Shadow let Amy rest for the night. By morning, she was strong enough to move, but just barely. He brought her a snack at Tails' request - a stick of beef jerky, a can of whipped cheese, and a juice box.

"Tails said this was one of your favorites a couple years ago. Here."

"Thanks..."

Amy stretched, reaccustoming her body to motion. It was warm enough to shed her jacket. She accepted the treat graciously, opening the stick and spreading a layer of cheese over the top portion.

"You've been very kind to me, Shadow. I wish there were some way to repay you."

"Your gratitude's more than enough. It's more than I ever got from GUN."

"It's because of you I was able to unlock my power. I'd be dead by now without your help."

"You should take it easy for a few days. Some sick time won't make you that rusty."

"I assume you already told the others?"

"Yeah. It was too incredible to ignore. Your power...I've never seen anything like it."

"Few ever have. I saw enough to know what's going on. I'm the dark miracle, aren't I?"

"Yes - at least according to Tails."

"What happened to cause this was no accident. It was sabotage."

"What!?"

"When I brought Tails back, I was able to see our memories - everything that happened during his life and mine. When I saw the day he died, there were gray streams of smoke infiltrating the workshop. They couldn't be seen with the naked eye."

"How did they get in!? What were they!?"

"I don't know. That was the one thing I couldn't see."

"If you couldn't see them, then that must mean...They're not of this plane!"

"So that's what it is, huh...?"

"Is there anything else you can tell us? Something that might provide a clue?"

"Sorry. I'm stumped. All I know is, we shouldn't engage it - not now. It's way too powerful. There's great evil lurking between worlds. If we're to have any hope of stopping it, we have to throw ourselves into our training. You can't afford to take it easy on me anymore."

"So you knew?"

"Yeah. You're way stronger than you let on. I need to be even stronger. It's the only way we'll make it out."

"I understand. When you're well again, we'll resume - no holds barred. For now, take your medicine. It'll help you heal faster."

"I can't rely on my powers alone. Skill and instinct are the only way through trying times. We're certainly in those now. We'll proceed as planned and stay the course. Before we continue though, I need to see my parents. They can tell me more about what I really am."

"Ivo's making adjustments to our equipment now. We'll be better prepared now that we know what we're up against."

"How's Tails doing? Any signs of side-effects?"

"Only mentally. He matured a great deal during his time as a ghost. It seems you've both come a long way since our first meeting."

"It'll be a long time before we're ready to face the other dimension. We'll have plenty of time to adjust to normal life again."

"How long?"

"Eleven years from now, provided the strain of our training pays off."

"Can I tell you something private? I don't want the others to know. It would ruin my image."

"What is it?"

"I'm sad the old you's gone."

"The old me?"

"The innocent, cheerful girl who used to obsess over Sonic. It made me happy to see you leading good lives and living through each day with a positive outlook. This should never have happened to anyone - you most of all."

"Shadow..."

"Losing that part of you was like losing Maria all over again. I'm as lost in despair now as I was then. How much more do we have to keep losing?"

"No matter what, I'll always be me. I'm just stronger version of what I used to be. I understand the world better now. Now that I know I can undo the damage, I have hope, just as I did back then. You gave me that, Shadow. You gave me my hope back."

"Rose..."

"Don't cry. Don't grieve. Darkness is only half of what I am. The other's what you've come to cherish."

"Yeah...You're right. Thank you, Amy. I needed to hear that."

"Can you send in the others? I want to see everyone."

"Of course. I'll be back shortly."

Sonic, Tails, Rouge, Sage, and Ivo entered the room. Shadow followed close behind.

"How ya feelin'?" Sonic asked, showing genuine concern for his friend's well-being.

"Better. Still down for the count, unfortunately, but not too much longer.

"I knew you had a thing for theatrics, but try to take it easy next time. You even scared this lughead over here."

"Sorry."

"Ah, don't sweat it. the important thing is, you're still standing...Well...Sitting, but you get my point."

"I know what happened between you and Rouge. I want you to know it's okay. You guys are good for each other, and that's all I ever wanted for you."

"You mean it? You're not mad?"

"No. Not a bit."

"Thanks, Ames. That means a lot."

"Shadow told us everything," Tails interjected, "Whatever caused this needs to be stopped, and by the look of things, you're the only one who can stop it."

"Not just me. All of us. We have to work together to put that other world down for good. It's up to us now."

"If you die, all our hopes die with you. We're counting on you to see this through to the end."

"Don't worry. I will. The future's not set in stone. There's always room for change. It's good to have you back, bud."

Tails smiled.

"It's good to be back."

"When Earth's back to normal, what do you say we build a couple gaming rigs and hit the town like the old days?"

"You're on."

When the others left, Amy changed into what would become her most iconic outfit. She cast aside her clothes, exchanging them for a Monster Energy tank top, fingerless black gloves, black jeans, and black converse sneakers - a throwback to her and Tails' mall goth days. Her past, present, and future converged into one. At last, her soul was complete. She was finally whole once again. Where there was no light, she would create it, and when light needed darkness, she would make it so. Her life was now hers to control, unrestrained by the yearnings of her youth. Her aura reemerged, bolts of lightning crackling within. The destiny of existence was now hers to control, and she intended to seize those moments for all they were worth. Spawned from the old, a new life was born - one composed of freedom and limitless potential. The days ahead awaited the touch of her loving embrace, and she wouldn't let their call go unheeded.

"This is my world. Those who would endanger its place in the universe will suffer the consequences. Get ready, Hell. I'm coming for you next."