(Before reading, I suggest you go and watch the Japanese/English sub of this Episode. The episode number is 26. User I recommend goes by "hookonsonic2". Episode is in three parts. if you don't then one, you're missing out and two, this ending is going to confuse you so much. Thank me later.)

.

The morning sun was still coming up as everybody was outside, trying to just get to their jobs. A few kids were playing when suddenly, a massive shadow covered the area. Everybody looked up to see Robotnik's ship flying over head as it passed by.

"Wonder what that thing was." One man said before a massive burst of wind flew past him, making a row of cars rumble and the alarm go off as a yellow streak sped by.

Shadow was pushing the limit on safety as it was. He couldn't let Robotnik get away. He wouldn't, but he had to keep himself slow enough not to hurt anybody in the crossfire.

"Maria...just hold on..." Shadow thought to himself as he followed the ship.

.

In Robotnik's ship, a monitor showed Shadow speeding along after them as Robotnik smiled.

"I knew he wouldn't disappoint." Robotnik stated as Maria was mounted behind his on an emerald green wall made of a special glass.

"Sh-shadow..." She said concerned.

Robotnik turned to her, still grinning. "I wouldn't worry. He's not after you as much as he's after the Chaos Emeralds." Robotnik sneered, nodding to a table where the six Emeralds rested in their slots. "After all, why would he go after you?"

Maria hung her head in shame and tears, remembering yesterday when she slapped him across the face. "Shadow...I'm sorry." She thought defeated.

The ship stayed it's course, heading for the junkyard.

.

At the White House, the President was talking with his advisers and asking how evacuations were going.

"Ever since he showed up, the only thing that's gotten better is evacuation efficiency." The President muttered.

"Sir, our special forces "Stag Beetle" is ready to deploy." One of the advisers said, hanging up his phone.

The President nodded. "And "Chaos Control", any scale of that?" He asked as everyone muttered, looking at each other. "No...we can only hope, right?"

.

Back at what was left of the Thorndyke Mansion, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles went to a shed not far away, opening it to reveal the original Tornado. Tails hopped in the pilots seat, Amy jumped in the passenger seat as Knuckles rode on top of the wings. They took off into the sky, hoping to catch up to Shadow.

.

At a junkyard, Robotnik found his robot holding the White Chaos Emerald. The robot itself had an odd design, full of "good luck charms" all over it.

"Time to come home." Robotnik said eagerly, a claw reaching down. But as soon as the claw made contact, Shadow burst onto the scene, smashing the robot away.

"Did you honestly think I would just roll over!?" Shadow challenged.

"Shadow!" Maria called out.

Robotnik scowled just a bit. "I was hoping you wouldn't. Now I can watch you fail!" Robotnik declared, then raised his eyebrows.

Shadow turned just as a new set of mechs emerged, with the shape of a beetle and tank wheels under it.

"Damn it, he's really prepared for this one." Shadow thought.

"We are the military's elite squad, Super Beetle! Surrender now, or face destruction Robotnik!" one of the Beetle pilots called out.

"Wait a second!" Shadow exclaimed. "Maria is inside!" But it fell on deaf ears as Beetles drove up, firing laser cannons. Shadow got in front of them, holding his hands up. "WAIT! MARIA IS STILL-" But it was no use. The Beetles fired all their lasers at once, combining before it hit Robotnik's ship and exploding. "MARIA!" Shadow screamed. As the dust settled, Robotnik's ship came out without a scratch as an odd shimmer distorted around it.

"So..." Robotnik voice darkened. "We want to play rough..." He said as missiles fell from his ship.

Shadow ran around, dodging the missile attack and explosions but it was to much. One knocked him back and buried him as the Super Beetles were destroyed, but more came up.

Robotnik looked at the screen, seeing more of the mechs come up but no sign of Shadow. "Hmmm, I guess he-" But he cut himself off as a red dome incinerated debris, showing Shadow in the clearing. "Ah, like I said. He doesn't disappoint." He checked to see his robot flying away, kicked up from the explosions. "Oh no you don't! Not with MY Emerald!" Robotnik yelled as he steered his ship, heading for his lucky charm.

"No you don't!" Shadow said in defiance, running after them. However, the Super Beetles flew beside him as he got an idea. Jumping to his side, he landed on top of the mech, boosting forward while using the horn to launch himself to the next Beetle. He made it to the third beetle before emitting a sonic boom, flying from the horn and in front of Robotnik's ship, diving for "Lucky"

Robotnik turned to face Maria. "I told you he wasn't after you." He taunted.

Maria looked at him dead in the eyes. "He's doing what he can."

"Oh don't worry, I've got more for him in store." Robotnik declared as he saw Shadow nab the Chaos Emerald out of Lucky's hands, falling to the ocean below.

Shadow activated his shoes midair, falling towards a building along the coast. Once he was close enough, Shadow flipped as he skirted along the side of the building trying to take away the impact he would get. He jumped into a somersault on the street below, taking away most of the impact as he he turned and flipped the Chaos Emerald in hand.

"Oh, you dare to challenge me now?" Robotnik questioned, hitting a series off buttons. "WITNESS MY TRUE POWER!" He roared as the ship began to transform. The engine on the back separated as the ship split into three sections. The engines slammed on top of the disk shaped body, sprouting hands while the third part formed legs, connecting to the bottom to form a massive humanoid robot, with Robotnik's cockpit being the head. Gathering plugs, Robotnik connected the ship to his arm and stood up, a holographic screen showing up putting everything into a size comparison. "My latest creation yet, THE EMPEROR!" Robotnik announced on the speakers.

Shadow took a step back as Robotnik landed, water coming up and waves. Regaining his composure, Shadow looked up. "You think size intimidates me? HA!" Shadow challenged as disappeared in a blur, dashing around Robotnik.

Robotnik turned to see Maria. "Hey kid, watch this..." Robotnik hissed, the panel of Chaos Emerald came up and the first one was inserted fully into the slot. The screen in front of Robotnik caught up to the blur as the second Emerald was inserted, the blur becoming a crystal clear image of Shadow.

Maria watched in horror as the other Emeralds went down, making this machine stronger by the second. Soon, all six were inside and glowing. "Shadow...please..." She whispered, shaking with fear.

After building up enough speed, Shadow launched into the air aiming for the cockpit when the mech vanished. Shadow was stunned as he turned to see the mech behind him, throwing a hook punch with it's right arm. It hit Shadow, shooting him through several buildings as he was planted into a wall.

Robotnik was a bit stunned, looking at his arms before smiling evilly. "How was that, Shadow?"

Shadow winced, then looked up. "Maria can slap harder than that." Shadow let out, still wincing just a bit.

"Is that so?" Robotnik asked.

"Robotik, please stop!" Maria begged.

"Silent you brat. I'm going to finish him. This ends today." Robotnik declared, moving forward.

Shadow jumped from the wall, but was slammed down by a fist, embedding him into the ground.

"Shadow!" Knuckles yelled, the Tornado starting to come into view. "Tails, speed this thing up!"

"I'm going as fast as I can, Knuckles!" Tails responded before more of the Super Beetles showed up, rocketing towards Robotnik. However, Robotnik phased up to the mechs, smashing them out of the sky and taking his eye off Shadow. Robotnik looked on, seeing the X Tornado. He was about to make a move for it when

"ROBOTNIK!" Shadow roared out, demanding to be seen. His rings were off as he was engulfed in his massive red flames, Chaos Wrath. Shadow let loose a set of Chaotic Needles, the once small energy spike exploding on the hull of E-99. However, Robotnik moved forward as if nothing happened, heading for Shadow. Shadow let out a barrage of Chaotic Attacks, sending red Chaotic Needles, Spears, and even Flares. They all hit E-99, but to no avail and soon, Robotnik was on top of Shadow and sending it's fist down.

Shadow let loose a Chaotic Blast and that held Robotnik's fist in place, but only for a few seconds before it came crashing down on Shadow. Robotnik kept sending fist after fist on top of Shadow, pumbling him further int the ground. All the while, Robotnik had a cruel smile on his face as he looked into the screen.

Above the action, a military helicopter hovered with Rouge leaning out the side. "He's really lost it this time..." She thought.

Maria struggled in her confinement, screaming at the top of her lungs. "STOP IT, PLEASE JUST STOP! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS, PLEASE, YOU WIN JUST...just stop!" Maria begged as tears streamed from her eyes, Robotnik turning to face her.

Robotnik lifted his fist, seeing Shadow struggling just to lift his arms. "You're right..." Robotnik said flatly, picking up a beaten and broken Shadow by the back. "I have won." Robotnik stated, letting go of Shadow as he brought his leg up, E-99 kicking Shadow as his head snapped back.

Maria watched in a stunned face, remembering back to her moments with Shadow. (Cue Shining Road instrumental.) She remembered Shadow lift the piece of the X Tornado and carried her to a hospital, or that time she pulled him out of her pool or ocean. She especially remembered him taking her to that island, even blowing off the President just for her. And her last memory, slapping him across the face. And now, she just watched him die.

"NOOOO!" Maria screamed, shattering the glass she was on and Robotnik turned surprisd as she sped past him grabbing a Chaos Emerald. It glowed as steam rose and burned Maria's hand from the energy output, but she didn't care. She managed to get all six of the Emeralds before she was launched forward, tumbling tumbling downward as her back slammed into the glass cockpit, her arms bunched with the Emeralds to her chest. "Th-they're mine. I wo-won't let you take them from me...never again..." She said weakly and exhausted.

Robotnik gave her a once over. He'd admit, he was impressed by the strength she just showed. Breaking that glass isn't an easy feat. But she took the emeralds out, and she'd pay for that. He was lucky he had reserve power.

The Tornado flew overhead, Knuckles jumping. "RRRHAAAAH!" He roared as he shattered through the top, making his landing and looking up. "Where. Is. Maria!?" He demanded, to focused to turn behind him.

"I see your still the same as ever, still acting cocky when you're nothing but a gullible little-"
SLAM! Knuckles hit the ground, shutting Robotnik up.

"If you're not talking..." Knuckles said, closing his eyes and unaware of a certain bat that swoops by grabbing Maria. "I can make you talk." Knuckles threatened, moving forward and opening his eyes.

Just outside, Rouge flies with Maria in her arms, along with the Chaos Emeralds. "All mine..." She thought.

"Sh-shadow..." Maria muttered weakly. "Please, take me to Shadow..."

Rouge scoffed at that. "Listen kid, I went through all this and I'm-AH!"
"SHADOW!" Maria screamed, flexing out and dropping the Chaos Emeralds into the sea below.

"Oh, just great..." Rouge thought, swooping down and grabbing a passed out Maria. "Now what are we gonna do?" She asked herself before getting caught in a massive grip.

"I DON"T GIVE A DAMN ANYMORE!" Robotnik roared as Knuckles turned to see Rouge trapped with Maria. "The girl damaged it, but then you go and really break it!"

Knuckles ran out, leaping onto the arm to get to the hand as the grip tightened.

"Hang on Maria!" Tails yelled when suddenly from the ocean floor, a shining white light. "What the...?" The ocean started to form a hole, revealing a familiar figure in the center. "Shadow!?"

Amy was behind him, in just as much shock. "It is, but why is he shining in gold like that!?"

From the ocean hole, Shadow emerged bathed in a golden light where he was once black, keeping the red highlights about him. He opened his eyes, focusing on the hand that held Maria and Rouge as it shattered from his focused energy.

Robotnik was stunned, then furious. "You think you've won? You think I'll SURRENDER to YOU!?" He yelled defiantly, using the remaining fist to throw a punch. However, Shadow catches the fist, keeping it in place before the arm could fully extend.

"Knuckles...can you hear me?" Shadow asked. "Get Maria cleared. I'll be with her in a moment." Shadow stated, tensing up before shooting off into a golden streak, ripping through the E-99 and destroying it with ease. As E-99 blew up, a giant white dome appeared. Chaos Control had begun.

As Knuckles reached Maria, Shadow flashed in front of him, grabbing the girl before vanishing into a white void, standing beside her.

"Maria...can you hear me?" Shadow asked. Maria winced, opening her eyes to see Super Shadow. "Thank you Maria...for everything."

Maria teared up. "Shadow, please...take me with you..." She begged. Shadow kneeled down, opening his hand as a teal light enveloped it and healed all the injuries Maria had, even restoring her energy. Maria's eyes shot open, her tears coming out as she embraced Shadow. "Shadow, please don't leave me!"

Shadow hugged her back. "It's going to be ok, Maria. I promise, things will be fine in the end."

"But they won't!" Maria broke down, sobbing into Shadow's shoulder. "No...Shadow, please don't leave. I've never had any real friends other than you guys. Please, I don't want to be alone anymore!" But Shadow started to fade away as Maria's arms went through him, eventually touching a reflective surface as she stared at herself.

"Don't worry Maria...keep your chin up and everything will be ok..." Shadow's voice echoed.

Maria stared at herself, closing her eyes as she cried out. "SHAAADOOOOOOOWW!" Her voice echoed in the void as it turned into a grassy area. (Cue Shining Road)

"Watashitachi no sekai wa, mahoe o, kakerarete."
Tails flew overheard, seeing a familiar island.

"Aisuru tokimeki sae,namida no, fuujirareteru"
Knuckles looks on, seeing the island rise up into the sky.
"Boy (boy) Futari de jumon o sagashi ni ikou"
"Kinjirareta yuma o kanaerareru kuni he"
"dare ni mo naisho de ashita machiawaseshi you"

"itsuka kotori o umeta yoake no mieru oka de"
Among the ruins of E-99, Robotnik pics up a piece of a tablet with ancient writing on it.

"Tsumetai asa mo ya kimi to Te tsunaidara"
Maria looks up into the fog, thinking she saw a familiar figure as reporters try and make sense of what they see, thinking they might be of Shadow's world.
"Hikaru micha no fuuin ga tokeruyo"
A familiar shape walks out of the fog, and Maria smiles.
"Hateshinaku"
Shadow looks at her, smirking as he nods.