Okay, well that was the technical ending, but here's the part I know some of you REALLY want to read. And so, one last scene to appease you, the readers....

Epilogue:

Some time in the not too distant future…

There was something about the rising sun that still managed to reach out to him and wrap its fingers around his very soul. Sure, he'd seen this ritual a thousand times over from both the ground level and far, far above it. But it was different in the sea of stars that surrounded the ARK. For one, the colony was fairly reliant on solar energy to power all its various laboratories and utensils, so he's seen the sun more often than the moon in the beginning. The real truth of the matter was that this, all of this tranquility encased in the moment, was part of a promise fifty years a whisper. And it all started with a question.

"Shadow, do you ever wonder how many stars are out there?" her lyrically sweet voice asked.

The midnight hedgehog had shrugged his shoulders as he stood at her side "Sometimes. The professor says that it's impossible to count them all, but that just means there are so many more beyond here, so many more possibilities."

Giggling softly at her companion's reply, Maria tucked a stray lock of shining blond back behind her ear "You always do look at the big picture, don't you Shadow. Not that we can see most of them with the sun always right there."

"Indeed. Though the professor says that when the sun disappears under the horizon, he can see the entire Milky Way band from Earth. He says it never fails to inspire him" Shadow responded, reaching out as if to hold the star in his palm.

Then the idea had sprouted in her mind like a true blossom "When we go down there, we should see how many stars there really are out there. And we can even stay up all night just to watch the sun come back up again! How bout that?"

Her enthusiasm always brought a smile to the hedgehog's lips, and the prospect itself was too good to pass up "Sounds like a plan to me…"

Crimson eyes focused on the horizon, Shadow kept his gaze steady and neutral as that scene played out in his memory, as it had every time he saw the light of a new day breach the darkness. Granted, this wasn't the first time he had tried to pay homage to the vow he'd made a lifetime ago, but this time was a complete change in the trend. Every other replay before this had been him all alone, and that just made the echo sound hollow and lifeless. Now, the ultimate life-form had more than a voice to fill the gap. He had someone who had managed to break through that wall of melancholy and displaced anger. Someone who hadn't been afraid of his potential and to look deeper into the workings of his soul. And most of all, he'd found someone who meant just as much to him as Maria did, and maybe more. Now I understand what she said 'There's more than one way to live forever…'. Maria, thank you.

And that someone was tucked under his arm, sleeping lightly with her bight cherry locks snugly on his shoulder. Allowing one more small smile to flash across his face as he leaned back against the tree trunk on that hillside that was more than just an impressive landmark. Their spot had become both a private retreat form them and them alone, a place they had spent many an hour at in the months since that fateful night in the city. It had been nothing short of a bureaucratic mess to clean up in their wake, but the crimson-splashed warrior left that to the rest of his associates. His main focus after that ordeal had been trying to show Amy that even his wonderfully chaotic life had those times in it where he could show her that softer side of him no one else ever would see. Not to mention enjoying those closer moments with his beloved Rose. Though, when times called for a less delicate hand, the ultimate life-form was more than willing to flex his abilities.

Sonic would still swing by from time to time, inbetween his other world-spanning journeys. Sure, it was fairly obvious the cobalt cruiser was bored without a certain mad tyrant trying to conquer or decimate the world. But after a few weeks of exploring the planet, the fastest thing alive had approached his darker counterpart with an idea all his own. To fill Shadow's position with the Guardian Unit of Nations. With recent events, the agency was sure to be looking for qualified operatives, and the faker's speed certainly gave him that. At first, Shadow had been shocked that Sonic would even suggest employment with the forces that tried to get rid of them not too long ago, but Sonic made very logical points that it was the best way for him to do what he was born to do, protecting freedom and helping those who needed it. Not to mention the blue blur could make sure that Shadow, Amy and the rest of their comradery were left in peace, something the cobalt cruiser couldn't pass up, nor could the ebony sentry protest. And so, with some help from Rouge, Sonic quickly ascended the ranks, specializing in search-and rescue and counterinsurgency operations. Besides, even if she would never say it out loud, Rose had to admit that her former crush looked pretty striking in full commando gear.

With his best friend off saving the world as he always did, Tails turned his attention back to doing what the young genius did best; hands on mechanics and other mind-testing work. After redesigning and rebuilding the Tornado, the young kitsune had also begun to work with the higher powers in this new and calmer world, eventually taking a position with Lockheed-Martin to build the next line of high performance aircraft. Occasionally, he'd even pass along his ideas to NASA for the new space shuttle. That and Sonic would drop in whenever he could to hang out with his canine brother. Of course, a genius can't work on an empty stomach, so Cream was spending more and more time with him, on and off duty. When time and conditions allowed it, Amy and the young doe would still go out to shop, taste test and all those girly things, whereas Tails would pick Shadow's brain for his perspective on chaos energy, or the occasional remote vacation spots for a well deserved couple's getaway.

K.H.A.O.S was still as lively as ever, though the atmosphere had changed a bit. Rouge still managed it and Knuckles was hired on as a full time bouncer, but that was only during the darkened hours of night. During the daylight, the more voluptuous treasure hunter was still applying her trade all around the world, meaning sooner or later she was bound to run into Sonic, but that possibility didn't bother either of them. The bat had quite the skill with her lips and voice, and the hedgehog couldn't just turn in a friend like that. Besides, Sonic was fairly sure that if she ended up in a bind, a certain bright red brawler would bust her out of it anyway. And wherever Rouge's jobs would take her, Knuckles would generally tag along, if for nothing else to sample the martial arts of the world. Besides, when the echidna was away, he'd call on either Silver or Shadow to watch the establishment. The metallic hedgehog had no qualms holding the more belligerent partygoers in a telekinetic freeze and tossing them out whereas the darker sentry preferred to disable and embarrass whoever challenged his authority. Which was why they preferred to call Silver, but only for the business' sake.

Cale Caimen came within a hair's distance from resigning from the Guardian Unit of Nations immediately following that night. All of the conspiracy and hypocrisy his simple surveillance mission devolved into had eaten away at his conscience, even if the excuse of 'just following orders' would have landed the canine either in prison or in the ground. But once a few 'issues' within the organization were resolved or removed, he accepted a continuation of his posting. Besides, being in one of the continent's more prestigious health establishments had yielded him something useful indeed; decent medical training. Granted, it wasn't a complete education, but Cale wasn't exactly ignorant about such matters, so it didn't take long until his position as doctor and caregiver became permanent. Paired with the fact that the ash-coated wolf was suddenly the most experienced physician when dealing with ultimate life-forms, it was fairly ensured that he would be dealing with Shadow more than most. That and since Cale had earned Amy's trust, Shadow was soon to grudgingly acknowledge the canine.

And as for Amy, she was still applying her trade in the kitchen and the garden like always. The bright cherry blossom took heart in sharing her talents with her dark knight, even if Shadow's skill with plants was fleeting. Like most other hedgehogs she had met, he had only a small dose of patience, especially for things that took as much time as they did subtlety. Still, in the end it was Shadow who surprised her by somehow creating a hybrid flower between a rose and a black fire lily. The result was a flower that opened up only at night, petals of a pink shade striped with black that would track the moon, just as a sunflower would lock onto the day. And thanks to the rabbits Vanilla and Cream, this new seed had become quite popular. Plus, with their help, Amy Rose still stood as champion when it came to things cooked, grilled and baked. To be sure, Shadow was a potent student and could pick up on her dishes after a few attempts, but her palette was extensive indeed. And it had grown even wider in the recent weeks, thanks to some new incentive.

Incentive that soon began to stir awake while still bundled in her arms, rousing the subdued Rose as well "Mmmm… good morning you two" she whispered downward, catching Shadow's ear also and snapping his attention to something even more precious than a rising star. The two small packages snuggled against his flower's chest.

On one side was a youth as dark as his father, enveloped in a sky blue blanker. His bright amber eyes fluttered open, as the child yawned aloud. Two tiny arms striped in a similar jade reached up towards his mothers' jaw as she leaned in to dote a kiss upon his forehead and quills that were much closer to Sonic's style than his father's "Good morning, my little Elias." The little hedgeling responded with something between a yawn and a growl, but his newborn voice would easily melt the coldest of hearts.

And not to be denied, the other cocooned bundle also began to paw for her mother. Contrasting her brother completely, the daughter was coated head to toe in ivory, though her quills faded from white to a bright crimson hue much in the form of her mother. Deep blue eyes already open, her curious gaze was focused on the clouds dancing in the sky, causing Amy to giggle softly "And Cynder, don't you look simply fascinated!" Cooing in her own reply, the little bundle of fire squirmed closer to her mother's chest.

Looking back over to Amy, the midnight warrior used his free hand to stroke the cheeks of their children, his children. After all, what point would there be in perfection if it were stuck in one generation. "I guess they wanted to see what all the curiosity was about" he added, gently squeezing his flower's shoulder with the arm tucked behind her.

Amy's smile grew wider, as it always did whenever Shadow showed this side of his persona, and leaned over to kiss him as well "They're probably hungry, love. Growing bodies need a lot of fuel." And indeed, at the very mention of breakfast, both bundles of joy made excited noises.

Wordlessly, he nodded and stood tall, taking Elias in one arm to keep the other wrapped around their mother. For now, Shadow understood just what perfection was truly supposed to be, and that feeling enveloped him like a warm blanket. I am Shadow the Hedgehog, the ultimate life-form created in space. I will be true both to my design and my heart, watching over those whom I love most as long as I breathe. This is who I am…

I have to give a crapton of credit to my friend and fellow author, shadowamypunk. Without her, this wouldve been near impossible to do. And also my thanks to my friends Prosha-chan and Sabrina for their support and many new ideas. Last, but not least, to you, the readers and reviewers. My thanks and appreciation go to you as well.

Until we meet again...