In Cosmo's Shadow

By Kellie Fay

Disclaimer: Sonic, Shadow, Tails, Cosmo, and the others all belong to SEGA, Team Sonic, 4 Kids and other people not me

Yes the story is winding down. I hope everyone enjoyed it. *waves to Kirai-Ninja*

Epilogue

[70 years later ]

The village didn't look much different from when Shadow lived closer. For the last several years he had decided to go wandering again. Not like the last time where he ran from his problems, but more like Sonic, just moving from place to place trying to find something to do. Now after several years he returned to Green Hill Valley, but he knew that this would be the last time.

The spirit of friendship might last forever, but bodies were only made of flesh, blood, and bone, and they wore out. Over the last decade, many of Shadow's friends had gown old and died. Too painful to bear, after Rouge passed away, Shadow felt traveling would help him deal with his loss better. It was only then that something Maria said during his vision quest made sense. She told him he would have to forgive the Professor a second time. And he did, After Sonic passed away, he forgave Professor Gerald for making him immortal and unaging.

"So you're back," A familiar voice said, cutting into his thoughts. Shadow turned to look at the young hedgehog facing him. His voice reminded Shadow all too much of his grandfather, but instead of blue he sported a dark maroon fur with purple tips to his quills.

"Hello Speed," Shadow said evenly. "You've grown,"

The hedgehog shrugged. "I've supposed you came to see Milana's father," he said.

"I've heard he's not well." Shadow said sadly, nodding.

Speed shrugged again, and glared at the ebony and crimson hedgehog. "What do you care, you haven't been here in years."

"And after this there will be no reason for me to come again," Shadow told him. "I can just become a dark story you can tell your children."

A female laugh turned and made Shadow smile. "If I tell my children that story I'll be telling them of a dark angel that will always protect them if they're good. Hello Shadow."

"Hello Milana," Shadow said, turning to face the five tailed kitsune. She had one fox cub in her arms, and another one at her feet.

"Now I know I've been away a long time," Shadow said looking at the two kits. "You've grown another tail, and look at these two."

Milana looked back at her tails and sighed. "I always feel guilty when someone notices. I feel bad for Dad."

"Your father is probably very proud that you've grown into both a fine mechanic and sorcerous." Shadow said. Then he couldn't resist and looked down at the older kit at her skirts. He knelt down to be at eye level to the child. "Hello little one, I remember when your grandfather was not much taller than you are."

The kit looked at Shadow, and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "You don't look old," he said wiggling his three tails in confusion.

"I just age well," Shadow said rising to his feet.

"You don't age at all," Speed said, glaring at Shadow again.

"Speed, it's not his fault." Milana said sharply.

Shadow sighed and ignored the angry young hedgehog. From the little bits and stories Shadow had heard while traveling the youngster was going through a rebellious stage. "Is your father well enough to see me?" He asked the vixen instead.

Milana smiled. "Don't ask me how, but he knew you were coming."

Shadow followed Milana to an old building that looked like a workshop. There in a small room to the side rested a bed, and inside a grey fox with orange coloring the edges of his two tails slept peacefully.

"Father," Milana said gently. "Shadow is here to see you."

Instantly the old fox opened his eyes and smiled. "He told me you were coming," He said warmly.

Shadow's heart twisted inside of him, but he managed a smile taking the hand of his old friend. "Hello Tails, you're looking well."

Ever honest the fox said, "No I'm not. I've lost nearly all my color, I can't fly, I can't even go to my workshop anymore. Now I know what Sonic meant when he said he felt like a prisoner in his own body. I dreamed of him last night. He said I'd feel better real soon."

Shadow nodded. "If Sonic said it, then I am sure it will be true," he said.

Tails nodded slightly. "He….he told me to tell you to stop moping around and make some new friends too."

This time Shadow shook his head no. "No more friends, Tails. When it was Maria it was easier to deal with. She was murdered still young, but Sonic, Amy, Rouge, Knuckles, You. I can't stand watching you grow old, knowing you are going to die, and I'm going to be alone again."

"But Milana is still here," Tails argued, "And Lightning, with Speed, and Velocity, And-"

"And Cinnamon, and all her bunnies," Shadow finished for him, "And I cannot bare the idea of all of them growing old and dying either. It is enough that I've taken up Sonic's cause. I will protect everyone I see from evil, but I do not dare to make any more friends. My mind is made up."

The old fox sighed from the bed. "All right, I know better than to argue with you, but don't go all hermit on them either. Sonic said if you do that he'll find a way to come back, and knock you silly."

"Don't you worry about what I'm going to do," Shadow told him. "When you see our friend again you'll both be far too busy watching out for Speed to worry about me."

"Sonic wants you to watch out for Speed too," Tails said with a grin. "He knows you won't say no to him."

"Perhaps," Shadow told him. "Now you're very tired Tails. I'll leave you to your rest."

"Goodbye Shadow."

"Good by old friend."

Shadow watched the sun setting on a hill overlooking where the home of the once famous Sonic the Hedgehog once lived. Shadow couldn't help but laugh at himself. In his time Sonic seemed to be so simple and only now by examining his home and life long after his death did he understand how complicated Sonic The Hedgehog truly was.

It's just you and me now, Shadow thought to the Star Tree not too far away. Cosmo had been getting very sleepy the last twenty years, and the only responses that anyone got from her were mostly empathic. Today however she roused herself from her doze and graced Shadow with companionship.

I am sorry Shadow. I can still feel and reach the others, but I cannot tell you how to do so. She told him. When Amy had died, Sonic had been beside himself with greif until Cosmo told him that she could still feel Amy, and that Amy wanted him to continue to live his life to the fullest. When Sonic passed she sent messages to both Shadow, and Tails. She could pass messages, but there was no way for Shadow to hear or see the others except in his dreams.

Everyone is together? He asked silently.

Yes, and they all want me to tell you that they love you and are with you. You are never truly alone. She answered wrapping him in the mental warmth that served as her hug.

I may not be alone, he told her, but they are not here, and sometimes that matters.

All Cosmo could do was send a wordless reassurance to Shadow that he isn't forgotten.

Cosmo's sending didn't hide the slow plodding footsteps coming up the hill. Recognizing the runner Shadow waited until he heard the footsteps to say anything. Before Speed could open his mouth, Shadow said, "He's gone."

Speed glared at him, "Why is it that every time you visit someone dies?" He demanded.

Shadow gave a humorless chuckle. "Because they wait for me to come to say goodbye, they know I shall never see them again." He turned and looked over his shoulder at the young rebellious hedgehog. "You envy the fact that I never age? I envy you child. One day you shall die, and you will see your grandfather and grandmother again, and Knuckles and even Uncle Tails. I shall never die and I shall never see them again."

"You're not coming back again," Speed said regret in his voice. "Milana's dad was the last reason you had to come here."

"It is easier for me to wander, and be among strangers than to be among those I care about and, watch them deteriorate." Shadow answered. I am leaving in the morning. If you wish, I will speak to your father, and ask him to have you accompany me, on my travels."

"Me?" The declaration took Speed by surprise. "Why would you do that?"

Shadow looked back at the sky slowly turning from blue to violet. "You may not have inherited your grandfather's speed, but you do have his restless nature. I think it would be good for you and for your family if you spent some time adventuring."

"And you'd be willing to put up with me?" Speed asked. Shadow had to suppress a smile. He may not be able to run like his grandfather, but he did inherit that damn infectious smile.

"I promised your grandfather I would do good wherever I went. I think this qualifies."

"I won't be able to move as fast as Grandpa," Speed reminded him.

"Time means very little to me," Shadow countered him.

Speed looked out at the twilight sky and shrugged. "Sure if you don't mind me around, I'll go with you. Maybe I'll find out what I'm looking for out there."

Shadow nodded, and ignoring Cosmo's laughter, moved away to go find Speed's father, Lightning. More likely child you'll find out what you're looking for his here at home, but adventuring did your father and grandfather good, and it will do the same for you.

Not yet The End:

Oh and yes there is still one more Epilogue to go. I couldn't leave the ending so sad.