Star: Uhhh…Long time no see?

Aurelio: C'mon, Starlight! Stay determined!

Star:…Sooo I'm very sorry for my lack of updates…and Happy Belated Holidays?

Aurelio: If I could face palm, I would.

Star: So first up, reviews!

Waterthorn13-I don't know if I can update much past my goal of once a month (Aurelio: Which you already blotched), but I'm trying to make this chapter quicker and shorter so I guess we'll see how that turns out! As for your suggestion, I am doing Shadow, but by straight definition from Google (Cue dramatic music for no apparent reason)

Dreadwing216-Glad you liked it! I personally think it's my favorite chapter so far, though hopefully this one won't be half-bad!

Star: Oh, and a quick warning for Shadow's swearing…my censors were MAGICALLY sabotaged by a certain gun-wielding hedgehog. As always, I'll explain my reasoning at the end of this chapter…enjoy!

Aurelio: I think that's the shortest intro you've ever done…

Chapter 6-Break away

Shadow felt so…stiff. He faintly could hear the yelling coming from Sonic's friends who had come in an attempt to help him face Black Doom. Sonic had even gotten Eggman to come along, though for what reason Shadow didn't know, nor care. Speaking of the Faker, Shadow could hear him, though despite the fact he was yelling, he sounded…calm somehow. In fact, Shadow could've sworn something was up with the way Sonic seemed to be aware with the chaos energy used to teleport the comet, then-even with knowing the power the Arms held-believed that it would all be okay in the end. It was so familiar…

Shadow was jolted out of his trance when he heard a particular voice. 'Please help me, Shadow.' Maria! Shadow stood up and slowly broke away from Black Doom's grip on him. Shadow stopped down on the alien that was approaching him. "What?" Shadow made straight eye contact with Black Doom. "I am Shadow the Hedgehog. I've left the past behind me. No one can tell me what to do now! I will destroy you, Black Doom!" Something burned inside of him, but it wasn't painful. It felt almost identical to when he had gathered all the Chaos Emeralds around him. "I gave you life, and THIS is how you repay me?! Hahahaha…the irony of it all is I gave you life…NOW I'll take it back! Hahahaha…" Black Doom drifted away, and Shadow sprinted off after him. "Shadow!" Rouge was going to say more, but Sonic cut her off. "You're our only hope now!" Somehow, Shadow doubted that, but he didn't turn back.

c—(======-

Shadow made it to Black Doom's headquarters fairly easily. Black Doom was the first one to speak. "Well done, Shadow. You've gone farther than I expected…I'm impressed!" Shadow stayed silent and continued advancing. "But you still don't understand, do you? The future we offer is the only option for these humans." Shadow almost nodded, but stopped himself. "I've heard enough! You're boring me to death, Black Doom! You're going down!" He continued advancing. "Hahahahaha…Such bravado for a little hedgehog! I thought you were different from the rest…but maybe not." Shadow raised an eyebrow at this. Black Doom continued "We are more alike than you think…the same blood runs through our veins." He waved his hand.

Shadow growled "This can't be…" Out of nowhere, pain split his vision. "Uugghh…" Shadow fell forward and collapsed on the ground. "Just…who are YOU?" He asked in between breaths. Black Doom laughed for seemingly the millionth time. "Don't you know? You were created from my blood…" Shadow's eyes widened "Wha…what!?" He felt like that energy from earlier was slowly crumbling under the pressure of Black Doom's control "That's right…you are a part of me…do you feel that?" The pressure tightened. "I can control you…you cannot escape me…nor can you escape your past! Hahahahaha…" Shadow refused to accept it. "Damn you! NO, it's not true!" Shadow felt as if the world around him was falling apart.

When he was about to give in, Shadow heard some static before a voice came out, ringing in his head. "Shadow, my son." He raised his head. "Professor…?" Screens started coming down, Black Doom looking just as confused as he was. "What is this!?"

(Star: As awesome as it would be to type Professor Gerald's speech out just so that you have to scroll through it, I'm just going to skip to the end of it…sorry to those who want to read it, but I am literally watching the cutscenes 5 seconds at a time while constantly rewinding it to see if I worded things right XD)

"…Shadow, you are the only hope…to save mankind as we know it. The future of this planet depends on…YOU!" A different, younger voice cut in. "Don't worry, grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet. Right Shadow?" There was Maria, looking right at the screen with so much…hope. Shadow was lost in thought as he could hear Black Doom say something, only to cut himself off as Shadow gathered that same energy from earlier and broke away from Black Doom's control. He rose easily to his feet. After a moment, Black Doom regained his composure. "Well, well, well…seems like you're immune to my mind control." Shadow glared at him. "You have no control over me, Black Doom! I now understand why I'm here…" everything was connecting, it now all made sense. "I made a promise and I'm here to keep it! Today, I put my past behind me!" He leaped, and made to attack Black Doom, but unfortunately he forgot his foe could teleport. "Have it your way, Shadow. So be it…be prepare to meet your maker!" "Already did" Shadow muttered, but was unheard. "Your past, present and future ends here…TODAY! Prepare to die! Say goodbye Shadow as you witness my true wrath!" Shadow summoned the chaos emeralds around him, and they circled him, gradually gaining speed before a flash revealed his super form. It wasn't as gold as Sonic's form, but it was still pretty powerful. Sure, it had sent him on a crash course through the atmosphere last time, but now Shadow was ready for the rush of power. He flew up after the retreating form of Black Doom.

c—(======-

Shadow was looking out of the window on the observing deck in the ARK, watching the last remains of the comet scatter into the depths of space. He looked down at a picture he had found from searching through the drawers in Gerald's old room. It was a black and white picture of Maria and Gerald, before GUN had to ruin it. He looked back out at the last piece of comet that was slowly gliding away. He no longer had to follow anyone's orders…it felt so…good. Was this the feeling Sonic had called 'freedom'? Still, he had to make things up to GUN, because despite everything, he still wanted to redeem himself after all the damage he and his creators had caused. This room was so full of sadness, just like his memories, but it was time for his to stop clinging to the past and move on. "Goodbye forever…Shadow the Hedgehog" He turned on his heel and released the photo, letting the breeze from the air conditioners carry it away.

Star: Woohoo! This chapter was fun! So when I looked up the definition for this theme, it was mostly stuff about breaking away from someone in power. Since this game had a lot of that, I figure it would be fun to try out a game adaptation. I apologize for any mistakes I may have made in making this, and please review, favorite, follow, or all of the above!

Aurelio: If anyone has any requests, feel free too ask! Star doesn't really like doing entirely romance-based stories but they will do pairings. Star personally supports Sonic and Amy but will do Sonic and Sally if requested, and similar goes for all of their other pairings. And please, one request per comment. Have a great day!