At the Kent house, Helen and Cream were watching Gerald Robotnik's message. Both of them were holding one another, sitting on Ella's lap as she held them both.
"I plan to give you a taste of my revenge. 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!"
"Is there anything else you want to say?" a soldier asked off screen.
"No..."
"Ready!"
Ella went wide-eyed, covering the eyes of the girls before gunshots were heard. When that happened, the message began playing once more on an endless loop.
...
Inside a shuttle on the ARK, Rouge was on the radio with Topaz once more.
"Topaz, I'm transmitting my report now. Over"
"Be careful Rouge. That colony is a dangerous place."
"Please. I can handle any-"
All of a sudden, everything began to shake, causing her to hit her head on the top of the shuttle. She rubbed the bump, grimacing.
…
Back in the Cannon, Sonic and Shadow charged at each other at high speeds. The impact created a massive explosion that ripped a hole into another part of the facility. The two hedgehogs landed in this newly revealed room, continuing to face off with one another.
"You've interfered for the last time!"
"Then take a hike!" Sonic insisted, pulling out a ring and throwing it at him. "I'll give you a ring some time."
Shadow batted it away before bringing a Chaos Spear down on him. Sonic easily evaded it before spin dashing right at him, knocking him back.
"Game over, Shadow."
Shadow just pulled himself up, smirking intently.
"I couldn't agree more."
Suddenly, the room began to shake. Shadow seemed to smirk slightly, letting out a soft chuckle.
"It's finally time, Maria. I will finally fulfill my promise."
He then took off through a hole in the wall.
"Hey, wait!" Sonic called out.
Sonic then noticed a clock on the wall, quickly counting down.
…
The other members of Sonic's team came running into the Eclipse Cannon's control room. As the door opened up, they were greeted by the sight of Robotnik pounding on the now useless console. The countdown and Geralds looped message continued to play on the screens, as if taunting the irate genius.
"He tricked me! My own grandfather tricked!"
Suddenly, the pillar containing the Chaos Emeralds was sealed up, much to everyone's horror. Geralds message began playing again, Chessie and Amy recognizing the cell he was in.
"Hey, that was Sonic's cell on Prison Island!" Amy exclaimed.
"G.U.N. must have imprisoned Gerald after ARK was shut down," Chessie surmised.
Just then, the room began shaking, alerting the group to a growing development.
"Uh, guys?" Keith let out. "Is it just me, or is this place falling apart?"
"No," Rouge declared, entering the room. "It's something far worse. I just came back from the Colony's propulsion system. The ARK is rocketing towards Earth at a high velocity, and the computers are locked so we can't reverse course. There's… nothing we can do."
Everyone looked in shock, then Knuckles turned to Robotnik.
"This is all your fault! Do something!"
"You think I haven't tried?! My grandfather is a genius of his own caliber! If I had a few weeks, maybe I could do something, but we're running out of time quickly!"
"You want quick? I can provide."
Everyone turned to see Sonic standing in the entryway.
"Sonic!" everyone except Robotnik let out.
"Persistent for a hedgehog," Robotnik remarked. "You're still alive."
"What? You thought you'd be able to handle me? Just letting Knuckles pilot the shuttle on the way over here was more dangerous than you could ever be."
"Don't be so sure," Robotnik replied, pulling out a laptop and opening a few files. "This is my Grandfather's diary."
Chessie took the laptop, beginning to read outloud.
"I don't quite know what happened, or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the Ultimate Life Form? I thought it would be something that would benefit mankind... But then the military guards landed on the Colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project that I had been working on. My colleagues at the research facility, my granddaughter Maria, I hope you are all safe."
She switched to the next entry, which was several months later.
"The colony was completely shut down, probably to prevent the prototype from falling into the wrong hands, under the premise that there had been an accident. I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down. She meant everything to me! And I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything! I had nothing more to live for! I went insane! All I could think about was avenging her! Somehow, someway, I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it all to end."
She then switched to the final entry, which seemed much colder than the ones before.
"Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project; Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect, pure... I will leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the world... if you wish to fill the world with destruction."
"So that's why you released Shadow from the base!" Rouge deduced.
Chessie looked at the entry, something feeling off about it.
"Hang on… this entry… I think there are pieces missing from it. Give me as second." Chessie typed a little bit, some of the text shifting. "Oh Aurora..."
"What?" Sonic asked.
"Those fools at Gun have made a terrible mistake. They recovered the pod containing my Ultimate Lifeform. They want me to alter his programming, making him serve them as a loyal, mindless soldier. Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project; Shadow. I have designed its mind to be perfect, pure, and with a single goal in mind: avenging Maria, and ensuring that everyone will feel the same pain I have. I will leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the world to fulfill my promise to Maria, if you wish to fill the world with destruction."
"So I was wrong…" Rouge realized. "This is the same Shadow from the ARK all those years ago…"
"Except altered to carry out my grandfather's revenge upon awakening from his slumber," Robotnik surmised.
"His promise to Maria..." Chessie whispered.
…
Back on Earth, the President was being informed of the situation.
"Do we have any confirmation on this?"
"We've received emergency messages from the Space Bureau and Military Headquarters. Space Colony ARK is plummeting towards Earth with tremendous energy. At this rate, the impact on Earth will be the same or greater than when it blasted the moon. They predict that no one will survive the impact."
"Good lord…"
"Good luck Sonic," Sam said to himself. "Even you're gonna have trouble saving us this time."
…
At a G.U.N. safehouse, the door was suddenly kicked open by several police officers and CIA units. Everyone inside was dressed in the same black suits as the men who attacked Franklin and Scarlet.
"Freeze!" An officer shouted.
"You're under arrest for conspiracy, attempted murder, and high treason!"
The agents were all tackled to the ground and arrested, dragged out of the safehouse in shackles.
…
Across town, Topaz escorted Agent Stone out of G.U.N. Headquarters, right into a crowd of reporters and newsies, including Scarlet.
"It took a long time, but the truth finally came out," Topaz sneered. "Now everyone knows the truth. Not even your secret silencing squad escaped."
"We were trying to protect the world!" Agent Stone insisted.
"You were trying to save your own skin. And now, you're gonna spend however long we have left rotting in prison."
She shoved him into the back of a SWAT van, slamming the doors and watching him get carted off. Her eyes then drifted upward to the burning streak that was the encroaching ARK.
…
"The energy given off by the Chaos Emeralds has transformed the ARK into a massive planet busting bomb. Once it collides with the planet, it will shatter it into pieces, leaving nothing but dust."
"If that's the case, then we can use the Master Emerald to shut down the Chaos Emeralds," Kat reasoned. "No power, no bomb."
"Right," Knuckles agreed. "If we can just get the Master Emerald to the core, I can use it to shut off the power."
"But will we be able to get there in time?" Tails asked. "It may be too late."
"There's still a chance," Robotnik reasoned. "If we pull together, we just might be able to get to the shortcut that leads to the cannon's core."
"Working alongside you," Sonic shuddered. "Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"I'm not a big fan of it either, but if we don't work together, the planet is doomed."
Sonic took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
"Alright," he allowed. "Let's get to work."
Chessie closed the laptop, handing it back to Robotnik.
"You guys deal with the Emeralds," she told the group. "I'm going after Shadow."
"What?!" Sonic let out. "You can't be serious."
"His memories aren't his own. He doesn't even know that everything he believes in is wrong. I've been in his shoes. I have to help him see the light. I need to help him remember the REAL Maria."
Sonic was hesitant, then Chessie took his hand in hers.
"I'll be okay," she promised. "He won't hurt me."
Robotnik snorted at the notion, reaching into his coat.
"I highly doubt that," he told her before tossing something at her. "Take these. You'll need them."
Chessie caught what was thrown, finding them to be her wristbands containing her cables. She quickly put them on, locking them in place.
"Good luck, guys," she told them, running off.
"You too!" Sonic called back before turning to the others. "C'mon! We're running out of time!"
…
Before long, the heroes made their way through the facility, running as fast as they could. Even Orbot and Cubot were lending a hand, carrying the Master Emerald so Knuckles could punch through walls for easier access. Amy first smashed the door down, allowing Tails and Robotnik to make their way to the proper control panels. Defense turrets quickly opened fire on them, prompting Keith to throw a few energy balls, Kat to bat some exploding balls, and Rouge to kick some aside as they worked.
"I got the first door open!" Tails shouted from the panel.
"Sonic, door's open!"
"We see it!" Sonic called through the comms. "Keep up the good work!"
Just then, muddy water started flooding the tunnel Sonic and Knuckles were in. Knuckles quickly punched a hole in the wall, grabbing hold of it, then Sonic. Orbot and Cubot flew up above the deluge, avoiding the worst of it. Eventually, the water settled and the doors began to close again. The four rushed through, just barely making it inside.
"This might work after all!" Sonic proclaimed.
…
Chessie ran through the ARK, searching everywhere for even the slightest hint of Shadow. She searched every room she could find, but was coming up empty every time. Just as she was about at her wit's end, she saw a door that stood out. It was covered in faded crayon, pictures of flowers and grass across it.
"This… is Maria's room."
On a whim, Chessie opened the door, revealing a beautiful girl's bedroom. It had a canopy bed, shelves littered with books, a toy chest filled with toys, and a music box resting on a night stand. The music box was on, showing a small figurine of Alice holding the Cheshire Cat, a simple version of "In a World of My Own" playing lightly. Shadow was sitting on the bed, his back to the door.
"It's finally come… your wish fulfilled…"
"Shadow," Chessie called out.
Shadow perks up, turning around to see Chessie standing before him.
"You again…"
Summoning her courage, she stepped into the room.
"It's not too late. We can still save everyone."
Shadow snorted, turning away again.
"I read Gerald's diary," Chessie went on. "I know the truth. You are the original Shadow, the true Ultimate Lifeform. But, your memories were altered so you would follow Gerald's desire for revenge. Everything you've been doing, your promise to Maria… it's all a lie."
"The bat did little to change my mind, what chance do you have?"
"Because I have false memories too. Eggman programmed me with a fake life and a fake identity. I know what it's like, and I want to help you. I know that somewhere inside of you, there's a piece of the real Shadow crying out that this is wrong."
Shadow just scowled in response.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"But I do! If you were really as heartless and vengeful as you claim to be, you would have left me to die back on Prison Island."
"I told you, I was there for the Chaos Emeralds, that's it. You were just in the way."
"I don't believe you. I've seen the power you have. You could have just snatched the Emeralds and left us if that was the case, but you didn't. You're not a weapon, and you're not some spirit of vengeance. You were made to help humanity, not destroy it."
"Forget it! I made a promise to Maria, and I intend to keep it!"
He threw a Chaos Spear at her, which sent her flying into a bookshelf. She collided hard, falling to the ground as books began raining down on her. She groaned in pain, then got a look at the books. She picked one up, realizing it was a picture atlas
"A promise..." Chessie repeated. "And what was that promise?"
"That humankind would pay for what they did."
"If that were true, then why is her shelf full of atlases?" Chessie pulled herself to her feet, grunting in pain as she began scanning the scattered books. "Each and every one of these books contains pictures of Earth, images of its wonders and treasures. She didn't want to destroy the Earth, she wanted to see it."
"She did… until that planet's soldiers came and shot her. She wasn't a threat to anyone, all she wanted was to see the Earth, now she'll never get the chance. Do you honestly believe that is a planet worth saving?!"
"I won't lie, there are some bad people in the world. Some are selfish and cruel like the Professor said… but there are good people too. People like Keith, Kat, Chuck, Helen, and so many others. People who strive to make the world a better place. To stop those bad people from hurting others."
Shadow turned away, preparing to leave. In a fit of desperation, Chessie got in front of him, spreading her arms out to block the door.
"Shadow, stop! This is wrong, and you know it! Maria wouldn't want you to kill humanity, she'd want you to give them a chance!"
Suddenly, something in Shadow clicked, causing him to reel back. His eyes widened, memories flooding his mind.
…
"This is wrong and you know it!" Maria insisted. "Don't do this! Please!"
"Maria..." Shadow let out.
The soldiers surrounding the pair took aim, unmoved by her pleas. One did look at his comrades in horror, trying to talk them down.
"She's just a kid! There's no need to-!"
"We have our orders," another soldier argued before turning back to Maria. "Last chance kid. Get out of the way.
Maria stood her ground
"If you want to hurt Shadow, you have to go through me!"
"So be it."
The soldier raised his gun, much to the outrage of his more compassionate comrade.
"NO!"
The gun went off and Maria crumbled to the ground, clutching her stomach.
"MARIA!" Shadow cried out.
He instantly leapt at the soldier, knocking him to the ground. Seeing his gun on the ground, Shadow grabbed it and aimed it at his face.
"Shadow…" Maria wheezed out. "Don't…"
He looked down, seeing her struggling to stand, blood soaking through her fingers.
"Don't… hurt him… Please..."
Reluctantly, Shadow tossed the gun aside before heading over to Maria and getting her out of there. He rushed into the main lab, laying her down before going and locking the lab doors. Once he was sure they were safe, he went back to Maria, who was struggling to stand.
"Shadow… I need… you to do… something… for me..."
"What is it?" Shadow asked.
She pointed to a circle on the floor.
"There… please..."
Shadow wasted no time running over, only for Maria to press a button, causing a capsule to drop on top of him.
"What?! No! Don't, please! Maria!"
Maria was struggling to even stay upright, the blood stain on her dress growing larger by the minute. It was clear her time was coming to an end.
"Shadow… I beg of you… please… do it for me… for all the people on that planet… give them a chance… to be happy…"
Shadow just slammed his fists on the glass, tears forming in his eyes.
"They don't deserve it. Not after this."
"It's not about… what they deserve… it's about doing what's right… giving them the chance… for a better future… that is the reason… you were born… promise me, Shadow…"
Shadow's eyes tightened as he dropped to his knees.
"I will, Maria… I promise…"
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog…"
With the last of her strength, she pulled the lever, collapsing as Shadow's capsule was ejected into space.
…
Shadow stepped back in shock, Chessie remaining where she was in the door, struggling to stand from the force of Shadow's attack. Her legs finally gave out and she began to fall, only for Shadow to rush out and catch her.
"You were right…" Shadow told her, a single tear rolling down his face. "I had it wrong all this time… I've been a fool."
"It's not too late," Chessie told him. "You can still keep your promise… you can save us all…"
She lost the battle with consciousness, slumping in his arms.
"And I will," he promised.
Shadow then placed her on the bed before taking off, praying he wasn't too late.
…
Ten minutes were left on the clock as Sonic, Knuckles, Orbot, and Cubot made it to the Cannon's core.
"The core…" Knuckles recognized. "It looks like the Shrine of the Master Emerald…"
"I don't know how," Sonic admitted. "But they must've designed the core like the Shrine to harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds."
"How is that even possible when the Chaos Emeralds were on Mobius?" Orbot wondered.
"Let's save the world bending mystery for after the world's not about to be destroyed!" Cubot shouted.
"I hate to say it, but Cubot's right," Sonic agreed. "Let's save the world!"
Before they could get much further, everything began to shake. That's when a massive red lizard dropped out from the ceiling. It was easily the size of Perfect Chaos, with a large, mechanical life support system embedded into its skin.
"What the heck is that thing?!" Knuckles let out.
"If I had to guess," Orbot replied. "It might be the Prototype of the Ultimate Lifeform that was encapsulated years ago."
"Whatever it is, it's in our way!" Sonic declared.
He tried spin dashing at it, but the Prototype fired a blast from his mouth, knocking him back.
"Man, this thing is tough," Sonic remarked.
"I suppose someone else has to stop him," Orbot dreaded.
"Rock, donut, Thursday?" Cubot suggested.
"Leave this one to me."
Everyone turned to see Shadow walking past them towards the Prototype.
"Shadow?" Sonic questioned.
"I'll take care of this. You guys get to the Chaos Emeralds."
Sonic just looked at him, smirking in response.
"Give him trouble."
Shadow smiled in response, skating straight towards the creature. Copying one of Sonic's moves, Shadow leapt up and did a spin dash on the creature's side, causing it to roar in fury.
"Shadow bought us our window!" Sonic told them. "Come on!"
The four of them ran past the creature as it continued to battle Shadow, spewing out laser blasts that Shadow easily leapt over and ducked under. After dodging one blast, Shadow leapt onto one of the cables along its neck and grinded up it, leaping up and performing a Chaos Spear. The blasts collided with the life support pack on its back, causing the creature to cry out in pain.
Meanwhile, the four others managed to get the Master Emerald to the top of the core, allowing Knuckles to put the Master Emerald in place.
"It's all on you Knuckles," Sonic told him. "You got this."
Knuckles took a breath before holding out his hands.
"The servers are the seven Chaos. Chaos is power enriched by the heart. The controller serves to unify the Chaos."
The massive gem began to glow.
"Master Emerald, hear my plea. Stop the Chaos Emeralds and spare the Earth!"
The Master Emerald glowed brighter and brighter, heeding the prayer of its Guardian. Meanwhile, Shadow continued battling with the Prototype. The creature managed to generate energy balls that shot out at Shadow, prompting him to leap from ball to ball before getting above the Prototype and spin dashing right onto it's life support system. This massive blow caused the Prototype to shriek in agony.
By this point, the Master Emerald had finished its task, the Chaos Emeralds dropping to the ground, lifeless and grey.
"We did it!" Knuckles cheered.
"Hooray!" Cubot proclaimed. "Donuts for everyone!"
Just then, the Prototype cried out one last time before vanishing in a blinding light.
"It's gone," Knuckles let out.
Shadow then suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Chaos Control…"
Just then, everything began shaking again, this time much more violently.
"What the heck?!" Cubot let out.
"We're still falling!" Orbot realized as the two continued to collide with each other.
"Sonic!" Robotnik's voice came over the intercom system. "The prototype is still alive! It attached itself to the outside of the space colony and is pulling us towards the planet."
"Now what?" Knuckles asked.
Sonic turned towards Shadow, the two nodding as if they knew what the other was thinking. They both closed their eyes, focusing at the Chaos Emeralds suddenly began glowing with power once more. They soon surrounded the two hedgehogs, circling around them faster and faster. Sonic's quills began to glow a bright yellow as Shadow's turned solid white. Knuckles and the robots were in awe of the transformation.
"Come on," Super Sonic insisted.
"Wait," Super Shadow insisted. "There's something I need to do first."
…
Chessie laid on the bed in Maria's room, still unconscious. Shadow popped into existence right next to her, placing a hand over her. Her wounds vanished and her eyes fluttered open. When she saw Shadow, she gasped.
"Shadow… you're… white..."
"A gift from the Chaos Emeralds. I still have one last job to do. I just… wanted to thank you… for helping me."
"You helped me first," Chessie reminded him. "Why… did you save me? Back on Prison Island?"
"Because your voice… reminded me of someone I made a promise to… one I intend to keep."
With that, Shadow disappeared, leaving Chessie with a smile across her face.
…
Outside the ARK, Super Sonic and Super Shadow found the Prototype attached to the barrel of the Cannon, roaring as it continued pulling the ARK towards Earth. Super Sonic and Super Shadow charged right at it.
"You with me, Sonic?" Shadow asked.
"All the way! Let's finish this!"
The two collided with the side of the creature, causing it to roar in pain.
…
"The Space Colony is still rushing towards us sir," Christina informed the President. "We're less then five minutes from atmospheric entry."
"And then?"
"By that point, it will be impossible to stop the impact."
Sam, who had been looking up at the red, burning ARK, suddenly took notice of two bright lights flying around it. He squinted, putting a hand above his eyes to try and get a better look.
"Hey, something's happening!"
The President and Christina looked out and saw the same thing, all three of them stepping out of the car to get a better look.
"Sonic," Sam surmised. "It has to be."
…
Up in ARK, Chessie had rejoined the rest of the group, all of them looking out the window at the battle. Amy had her hands clasped in prayer, Keith and Kat were holding hands as well, Kat's free hand on Knuckles' shoulder. Tanaka was standing off to the side, arms crossed and fingers tapping nervously. Tails was clutching his titular tails, twisting the fur in his hands.
"Sonic..." Chessie let out. "Shadow..."
"They can do it," Tails told her. "They have to…"
Leaning on a wall, Rouge had her radio out, contacting Topaz.
"Topaz, come in," she tried desperately. "Do you read me?"
"Yes Rouge, but what's going on up there?"
"Boy, are you in for a story.
…
"That large red object is actually Space Colony ARK, glowing as it reenters the atmosphere," Scarlet reported, Franklin watching from behind the camera. "It's been kept secret from the public for fifty years. In the course of our investigation, we have uncovered a conspiracy within our intelligence services that now threatens the survival of this planet. Our only hope now is two hedgehogs fighting to save us all."
…
Back in space, Super Sonic and Super Shadow continued battling with the Prototype, dodging the laser blasts it spewed from its mouth while striking the side of it. As Super Shadow continued flying, he started grunting in pain, something Super Sonic took notice of.
"Shadow, you can't sustain your super form! Get back to the Colony!"
"No! I'll be fine! I must destroy the evil the Professor has created!"
Suddenly, an energy blast shot out and hit Super Sonic, knocking him back.
"Sonic!"
Shadow turned back to the Prototype, his fists clenching.
"Maria… watch me… I will fulfill your wish…" He looks up the Prototype. "Here I come, you creep!"
Super Shadow then darted towards it, dodging every blow that was shot his way. After recovering, Super Sonic was quick to join him, skimming along an energy beam as they darted right towards the life support pack. Upon striking it, the pack parked, causing the creature to cry out.
"The life support pack!" Sonic realized. "Shadow! This thing needs its life support! We take it out and it's done for!"
"Right! Let's finish this!"
The two, shot upwards, arching downwards and dive bombing right at the pack, destroying it entirely. The creature was engulfed in a fiery explosion, destroying the Cannon completely. The Colony, however, continued moving towards the planet. Super Sonic and Super Shadow quickly flew in front of it, holding out their hands in an attempt to push it back.
"You're stopping here!" Super Sonic declared.
The two continued to try and hold the Colony back, but the strain was becoming more and more intense.
"You can do it, Sonic!" Tails cheered.
"Give it all you got, Shadow!" Robotnik yelled.
"Show this world the type of hero you are!" Rouge shouted.
"You can't quit now!" Knuckles yelled.
"You can do this!" Amy encouraged.
"We're counting on you, Sonic!" Keith shouted.
"We know you got this!" Kat declared.
"Sonic!" Chessie called out. "Shadow!"
"Shadow..." Maria's voice echoed in Shadow's mind. "They need you, Shadow."
Shadow's face then hardened.
"I am Shadow! Shadow the Hedgehog!"
Suddenly, his rings on his wrist snapped off, seemingly giving him a burst of power.
"Sonic, we've only got one chance!"
"Then let's do it!"
The two then flew right at the Colony, their hands sparking with power.
"Chaos!
"Control!"
The two shot their hands out, releasing a massive surge of energy that swallowed up the Colony. Suddenly, the Colony vanished in a massive flash of light, along with Shadow.
"Maria… I did it… for you…"
All of a sudden, the Colony reappeared, it's Cannon gone as it floated a good distance away from the Earth.
…
On the planet, everyone cheered and celebrated. People were shouting in the streets, more than a few couples kissing and hugging passionately. In the Kent House, Ella twirled both Cream and Helen around, all three of them laughing. By his limo, the President and Christina both shared sighs of relief.
"He did it again," The President let out.
"So he did." Christina replied.
"I guess after all this, continuing that manhunt would be a pretty dumb idea," Sam remarked.
"It was never my idea to begin with," the President told him. "In my eyes, Sonic is a hero to the core."
"I know, Sir. I know."
…
Up on board the ARK, Sonic finally returned inside and met up with the others, who were waiting for him. Everyone turned to him happy to see that he was alright, but Chessie noticed someone was missing.
"Where's Shadow?"
Sonic looked down in sorrow, just holding out one of Shadow's gold rings. Chessie gasped in realization, taking it and looking down at it, seeing only her shocked reflection in the metal.
"Shadow..." she clutched the ring tightly, fighting back tears.
"He turned out alright in the end," Rouge realized. "It's almost hard to believe the Professor intended him to carry out revenge on everyone on Earth."
"I don't judge Shadow by who he was meant to be," Sonic replied. "I judge him by who he was. In the end, he was a hero, who gave his life to save us all. That's the Shadow the Hedgehog I want to remember."
Chessie nodded, sliding the ring onto her own arm.
"Me too."
Meanwhile, Robotnik looked out the window towards Earth as Tails walked over to him.
"Are you ok?" Tails asked.
"Believe it or not, my Grandfather was my hero when I was a boy. I always looked up to him in amazement at all the things he accomplished in his life, and I wanted to be a great scientist like him. But… do you really think he meant to kill us all?"
"I don't know. But we managed to save the world. Together."
"... yes. I suppose we did."
Rouge meanwhile turned away, gazing off as Knuckles came up to her.
"So, what's next for you, Rouge? Off to find your next big treasure?"
"No. At least not right away. This spy business seems to be picking up, and frankly I'm having a ton of fun. Besides, I've got something… better than jewels to think about right now."
Knuckles just smirks in response.
"Well… good luck with that."
Rouge smiled in response.
"Thanks."
She prepared to walk off, then stopped when she reached Chessie. Fishing into her fur, she pulled out the device with all the information on Project Shadow.
"Here," she told her. "I found a video file while I was sifting through the old archive data. Something tells me you'll need it more than me."
Chessie took the device, giving Rouge a smile. The bat returned it in kind, then headed off. Sonic walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You gonna be okay?"
Chessie sniffed, wiping her eyes.
"Yeah… I'll be okay."
"Alright," Sonic allowed. "Come on guys, let's go home. Back to the planet as cool and blue as me!"
"Cheers to that!" Kat cheered. "I am ready to be back on solid ground."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," Keith told her.
Everyone started walking out of the room. Sonic held back for a moment, taking one last look at the room and it's view of Earth.
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog…"
With that, Sonic and the others left the room, the ARK, and it's story behind.
…
Later that night, Chessie sat in a small diner in Station Square, her laptop in front of her. She took the device from her vest, sliding it into the laptop. The Project Shadow files came up, with a video file at the forefront. It was of Dr. Gerald Robotnik, who was standing by a culture tank where Shadow was resting. Maria was right by her grandfather, looking down at the sleeping hedgehog. Chessie clicked play, and the video began.
"Here he is, Maria," Gerald declared, gently patting the glass of the culture tank. "The Ultimate Lifeform. He's going to need a lot of help once he comes out, so I do hope you'll be there for him."
"Of course, Grandpa," Maria insisted.
Chessie gasped, a hand going to her mouth. Maria sounded almost exactly like she did, which took the cat's breath away.
"What's his name?" Maria asked.
"A name?" Gerald repeated, rubbing his chin in thought. "I can't say I've thought that far ahead."
"Can I name him?"
Gerald smiled, pulling Maria in for a hug.
"Of course you can. What do you think we should call him?"
Maria thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Shadow. We'll call him Shadow."
"Shadow? Is that because of his fur?"
Maria shook her head as Gerald tugged on part of his mustache.
"Are you sure that's the name you want to use? It sounds rather dark."
"No it doesn't," Maria defended. "Darkness can be anywhere you go, but a shadow is only visible when you stand in the light."
Gerald chuckled, planting a gentle kiss on his granddaughter's head.
"Very well then. Welcome to the ARK, Shadow the Hedgehog."
Chessie smiled, holding the bracelet on her wrist as she watched the video again.