Sonic slammed into the ground, and Metal poumded him further down. Chunks of concrete flew in all directions as Sonic was beat into the ground. Once he was done, he threw Sonic at a car, and Sonic slammed into it. "Your abilities are inferior compared to my own.", Metal boasted.

"I'll show you who's inferior, you hunk of junk!" Sonic rushed at Metal, but it blasted Sonic into a wall. The wall cracked as Sonic slammed into it. Sonic couldn't take much more, he was reaching his limits. Metal Sonic charged a blast of energy in his hand. This shot would be the death of Sonic the Hedgehog. Metal was stopped short by a sword of chaos energy plunging threw his chassis. Metal turned to indetify its attacker and found Shadow standing there, an angry scowl on his face.

Shadow detonated the sword within Metal, blowing several holes through the robot. "S-Shadow!" Sonic was joyed to see the black and red hedgehog. Despite the holes in it, Metal Sonic stood again. Its hand formed into a machine gun, and the bot opened fire on Shadow. Shadow simply Chaos-Controlled behind the robot and split it down the middle with a slice of chaos energy.

"Guess Eggman didn't intend on you being that strong."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Uh-w-well...sort of..." Sonic cheeks turned red.

"Whatever."

Good. Shadow had defeated Metal Sonic. Now for phase two. He had all the materials he needed. Now was the time to strike.

"The robots all retreated. I guess Robotnik had second thoughts.", Shadow explained.

"Well that's good."

"Not neccisaraely. He could be planning something else. But, until then, I'm going to go."

"W-well you don't need to go."

"Why not?"

"I-uh..." Shadow rolled his eyes and began to walk the other way. "Shadow...please don't go."

"Why are you so intent on keeping me? I'm not needed here." Sonic was annoyed.

"You're so clueless!" Shadow was startled by this sudden outburst.

"I can't believe you! I try and try, but you just keep ignoring me!"

"S-Sonic calm down."

Sonic went on, "I've been trying for months, but you just don't care. I don't care if you're not needed, because...I need you!"

"W-what did you just say?" Sonic immediately regretted what he said.

"I-I mean Eggman might still b-be out there, and I w-won't be able to h-handle him on my own..." Sonic knew Shadow didn't buy a word he had just said.

"He needs me?" Shadow felt a burning sensation in his chest. He had expierienced all the emotions...except this one. It was new to him, and it felt good. Then he remembered.

The Ark Space Colony:Years Before

Shadow had heard the word several times, and he wanted to know what it meant. Maybe Maria could tell him.

"Maria?"

"What it is Shadow?"

"What is love?"

"Love? Hm...I'm not sure how to explain it, but it's a warm feeling you get when you're near someone you want to be with. I'm not really sure how to explain it, but you'll know it when you feel it. Whoever you feel it toward is the person you love."

Could this be it? Could he love Sonic?