[It had been a long time since Shadow the Hedgehog had been haunted by strange visions. He'd confronted his past a long while ago. Put it behind him and moved on to live life as he saw fit. To live out his own destiny while fighting as he always had. But tonight, his subconscious had other plans. Tonight, he found himself caught in yet another bizarre dream. And for the first time in months, Shadow hears her voice calling his name. Surprised, he turns to address her.]
Maria...?
[His ears don't deceive him. Nor do his eyes. It really is her, Maria Robotnik, standing before him. A certain ethereal glow seems to surround her, bringing out the tiny little smile on her face. Proud, yet sad at the same time. Then she begins to speak.
She tells him that Mayfield isn't meant to last. That soon enough, it will fall, destroying itself and everyone along with it. Those words are certainly alarming, but not at all surprising. Considering Thanksgiving, he's already more than aware of the destruction that this town is capable of. But... perhaps there's something that Shadow can do to prevent this.
Soon enough, more images flash through Shadow's head. Back on the planet Earth he does know. But something's... wrong. Horribly wrong. How could the hedgehog have possibly failed...? The Flames of Disaster have risen once again. That blue hedgehog is nowhere to be seen. The Princess is dead. And, as expected, G.U.N. has placed the blame solely on Shadow. Just as Mephiles had predicted... the perfect excuse to hunt him down like the animal he is.
He still has one ally in all of this, at least. Rouge. Even if the entire world turns against him, she said, Rouge would always remain by his side. But for how long...? As skilled an Agent as she is, she's still so frighteningly... mortal. By allying herself with Shadow, even now, has she signed her own death warrant? And now that Omega's been sanctioned by G.U.N, will he hesitate to kill her in order to get to Shadow? In order to inevitably subdue Shadow, encasing him and imprisoning him forever?
No. It can't possibly happen. He'll never allow it.
But if one person were to just disappear... If one person were to sacrifice themselves entirely, none of this carnage would happen. Nobody would remember him. Nobody could be hurt by him. Nobody would miss him at all.
There would be no repeats of Thanksgiving. No fiery reign of Iblis. Mayfield would be saved. His planet would be saved. Rouge and the others would be saved.
Maria would be saved, too.
"For all the people who live on that planet... give them a chance to be happy. Let them live for their dreams. Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason you were brought into this world..."
There's a long, long pause as Shadow takes her last words to heart. As he thinks, one last time, about the allies he's made. And despite himself, he sheds a single tear before reaching out to take Maria's hand. He'll do this. They'll step forward, together.]
Maria...?
[His ears don't deceive him. Nor do his eyes. It really is her, Maria Robotnik, standing before him. A certain ethereal glow seems to surround her, bringing out the tiny little smile on her face. Proud, yet sad at the same time. Then she begins to speak.
She tells him that Mayfield isn't meant to last. That soon enough, it will fall, destroying itself and everyone along with it. Those words are certainly alarming, but not at all surprising. Considering Thanksgiving, he's already more than aware of the destruction that this town is capable of. But... perhaps there's something that Shadow can do to prevent this.
Soon enough, more images flash through Shadow's head. Back on the planet Earth he does know. But something's... wrong. Horribly wrong. How could the hedgehog have possibly failed...? The Flames of Disaster have risen once again. That blue hedgehog is nowhere to be seen. The Princess is dead. And, as expected, G.U.N. has placed the blame solely on Shadow. Just as Mephiles had predicted... the perfect excuse to hunt him down like the animal he is.
He still has one ally in all of this, at least. Rouge. Even if the entire world turns against him, she said, Rouge would always remain by his side. But for how long...? As skilled an Agent as she is, she's still so frighteningly... mortal. By allying herself with Shadow, even now, has she signed her own death warrant? And now that Omega's been sanctioned by G.U.N, will he hesitate to kill her in order to get to Shadow? In order to inevitably subdue Shadow, encasing him and imprisoning him forever?
No. It can't possibly happen. He'll never allow it.
But if one person were to just disappear... If one person were to sacrifice themselves entirely, none of this carnage would happen. Nobody would remember him. Nobody could be hurt by him. Nobody would miss him at all.
There would be no repeats of Thanksgiving. No fiery reign of Iblis. Mayfield would be saved. His planet would be saved. Rouge and the others would be saved.
Maria would be saved, too.
"For all the people who live on that planet... give them a chance to be happy. Let them live for their dreams. Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason you were brought into this world..."
There's a long, long pause as Shadow takes her last words to heart. As he thinks, one last time, about the allies he's made. And despite himself, he sheds a single tear before reaching out to take Maria's hand. He'll do this. They'll step forward, together.]
Sayonara... Shadow the Hedgehog.
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