Enjoy! I do not own Sonic, Shadow or any other related elements. All belong to SEGA and Sonic Team.

SURVIVE

-Chapter 5: Sunset-

"Are you sure this is the right way?"

"Of course it´s the right way. I can sense chaos energy, so there´ll be no problem to find all the Chaos Emeralds today. Besides you were the one that suggested to come to Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace, not me."

"Okay, fine. Geez, Shadow…"
Both hedgehogs started to look for the Chaos Emeralds. According to Sonic, it could be the best place to do it. Last time they´ve been there, was when Neo Metal Sonic betrayed Eggman and turned into Metal Madness. Not good memories. Sonic thought it made sense to be thinking about that when Tikal said that it was valid for some people, to recall that type of thoughts, including him and Shadow. On the other hand, it was disturbing. Recalling horrible moments with no power to think in anything else was abstract. But it would be over sooner or later, perhaps tomorrow.

*BANG!*

"Maria!"

"Ugh, we´d better find those Chaos Emeralds." Shadow said, holding his head.

"You´re the one leading us. But I guess I should…" Sonic stopped. Shadow was about to ask him what was wrong, until he felt something. "Do you feel that?"

Shadow turned to him. "Yes… it´s, something powerful…"

Both hold their ground. There was silence. Just the wind was to be heard by them. The ocean was quiet, too. The white and red pattern of the path was starting to glow. Shadow started to move forward, being followed by Sonic. There was a giant rock blocking their way.

"Can you move it?"

Shadow nodded.

He grabbed the rock underneath with one hand and send it flying back into the ocean.

"There."

Sonic just stared at Shadow with a surprised look.

"Sometimes I really have to be careful who I am messing with…"

Shadow didn´t answer; there were three Chaos Emeralds in front of them, illuminating Seaside Hill in the beautiful sunset. The red one, the light blue, and the green. The black hedgehog quickly grabbed the green emerald.

"Leave one to me, Shadow!"

"I´m not going to grab all the emeralds. I just need one to be complete."

"Complete?"

Shadow disappeared in a time warp and appear behind Sonic.

"Yes, complete. Finally I can use Chaos Control."

Sonic smiled. He took the other two emeralds and walked with him to the shore.

Sonic couldn´t help but to lay and relax, enjoying the magnificent sunset that was warming his body and protecting him from the cool ocean breeze.

Shadow just stood there beside him, also staring at the beautiful sunset.

"Shadow?"

"What?"

"Do you really think, that I, am able to…?"

"Kill?"

Sonic closed his eyes scared of thinking about killing. It was not something –normal- but Tikal said it was the only way to reestablish the world like it used to be.

"Of course you´re not ready, faker."

Sonic opened his eyes and saw Shadow now looking at him, still in his crossed-arm position. "You´ll never be ready to do such a thing. I can´t believe I´m saying this, but you´re the hero. Thanks to you the world hasn´t fall into the doctor´s hands. You have always done well, and you´ll always be the power of the GOOD side. As for me, let the doctor conquer the world and transform it into Eggmanland. I just protect this planet, nothing more. But if he tries to destroy it, it would be MY responsibility. That´s why I was created. This is my purpose of being here. And I will do anything to accomplish the promise I made years ago."

-O-O-O-

Sonic thought during all this time that he had just learned more from his arch-rival than ever before all this happened. He was expressing himself more. He was even talking with him. None of this would have come out if they were always fighting as usual. The only times Shadow met Sonic were to have a death battle. Sometimes they almost ended up killing each other.

And now, they were together. They were trying to save the world as a team, something that would never have happened if Sonic were selfish. He thought about others more than himself. He chose to help Shadow even if he knew that his counterpart was probably going to kill him anyway. Sonic thought of the future.

From Shadow´s side, he never thought that they would have ended up like that. He was battling against the "EVIL" with his arch-rival. Pathetic. But at least it was for something that would help keep his promise for a long ago friendship. Maybe he didn´t think of Maria now. He decided to forget her for his own good. No More Past, No More Pain, No More Lies. But knowing that memories had returned thanks to the unbalanced world, he turned more determined to fulfill his friend´s wish.

-O-O-O-

"Wow, Shadow… that was intense."

"You needed to know."
"Thanks, I guess."

"…" Shadow turned once again staring at the sun hiding between the mountains.

"But I have to do it, right?"

"Yes, you have to…"

Come back next week for the next chapter! Please, review?