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It was futile.
A world with such a cruel soul should burn to the ground together with it's equally greedy inhabitants.
He had no use of that damned planet.
He doesn't care.
Not anymore.
She's already dead. His family and the being who he once was before the arc incident was long dead with the memory of halcyon days of dreaming.
Even if he was a weapon— the kind doctor, Maria, and everyone in the arc made him feel the warmth of a home. It was a small, unlikely family of individuals that made him feel a sense of blissful normalcy as he spent his days gazing down below the blue planet.
But that was torn apart right before his very eyes. Some things aren't meant to last just like now, as the ticking clock of doomsday mocked him once more with a constant reminder of his loneliness.
He stood in front row seat for the Earth's final hours before being disintegrated into oblivion, he felt grief washing over him, his ruby eyes stared with such contempt and despair for the world. Would he regret it? Perhaps no... That world and its inhabitants deserved no remorse from him. He have found it absurd how he used to treasure that floating cerulean planet before. Now, as he reminisced how he and Maria both dreamed to one day explore the world, filled with childish wonder, such pure innocence... He felt empty. Nothing but a husk of a better past.Stupid naivete.
“Shadow?", a female voice called out, cutting his reverie. “Is that you, Shadow? Shadow! I've been looking for you!"
He was puzzled by how she managed to pin point his location that easily, but shoved the thought and spoke without facing her. “What do you want?", He started with a cold tone.
“Shadow, please! You have to help Sonic to save the world! We need you. You're the only one capable of—”
“Silence!”, he said, raising his tone as he glanced sharply from his shoulders. “How dare you talk to me like that? How dare you order me around? Do you know who you're speaking with?”
The hedgehog girl gulped. A shaky breath was slowly let out as her mind turned gears in order to weave a coherent response.
“Shadow, just listen to me, please! I know you've been through so much. Trust me, I—”
He spun to his heels and met her gaze. Her green eyes were determined, burning and shining like a chaos emerald as she steeled her stance. Her face was held into a stoic expression while her fists was balled tightly.
“Do not speak as if you've known me, hedgehog. You know nothing! You have no idea what that world took from me!”
“But I do! Shadow, I do! Not just me, Tails, knuckles, Rouge, even Sonic—”
“Tch, that damned copy? That idiot would never know the difference of true good and evil even if it hits him in the face. How dare you utter that unworthy name infront of me? Are you comparing me to that imbecile?”
“No. I am saying is that there are people down there that has hope! They are alive and they live day by day to fulfill their destiny, those paths aren't always as pretty it's true. Just like you! You are alive to fulfill your own life!”, she exclaimed. “You are neither a weapon nor a labrat of destruction, you are here with the sole purpose to do good! That's what the doctor intended it to be before all of this.”
The pink hedgehog huffed as she walked brisky, her heels clacked against the floor as he approached him and raised her hand.
He was expecting for a slap, but nothing came. Instead, a warm hand hand encased his own in a gentle touch.
What is she doing?
What is this feeling?
Does she know that he's capable of destroying her? This hedgehog was under his mercy, yet he's the one to find himself frozen under her touch.
“I know what happened. I know that the world has taken everything from you. But what about the ones who didn't even had the chance to lose something? Who didn't even have enough time to show what they are capable of doing?”, she said with feather-like gentility.
“What are you talking about? It's useless... That world is damned and you know it. Do you think you and your band of stupid friends could fix that world? Are you that naive? They are better off dead. In that way, they'll never suffer any longer.”
“No. Shadow. I know I am naive. But I am not an idiot. My friends aren't stupid. You can list everything that's wrong about that world but that won't make any difference. That world is our home. They are better off dead? What are you saying? We cannot fix everything wrong with it but we can make it a little better.”
“Your home. Not mine. Mine was destroyed by the very people that you protect. Death might even be the best thing that will ever happen yo that planet.”
The pink hedgehog released his hands and her gaze momentarily darted to the world below.
“You're never going to be different from the ones that you despised. Death will come when it comes but who are you to decide that for them? There are good people down there, innocent children, people who are just alive.”
“That place only knew how to take.”
“Then what? After you destroyed the life you despised so much, what's next? You are the ultimate lifeform, now is the time to prove that you are not a weapon but a hero.
“I never wanted this.”
“Then, would you take too, huh? Would you let some mad man destroy billions of families? Would you cause them the same pain you went through?” she asked, as she finally faced him.
The questions made him look at her once more. He cannot read her intentions, she sounded calm yet her words are blunt that the calmness on her eyes looked eerie for him. Most people grovel, cry, or beg but not her. What is she doing with him? How dare she play with his mind?
“Your mind games wont work on me.”
“Who's playing?”, she asked firmly. “I wanted you to see what's in plain sight. Don't deny it, you know what to do.”
“Plain sight? All I see is a rotten planet."
“Perhaps...", She started. “ But it's just like that since capable people like you is more willing to watch it burn than to make the changes that you want to see."
He was taken back. Everything the doctor has said about doing good and Maria's dream of living in that world has came down crashing as he found himself silent.
“You're never going to be different from them if you'd let the world burn. Imagine your pain but apply it on billions of hearts that wasn't given the chance to live their lives. Sure, you'll have your revenge. Then what?”
For a moment he found himself holding his breath as a brief memory of him and Maria flashed from his mind. It was just the two of them, dreaming of one day exploring the world below before Maria had a frown on her face. Little did he know, Maria was trying to say something similar to what this hedgehog infront of him was saying.
She's always been a kind soul, always believed that there is good in everyone's hearts. He found it irrational, perhaps an artificial organic like him wouldn't understand. Then again, Maria held on to hope as if it were her last life line just like this hedgehog and the blue faker.
“I know you are haunted by your pain. But let me share it with you for the sake of the world. Here me out. I know you are more than just a living weapon. You are you. You are the ultimate lifeform and if anyone could help Sonic save the world, It's you. The strength and the heart of a hero is with you all along. Please, Shadow the hedgehog... If you are searching for a time to do good... Now is the time to protect Maria's will one last time.”
Maria.
A sudden surge of anger flooded his system as he grasped her shoulders firmly.
“Don't you ever utter her name in vain.", He said with a dark tone as his grip got heavier that his hands may break her shoulders.
Despite the crushing pressure on her bones, the pink hedgehog retained her calm face. Not even a flinch nor a wrinkle on her nose as she stood face to face with the ultimate lifeforms iron grip. Her eyes did not waver yet, small tears started to roll down her cheeks as her silent resolve resounded more than her pleas and shone brighter than any jewel in the world.
“Do not test me.", he continued, his fangs bared as his eyes contained fire, frustrated with the mixed messages that he's getting from her. For some reason he felt an eerie chill. Something in the way she just stood there and stared at him with such conviction made a slight impression on him as his instincts told him to run despite having the upper hand in combat and power.
“I am not testing you. I'm telling you the truth. Would you destroy the only thing that would remind you of her love? For what? For revenge that will never turn back time.”
For revenge that will never turn back time.
His hands shook as his grip from her shoulder fell back to him. She did it. She won as the last string that held Shadow the hedgehog's guard snapped. The fire in his eyes got distinguished slowly as tears threatened to fall. He bit his lip hard that it almost bled through his teeth as he clenched his fists. He felt bare and vulnerable as she continued to look at him with such warmth that he felt like burning. It was not scrutiny in her eyes but compassion and he felt unworthy of such attention.
“You are so loved... You know. You're hurt right now cause you know what love looked like. You've felt it before. Would you let that love go to waste?”
She started with a gentler tone as she went beside him and placed her hand on his cheek. He recoiled slightly but eventually fell in to the enticing comfort of her touch. It was warm and for a second, Shadow the hedgehog had a glimpse of that long forgotten past. A long forgotten warmth that ached his heart. Her face... Maria... For a moment he saw her again on a different being.
Once it went clear, it was the pink hedgehog all along. The same radiating comfort from before was felt right now as her loving yet ached gaze stayed on Shadow with such reverence as if he did nothing wrong. As if he didn't hurt her friends, and many more people before. As if she's holding a delicate feather and not something who could erase her with a single misstep.
“You...", He started in an above whisper. “H-how...”
Her head tilted to the side slightly as a smile finally appeared on her face. She wasn't sure what he meant but she just took it in as his senses finally catching up. It wasn't smug nor was it mocking like the faker's grin. But it was warm, burning like a thousand suns all at once seeping through with a pleasant burn in his chest.
“Shadow, I know a heart full of love when I see one. It can manifest in many ways. Now is the time to show Maria that you are here for her by saving the world that she loved so much. Maria may be dead but you are never alone. You still have a reason to give love as long as you live. In that way, you could always be reminded that you are too.”
He didn't know what came to him but his body moved without his consent as he encased her in an embrace. He cannot hide anymore as the corners of his eyes burned with tears. He have let himself fall into her arms, burying his face on the crook of her neck as if he'll sink if he lets go of her.
The pink hedgehog was confused at first but reciprocated the hug, an unspoken gesture as if it were a permission to fall apart. That moment felt so slow yet it was the first time in many years of solitude, that Shadow the hedgehog felt truly safe once again. That lost warmth and security from days long gone returned for a brief moment with in that hedgehog girl's embrace.
Finally... A soundless cry was let out. Silent, wordless tears were shed for a moment before he have let go of her and kept her at arms length.
The tears has dried up but the trails are still present on his face as he lowered his head and refused to meet the pink hedgehog's face.
“Where is the faker?”, he started as his mind raced back and forth between the hedgehog girl's words and Maria's, slowly taking in his own fate at his hand.
The female triumphed as a small gasp escaped her under her breath. “Wait... Does this mean you're...”, she trailed with the largest smile on her face.
“I have a promise. I remembered it now.", He interjected as he started to walk away to leave.
“A promise?”
“A promise. A promise to you and Maria... You're right. If I would have a chance to make things right... I would rather do it for the people who reminded me of who I was.", He spoke, stopping at his tracks to face her once more.
She hummed in response before raising her hand for him to take with a determined smile. “ Then let's do our best! Together. I'll be waiting and cheering for you and Sonic! Amy Rose will always be cheering for you!”
Amy Rose... He'll never forget her name.
A hollow chuckle resonated from him as he took her hand and grabbed it firmly. “Tch, It won't be too long.” , he said as he broke their grasp and he spun to his heels to leave.
She didn't gave a reply as she watched him walk away with a smile on her face. For a moment, she was confused, but then her confusion came to an understanding smile and a determined glint on her eyes. That understanding connected her to the fact that the ultimate lifeform is still a Mobian just like her and everyone else.
***
“SHADOW!"
Is that... That's the faker's voice... His flickering vision saw the faker going towards him, reaching out to pull him away from his fall. But then he refused to take his hand as he reckoned that he'll never risk the faker's life for his and so he swatted it away with a weak attempt of his last chaos spear as he spiralled down uncontrollably.
“SHADOW!!!”
His body was numb as his eyes struggled to lay open as his body fell down continuously.
Was this his end?
Perhaps the Ultimate lifeform isn't as ultimate as it seemed.
His thoughts drifted as he felt his body falling faster.
What's happening?
Did they get to save the world?
Has he fulfilled his promise? His purpose?
Perhaps... But it's such a shame that he may not able to see the "love" that the Pink Hedgehog and Maria was talking about.
Amy... Amy Rose.
Who was he kidding? He was unworthy for such things. This is the end of his story, peace at last.
The remaining chaos energy in him was slowly depleting as the wind violently swished across his face. and from there, gravity dragged him further down while he fell like a burning meteorite upon entering the earth's atmosphere.
He have guessed that this must be his punishment for the red that stained his very hands but then again, a nagging feeling of dread creeped at the back of his head. His body fell straight into the ocean as it pierced through the water, making a great splash. It was now warm and cold at the same time.
“Did you see what I did, Maria?", he murmured in a voiceless question. If she was there, she must've been happy. She must've been proud just like...
Amy...
As he sunk further into the sea's cold abysmal embrace, his mind drifted to a certain pink hedgehog. Would she be waiting just like her promise? Did she saw what he did?
...Rose.
Perhaps not... Atleast... Atleast she's safe. Atleast he kept his promise.
He was surprised by how long his consciousness has been awake. But he guessed it's just his brain giving out it's last ten or so minutes before it vanishes into oblivion.