Amy, Shadow, Sonic, and Tails gathered in front of the fox's garage. The next decade was to be a painful experience unlike any other. If Amy wanted vengeance on her brother's behalf, she couldn't afford to make any mistakes. She had to live, eat, and breathe misery. The others' job was to toughen her up for that very purpose.
"Miracle Planet will appear above Earth three months from now. In the meantime, I'm counting on you guys to put me through the wringer. The zombies and vampires are only small fry. Once we cure them and resurrect the others, our only goal is to to invade and wipe out that other world. I need to know you're in this for the long haul."
"Count me in," Sonic declared, "Whatever's there hurt my little buddy. I'll never forgive them for what they did."
"Same here," Tails concurred, "That world is the reason we're all. It came looking for a fight, so we're gonna give it a brawl it'll never forget."
"Glad to see you're all taking this seriously," Shadow stated, "It makes my job easy."
Amy's regimen was broken into four days per week. Each day concentrated their efforts on one of four techniques - Cardio, strength, survival skills, and combat drills. They spent hours each day enduring grueling conditions, ending their sessions beaten, broken, and bloody. Every day, Amy's aura grew more imposing, towering over the world below. She came to love her pain, enamored by the emotional returns gained through such hardship. The day before the end of their months-long wait, she stood before the others, ready to face them in combat.
"You know the rules," Shadow reminded, "If you beat us without any powers, your training will be officially over. Though unlikely, it will give you something t strive for in the future - something to look forward to. Do you find these conditions acceptable?"
Amy thought through the skills and techniques acquired through the short span. She'd learned the fundamentals of eight different styles - kenjutsu, jiu-jitsu, krav maga, Russian systema, boxing, wrestling, kali, and firearms training. While proficient in their plethora of techniques and skills, they would take years to master. She accepted without hesitation.
"Yes."
"Very well. Your final test will now begin."
Using the power of chaos control, Shadow teleported. Sonic charged up a spin-dash. Between them, Tails was the least skilled fighter. Knowing this allowed Amy to divert her attention towards the two men. She rolled in a diagonal motion, slipping past them as they crossed strikes. Amy pulled out her knife, throwing it in Shadow's direction. He teleported again, triggering a response roll to the side. Sonic attempted to strike from above. Amy flipped backward, barely dodging the blow. Shadow returned her attack with his own blade. Amy called forth her sword, deflecting the cold steel with a swift parry. Shadow teleported a third time, punching into her shield. Despite his immense strength, he was unable to bend the metal, though he supposed that was for the better. God knows what she would've done if he'd destroyed her mother's gift.
"Impressive. You've lasted longer than expected, but don't forget to keep your senses sharp."
Amy jumped back, brandishing her blade to dissuade the others from attacking.
"Ah! Ogh!"
She stopped, turning to Tails. She'd cut his arm attempting to stave off the others.
"Oh, my gosh! Tails! Are you okay!?"
The others stopped. As part of their training, they'd agreed to halt proceedings in the event of an injury.
"I'm okay. Nicked me good, though. Ouch!"
Tails exhaled through his teeth. The cut stung worse than expected. Amy had cut through the skin past the muscle.
"I'm so sorry!"
"Don't sweat it. Just patch me up so you guys can keep goin'."
"I'm on it."
Releasing her power, Amy closed the wound.
"Your arm'll be sore for a few days. Luckily I missed the nerves."
"That sword of yours really packs a wallop. Your mom knows how to pick 'em."
"She didn't buy it. She made it."
"Now I get it. I can tell she's not the most skilled blacksmith. There's a few imperfections on the lower end. Maybe Ivo can re-forge it when we see him."
"It was only intended for limited combat. A war of this magnitude was unprecedented, even by human standards."
Shadow was stunned. He'd been unable to break the blade, yet Amy and Tails knew its weak spots right away. He'd underestimated their potential to a concerning degree.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah. The stinging's already gone."
"You should sit this one out. It's gonna take a while before you catch up."
"Right. Do me a favor and kick Shadow's ass for me."
"What did I do!?" the hedgehog protested.
"You're a mean ol' grumpy pants."
Shadow facepalmed. No matter how much time went by, the fox still wouldn't let it go. He certainly had his work cut out for him.
When the day finally came to visit Amy's parents, Tails resumed control of the tornado. The castle had been expanded since Sonic's introduction. The population had also grown significantly. The other miracles bowed in Amy's presence as they approached the throne room. She felt embarrassed about the attention, but that didn't matter now.
"Hey, mom. Hey, dad."
"Amanda," her mother greeted, "Is it really you!?"
"Yeah. Sorry it's been so long. Things have been kind of hectic on Earth."
"So I've heard. You've changed. You're older now."
"I know about the dark miracle. That's what I am, isn't it?"
"So that's what happened. I had my suspicions, but I guess now we're sure."
"This is my combat instructor, Shadow. He's been helping me learn to control my powers."
"So you're the elusive Shadow we've heard so much about. Welcome to our home."
"Thank you," Shadow said graciously, "Admittedly, I wasn't sure about your relation, but now I see it clearly."
"Yes. Amanda is our blood. Like most royalty, she grew into her role over time."
"I wish her heart could be as pure as it once was. Unfortunately, it seems life had other plans."
"Do not despair. This was always in the cards. No one can escape the cold truths of reality, much as they may try. What matters is she's still alive. We have you to thank for that."
"I only drew out what was already there. Her potential is unlike anything I've ever seen. It's nearly unlimited."
"It's not just her own pain she draws from. It's everyone's. I believe meeting Sonic and the others was no accident. Yours is just about as limitless."
"Yes. I had an older sister long ago. She died when Gerald Robotnik's experiments went rogue. I am to blame for her execution."
"Maria...She loved you dearly, didn't she...?"
"More than anything else."
"Unfortunately, her demise cannot be undone. All I can offer is the cold comfort of battle."
"How so?"
"There's another world out there, isn't there? A world of agony we could only tremble before in nightmares."
"You know...?"
"We have no name for this world. We only refer to its essence as the domain of tears."
'I suppose the title is appropriate if it's capable of causing this."
"As queen of the miracles, I humbly request your aid. Please, help my daughter through these trying times. You've all suffered enough. It has to end somehow."
"Do you think we can win?"
"Only through compassion and cooperation. The love between you is our only hope. If you fail, I shudder to think of the end result."
"Your only hope is...Us..."
"Yes. Please say you'll do it. Help my daughter so she may one day return the favor."
Shadow frowned. He could feel Maria's soul dragging him to the darkest depths of his own sadness. He could never such tragedy to repeat itself...Never again...
"Of course I will."
"I feel the anguish of your soul. Tap into that power. Find strength within its empty halls. You're stronger than you know. You just have to believe. Dig down deep and the world shall be yours to mould as you see fit."
"The battle inside..."
"Protect my daughter and guide her through this path of life. You are all she has."
"I will."
"That goes for you too, Miles and Sonic. Your paths may draw you apart, but you'll always meet at journey's end."
"I'm not going anywhere," Tails proclaimed, "You're all stuck with me."
"Same here," Sonic stated, "I'm not letting pain have its way anymore. I'll cast it down like Pazuzu on a one-way trip to the fire."
Queen Amaranth smiled. Her speech had gotten through. The fork had already converged, and the end was coming fast. Amy's strength would only quicken its arrival.
"Be safe, and feel free to drop by if you need anything. We love you - with all our hearts."
"I love you, too." Amy concluded. She turned her back, linking her mothers spirit with her own. Her protection would be with them everywhere they went. Darkness would know itself in the way only it could. Its personification stood before itself, anxious to learn the lesson of a lifetime. The hourglass was now rapidly ticking to its last grain of sand. What awaited after...Not even God knew...