out on what Sunset could assume was its heart. It wore white gloves with black cuffs and a strange pair of shoes. For accessories, it had four golden rings on each of its wrists and ankles.
The changelings hissed at the creature, who barely batted an eye at them. Chrysalis rose from her improvised throne, glaring at the creature with a snarl of her own.
"What in the pits of Tartarus are you?"
The creature wasn't intimidated in the slightest. In fact, it looked like it was expecting Chrysalis to be frightened of it instead of the other way around. It crossed its arms and gave Chrysalis a glare that reminded Sunset way too much of who she once was.
"My name is Shadow the Hedgehog," he spoke coldly. "And I have wasted enough of my time with your pathetic minions. I want answers… and I want them now."
"Pathetic?!" Chrysalis roared. "You DARE to trespass on my domain, disrupt my revenge against those putrid ponies, and dismiss my drones as nothing but weaklings?!"
"Hmph. I've fought worse than these bugs. And uglier."
Chrysalis looked like she was about to snap. "You've just lost your tongue, foul creature! DRONES! DESTROY HIM!"
SCREEEE! The changelings buzzed towards the newcomer in a frantic frenzy of fangs. He only clenched his fists and scowled in mere irritation; as if he was being interrupted too many times. Shadow did not move from his current position. Instead, he held out his hands and…
"Chaos CONTROL!"
There was a huge flash of light that would've burned out Sunset's eyes if she hadn't closed them in time. The unicorn felt strange energy wash over her… energy that didn't feel magical in the slightest.
When she opened them back up, the creature was in a landing pose… and every one of the changelings was falling into a heap behind him. As her soldiers lay defeated, Chrysalis was shaken.
"WHAT?! How?! What manner of magic do you wield?!"
"It seems you don't understand the power I possess," Shadow replied. "Allow me to educate you."
"Grrr! You have interfered enough!" Chrysalis blasted a ray of green magic from her twisted horn, hoping to incinerate the meddlesome hedgehog on the spot. Shadow broke into a skate and sidestepped the blast, along with several others that followed. A blast aimed at his feet sent him sailing into the air, leaving him open to another shot.
Chrysalis fired again… and Shadow vanished in a blink of light.
"What?" Shadow reappeared behind Chrysalis and landed a hard kick to her side. Chrysalis fell to the cavern floor, opening an eye at the approaching hedgehog. "Why you little…!"
She launched into the air with buzzing wings, swooping at the black hedgehog. Shadow simply jumped over and spun onto her back, instantly grounding her. "Hmph! Predictable."
Chrysalis hissed and opened fire again, sending Shadow into a speedy retreat. She took to the air and chased after him, continuing to lay down fire. Shadow weaved and sidestepped as much of the blasts as he could… until one shot hit him in the back.
"NGH!" Shadow skid to a halt right near Sunset's hiding place. While the unicorn looked on in shock, Chrysalis laughed victoriously. "Ha ha ha! You are the pathetic one here! Your delusions of grandeur will be your undoing, foul creature! You may have best my drones, but you will never defeat-"
"Chaos Spear!"
A bolt of green light struck Chrysalis in the face, making her screech in pain. A black-red ball trailed by orange light slammed into her head before she could recover, prompting her to snarl in rage. "You pesky little rat!"
Both of them were on the move again as two black shapes that zipped about the chamber. Green magic blasts and projectiles of the unknown energy smacked into the floor and the walls. While some scored lucky hits, the targets shrugged themselves off with an angry snarl.
Chrysalis snagged Shadow and flew upwards with him in her grip. Sneering, Shadow elbowed Chrysalis in the face hard enough for the changeling queen to drop him. The former ruler sought to correct this by blasting another magic beam at the hedgehog… who teleported out of harm's way again.
The beam struck the boulder Sunset was hiding behind, sending the unicorn flying with a cry. Sunset collapsed onto the floor and quickly scrambled to her hooves, unsure of her next move.
Should I help him? Or should I stay out of the way? He looks like he's got this in the bag… but what is he? He's matching Chrysalis step for step!
Another thrown energy projectile canceled out another of Chrysalis' beams, stunning her. Shadow rushed up and pinned her against the rock wall, placing an arm on her throat.
"Enough of this!" he growled. "If I didn't need you alive, you'd already be dead by now!"
"I submit to no creature!" Chrysalis hissed. "And if you falsely believe me to be as much of a pushover as my subjects…"
In a flash of green light, Chrysalis obtained the form of a lavender unicorn with violet eyes. And while Shadow did not recognize the body, Sunset knew it all too well.
"...you're sorely mistaken!" finished Twilight Sparkle's voice, blasting Shadow back with a ray of purple magic. Shadow flipped in midair and landed on his feet, turning his crimson eyes to the airborne Chrysalis. He spun away from a barrage of magic bolts and skated up a wall, jumping off it and spinning up again.
He shot for Chrysalis, who simply lit up her horn and caught Shadow in midair. While the hedgehog was left confused by this, the fake alicorn used her magic to slam Shadow right in the opposite wall of the chamber. He collided with a loud crack, causing Sunset to flinch from the impact.
Shadow landed on his feet shakily, his body a little bruised from that last hit. "Urgh! Grave mistake!" He shot away from Sunset before the unicorn could begin to offer aid. Flames propelling from his shoes allowed him to boost towards Chrysalis, who now morphed into Applejack. She thrust out her hind legs to give Shadow a hard double-hooved kick, but the hedgehog slid underneath the attack, seized Chrysalis by a forehoof, and slammed her into the floor like a ragdoll.
With a snarl, Chrysalis swatted Shadow away and rose back to her feet just as he came in again. The hedgehog charged up a Spin Dash and shot for Chrysalis again. The changeling quickly morphed into Rarity and summoned a diamond shield that the orb bounced off of three times. Lowering the shield, she blasted him with magic again.
"You coward!" Shadow snarled after he hit the wall back-first. "Stop hiding behind others' faces and fight me!"
"Ha ha ha!" Chrysalis laughed in Rarity's charming tone. "Now where would the fun be in that?"
Shadow raced all around the changeling in a black tornado, only for all his hits to connect with the diamond shield. "My, you're a quick one!" she said to the dark whirlwind. "But I have the gift of speed as well!"
In another emerald flash, Chrysalis' appearance changed from an amused Rarity to a smirking Rainbow Dash. She shot up and away from the tornado in a colored streak, looping around for the speeding Shadow. Breaking his momentum, Shadow abandoned his tornado move and sped all around the chamber walls with Chrysalis in hot pursuit. Even Sunset had a difficult time tracking them, her eyes catching only glimpses of black and colored blurs.
"It doesn't matter what shape you take!" Shadow shouted. "None of them will save you!"
"Too bad this one won't save you!" Chrysalis shot back as she blitzed Shadow and knocked him into the air, where she proceeded to barrage him with a high-speed flurry of attacks. She smashed Shadow downward with a rear hoof, making the black hedgehog collapse with a loud bang.
Sunset winced again. This guy can take a hit!
The sound of Rainbow Dash's chuckling filled the chamber as Chrysalis swooped down to the fallen hedgehog. "All those threats and you still come up short. You coming here was your greatest mistake… and also your last."
With a sneer of the fake pegasus' face, Chrysalis reverted to her true form as she approached the still-moving hedgehog. He cracked open a red eye and clenched a fist. "You… haven't won yet…" he moaned. "You greatly underestimate my strength…"
Chrysalis scoffed. "Spare me your petty insults. What use are your little tricks now?"
A sinister smile crossed her face as Shadow tried- and failed- to stand. "I am, however, curious. Tell me… what could someone so stubborn and brooding like you ever love?"
Love? Sunset realized with wide eyes. "Oh no…"
"Actually, no. Don't tell me. I'll see how much you have for myself!" She opened her mouth and inhaled, her fangs glistening with hunger. Shadow cringed and collapsed, his body glowing with a pink aura.
"Ngh! Hrrgh! What… what is this?! What are you… rrrgh!" The bright color slowly trailed away from his quivering body and towards Chrysalis' open mouth. It vanished down her throat, allowing the queen to savor the sustenance with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
She… she's draining him of love! I gotta do something! Sunset thought frightfully. But… I can't stand up to her alone! Oh, if only Twilight and the others were here!
Another thought crossed her mind. Wait… why does he have so much? What does he cherish so deeply, for someone so… straightforward and impulsive?
Shadow continued to struggle, his body growing weaker and weaker by the second. His eyes were clenched shut and grunts of both pain and effort escaped his throat.
"P… Professor… M… Maria… I failed you..."
Sunset's expression now changed from anxiousness to curiosity. She knew little of those people… yet she already knew they had a place in Shadow's heart. Professor… Could that mean a teacher? Just like how Celestia once was to Sunset? And who was this Maria?
If that was true… then maybe she had more in common with him than she believed.
Shadow's mind was screaming as the aura around him began to dim. He couldn't resist, he couldn't fight it. He could only… struggle.
Shadow…
At that moment, he stopped fighting. All was quiet. The phantom's cry reverberated through his mind; a cry that has long haunted him.
Shadow… I beg of you. Please, do it for me. For a better future.
He was there again. Trapped. Helpless. Just as he was now. Unable to do anything but watch. And scream.
For all the people who live on that planet… give them a chance to be happy. Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason why you were brought into this world.
She… she gave him a wish. A plea. A desperate cry for help.
Would she want this from him? To perish while the world remains unchanged?
Anger began to flood Shadow's body like water rushing through a river. His grunts grew longer and deeper… and the pink aura darkened into a red shade. Chrysalis, basking in her meal, made the mistake of letting this slip by unnoticed.
No… no! Not like this!
His eyes shot open, burning with great fury. Sunset's own hues widened in shock while Chrysalis finally took in the sight.
The fear and confusion in her irises… it was enough to push Shadow past the point of no return.
"CHAAAOOOOOS... BLAST!"
Chrysalis howled in agony as both she and Sunset were swept away by the crimson shockwave. Both unicorn and changeling fell flat on their backs… and while Sunset slowly rose back to her feet- gasping for breath as she did- Chrysalis was only frozen in pure fear as the black hedgehog marched up to her with unbound fury on his face.
"No! NO!" she screamed while scrambling away from him like a panicked child. "IMPOSSIBLE! No creature has ever broken free of a drain before! Who… WHAT ARE YOU?!"
"You want to know who I am?" Shadow growled, his body glowing with a crimson light. "You want to know who I am?" He stood over Chrysalis' shaking form with squeezed fists and bared teeth. "I am Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform. I am infused with the might of Chaos itself. I am the protector that my closest friend made in her dying breaths. I am the savior and the destroyer. That is who I am."
Chrysalis' fear slowly melted into a fit of uncontrollable anger. Her panicked gasps transitioned into heavy breaths of seething rage. She growled like a mother bear and glared into Shadow's crimson hues.
"You… You… YOU STUPID, SPINY BRAT!" She screamed, unleashing another stream of green magic right at Shadow's head. With incredible speed, the hedgehog launched away from Chrysalis and acrobatically maneuvered away from the emerald beam. When he touched down, Chrysalis was in the air. She screeched again and fired a powerful blast, making the enraged Shadow dash across the chamber.
The black hedgehog jumped off a series of rocks and launched towards Chrysalis, landing a hard kick to her face. Both of them landed on her makeshift throne, where Chrysalis tried to blast him again with a cry of rage. Shadow shot into the air again, charging a strong Homing Attack mixed with red energy. With a hard slam, he smashed into Chrysalis' torso and unleashed a ferocious combo of chaos-infused punches and roundhouse kicks. A final Spin Attack knocked her off the throne, making the changeling queen crash to the rocky floor.
VWEE! Shadow spun right into her back and made her cry out in pain. A rear hoof knocked the hedgehog back into the rocks, allowing Chrysalis to morph into Rainbow Dash and fly away.
But in seconds, Shadow jumped up and snagged the changeling by the tail, smashing her into the ground. He followed up by throwing Chrysalis into the air and sweeping an arm.
"CHAOS SPEAR!"
Multiple energy projectiles slammed into Chrysalis' form, dealing enough damage to revert her. Landing on her shaky hooves and gasping for breath, Chrysalis desperately blasted at the rapidly advancing hedgehog. Shadow weaved around the shots with ease, gaining on the queen in seconds.
A strong kick to her chest toppled her. A leg sweep to her forelimbs was enough to keep her that way. The queen shrieked and lunged for Shadow, her mouth wide open and ready to close on his head…
"CHAOS CONTROL!"
In a flash, Shadow had jumped over Chrysalis and landed a kick to her flank. He sped for the queen before she could hit the ground, hitting her chin with a fierce uppercut. Once she was in the air, he shot up and barraged with lightning-fast Homing Attacks. A final strike slammed into the weakened former queen and made them both crash into the chamber floor in a cloud of dust. Sunset winced and turned her head away, trying to keep the particles from getting in her face.
When the cloud cleared, the first thing Sunset saw was the beaten, weakened form of Queen Chrysalis. The changeling's horn was flickering with emerald light… but only sparks came out as her breath left her.
The red glow around Shadow had faded as he now stomped down on Chrysalis' horn, leading to a pained cry. "Worthless," he growled at his defeated adversary. "Just like your soldiers. Copying the forms of other creatures is no match for the power of chaos. Now…"
He grabbed Chrysalis by the throat and hoisted her up so that her eyes met his. And Shadow's next words were spoken with a sinister growl. "Where are the Chaos Emeralds?"
The changeling cracked open an eye. "You… will pay… for this…"
The hedgehog's grip tightened, cutting off any further threats. "Where are the Chaos Emeralds?! My patience is wearing thin!"
"I… I have never heard of such blasphemy!"
"GRR!" Shadow drew back a fist while seething with anger. "CHAOS-!"
"She can't answer that question!" a familiar voice shouted.
Shadow spun around towards the chamber's entrance with Sunset and Chrysalis following his gaze. There, the Mane Six, the metamorphosed changelings, and Sonic and friends all stood.
"But we can," Sonic answered.
"So it's true…" Twilight whispered. "Queen Chrysalis. You've returned."
"Y… you…" she snarled weakly.
Shadow released Chrysalis with a "hmph" and let her fall limp on the cavern floor. "Out with it, then."
"Aw, man!" whined Rainbow. "He didn't save any for me!"
"The Chaos Emeralds aren't here," Tails explained. "And not back home. After the incident with the Time Eater, they were sent to a space between dimensions. They're still there, connected by six jewels called the Elements of Harmony. We're looking for them, too, so that we can fix things."
Shadow crossed his arms. "Are these 'Elements' just as powerful?"
"Yup. Both our world and this one are gonna be destroyed if we don't find them in time."
"Then pray that you, Sonic, are fast enough to reach this 'space between dimensions'," Shadow started to turn away. "I have my own matters to attend to."
"Whoa, hold on!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "We just told you that your world is gonna end, and you're not the least bit frightened? Just a smidge? I mean, I was pretty shaken up when I heard."
Shadow narrowed his eyes at her. "Why should I be concerned?"
"I dunno, maybe because you live there?" Rainbow replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Tch. Whatever. I have better things to do than converse with creatures who look like a child's toys."
"Wha- hey! You take that-!"
VOIP! In another blink of blue light, Shadow was gone. "...back." Rainbow scowled at where he once stood. "You were right, Rarity. He is rude."
"Meh. You get used to it," Sonic replied before turning his attention to the defeated Chrysalis. "So, this is the high and mighty Queen Chrysalis of the changelings, huh? I don't see the appeal."
"Yeesh!" Knuckles recoiled in disgust. "She's got holes in her! Did Shadow do that?!"
"No, it's natural," replied Fluttershy calmly. "Unfortunately…"
"Well, now that's over with…" said a new voice. "Why don't we move on to the next issue? Hey, Twilight."
The alicorn smiled at the yellow unicorn. "Sunset Shimmer! You got my message!"
"Sure did. Thanks for writing on a weekend, by the way. That means I don't have to bother with excuses to Principal Celestia."
"Um…" Amy spoke up. "Don't you mean 'Princess' Celestia?"
Sunset only gave her an innocent smile and a chuckle. "Heh. It's, uh, a long story."
"Very long," Pinkie whispered to Amy. "But I'd love for you to hear all about it!"
"So what are you doing down here?" Rainbow asked. "Is it because of the statue?"
"That, and some ponies were acting weird."
"Changelings in disguise?"
"Changelings in disguise. I followed their trail back here and saw that Shadow guy in action. Man, he is freakishly strong…"
"Well, he is called the Ultimate Lifeform for a reason," Sonic said. "The dude's a walking, talking bomb of angst and chaos energy."
"Noted. Okay, where was I?" Sunset muttered, turning her gaze back to Chrysalis. "Oh, yeah! Why don't we move on to the next issue at hand?" She looked at Twilight expectantly. The alicorn nodded and stepped forth to address the defeated changeling queen.
"You're free. The world-merge has caused the Legion's punishment to be undone. So…" She lit up her horn with magic, a stern expression on her face. "Where are Lord Tirek and Cozy Glow?"
Chrysalis only hissed at the Princess of Friendship. "I don't know where those fools are, and I don't care. I am in no rush; either they find me or I find them. It is as I said on that day, Twilight Sparkle… we will always return. And return we have…"
She flinched with another hiss, this one of pain rather than threatening. "Curse that blasted hedgehog..." She looked at the group before her… and noticed Sonic and his friends. "Ah… found yourself some new friends, Princess? I'm afraid they won't help you. Friendship can't help you this time... and once I recover, I will have my revenge on you, on Starlight, and all the rest who have defied me!"
"You won't even get the chance," Twilight replied firmly. "We're going to take you back to Canterlot where you won't hurt anypony else. And once we round up the rest of the Legion, I'm sure Princess Celestia will-"
KRAKOOM! The entire cave shuddered and quaked, making everyone cry out in surprise. Bits of stone started to fall from the natural ceiling and the tunnels began to tremble.
"What's happening?!" cried Spike. "An earthquake?!"
The air started to split apart and the walls crackled with strange energy. A bright glow began to cover the walls, making the rocks vanish from sight. Tails flinched and shielded his eyes. He opened them back up… and gasped at what had become of the rocks.
"Sonic! Look!"
The rocks had been replaced with mysterious carvings that looked like they belonged in a temple rather than a cave. And more inches of the walls were transformed by the second. Knuckles took a closer look at the carvings while trying to withstand the tremors.
"Hey!" he called out. "These carvings are of the old Knuckles Clan! And the only place I can think of that has stuff like that is-"
"The Mystic Ruins Temple!" Sonic finished. "This is just like what happened to Ponyville!"
"Hey!" Rainbow cried. "Chrysalis is gone!" Everyone looked in front of them and saw the spot was indeed empty. The former changeling queen had taken the opportunity to escape thanks to the commotion.
"Where'd she go?!" Spike shouted.
"Never mind her!" Knuckles replied. "Where're we gonna go?!"
"Anywhere but here!" Twilight called. "Everypony, gather around!"
Knuckles went as white as a sheet upon realizing what she had in mind. "Oh, no! No, no, no! Not this again!" he protested, waving his hands in denial.
"You got a better idea?!" Applejack asked. The echidna opened his mouth… but couldn't find a good response. Instead, he hung his head in defeat. "Ugh… I am so gonna regret this…"
Everyone gathered close to Twilight, who closed her eyes in concentration. Her horn glowed brightly with magic, and in a flash of lavender light, the group vanished just before boulders fell on top of their position.
With a poof, everyone appeared above ground, relieved to have escaped the chaotic scene. However, four of them were less than pleased.
"I… I never want to do that again," groaned a nauseous Sonic, who held a hand over his mouth. Tails was stumbling about dizzily, Amy was slumped against Pinkie Pie, and Knuckles was lying flat on his back with his eyes moving in different directions.
"Well, I- heh- I suppose teleporting isn't for every creature," Twilight noted.
"You can say that again," Applejack added, tapping the dazed Knuckles with a hoof. Rainbow looked unimpressed at the about-to-hurl Sonic. "You can run at Mach One for funsies, but teleporting makes you wanna barf?"
"Okay, it's worse than lame…" Sonic moaned. "Teleporting is just way uncool. No offense, Twi… urp."
"I don't think I can thank you enough for your timing," Thorax said. "Who knows what Chrysalis would've done if you hadn't freed us?"
"I appreciate the thanks, Thorax," Twilight replied. "But with Chrysalis now running loose, Tirek and Cozy Glow have got to be somewhere out there as well. And if they get back together, they'll turn out to be as great a threat as last time!"
"Hey, no worries, Twi!" said Rainbow Dash boldly. "We beat 'em once, and we can do it again!"
"You should head back to the old hive," Twilight said to Thorax. "Keep your people safe. We'll handle Chrysalis if she proves to be a big problem."
"The changelings won't have anything to worry about," Thorax replied, his followers already in the air. "Now go on and save the world already!" He gave Spike a wave goodbye; a gesture the dragon returned.
Sonic knocked himself on the head, his dizziness now fading. "So long! Don't 'bee' a stranger!" The changelings all flew away into the horizon, leaving the group on the grassy fields. Some of the ponies looked at Sonic curiously. "What? Come on, bee as in the bug? That was a good one, right?"
"Changelings don't have stingers," Spike told him.
Sonic sighed. "Okay, so my best puns are robot-related, alright?"
Twilight noticed movement nearby and turned to look. "Sunset? Where are you going?" As Rainbow Dash flew up to them, Sunset turned her head to Twilight. "Well… it seems like you guys have got this whole 'save the world' thing down, so… I'm gonna look for this Shadow guy."
"Wait…" Rainbow spoke. "The black and red hedgehog who kicked Chrysalis' flank? Whattaya want with him?" The unicorn was quiet for a moment, as if deep in thought or reminiscing about something.
"Let's just say… I think there's more to him than what we see on the outside."
Twilight's face lit up in realization before a smile crossed her face. "I'm not gonna stop you, Sunset. If you think you can find common ground between the two of you, then do it. I hope we'll see each other again soon."
Sunset smiled back. "Count on it, princess." She turned and started to gallop across the land, leaving her friends with their own mission. Rainbow raised a hoof and waved it over her head. "See ya, Sunny!"
"So, now what?" asked Knuckles. Tails already had his eyes glued to his handheld and was fiddling with the Emerald Radar. "The Emeralds and the Elements are in a space between dimensions, that much is clear. The only question is: how do we get to it?"
"I'm clueless," commented Pinkie Pie. "But I think it has something to do with those freaky-deaky black creatures!"
"Like the one that decided to rain on the race between me and Dash?" Sonic asked with an irritated expression. "What makes you so sure they've got a connection?"
"Because I've analyzed it during the fight against it," Tails replied. "I found out it's composed of both magic and chaos energy!"
"Which is also what's causing all those terrible rifts," Rarity added. "If we're going to find the Emeralds and the Elements, we must also solve the mystery surrounding those things!"
Sonic and Rainbow Dash were silent. Their minds flashed back to their encounter with the strange being that interrupted their race… and the haunting, booming voice that made their brains ring like drums when it grabbed them.
WE HUNGER.
"If you're gonna break out the detective shtick again, Rarity," Rainbow said after a moment. "Can you please not get distracted by outfits and architecture?"
"First of all," Rarity said with a glare. "I'll have you know they were crucial to evidence in the Wonderbolt case in which you were framed! And second, I see no reason why either of them will be involved in something as grand as this!"
"Speaking of detectives…" Sonic muttered. "I wonder if Vector and the boys have caught on to anything yet."
"We'll work this all out later, everypony," Twilight spoke up. "For now, I think we all need some rest. Let's find somewhere to take shelter for a while. Once we're ready to go again, we'll figure out our next move."
"Sounds good to me," said Knuckles. "My head hurts already from trying to piece things together."
"I could use a little breather myself," Rainbow added. "You can't be this awesome without a little rest."
"I'll go ahead and look for a good spot," Tails said as he got airborne. He flew off, leaving Sonic to watch his buddy go. But as he did, he couldn't help but think. First, those things at Green Hill terrifying the local critters. Then, Fluttershy mentioned those things were attacking towns. And now the thing from the race.
Something was up. Something bigger than he originally thought. Just what were these things? And what did they hunger for? And more importantly… if they were tied to the Emeralds and the Elements, what role did they play?
…
INFILTRATION STATUS: SUCCESSFUL
CURRENT LOCATION: UNKNOWN, PRESUMABLY OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
SCANNING AREA…
SCAN COMPLETE. MULTIPLE ENERGY SIGNATURES DETECTED.
MATCH FOR PROJECT MYTH: AFFIRMATIVE.
SIGNATURES DETECTED IN NEARBY STRUCTURE. DESIGNATION: "SCHOOL FOR GIFTED UNICORNS".
CONTACTING DR. EGGMAN…
"What is it? Did you find something?"
MARKING LOCATION... UPLOADING DATA TO EGGNET…
UPLOAD COMPLETE.
"Ah, excellent! Now, let's see here… 'School for Gifted Unicorns', eh? Perfect! It's practically a gold mine! Listen, Phase One for Project Myth is currently underway. Stay stealthy until a battalion arrives. Then ensure they get the job done. Eggman out."
ORDERS APPROVED. AWAITING ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS…
…
Shadow stood near the entrance to a forest, naturally alone. His primary mission was successful but at a cost. According to Sonic, the Chaos Emeralds were somewhere completely unreachable: a "space between dimensions". Could that mean a realm of space-time that rested between the fabric of both Sonic's world and this one?
He would leave the business of reaching it to Sonic and the others. As for Shadow, his attention would now have to turn to the other task he had set in motion. Reaching into his glove, he pulled out an earpiece and fitted it into his right ear, pressing two fingers on it.
"Team Dark, status report," he said. "Rouge? Omega?"
He got nothing but static on the other end. Was something in this world interfering with long-range communications? Nevertheless, Shadow knew his allies well enough to handle themselves if they were in a tight spot. Rouge must've enacted radio silence to add to her usual spy routine.
And Omega? The walking arsenal was probably shooting and blasting everything he saw into oblivion, unaware of the attempted contact.
Shadow shook the thoughts from his head. Chrysalis had been useless in his interrogation; she claimed to have never heard of the Chaos Emeralds. But these Elements of Harmony… just what were they? Were they similar to the Chaos Emeralds or did they have a different purpose? If he was to get to the bottom of this, he'd need to know what they were capable of.
"Tell me… what's it like being alone?"
Shadow spun on his heel, ready for a fight. For a moment, he expected that insect Chrysalis (having not learned her lesson), demanding another foolish showdown with the Ultimate Lifeform. But instead, he saw one of those… things.
A small horse with a horn and a mane the color of fire. Her cyan eyes stared at him knowingly. The sight of this inferior creature disgusted him. And yet, the question she arose… What was it to her?
Whatever the reason, he had no time for this.
"Who are you and why should I care?"
He expected her to be offended by his reply. Instead, she was unfazed… until the corner of her mouth lifted in a knowing smirk. "Me? I'm somepony who knows the feeling of loneliness all too well…"
…
"Have you guys heard? Ponies are going missing and lots of weird stuff is showing up!"
A small unicorn scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Tell us something we don't know, Scootaloo."
"Yeah," said another with a light crimson bow on her head. "Things have been starting to get real spooky with those metal monsters popping up. Thankfully, my big sis and her friends have really started to show those varmints who's boss!"
"That's… not exactly what I mean, Apple Bloom," said the little pegasus. "Have you seen Ponyville lately?"
"Not since Rarity had taken me to the School of Friendship for safety," the unicorn replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Creatures I've never seen before have started popping up there! Creatures with fur and two legs… totally strange."
"It seems like everypony is seeing something strange once every few weeks," the unicorn continued. "Twilight and the others have navigated through several oddities; why should this one be any different?"
"That's the thing, Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo answered. "Because everything is starting to become different. Places we know are getting replaced by places we don't. Ponies are vanishing and these strange creatures are appearing in their place. Something is happening to Equestria, and that something is tied to somewhere none of us know about."
"So…" Apple Bloom spoke up. "Just what is this other place supposed to be, any-"
KRRRSH! The very air around the three ponies cracked like thunder, sending the trio into a panic. Sparks flickered out of nowhere, dangerously close to the nervous ponies. "AH!" yelped Sweetie Belle. "Wh-what's happening?!"
Scootaloo opened her mouth to answer. "I don't-!"
Everything around the trio suddenly flashed into a bright light, forcing them to shield their eyes. They remained in a cringed state while the light brightened… and then dimmed. Scootaloo was the first to reopen her eyes; and while she saw that the small patch of forest surrounding them was the same, everything else had vanished.
"What the…?" Instead of the small woods she remembered just seconds ago, she found herself on the outskirts of a strange-looking city. "Is that… Manehattan?" she asked. "Or… Baltimare?"
"Maybe Chicoltgo?" asked Apple Bloom.
"I… I'm not sure," said Sweetie Belle. "That city doesn't look like any of those places!"
"Then… where are we?" Scootaloo questioned, her eyes scanning the nearby area. There had to be some kind of clue for the ponies to use. A landmark, maybe? A notable building? Or maybe a…
"Hey, look!" Apple Bloom called. "A sign!"
The three ponies galloped to the side of a long-stretching road leading into the city. A green rectangular sign was presented to any who would be arriving… but for the trio, they were left even more confused.
"Westopolis City Limits?" read Scootaloo. "Who the heck names a city like that?"
"Never mind that!" said Sweetie Belle, using her magic to retrieve a piece of paper taped to the sign. "Look at this! Hmm… aside from a slight spelling error, this might be just what we need!"
"What is it?" inquired Apple Bloom.
"Some investigators calling themselves the 'Chaotic Detective Agency'," Sweetie explained. "If we can find them, perhaps we can learn more about our predicament!"
"And how to get back home!" Scootaloo added. "But… I'm not too wild about their slogan. 'Are you sure you want to know?' Seriously?"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Apple Bloom called. "Let's go find these guys and get some answers already!" The earth pony began to run down the road towards the looming city, with the pegasus and the unicorn right behind her…
…
"Pft. What could you possibly know about being alone?"
Shadow wasn't buying this creature's game for a second. One encounter with lower lifeforms was enough in his book. So why was this pathetic thing so determined on wasting his time?
"As I said, a whole lot," she replied calmly. Shadow could feel a trace of experience in her tone… did she hold some truth to her words? "My name is Sunset Shimmer, and I didn't start alone. In fact, I chose to be alone a long time ago."
Shadow was disinterested. "So?"
"You didn't."
The hedgehog lifted a brow at the unicorn and scowled. "You can't possibly know that just by looking at me."
"I assume some creature could say otherwise," she continued. "But I was there, in the caves. I saw you fight Chrysalis with your… chaos powers, right?"
Shadow looked at Sunset curiously. "You haven't run into Sonic, by any chance, have you?" he asked with a mild annoyance. The unicorn only looked to the ground. "Well, kind of. But a friend of mine told me about your world and the chaos energy it has. And a great power such as that…" she paused with a sigh. "A long time ago, I would've done anything to possess it."
"You? With chaos energy?" Shadow scoffed. "I find that hard to believe, for an inferior creature such as yourself. You wouldn't be able to handle such power."
"To be honest, it looks too much for you to handle," she replied. "And yet you do. I can only think of one reason for this… you're unnatural, Shadow."
Shadow turned stiff. "Mind your tongue, equine."
Sunset was undeterred. "You called yourself the Ultimate Lifeform. In your world, you must be the most powerful being alive, something I would have desired in the past. But so much power… sooner or later, you had to have wondered what you would do with it."
Shadow clenched his hands into fists and narrowed his eyes.
"You said you were a savior and a destroyer. Not an easy choice to make, I bel-"
The hedgehog zipped up to Sunset- who surprisingly didn't even flinch- and made aggressive eye contact. "Shut. Up," he snarled. "You know nothing about me, Sunset Shimmer. If you did, you would know that I could obliterate you right here, right now. You know nothing of my past, nothing of the life I knew."
He stepped back, unbreaking eye contact with the unicorn beneath him. "Not that you could, anyway. I don't speak of my past anymore. Even Sonic is not stupid enough to irk me with such questions these days."
Now, it was Sunset's turn to narrow her eyes. "You intend to let the past stay buried? A part of what made you today, lost forever? I have my own understanding of it. And…" Sunset hesitated, old memories resurfacing. "...sometimes I want to forget it; to leave it behind. But I can't. My past is a part of me, but… I can't just leave it to be forgotten. Would you?"
Shadow didn't answer. Instead, the black hedgehog glared at Sunset in disappointment, turned away, and started to walk towards the distant forest. "Enough of this nonsense. I have my own task at hand." As he retreated, Sunset scowled at him.
I don't like my past, either. It may have been a part of me, but it doesn't define me now. If you refuse to even discuss yours, you must have the same idea as me, Shadow.
But… maybe your past means more to you than mine did. It's okay, I know you don't want to talk about it… but you don't need to.
She always wondered how her powers would work in Equestria. Without her geode, Sunset couldn't just do it by touch. But perhaps there was another way?
Sunset closed her eyes and channeled her inner magic. Her horn glowed a bright reddish hue, gathering into an orb at the tip. She took a deep breath, hoping this spell would work.
She fired a magical beam at Shadow, who stopped and spun around instinctively.
"?!"
But all that speed and he was too late to avoid it. The beam struck him right in the chest… and Sunset's world faded into white.
Sunset's vision changed from white to black. Then black with white lights filling it… and the view of a blue planet. Her body was gone; only her mind and her sight remained.
This feeling of weightlessness whenever she peered into another person's memory… it never ceased to satisfy her.
The first thing she saw was a man: a human man in a lab coat standing next to… she didn't know how to describe it. A monster? A demon? And just nearby was some kind of tank… with Shadow inside.
I was right. Shadow is unnatural! He was made by… that man and that thing? But for what purpose?
The memory faded and was replaced by another. Shadow, now out of his tank, was staring at the planet below. A voice spoke: a voice that was calm and innocent.
"Shadow, what do you think it's like on Earth?"
Sunset turned her attention to who had spoken: a human girl. She looked so young as if she had no cares in the world. Shadow kept his eyes trained on the planet as he made his response.
"The professor said his life's work was dedicated to all down there," To Sunset's surprise, Shadow sounded… comfortable. She didn't hear the gruff tone of voice that he normally had. "He once told that the reason for his existence was making people happy through the power of science."
Sunset took a moment to reflect on that. Improving lives through technology… Sci-Twi would've enjoyed such a topic.
"Shadow-" the girl began, only to be immediately cut off by the black hedgehog.
"Maria, I just don't know anything anymore," he continued.
Maria?
"I often wonder why I was created; what my purpose is for being here. Maybe if I go down there, I will find the answers. Maybe…" Shadow trailed off into silence; one that would echo Sunset's if she was physically present. Did he doubt his own existence?
Maria only gave Shadow a warm smile… one the hedgehog returned. Sunset found the sight comforting and odd at the same time. Shadow hadn't smiled once ever since she first laid eyes on him.
So… what changed?
The area flooded with white again and changed before Sunset's consciousness. While the location remained the same this time, the situation did not. Now, Sunset heard the blaring of alarms.
What's going on? Is something wrong?
"Maria?"
"Please, Shadow!" the girl begged as she took the hedgehog's hand in her own. "I need your help! My grandfather's experiments! Something's gone horribly wrong!"
Grandfather? Could she mean this professor?
"What is it?" Shadow asked urgently.
"The research lab; it's going to be destroyed! Something must be done!" The girl seemed on the verge of tears now as she grabbed Shadow's hand. "Please, Shadow, I beg you! Help grandfather and those aboard the ARK! Please!"
Shadow made a protective face as he gently lowered the girl's grip with a nod. "I'll be there, Maria," he said firmly. "I swear, whatever it takes, I'll take care of the ARK and the professor!"
And then came a rush that even Sunset had trouble keeping up with. Shadow and Maria were now running down a corridor, the latter gasping for breath as alarms rattled their eardrums.
"Find them before they escape!" someone shouted. The girl looked absolutely terrified as Shadow gripped her hand tightly. He didn't stop or think to look back at whoever was after them.
"Don't stop, Maria!"
The girl only nodded in a hasty reply. The winding metal halls rushed past both them and Sunset. They passed open doors and windows to laboratories. Sunset could only look through them in a second, but she saw enough: armed men in uniform were cornering scientists. Some were shouting, others were destroying equipment.
"The experiments are too dangerous! Destroy them all!"
"Does anyone have eyes on the primary target?!"
A radio buzzed. "We need backup! One of the experiments is- AAAGH!"
Fear started to swallow Sunset's mind. Who were these men? What did they want? And why were they doing this?
Shadow and the girl were in some kind of control room now. The only notable objects in sight were an escape pod and its corresponding control panel. Shadow hissed under his breath and clenched a fist.
"A dead-end! Hurry, Maria! We must-"
"No!" she cried. "They'll be here any moment now! Quick, Shadow! Get inside!"
"What? Why?" Shadow's voice had a hint of confusion and fear alike.
"There… there's no time to explain!" she shouted. "Just get in! You can leave the ARK safely!"
"But… but what about you?!"
"Don't worry about me, Shadow…" came her calm reply… before the girl pushed the surprised hedgehog inside the pod. Upon making contact with the pod's interior, Shadow saw the door seal shut and trapped him in.
"M-Maria!" he cried with an unbelievable fear in his voice. "Listen to me! You need to get out of here! Find your grandfather… another scientist… anyone! You-"
"No…" the girl replied softly as she approached the panel. "You listen to me, Shadow… you-"
"FREEZE!"
The girl spun towards the door… where a squad of soldiers blocked her only means of escape. One of them with a visor pointed a pistol at her, sending a wave of dread through Sunset's consciousness.
"Touch anything on that console, and I will shoot!"
Shadow froze up in a sheer panic, his hands placed against the surface of the pod. He opened his mouth to speak as his eyes grew wet… but nothing came out. Maria was equally silent, staring at the soldier and Shadow in the pod. Sunset was frozen as well, unable to do anything… not that she could, anyway. She couldn't bear to watch.
"I'm warning you, kid! Don't do it!"
Maria turned her ocean-blue eyes to the stricken Shadow, the orbs filled with sadness. Her eyes met Shadow's, sharing one last tranquil moment between them…
...and with determination in her gaze, she pressed a button on the console. The soldier sneered, tightened his grip on the trigger… and Sunset wanted to scream.
No! NO!
BANG!
"MARIA!" Shadow's heart-wrenching scream echoed through the control room and Sunset's frightened awareness.
The soldier had no time to realize what he had done, as a voice down the hall called him and the others away. The girl's body collapsed to the floor, leaving Shadow's horrified form to look on in absolute terror.
The girl whimpered and struggled to stand, clutching her chest in pain. A tear streaked down Shadow's face as he could do nothing but watch. The girl limped over the console, inputting a few more commands.
"Maria!" Shadow screamed again, now pounding on the glass. Strangely… the girl showed no signs of fear of what awaited her. "Shadow…" the girl struggled to speak now, yet her voice managed to temporarily silence the heartbroken hedgehog.
The girl turned a smiling face to Shadow, her blue eyes twinkling with the light of distant stars. "I beg of you… please… do it for me… for a better future..."
"Maria!" Shadow choked on her name and blinked his moist eyes. If Sunset could cry here, she would feel her own tears. She felt just as trapped as Shadow, unable to do anything but watch. The girl turned away from the console and slowly limped towards the capsule, a hand still clutching her gunshot wound.
"For all the people… who live on that planet…" she slowly gasped, pointing a shaking finger to the blue orb below. Shadow turned his gaze to the world before immediately returning it to his wounded friend.
"M-Maria… no…" he audibly sniffled and shook his head, more tears streaming down. "Y-You can't…"
The little girl gasped again, this time collapsing to the floor on her chest. Shadow gave out a shaky gasp as the girl slowly lifted her head… revealing her own eyes to be as moist as the hedgehog's.
"Give them... a chance... to be happy…" The girl's voice was a near whisper as her face was close to the glass. "Let them… live for their dreams…"
"M-Maria…" Shadow sobbed. "No… I-I can't…"
"Shadow… I know you can do it," The girl replied calmly, a smile now appearing on her weary face. She placed a hand on the capsule's glass; right on top of where Shadow was resting his own. She locked eyes with the hedgehog again… for what Sunset felt was the last time.
"That's the reason... why you were brought... into this world…" she whispered to the tear-stained face of her friend. "Shadow… I believe in you…"
"Maria…" Shadow sobbed again. "No…"
The girl only widened her smile as best as she could. "Everyone's fate… depends… on… you…" She let out a quiet gasp, growing weaker by the second.
"Maria!" Shadow cried as the girl's hand lowered from the glass. The child slumped to the floor, her sapphire eye still locked on Shadow as her eyelid threatened to close.
"Sayonara…" she whispered one last time. "Shadow… the Hedgehog…"
Her dimming blue eye closed with a final breath… and the escape pod shot down through the floor, into the darkness of space.
"NO! MARIAAAAAAA!"
The capsule tumbled through space, away from the space station. Shadow, overwhelmed with tears, screamed as loudly as he could and pounded on the glass. Whatever was left of Sunset's heart shattered, a massive amount of pity and pains from her own past swiftly returning.
The pod started to glow with a red-orange light as it began its entry into the planet… and the universe went white again.
"Maria…!" came a final gasp. "I… I promise…"
Sh… Shadow… Sunset thought. I'm… I'm sorry….
Was this why she never sought out friends? Because she was afraid of losing them? Afraid of feeling the same pain he suffered? She may not know what losing a friend feels like… but this was far worse than she had expected.
Color returned to the world, accompanied by a strange mechanical hissing sound. In a military base, Shadow groaned as he stirred from his sleep. He rose to his feet, his form surrounded by released steam. Sunset could see only his shadow- she didn't know if such irony could extend- until another unfamiliar voice rang out.
"What's that? Is that you, Sonic? Are you trying to spoil my plans again?" Sunset drew her attention to a mustached man in red piloting some kind of battle mech. Wait, what did Twilight call him in that message? Doctor… Eggman? It sounded odd in her head, and perhaps even stranger on her tongue. The steam dissipated, revealing Shadow's form to the astonished man.
"Wait a minute… you're not Sonic! This is impossible!"
"My name is Shadow," he spoke in the familiar gruff, uncaring tone Sunset first heard in him. "Since you were so kind to release me, my master, I will grant you one wish."
Master? Wish? What does he think he is, a genie?
Alarms started to blare through the facility, alerting all three of them. "Now what!" snarled Eggman. The pod that once held Shadow descended back down to the floor… while Shadow remained airborne. His shoes propelled some sort of exhaust that allowed him to hover. The hedgehog turned his attention to the sounds of mechanical stomping, which were followed by a different voice.
"This is Scorpion Troop's Hot Shot. Enemy movement has been detected. En route to intercept and destroy."
"Behold the true power I possess!" Shadow announced to the scientist, launching himself at the approaching combat machine. Both Sunset and Eggman watched in awe as the black hedgehog engaged the mech in combat.
Shadow barraged the mech with spinning strikes, which lifted itself into the air with thrusters. Unwilling to be rid of the advantage so easily, Shadow jumped off storage crates and struck the cockpit numerous times. "This is Scorpion Troop's Hot Shot! The enemy is stronger than expected! Request additional support!"
Shadow never showed signs of fatigue as he battled the machine, causing enough damage to sufficiently weaken it. Before long, the mech toppled and collapsed with a loud crash.
"He's too strong!" The mech fell, completely disabled and useless. Shadow hardly gave the wrecked machine a second glance. "Hmph! Pathetic human!"
Dr. Eggman applauded Shadow with a laugh. "Destroying that guard robot was spectacular!" he exclaimed. "So, Shadow, you are the military's top-secret weapon?"
Weapon? Sunset pondered. But… he was so attached to Maria…
"But what did you mean when you said you will grant me a wish?"
Shadow turned to face the scientist as he started to leave. "Bring more Chaos Emeralds," he replied sternly. At his words, Sunset felt a ping of recognition. Chaos Emeralds? Twilight's message told me about those!
"Shadow, wait!"
"I will be waiting for you in the central control room of the Space Colony ARK."
The white came again, leaving Sunset with even more questions than answers. When color returned, Shadow was standing atop an archway on a highway bridge with a green gem in hand. On the road below, several police cars had their sirens wailing… and Shadow was glaring at them with rage.
"Maria… I still remember what I promised you," Shadow spoke coldly. "For the people of this planet… I promise you… revenge!"
What?! Sunset would gasp if she could. No! That's not what she-! But Shadow was already gone, grinding down one of the bridge's suspension cables with a pair of fighter jets in pursuit…
...and the scene changed again. Shadow now stood on a busted combat robot, holding the green Chaos Emerald in his palm. "It all starts with this…" he muttered. "A jewel containing the ultimate power!"
Ultimate power… so if those things are just as strong as the Elements of Harmony, then…
"Now I know what's going on!"
Shadow and Sunset looked to who had spoken: a blue hedgehog who didn't look too pleased. "The military has mistaken me for the likes of you!"
Is that… Sonic?
"So… where do you think you're going with that Emerald?"
Shadow gave no reply. He stared at the other hedgehog with dissatisfaction. Sonic didn't seem to like this response, as he broke into a sprint right for Shadow's position. "Say something, you fake hedgehog!"
Shadow sneered as he tossed the Chaos Emerald and held it in front of him. "Chaos Control!" In a flash, he warped right past Sonic, who barely had the time to gain an expression of surprise on his face. The blue hedgehog turned around and immediately stopped himself, exclaiming in shock while Shadow reappeared atop a building.
"My name is Shadow," he told Sonic. "I'm the world's ultimate lifeform. There's no time for games. Farewell!" He warped away again, leaving Sonic to be surrounded by military vehicles and personnel.
White flooded Sunset's vision again. While color did not return immediately, echoed voices rang through her mind.
"The ARK was the first space colony built by mankind. Not many people know that the ARK contained a top-secret research facility where weapons of mass destruction were being created."
Including you? Sunset wanted to ask him. Shadow… were you so angered by Maria's death that you wanted to punish all of mankind for it? She wouldn't want that! She wanted you to make the world a better place! You had to have known that… right?
"This is one of them. A weapon capable of destroying the entire planet, codenamed… the Eclipse Cannon."
"Destroying an entire planet… was this my grandfather's legacy?" Eggman pondered. His words were… somewhat familiar to the eavesdropping unicorn.
Grandfather? Sunset asked herself. That's what Maria called the professor! Does this mean…?
"I have an idea where the other Chaos Emeralds may be," spoke another faint voice, this one belonging to a female. "I may not look like it, but do you know I'm a treasure hunter who specializes in all kinds of jewels?"
Jewels? Wait until Rarity hears of her…
"I'm Rouge the Bat, but you can call me Rouge."
White reverted to color once again. Now, Sunset found herself in some kind of forested area. It wasn't long before she found Shadow again, who seemed to be in the middle of reviewing something.
"The plan is going well," he whispered to himself. "The dynamite packs are in place. I trust the doctor and Rouge are doing their parts exceptionally. Soon, the third Chaos Emerald will be-"
"Hey, that's-!"
Shadow's eyes widened and he spun around. When both he and Sunset saw who had arrived on the scene, Shadow grunted in annoyance. "That blue hedgehog again, of all places!"
"I found you, faker!" Sonic pointed an accusing finger at the black hedgehog, who was immediately taken aback. "Faker?" He echoed. "I think you're the fake hedgehog around here. You're comparing yourself to me? Ha! You're not even good enough to be my fake."
"I'll make you eat those words!" Sonic shouted angrily.
Shadow clenched his fists. "You won't even get the chance!"
The two hedgehogs rushed at each other and began to fight. Trails of blue and orange streaked across the forest and collided with each other. Sonic and Shadow sped across the forest floor side-by-side, looking each other dead in the eye.
"You can't get away this time! There's only one real Sonic!"
"Hmph! There's no time to play games!"
The two hedgehogs raced around the forest and shot towards each other again, bouncing away like two dodgeballs intercepting one another. Sonic jumped off tree branches that Shadow cut through with Spin Attacks, only to be knocked down by the black hedgehog.
Shadow pummeled Sonic with quick punches and a kick before Sonic retaliated with a Spin Dash to the stomach. The duo continued to zip this way and that, shooting up into the trees and back down to the forest floor. After they hit the grass, they immediately began kicking each other- each of their hits canceling those of the other- before taking off again.
As they traded blows, the hedgehogs traded banter as well. Sunset could only make out a few taunting words coming from the blue and dark streaks.
"Bring it on!"
"I see… so you're not just a hedgehog…"
"Do you know who I am?"
The fight dragged on for a little bit longer, while Sunset was considering herself lucky that she was simply viewing past events. No way could she avoid all those speedy strikes.
Now, both Sonic and Shadow looked weary, yet unwilling to relent. Shadow huffed at his blue counterpart. "Not bad for an imposter…"
The two braced themselves and prepared for another round…
BZZT! "Shadow! What are you doing?!"
Sunset recognized that voice. Eggman!
"Hurry and get back here right now…" Eggman spoke through a communicator on Shadow's wrist, catching Sonic's curious attention. "...before the island blows up with you on it!"
Sonic's eyes went as wide as plates while Shadow realized he could do nothing to alter the other hedgehog's mind. "Blows up?!"
Shadow only sneered before he jumped away, leaving the stunned hedgehog behind. Immediately after Shadow had left, Sonic took off into the jungle with a determined expression and grit teeth. As both hedgehogs sped away, the forest turned white once again.
Voices swarmed through Sunset's mind again, each one whispering like ghosts into her metaphorical ears.
"That was so unexpected, so unlike you, Shadow, to come and rescue me."
"You know, I didn't come to save you. I came back for the Chaos Emeralds."
"Yeah, yeah! But then again… that's not the whole story, is it?"
No, it's not. Sunset mentally replied. Far from it, Batsy.
Another voice rang through her mind: Eggman again, this time at a point far later in time. "Now is the time to end this long, drawn-out battle and mark my place in history as the ultimate genius! If anything happens to me, I'm counting on you to finish the job!"
Color returned once again. Now, Sunset saw Shadow staring out into space… just as he did on the space colony he called home.
Wait a minute… this is the space colony he called home!
An escape pod jettisoned out and away from the station, slowly descending to the planet below… until it was blown to pieces in a huge, mute explosion of red and orange! If she still had her mouth, Sunset would gasp.
Shadow, however, only huffed in disappointment. "I guess he was just a regular hedgehog after all…"
Sonic was in there?! Sunset thought wildly. I just saw him alive and well in the changeling caves, so… so how in the world did he get through that?!
The scene changed again to a different kind of control room. Here, Shadow was storming up to a bat-like woman… and he did not look happy.
"So, that was your plan from the very beginning, huh?" he growled as if he had been stabbed in the back. "Or was it a direct order from the president? Now I know who you are. You're that government spy, Rouge the Bat, aren't you?"
Spy? Sunset took that last thought back. Shadow had been stabbed in the back after all. Rouge was hardly fazed, as she only gave the hedgehog a flirty smirk. "So you did your homework, is that it? I would say that's an invasion of privacy."
"I could say the same thing about you," Shadow retorted without so much as a second thought. Rouge simply let out a little "hmph". "It looks like things aren't quite going your way, but since my job was done, I thought it was time to take what's mine and get out of this place."
Shadow jabbed a finger at the bat and growled. "You are one pathetic creature!" He turned his back on the bat and started to walk away...
"Hmm… look who's talking. What about you?"
Shadow paused, now at a complete loss for words. He slowly turned back to the bat, his gaze silently asking her what she meant. Now, he could see something in the bat's hand: some kind of document.
"Here are the results of the research project called the Ultimate Lifeform," Rouge explained as she hovered down, confusing both Sunset and Shadow.
I… I thought Shadow was called that?
"But, if this picture is of the real Ultimate Lifeform named Shadow…" Rouge continued, pointing to an image that looked like a big lizard. "...then exactly who or what is standing in front of me?"
Sunset didn't understand. What was this thing, Shadow's replacement? Neither the hedgehog nor the bat spoke a word to each other after that question… until a radio buzzed.
"This is Doctor Eggman. I have found all seven Chaos Emeralds! Shadow, someone is trying to get to the Eclipse Cannon. There's not much time left before the cannon fires again. Can you get over there?"
Shadow gave no response. He kept his red eyes trained on Rouge as he lowered the radio. "If you want to live…" he spoke with a hint of rage. "...leave the Chaos Emeralds where they are!" He turned away and started to walk out of the room. "The fake Emerald is good enough for you."
"Do you actually believe that you're the real Shadow?" Rouge asked.
"No doubt."
"Even your memories might not be real, you know."
"Even if my memories are not real, it's still me. Shadow," he solidly confirmed. "And I will fulfill my promise to Maria. That's the only thing that matters to me now."
There was another flash of white light, making Shadow and Rouge fade from Sunset's view. The light dimmed, revealing Shadow on a long, stretching pathway…
...and Sonic on the parallel road.
"You never cease to surprise me, blue hedgehog," spoke Shadow sternly. "I thought that capsule you were in exploded in space." The two hedgehogs started to slowly pace down the hallway, never breaking eye contact with each other.
Sonic just gave him a quirky smirk. "Y'know, what can I say? I die hard!" He held a yellow gemstone in his palm, presenting it to Shadow for a quick moment. "You actually saved me, you know."
"It was a Chaos Emerald, wasn't it?" Shadow asked, his crimson eyes resting on the jewel. "But… there's no way you could've activated the Chaos Control using an Emerald that's fake."
"So…" Shadow mused as both of them began to speed up. "There's more to you than just looking like me. What are you, anyway?"
"Whatcha see is whatcha get!" came the blue hedgehog's cocky reply. "Just a guy that loves adventure! I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!"
"I see…" Shadow muttered. "But, you know… I can't let you live." A malicious grin crossed his face. "Your adventuring days are coming to an end!" Both hedgehogs were now racing side-by-side, with Shadow skating next to the sprinting Sonic.
"All right, Shadow! Time for me to finish this!"
"Before this is over…" Shadow swore to his azure adversary. "I'll show you the true power of Chaos Control!" The blue and black blurs slammed into each other with a hard grunt… and the white came again.
Sunset heard another voice this time… but not from someone she'd already heard. "I plan to give you a taste of my revenge once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!"
Could that be… the professor? Did he want revenge on humanity just like Shadow, for destroying his research and killing his granddaughter?
The white faded again. Now, Shadow was hearing what a pink hedgehog had to say. Sunset knew this creature; she saw it in the caves as well. "It's all going according to plan," said Shadow. "There is no reason for me to help them. Besides, there's no way to save anyone!"
"There has to be!" the pink hedgehog protested. "I know that people fight over the most trivial things. Some people may be selfish, like the professor said… but they're basically good."
Shadow pondered her words. To him, they sounded… familiar.
"If they try their best and never give up on their wishes, they always have a reason to be happy," the pink hedgehog continued. "That's why you should help them out; saving them is a good thing!"
Shadow said nothing as he looked out at the blue planet. As for Sunset, she reflected on the pink hedgehog's words. Those words about how humanity deserves to be helped…
Didn't… didn't Maria say something like that?
"Shadow, I beg you!" the pink hedgehog pleaded. "Please do it for them! Give them a chance!"
Shadow remained silent, his eyes somewhere else. Sunset didn't know what he was looking at now; the planet or his reflection. In the black hedgehog's reflection on the glass… a single tear rolled down his face.
"That's… that's what I promised her," he finally whispered with recognition in his tone. "And I must keep that promise. That's what Maria wished for…"
"Shadow?" the pink hedgehog asked, completely lost.
Shadow spun away from the window and started to run out of the room. "I've got to go now! I have to keep my promise to Maria!" But just before he could reach the door, he stopped and looked back to the confused pink hedgehog.
"And you…"
And then he was gone, leaving the pink hedgehog behind as she tried to reach for him. The white came again… but instead of a voice that rang in Sunset's ears, she heard a terrible roar! The unicorn flinched at the guttural sound.
"Shadow, what are you doing?!"
"I'll take care of this, while you run to get the Chaos Emeralds!"
Sunset could hear grunts now, accompanied by reptilian snarls. Shadow cried out with effort… and the unseen beast howled in pain.
"Get outta here, you ugly prototype!"
GYAAAAAAH! The monster roared in agony before its vocalizations suddenly vanished. Sunset heard a brief flash…
"Is it gone?"
"Is that what… Chaos Control is?"
"Since we stopped the Chaos Emeralds, why is the Space Colony ARK still on a collision course with Earth?!"
Collision course?! The professor's insane! He'd really wipe out an entire species just because his research and granddaughter were lost?!
"The prototype is still alive!" Eggman announced over the radio. "And he's controlling the space colony as it's falling to Earth! He has become one with the space colony and is determined to keep it on its collision course!"
Sunset heard another bright flash, this one completely different from the ones used in Chaos Control. Light breached through the white surrounding her…
...and when her sight returned, she saw two golden streaks speeding towards the plummeting space station. It was Sonic and Shadow… but they had been changed. Sonic was a bright golden while Shadow was a cream-white color, enough to bring Sunset memories of her Daydream state.
The lizard-like monster roared, now attached to a powerful cannon on the space station. The two supercharged hedgehogs blitzed through open space, shooting around the beast.
"Can you hear me, Sonic? Shadow?" Eggman asked over a comms system. "He's very weak without his life support system. Aim for the red swelling area to damage him! You're our last hope!"
"You got it, doc! Ready, Shadow?"
"Ready!"
"Alright! Let's do it!"
The blackness of space lit up with bright golden flashes and crimson lasers. One bright streak slammed into a mass of swelling flash, causing the monster to shriek in pain and drive the nuisance away.
"Where does he get all that power?" Sonic wondered. "Is this the power of the Chaos Emeralds?" He spun his head towards his partner. "Shadow, are you okay?"
"Leave it to me! I'll destroy him!"
Shadow blasted towards the creature while Sonic hung back, evading powerful lasers sent his way. "The professor's prototype of the ultimate lifeform… consider yourself obsolete! HYAH!"
Shadow slammed into another swelling area, prompting another screech from the beast. It swung its massive neck, slamming Shadow across space. The hedgehog tumbled away and righted himself, shaking his head.
"Rgh! That last hit… I can't go on like this..."
"Shadow, you need rest!" Sonic called, boosting past his partner. "Let me give it a try! Hey, ugly! Over here!"
"Now, it's up to you, Sonic!" Shadow shouted, flying through the vastness of space. Sonic shot towards the monster and dove under a laser that was too close for comfort. He spun up in a yellow orb and struck the beast's weak spot with the force of a cannonball.
"Yeah! Take that, you creep!"
"Can both of you hear me?" Eggman interrupted. "Atmosphere entry in about four minutes! Hurry!"
"Doc, I'm made of 'hurry'!" Sonic replied enthusiastically. "C'mon, Shadow! Let's finish this!"
"For Maria!"
The hedgehogs took turns charging at the beast and hitting it where it hurt, causing it more anger and frustration. When one of them felt worn out, the other took his place while leaving him to recover. Sunset had to admire their teamwork; it was as if they were becoming new friends.
And unlike Maria, she knew Sonic would never go down easily.
Finally, the beast gave in with one last roar of weakness. Both hedgehogs celebrated their victory… but their work was far from done. The ARK was still ready to enter the planet's atmosphere, so they needed to work fast.
"No way that's getting through!" Sonic shouted as they flew towards the space station at near-light speed. The two hedgehogs flew closer and closer to the falling ARK… until Sonic whirled to face Shadow.
"Now, Shadow!"
The other hedgehog nodded with a glint of determination. They both held out their palms, conjuring forth an orb of chaos energy. They concentrated as hard as they could, making the orb expand in size…
"CHAOS CONTROL!"
The orb enveloped the entire space colony… and it blinked away, leaving nothing behind but the expansive horizon of stars. Sonic was left hovering in space, wiping his brow with a sigh of relief.
"Whew! That was tight!" he exclaimed. "Another doomsday disaster averted and another monster's butt kicked! All in a day's work, right, Shadow?"
The hedgehog waited for a response… but nothing came.
"Uh, Shadow?" Sonic looked to his side and saw that his new ally was nowhere to be found. Curious, the golden hedgehog looked all around, eventually turning his eyes to the planet. His eyes went wide and he gasped in horror, extending an arm.
"SHADOW!"
The other hedgehog's bright form was beginning to fade away while he was falling to the planet below. Sonic was too far away to do anything; he could only watch in horror.
"Maria…" Shadow whispered as his consciousness started to fade. "This is what you wanted, right? This is my promise that I made to you…" He broke through the stratosphere as his eyes closed, now resembling a bright comet in the sky.
The Space Colony ARK reappeared a safe distance away from the planet… and a saddened Sonic sadly flew towards it on the last of his power. He turned to the planet one last time, watching the spot where Shadow had fallen…
...and as sadness filled Sunset's being, the white returned.
He… he must've been through a lot… but he's the Ultimate Lifeform, right? The most powerful being in that world? No wonder he survived… but what happened to him next?
Fate itself seemed to answer the curious unicorn in the form of black replacing white. Sunset found herself surrounded by containment pods while Rouge stood by a console in shock, The pod in the center of the room opened up…
...and Shadow opened his eyes. His red irises scanned the room in confusion, but this silence was suddenly shattered.
Gunfire erupted and pods burst into flame. Shadow dove from the pod and tackled Rouge to the ground, setting her by the door. "Stay here!"
He then launched himself across the room and evaded the heavy assault of gunfire, locking his eyes on the one responsible: a menacing-looking robot that was moving its arms in all directions. It fired bullets this way and that, not even bothering to aim.
Shadow jumped from pod to pod, each one exploding after he left it. Soon, Shadow touched down on the floor and shot for the robot with an angered expression...
"Hey, hold up!" Rouge shouted, shoving the robot and the hedgehog away from each other. Shadow's eyes glared at the bat, silently wondering what had gotten into her…
In a blurred motion, time passed in the destroyed chamber. Sunset saw Rouge talking to the robot while Shadow was turned away, lost in thought. Sunset didn't know why, but he seemed… troubled. Confused. Haunted, even.
"And you…" Rouge spoke up with a slight sorrow in her voice. "You can't remember anything, can you?"
He lost his memory? Sunset was unexpectedly reminded of Wallflower and the Memory Stone. Amnesia was nothing new to her or her friends back in the human world. But while she remembered trace amounts of fear during her short time of memory loss, Shadow just seemed… lost. Like he had lost his only purpose of existence.
Shadow said nothing. Maybe he was too afraid to speak. His back turned to the bat, he only closed his eyes and shook his head. Sunset felt like she wanted to counsel him… but knowing Shadow, he would just brush her off.
"Then it's settled," Rouge said, hopping off her perch and dragging Shadow towards the robot. He resisted at first, putting up a fighting pose. "Now you two make up so we can start looking for Eggman, together!"
She took the hedgehog's and robot's hands and placed them together. Shadow made a slight move to pull away… and only rolled his eyes as if in embarrassment. Eventually, Shadow gave in as Rouge added her own hand.
"Aw, yeah, baby! This makes us a team!"
Shadow made no reply. His eyes lowered to the ground… and he muttered something only Sunset could plainly hear. Something that made both of them feel pain.
"Who am I?"
Events proceeded to transpire rapidly following that. All while battling robots with the bat and the huge machine, Shadow was fighting two conflicts at once. While he battled against all kinds of machines, he was also struggling with his own mind. Trying to recall… to remember… to answer the question he was asking again and again.
Sunset felt pitiful. If she had suffered memory loss for this long, who knows what lines she would have crossed if it meant getting answers?
The robot shook its fist at an Eggman decoy while Shadow observed a startling sight: a machine that looked exactly like him. Silently, the black hedgehog looked at his own hand as a new question spiraled into his mind.
You're no machine, Sunset wanted to tell him. Could a machine have done anything that you did? This thing right here, and all others like it? They're all fakers. Ugh, I don't think I'll get used to that word.
Shadow turned away from the robot and ushered his team on, leaving the site behind. Time passed again in a mix of ripples and blurs… until Shadow saw something Sunset knew he found familiar.
"Look, it's that hedgehog…"
Does that mean you remember him?
"Wonder what the big rush is all about?" Rouge asked. "Betcha those guys will end up getting in my way and making trouble."
The red echidna looked up with a confused face. "Hey…" he said. "Isn't that…?"
"Sonic!" gasped the fox. A look of disbelief crossed the hedgehog's face. It lasted only a second before his trademark smile took its place. "Heh. Talk about being stubborn and full of surprises."
"Long time no see, boys," Rouge announced. "Too bad you had to come all this way for nothing! We'll take it from here."
"What'd you say?!" growled the echidna, holding up a fist.
"Sensors locked on Eggman," beeped the weaponized robot. "Non-compliant intruders will be destroyed."
"Didn't you know?" Sonic replied cockily. "We have a date with Eggman, too."
"Is that so?" Shadow questioned with a grin of his own. "Well, then… it will be a date to die for!"
Sonic's face fell into an offended expression. "Hey!" he cried, launching towards Shadow. "That's my line!" Unhesitant, Shadow sped towards the blue blur with a clenched fist drawn back…
Time blurred forward once again. Sunset saw glimpses of Shadow and his new allies fighting some mechanical dragon with the help of other teams. The enemy boasted that even the so-called Ultimate Lifeform was no match for it. Needless to say, the self-proclaimed overlord soon fell to the superpowered Sonic.
The world turned to white before Sunset's eyes. It dimmed instantly, revealing Shadow alone again. He stood outside a wondrous city, lost in thought beneath a tree. A newspaper clung to his leg, but he paid it no mind. Sunset, however, caught something interesting on it: something called the Black Comet.
Shadow cringed for a moment before he reopened his eyes. "Who am I?" he whispered to no one but himself. "And why can't I remember anything? And… who is this Maria?"
What would she say if she heard that? Would she be… devastated to see he remembers- huh?
The sky above them turned dark red with ominous crimson clouds. They gathered over the city, looming high over the skyscrapers… and monsters poured out of them. Sunset looked to Shadow, hoping he would at least remember his primrose. That he would remember what Maria wanted from him.
But Shadow only frowned at the city and turned away. "Hmph! Look how pathetic they are. I don't have time for these humans."
Sunset was shocked. He… didn't remember. If he did, he would've sped towards the city and-
"Shadow…"
The black hedgehog stopped in his tracks, his face lit up in confusion. He turned back around and saw some kind of tentacled creature with a single eye; the sight of which partially disgusted Sunset. The eye gleamed a bright red… and projected an image of a strange figure.
Unlike Shadow, Sunset recognized him. This was that same being she saw with the professor during Shadow's creation! Who was this? No, better yet, what was this?
"As you can see…" it spoke eerily. "...the day of reckoning will soon be here. Find the seven Chaos Emeralds and bring them to me as promised."
Shadow was left awfully confused. "Who are you and how do you know I'm Shadow? And what are you talking about?" The image of the being only faded and the small creature flew away. As soon as it departed, explosions rocked the ground. A stunned Shadow tried to follow the creature, only for a blast to shroud him in dust.
Shadow emerged from the cloud, the sky now as dark as him. "Just what was that all about?" he pondered, concluding. "If he says he knows the truth about who I am… then, like it or not, I have to believe him."
He clenched a fist and turned his attention to the city, which was now swarming with chaos. "The only way I'm going to get the secrets to my past… is to get those Chaos Emeralds!"
As Shadow skated towards the city, time began to progress in blurs. Sunset saw only fragments this time: some depicted Shadow fighting strange black monsters, others saw him decimating squads of human soldiers. As she witnessed his journey step by step, voices continued to make themselves heard to her.
"Discovering the secret of my past will be nearly impossible," declared Shadow the Hedgehog as he marched down the street with an assault rifle in hand. An explosion kicked up behind him, making Sunset flinch. "I'll take those odds."
Sunset noted Shadow's dedication in his quest. If she lost her identity, she didn't know what she would do if it meant restoring it.
"Who are you?"
"You don't remember anything, do you? But you will… in time…"
Fragments of what she had previously seen throughout Shadow's memories flickered by. Some remained as they were… others were slightly changed. Sunset heard whispers from both humans and the strange creatures. She heard Shadow further questioning himself, asking what his role is in the grand scheme.
"Shadow… you seem troubled."
"You!"
"Look."
She heard Shadow gasp as a similar vision focused into view: that space station again! "That's the-!"
"Yes, that's right. The Space Colony ARK, fifty years ago."
"The ARK? Fifty… years ago?"
He's over fifty years old? He looks rather… youthful. Then again, I guess suspended animation can do that to someone.
"That's… me!"
"That's right. This will remind you what the humans did to you. Never forget that horrifying image."
Sunset didn't trust him, whoever he was. The fragments resumed their motion, allowing Sunset to see Shadow skate through many areas and fight many foes. All the while, the being observed him through the floating creature. There were times where Shadow had no choice but to listen to him… and times where he believed he was better off alone.
"You were the ultimate lifeform, but the humans feared you and wanted to destroy you. And they did. Now you must amass revenge on those humans. Unleash your anger and ultimate powers on them."
Now glowing a dark red, Shadow walked unfazed through a hail of gunfire. Military soldiers opened fire on him, shouting to each other while Shadow's anger grew to its breaking point.
"Grrrr! Death to all who oppose me!" he roared. "CHAOS BLAST!"
The soldiers screamed and perished all at once while Sunset gasped in horror. The vision faded, allowing others to take its place.
"We are the Black Arms. We are here to take rule of this planet. Any attempts to resist are futile and will result in death."
"You humans are so pathetic."
Shadow… no!
"Humans… willing to sacrifice their own when overcome by greed. They are a foolish race."
No… no! That's not true!
More images appeared. These showed Shadow surrounded by a blue aura as he took out numerous black creatures… Black Arms.
"Shadow, I'm counting on you."
"I know, professor. The ultimate lifeform born to ensure peace and justice amongst all of mankind. Now, I know what I have to do."
You… you do?
"Maria was like a sister to me!" a man cried. "She was the only family I knew, and because of you… she was killed! Witnessing it all… the plan to create that evil, horrifying creature… that black creature, and the insane professor who unleashed it all!"
"So… the professor created me… with Black Doom?"
Black Doom… that's its name, isn't it?
"You don't fool me! It's not just about Maria. Thanks to you, everyone I knew and loved was killed when the ARK was destroyed. Worst of all, my family! Finally... justice is served!"
Sunset froze when she heard a gunshot ring through the air… but Shadow continued to speak. "If what you say is true…" he spoke to the uniformed man behind him. "...then I will respectfully accept my fate."
"You mean to tell me that… you really don't remember a thing?"
"But I just need some time to uncover the real truth."
The voices continued to whisper to Sunset like phantoms: possibly the same phantoms haunting Shadow. Soon enough, she bore witness to another vision. This one had Shadow, Sonic, Eggman, and others confronting Black Doom aboard the massive Black Comet. Black Doom had the Chaos Emeralds in hand as he addressed them.
"We're here to save the humans from their own demise. We offer salvation."
"What?"
"Their greed, thirst for power, and affinity for betrayal has them on a path of self-destruction. Their actions will lead to extinction of their species. We're here to save them from themselves, with our perfect order, allowing them to live through their desperate lives in peace. Humans are a great energy source for us... they will be well kept."
"What?!"
Energy source?! I… I think I might be sick!
"Let us begin our ritual of prosperity. Chaos Control!"
Shadow flinched at the sudden flash. "This can't be happening!"
The comet suddenly rumbled with the force of an earthquake, alarming everyone on board, including Sunset. "What was that? What just happened?!"
"Those black creatures just warped the comet down to the surface using Chaos Control!"
"No! That's impossible!"
"That's why you needed the Chaos Emeralds!"
Black Doom laughed. "Precisely. The comet's velocity isn't powerful enough to pass through another planet's atmosphere. The Emeralds amplify the space-time powers of Chaos Control. We need them to charge to full power. It's the perfect plan. That's why I needed the professor to help me."
"What?!" gasped Shadow.
"That's insane!" added Eggman.
"The professor was in development of the ultimate life force," said Black Doom. "But he needed my help. So we made a deal: I helped him and he promised to deliver me the seven Chaos Emeralds. That's how you were created, Shadow. You would help us do both!"
"Me?!" Shadow gawked. "I can't believe it!" he collapsed to his knees in shock while Eggman gave out protests.
"That can't be! He betrayed his own people for research?! For Black Doom?!"
"Big deal!" shouted Sonic. "We can't just stand here doing nothing!"
"Yeah!" bellowed the red echidna beside him, striking a pose. "Let's do this! I'll crush that cosmic rock ball- urk!"
Sonic spun around with shock on his face. "Knuckles?! What's wrong- uh!" Everyone started to freeze in place, stuck in surprised and unprepared stances. Even Shadow remained in stasis, unable to move.
"A special weapon," boomed Black Doom. "This gas, once released, is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. In a moment, total paralysis will hit your nervous system. The end is near, now."
Black Doom laughed as small leech-like aliens emerged into view, crawling towards the helpless heroes. The sight would've made Sunset's skin crawl. Instead, she experienced a feeling of dread.
"Ahh… my dear offspring," Black Doom announced. "Eat and devour these savory dishes!"
Cries of panic rang out from the group, who tried to ward off the bloodthirsty beings.
"Help me!"
"Stop it!"
"Back off, you slimeballs!"
As the screams continued, Shadow remained frozen. His eyes were closed for a brief moment… before they shot open. The black hedgehog slowly rose to his feet and crushed one of the small creatures beneath his heel.
"What?"
"I am Shadow the Hedgehog," he spoke boldly. "I've left the past behind me. No one can tell me what to do now! I will destroy you, Black Doom!"
"I gave you life and this is how you repay me?!" roared the leader of the Black Arms. "The irony of it all is I gave you life… now, I'll take it back!" Laughing, he turned and floated away. With a frown, Shadow gave chase and left his friends behind.
"Shadow…"
"You're our only hope now!"
Shadow pursued Black Doom throughout the extraterrestrial comet, eliminating all Black Arms who tried to hinder his progress. He seized one's weapon and used it against Black Arm warriors, gunning them down. He commandeered a flying alien to progress deeper into the comet, continuing to shoot down pursuers with his stolen weapon. As Shadow made his way through the comet, Sunset was reminded of how he proved to be unstoppable back in the changeling cave.
Putting the past behind you… do you mean to heal yourself with that? Sunset mentally asked. I understand that. You don't need to let it define you. You just need to remember the promise you made to Maria. Other than that, your past is not today.
"Behold the ultimate power!" he cried, charging through a horde of Black Arms. Within minutes, Shadow burst through a large number of them until he finally reached the patient Black Doom in a large chamber. The seven Chaos Emeralds hovered over his head; almost like a crown containing the jewels.
"Well done, Shadow," he congratulated as Shadow strode towards him with a frown on his face. "You've gone farther than I expected. I'm impressed. But you still don't understand, do you? The future we offer is the only option for these humans."
"I've heard enough!" Shadow shouted. "You're boring me to death, Black Doom! You're going down!"
"Such bravado for a little hedgehog… I thought you were different from the rest, but maybe not. We are more alike than you think. The same blood runs through our veins." Black Doom held out a three-fingered hand…
...and Shadow stopped moving. He clutched his head and groaned in pain. "This can't be… urgh! Just… who are you?!" He fell to his knees in agony.
"Don't you know?" Black Doom replied with a laugh. "You were created from my blood."
"Wha… what?"
"That's right. You are a part of me. Do you feel that? I can control you. You cannot escape me, nor can you escape your past." As Black Doom bellowed with laughter, Sunset narrowed her mental eyes at the alien as if she was the one being addressed. No matter how hard she tried, she felt like her own past was inescapable… but it wasn't. Not with friends by her side.
"Damn you!" Shadow cried. "No, it's not true!" He continued to struggle before Black Doom, but his efforts were useless. The alien kept the hedgehog subdued like a pet, laughing all the while…
"Shadow… my son…"
All three of them paused at the sudden voice. Shadow looked ahead with shocked eyes. "Professor?"
Screens began to lower into the chamber, startling Black Doom. "What is this?"
"If you're listening to this," said the professor. "Then the worst has happened. You need to know the truth. The government plans to shut down this research facility. The government plans to cease all of our research... and imprison all who know about you. I made a terrible mistake, Shadow. It's all my fault... making contact with that comet."
Sunset looked to the screens with sorrow and pity. She recalled that message vowing revenge… and found it hard to believe that this was the same man. And yet…
Son… he called Shadow his son.
Did that mean… he cared? Just as much as Maria cared for him?
"Now listen very carefully," the saddened professor continued. "In fifty years, the Black Comet will return. They plan to harness its powers to destroy this planet. The only way to stop them was to develop a way to use the very power they intended to use against them."
He's… he's just like what Princess Celestia was to me… Sunset realized. A creator… a mentor… someone who made amends with us… someone who made us part of who we are. The other part? We made that for ourselves.
"Shadow… it's up to you, and only you can stop them!" the professor pleaded. "I developed the Eclipse Cannon. It's the only weapon that can destroy that Black Comet. Shadow, you are the only hope to save mankind as we know it. The future of this planet depends on... you!"
A girl came into view, hugging the older man. "Don't worry, grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet." She turned her ocean blue eyes to the shocked hedgehog… and a tear rolled down his face.
"Right, Shadow?"
"M...Maria…"
"Gerald, you fool!" growled Black Doom as the screens ceased transmitting. "Shadow is already in my control… what's this?!"
Shadow slowly rose to a stand, grunting as he did so. His fists were tightly clenched and his mouth was in a snarl of anger.
"Well, well, well…" Black Doom noted. "Seems like you are immune to my mind control."
"You have no control over me, Black Doom," Shadow said as his anger built. "I now understand why I am here. I made a promise and I'm here to keep it! Today, I put my past behind me!"
If she still had her mouth, Sunset would smile. It was just as she thought… She and Shadow did have a lot in common! Shadow jumped up and swung a leg at Black Doom, only for the alien to vanish
"Have it your way, Shadow," his voice boomed as it grew slightly deeper. "So be it. Be prepared to meet your maker! Your past, present, and future ends here… today! Prepare to die! Say goodbye, Shadow, as you witness my true wrath!"
Summoning the Chaos Emeralds to his side, Shadow harnessed their power and burst with golden light. Once again in a supercharged state, he shot off across the comet in a streak of light.
More images appeared before Sunset. Outside the Black Comet, Shadow dueled with Black Doom… who now took a more monstrous, demonic appearance, complete with a humongous pair of wings.
"I gave you life, and yet you defy me?!" he roared with rage. "So be it! You shall pay for your ingratitude with relentless pain!"
With his own anger fueling him, Shadow threw chaos-enhanced projectiles at the transformed Black Doom. The beast swatted at him with its huge arms, successfully driving him away.
"Now… Come, Shadow! Die along with these foolish humans!" The beast fired lasers at the swift-moving streak of light and summoned debris from the city below. Shadow destroyed them with ease and evaded all of the lasers, closing in on the monstrosity before him.
"This is the end for you, Black Doom! You will be the one to die today!"
"BURN!" came the roar of a response. A jet of flame shot from the monster's mouth, forcing Shadow to go on the retreat.
"CHAOS SPEAR!" He launched a fully-charged projectile that struck the monster right in its huge eye, prompting it to howl in agony. The beast was quick to recover, as a booming laugh rippled through the air.
"I see… I seem to have underestimated the true power of the Emeralds."
"Just as you underestimated mine!" Shadow growled. "I am called the Ultimate Lifeform for a reason, and I will show you why!"
"No matter! I will destroy you all the same!"
Shadow continued to fight against the demonic being, bombarding it with projectiles and evading attacks sent his way. With a final roar, Shadow launched a final Chaos Spear that impaled the beast directly in its eye. Black Doom howled in pain, roaring his next words in rage.
"Im… impossible! I am the supreme being that rules this universe! I am the immortal life form! I am the ultimate power! GAAAAAAH!" With a final roar, Black Doom vanished beneath the dark clouds… and Shadow watched with a savored expression.
"This is the end of you," he announced. "And the end to my cursed past." He descended to the Black Comet below, striding to the front of the colossal asteroid like a shining beacon of hope.
Another of Sunset's memories flashed through her mind: her brief confrontation with the human world's Twilight Sparkle… and her successful convincing of having her accepting friendship. Just like Princess Twilight did for her.
"Only one thing left to do…" whispered Shadow. He jumped into the air and flew around the comet in a golden trail of light. "To put the past behind me!" He reached the bottom of the comet and grabbed it with both hands, clenching his teeth together…
"CHAOS CONTROL!"
A bright flash of light surrounded the Black Comet… before both Shadow and the comet all warped away from the devastated city. The Black Comet reappeared in space, a far distance above the atmosphere. Nearby, the Space Colony ARK faced the hovering stronghold of the Black Arms. A green laser fired from the ARK's Eclipse Cannon… and the blast blew the Black Comet to rocky chunks.
Sunset felt a wave of relief wash over her as she watched the debris sail away in all directions. As the remnants of the Black Comet scattered, the vision rippled again. Instead of in space now, Sunset noticed the interior of the ARK again… with Shadow staring at a picture of Professor Gerald and Maria.
The hedgehog gave a small smile at the girl and her grandfather before looking out the window. He watched the planet and the stars, an endless void reaching out across the universe… and then, he spoke.
"Goodbye forever… Shadow the Hedgehog."
He turned and walked away from the window, and from his past, as he tossed the photograph over his shoulder. It fluttered to the floor, giving Sunset a clear view of it. She stared at the picture thoughtfully… before the world turned white once more.
"GUUUH!"
Sunset came back with a loud gasp as if she had spent a considerable long time underwater. Her eyes went wide and she shivered, trying to catch her frantic breaths. Her mind was on overdrive, trying to comprehend and piece together everything she had just witnessed. She'd never used her powers to look into all of someone's memory before… and she made a self-reminder to never do it like that ever again.
"What…?" groaned Shadow. "What did you just do?"
"I… you… she…"
Shadow just scowled at the shocked unicorn as she rose back to his feet. "I'll let you off with a warning, you inferior creature. Don't get in my way." He turned and walked into the forest, hoping this would be the last he'd see of her.
Unfortunately, he was sorely mistaken. With a flash of magic energy, Sunset reappeared in front of him with a counseling expression. Shadow just groaned like an annoyed older brother.
"What did I just say?"
"That's really it, isn't it?" Sunset whispered. "Just like that, you decide to start over?"
Shadow frowned and turned his back on her. "Go. Away. You're standing on my last nerve right now," he snarled. "Break it, and I'll obliterate you like I did Chrysalis."
Sunset paused. She needed to choose her next words carefully if she wanted to make him see that being alone could only do so much. This was the point of no return…
"Tell me… do you think Maria would be proud of you?"
And she had just crossed it.
Sunset saw Shadow freeze up, his back still turned to her. Sunset wondered what he could be thinking of at this moment… until he spun around and slammed into her at sudden speed. Shadow smashed the unicorn against a tree with clenched teeth, pinning Sunset against the bark with all his strength.
"How do you know that name?!"
"Hngh…" Sunset groaned from the impact. "I… used a spell to look into your memories… I saw what she meant to you. What she meant to Professor Gerald… and what she wanted for your world."
Shadow just seethed in anger. "You have no right to say her name, you-!"
"Shadow, I get it!" Sunset shouted. "She was the greatest friend you ever knew, and she was suddenly taken from you! And I avoided having friends because I thought they would just get in the way!"
"The spell!" Shadow cried. "How much did you see?!"
"All of it!" Sunset replied. "The ARK, the Eclipse Cannon, the prototype, your rivalry with Sonic, Black Doom… everything."
Shadow sneered. "You lie."
"Did Maria lie when she asked you to make everyone in the world happy?" Sunset asked. "Did Gerald lie when he said he made a mistake? Those two were people you trusted with your life… even if they ended up giving theirs."
Shadow resisted the urge to cringe. "Rrgh! Maria was shot by the humans-!"
"And you hated them for it," Sunset interrupted calmly. "That hatred was what Black Doom fed off of to manipulate you. Yes, they're greedy! Yes, they fight each other constantly! But in the world I call home, there's nothing like that!"
"What would you know about humans?!"
"A whole lot, that's what! They have their downsides, but they can be kind and loving to each other. Maria saw that… and I see it, too."
Shadow's expression wavered… but he made no move to release Sunset. "You still keep that promise, don't you? To this very day?"
"Maria is… is gone. That promise… is all I have left of her," Shadow slowly admitted. "It's the only way I can honor her memory…"
"And despite that, you decide to discard all that you once were?" Sunset asked. "It wasn't easy, wasn't it? Trying to convince everyone you had changed? Did they still see you as something to be afraid of?"
Shadow was quiet.
Sunset made no sound.
The hedgehog sighed, lowering his head before turning it back to Sunset. "Who are you, Sunset Shimmer?"
"A long story. But not quite as long as yours."
He let go, allowing the unicorn to drop to the forest floor. "Speak. And be quick about it."
Sunset took a deep breath before beginning her tale. A part of her was relieved that she wasn't dead by now. Shadow had his arms crossed, looking down upon her with the stare he always had with him. He had to be wondering how Sunset could compare to him.
"A long time ago," Sunset began. "I was the prized pupil of Princess Celestia. I was destined for great things; I was an exceptional student. But no matter what I did in my studies, I always wanted more."
Shadow raised a brow.
"And when I didn't get what I wanted as quickly as I wanted, I became… different. I turned away any attempts of friendship, believing they would interfere with my studies. I always boasted about how great I was, and I desired to become greater still. And when my mentor showed me the Crystal Mirror- a portal to another world- I became fascinated with it."
She remembered seeing her reflection when she looked into the Mirror for the first time. She saw herself, but as a powerful, strong figure. It was a sight that was tantalizing to her, a sight that gave her motivation.
"Ever since, the Mirror was all I could think about. But Princess Celestia denied me further access to it, saying I wasn't ready. And it wasn't long before I started looking into it behind her back… and when I discovered what it was capable of."
Shadow made no move to interrupt her. Instead, he kept staring at the unicorn.
"I was angry at my teacher for hiding something so powerful from me, and I demanded to become a princess. But she refused and banished me from the castle. And as the guards escorted me out… I knocked them out and escaped through the Mirror. I swore that one day, I would take my revenge on Celestia… just as you wished revenge on humanity."
"You were power-hungry. I was misled," Shadow retorted. "I have the power you dreamed of obtaining, and yet I do not use it recklessly."
"Vengeance is what we both wanted, Shadow," Sunset replied. "Regardless of the circumstances that led to us desiring it. Sonic and the others convinced you to return to the right path… while I was given the chance to start walking down it."
"Hmph. Continue."
"In the human world, I began a course of action that would make others bow at my feet," Sunset continued. "I gained a reputation, made myself popular, and became a prized student once again. But I still wasn't satisfied. So, I snuck back to Equestria and stole Twilight's crown, which contained the Element of Magic. The human world was barren of magic, and with a foreign artifact of power, I was bound to ascend."
"You wished to become this world's Ultimate Lifeform?" Shadow asked, unamused.
"Uh, something like that," Sunset answered sheepishly. "Twilight ended up following me back to the human world to try and stop me. After my attempts to humiliate her failed, I used the magic of the crown to brainwash everyone in the school as my own army. With it, I plotted to conquer Equestria. But with the new friends Twilight made there, she defeated me… and made me see the light. Literally speaking, of course."
She remembered how pathetic she must've looked back then. Reduced to tears while lying in a crater, begging for forgiveness. And then she saw the hand… and the warm smile of the person it belonged to.
"Twilight forgave me. I said I didn't know anything about friendship… and she promised to teach me. In the following weeks, I began to feel guilty for everything I'd done as a raging she-demon. Reforming and redeeming myself… was difficult."
"Did you wish to forget?" Shadow asked. "To relieve yourself of the pain?"
"There were times I wanted to," Sunset responded truthfully. "But I didn't throw the past away. Instead… I rose above it. I was left as a pile of ashes… and I rose from them as a phoenix. Just like how you emerged from the- ahem- shadow of your former self. Pun not intended, by the way."
Shadow only let out a small "hmph" in response.
"Twilight taught me all she knew about friendship… and I used that to teach the Twilight in the human world when she got her hands on magic. That's when I learned I could solve problems on my own and not have anyone to rely on. I ended up teaching a bunch of others, too… with the help of my friends in the human world. Plus, my old teacher finally forgave me."
Shadow was deep in thought.
"I've never truly lost a friend before… I'm sorry," Sunset whispered to him. "After that, I can see why you've never chosen to make new ones. You might be scared to lose them, too. You may not have the best relationship with Sonic, but-"
"Maria was dying."
Sunset froze in shock. "Excuse me?"
"The only friend I ever had was withering away… and I didn't even know it," Shadow spoke. "Maria was suffering from a rare disease: neuro-immune deficiency syndrome. It made her weak and fragile, and she required constant medical attention. Treatment was difficult to achieve… and everyone on the ARK believed it was a lost cause for Maria. There was no cure for the professor to find… but he wouldn't give up. Instead of looking for a cure, he decided to make one."
"Make one?"
Shadow looked her in the eye. "In me."
"Y… you?"
"By creating the Ultimate Lifeform, Professor Gerald hoped its DNA could cure his granddaughter for good," Shadow explained. "But then the Guardian Units of Nations shut down Project Shadow… and you know the rest."
"Is… is that one of the reasons he went mad?" Sunset asked. "He lost both his granddaughter and the chance to fix her?"
"I'm not sure if she could be fixed," Shadow admitted. "Maria's condition worsened as time passed. The scientists on the ARK failed to come up with a cure, but I can't help but wonder… What if the professor's idea also failed? What if I couldn't cure Maria? Either way, I would've lost my only friend… either by the disease or by violence."
"She was dying… and she knew it?" Sunset realized. "That's why she gave her life to save you. That's why… why she wasn't scared in her final moments."
"She cared for me," Shadow said. "And she wanted me to keep everyone safe. That's exactly what I do, even to this day. So, in a way, I have to thank the humans. They put me on the path that led me to where I am now."
"A path that you created, right?" Sunset wondered. "You ended up breaking away from Black Doom to decide your own fate."
"And it sounds like you're not that different," Shadow noted. "Although you had some assistance, you had the choice to determine who you are. It was misguided at first, but now it's been made clear. Now, you never turn back and keep moving forward."
"And your past is not today," Sunset said in reply. "You don't let your previous actions get in the way of what you need to do; whether by yourself or with your new friends."
"They are allies," Shadow said firmly. "Nothing more. I had only one friend… a friend I will continue to honor." As he spoke, his mind drifted away…
He stood in a field of grass, looking up into the clear blue sky. The color of Maria's eyes washed through his memory. He remembered her words… her laughter… her last wish… her farewell...
"Hey."
Shadow looked over his shoulder. There he was again, making sure to keep his distance. He narrowed his eyes but made no hostile intentions towards the newcomer. "What do you want?"
"Nothing," answered Sonic the Hedgehog. "I just, uh, wanted to check up on you."
"I'm fine," Shadow replied with a stoic tone.
"Yeah, I thought as much. But… Can I ask you something?"
"Out with it."
"The Black Arms are done, Shadow. You beat their leader and blew up the Black Comet, so… what now?"
Shadow turned around curiously. "What do you mean, 'what now'?"
Sonic held up his hands instinctively. "I'm just saying… Rouge told me you lost your memory, right? And you… got it back, or something? And now that you know who you are, what are you gonna do now?"
Shadow was silent for a moment. This made Sonic a little nervous, making him brush a hand through his spines.
"I made a promise more than fifty years ago," came Shadow's answer. "I'm gonna keep it."
"How?"
"My own way. With no one telling me what to do or how to do it."
A smirk slowly made its way to Sonic's face. "Your own way, huh? I gotta say, I… I know how that feels. I take it you're gonna be taking off?"
"Yes."
"Cool. I was gonna do the same," Sonic gave Shadow a wink and a thumbs-up. "I know you're not gonna go back on this promise… whatever it is. I'm sure I'll run into you again sooner or later but until then…" Sonic paused to take a deep breath.
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog."
And in a blue flash, he was off. Running across the green plains like a rocket. Shadow watched him leave before he turned his eyes back to the cloudless sky. Sonic's departing words… the same words Maria said so long ago… hung in his mind.
And then, he smiled.
"Sayonara, indeed."
Shadow skated across the field, knowing Maria was watching from high above…
"She told me to keep everyone safe," Shadow finished. "And now, there's only one way I can do that: by fighting Doctor Eggman and other threats that may appear."
"But… Twilight told me he had his sights set on conquering Equestria."
"And when he's finished with your world, he'll turn his attention back to mine. I have my teammates seeking him out as we speak. With any luck, I-"
BZZT! "Shad… read me… have a lead…"
Shadow pressed two fingers to his earpiece. "Rouge? I read you. Barely. Have you found something?"
"Not much… new plan… myth… further investigate…"
"Rouge? Rouge, you're breaking up!" Shadow spoke. "If you read me, stay on Eggman's trail and look into what he has planned for this world! I'll meet up with you as soon as I can. Shadow out."
He switched off the earpiece. "You wished to conquer this world once. Now, do you wish to protect it?"
"Anything for my friends," Sunset answered firmly. "Twilight and the others are working to save the world with Sonic. This may be my chance to help them."
"Likewise," Shadow answered. "But if you discuss our conversation with anyone, namely Sonic, I will make sure you regret it. Understand?"
Sunset gave him a look. "Okay, deal. So where do we start?"
"By finding my teammates," Shadow replied. He started to skate through the forest with Sunset galloping behind him. She had to teleport to keep up with him once she fell behind, appearing by his side in magical flashes.
"Sunset Shimmer," Shadow announced as they began their new mission. "Consider yourself an honorary member of Team Dark."
…
In the space between dimensions, it watched.
Before their eyes, a blue blur barraged through battalions of robots. At the same time, a cyan pegasus streaked through the sky and flew past monsters. It watched them face all kinds of foes with the same cocky attitude. It watched them run. It watched them fly.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG AND RAINBOW DASH. TWO HEROIC SOULS WHO LAUGH IN THE FACE OF DANGER. TWO CREATURES WHO THINK FAST AND LIVE FREE. TWO FORCES OF LOYALTY AND JUSTICE THAT RESIST OPPRESSION AND CRUELTY.
THE FIRST TRIAL HAS GONE AS EXPECTED, BUT THE OBSERVATIONS… WE SENSE GREAT HATRED FROM THE PEGASUS. GREAT JEALOUSY. GREAT RESENTMENT BENEATH THAT PRIDE AND FORGIVENESS. RESENTMENT… FOR THE HEDGEHOG.
INTERESTING. PERHAPS WE CAN EXPLOIT IT. BUT FIRST, THE SECOND TRIAL MUST PROCEED. WE HAVE TESTED THEIR SKILLS AGAINST US. NOW WE TEST THEM AGAINST OUR CREATION. BUT WHAT TO USE?
It peered into both worlds at once… and it immediately saw two things. In one eye, it saw cold, blowing winds that howled across the sky. In the other, it saw a massive flood that swept away anything in its path. In the distance came the echoing cries of creatures that some hardly feared.
YES… PERFECT.
