Hey everyone! Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate it, and those reviews are what's keeping me going. Reviews are to the author as food is to the body – They keep the author going and pleased.

I do hope that everyone enjoyed the last chapter of The Shame Game II, (Even though it was depressing as fuck,) and the first chapter of The Shame Game III. I worked really hard on the first chapter, as I always work hard on chapters to draw people in.

My resolution for this final installment of the series is not to slack off. I want to get it finished and I want to finish it well, so that the series goes out with a bang, (Or at least with 200+ reviews…)

Also, I am going to try and make this story the longest of the series, as the Shame Game II was the shortest. This story will have a bit more depth into it and it will have a more dramatic plot.

And, if you all would like, I am aiming to post the original plans for 'The Shame Game 1,' typed in '07, so that you all can see what the series was originally planned as. This is all based on the success of the series. There was supposed to be a disaster, and people died, and… Well, you may have to read it to find out. Post what you all think as part of your wonderful, inspiring reviews!

Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy the final story to this saga, and please, please review.

Enjoy.

111

It is always pleasant to take in a lungful of fresh air for the first time in a while. It's like candy to the lungs. I have always noticed that hospital air always seems stale. I have no idea how, but it always seemed like it had already been breathed in once… Or how ever many possibilities that there was, noting that there is over three hundred patients in that hospital.

It was nice to finally stretch out my limbs, too. The second that I walked out of that hospital, I got on my tip toes and stretched my arms as far upward as I could. After hearing a satisfying crack come from my back, I let my arms drop and let out a sigh of relief.

Sonic was with me. It felt like a nice rewind to the past, before we met Amy, before Shadow moved to Station Square, before anything else. Like when Sonic and I were just children, seven and nine, playing at the local park. That was before the drama of love came along to make lives tough.

The sunlight was bright. The snow was starting to melt, just like it did here at this time of year. Early melts call for early springs. Flowers would be blooming in about a month's time.

"So Tails," Sonic started, breaking the silence. The silence had fallen around us like a blanket of fog – sudden and quick. "What are your plans?"

"I dunno," I answered. It actually took me a moment to decide what my plans would be. I hadn't made any incongruous plans from my original plan – I was supposed to be dead. "I should stop by home to tell Shadow that I am alright, I guess. He must have been worried about me after I… Well, my accident."

Sonic nodded and smiled, "Shadow, worried? You must have gotten to him, kid." He ruffled my hair and screwed it up, making the bangs flip out and forward. I laughed and looked into a puddle to fix it, but I froze at my reflection. I look exactly as I did two years ago. I had my hair flipped forward in three parts of my bangs, and my mouth was still in a smile because of laughing. I shook my head and ran after Sonic, who had gotten a bit farther ahead of me.

Sonic laughed. "Nice look. I can see your eyes."

I laughed too. It was weird for me. But the laughter made me feel a whole lot better to do with my situation involving Amy and Scourge. "So, I was wondering…"

"What?" I responded after Sonic's voice had trailed off.

"Would you like to move back in to my parent's place?" Sonic said and than let out a small chuckle, "It has gotten kind of lonely around there without you, man."

I smiled and considered the choices I had. I could live with Sonic, or stay with Shadow. I thought that I owed a lot to Shadow for helping me out and hearing me when I had to voice my thoughts, so it made me lean in on the second choice.

"I'll consider it," I stated after finally making my decision, "I kind of like living with Shadow. He's laid back, and easy to live with. He only has a few rules regarding the house and chores, too."

Sonic laughed, "And he also makes you pay rent."

"I'd rather pay rent than spend hours a week cleaning the place," I admitted. That part was true – cleaning was never one of my favorite pass times.

The next little while was spent in silence. It was really awkward because Sonic was never one to be quiet, nor was he one to give in to what I was saying.

"I…" I started, "I gotta go. I'll catch up with you later, alright?"

Sonic nodded and I left. That was a relief. I'd rather not hang out with Sonic than to hang out with him when he plays the antisocial card. That's not his style at all.

I started walking to Shadow's house. The silence around me gave me time to re think things in my head. Why did Amy get back together with Scourge? What had he ever done to her that would convince her to like him? That's not logical. Our nature is to hate the people who treat us that way, not to totally fall in love with them. I don't get it…

Another thing that I don't get is the fact that I am so willing to just let her go now. I know I love her. It still hurts so much to think about her and realize that she doesn't love me. But it feels as if this is the way that it should be. Like her and I, as much as I do not want to admit it, were not, by any means, compatible like peanut butter and jelly.

Too bad. It would have been really nice to keep her the way she was.

Before long I made it to Shadow's place that was located in the more 'ghetto' part of the city. Doesn't matter to me. It's better than nothing, I guess.

My stomach growled. I noticed than that I hadn't eaten, or hadn't eaten manually, since the day of my… Accident. That would be the first thing that I would do when I got into the house.

I slipped my key into the keyhole and turned it to unlock the door. The first sound I heard from inside the house was the television mute. That meant that Shadow was home, and most likely Skye, too. Uh-oh. That means that I have a bit of explaining to do.

"Tails?" I heard Shadow call out. His voice was rough, angry, but still comforting. Just as always.

"Hey Shad." I called out, hanging my jacket on the coat hanger, "Anything to eat?"

"First thing's first, Miles." He said, getting off of his couch. Now I knew that I was in for it. He called me Miles. He never does that, unless if he's really, really, ticked off. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I wasn't." I flatly said, "I wasn't thinking. Now I am. If Amy doesn't want me back, than I don't need her. Whatever. I'll find someone else, I guess."

Shadow took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I looked behind him to see that Skye was not there. "Where's Skye?"

"She's out with Rouge, getting some stuff for the baby," Shadow explained, "He's due in a few weeks, y'know."

"Yeah, I know." I said, letting out a chuckle. Shadow the father. Unexpected.

"So, if you are indeed in the right mind," Shadow started, reverting our conversation back to it's roots, "What is running through your mind right now?"

"The willingness to eat out?" I explained, and my stomach growled again. Funny how things worked, actually. It was suck a coincidence that my body decided to let out a groan just than.

Shadow smiled; something that I hadn't seen in a while. He walked up to me and threw his coat on. "Well, I'm headed out to pick Skye up soon, anyway. Want a big-mac?"

"More than ever," I sighed. I slipped my coat on, too. Shadow opened the door and let me through, laughing a bit. I laughed too. It was good to be back. Life didn't seem so depressing anymore. It seemed alright, manageable, even.

There, that's it. For now. =]

I do hope that you are all enjoying this. The plot won't come along for another chapter or so, so please bear with me for now. Please?

Anyway, here is the Review replies for Chapter one.

Animal's Darkside: Why, thank you! I like writing dark, twisted, depressing and awesome stories… But I like writing when all of those are put into one! =] Thanks for the review! =D

Nicend: Aha! I'm glad that you continued on to the third installment. That really makes me feel very excited. =] And thank you for the alert. I'll note next time not to apologize. =P Thanks! =D

Kitsune Disciple: Thank you very much, my friend. It makes me honored to have you still reviewing my stories like there was no wait between the chapters. I love having reviewers like that. Readers who stick with the author are friends. Thank you, my friend. For everything, and for sticking with me this far.

Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me this far, or is starting to read and enjoy my fan fiction.

And, I forgot, Review Replies to Chapter 17 in The Shame Game II:

HA19: Thank you for reading! =D Although I hope that you love this, even though this hadn't been a while.

Kitsune Disciple: Thanks, my friend. Always a pleasure to please. =D

The-Blue-Zephyr: One word; Harsh. As a reader and author on this website, I am permitted to write about anything that I want and along any lines about how I may or may not see the characters in my stories. I am sorry if you did not enjoy it, but that's your opinion. Just because you did not enjoy it, doesn't mean that I will stop writing. If you didn't like it the WHOLE way through, than why did you endure the pain? Doesn't matter. It was your loss for reading if you are not into that stuff. That's it. So, if you may, move on and read something else. Like I had explained in The Shame Game 1, flames are not welcomed here. If you had some collective criticism, than please, let it out. If not, than high-tail it out of here. Good day, mate.

Sairisa-chan: Why, thank you! I do hope that you enjoyed!

Raven Blackheart: Always a pleasure to please. =}

Thank you for reading, and I hope that you all come back for Chapter 3, which should be up by the weekend.

Thanks for reading. Review!