~A Week Later~

All of Mobius knew what had happened. G.U.N's secrets were spilled over the cause of the Commander's death. Rouge had recovered rather quickly, and (Y/N) envied her for it. She had also taken over as the new Commander for G.U.N. and had cleared up the story for anyone that tried to stick their noses in.

The story for the Guardian of the Forest and Shadow the Hedgehog teaming up to save the planet was soon circling cities, towns and even villages. But every time she heard his name, (Y/N) recoiled in pain.

It had been a week since the fighting stopped. A week since the Commander was shot through the head. A week since Shadow died. But it had felt like forever. The days blurred together for the distraught (a/t), and she had no idea how she'd be able to continue on in this overdeveloped world.

Her friends had been there for her, both Sonic and Tails, and Rouge having offered her a place to stay while they eased her into the new world. She had accepted Rouge's offer, and currently slept on her couch.

A lot of the week, she cried herself to sleep. She blamed herself for Shadow's death. Had she been better, had she been faster, maybe he'd be with her today. Maybe he'd be hugging her and telling her it was alright, maybe there wouldn't be this heartache at all.

Tomorrow was a special day though, for Rouge had planned a ceremony for the dark hedgehog hero. It was her way of thanking him personally and publicly, a way to pay respect to him. She had sent out invitations to all her friends and had purposefully made sure to personally invite (Y/N) in person.

"I think he'd want you to be there." The bat had given the (a/t) a small, wavering smile, "Everyone will be there, for him and for you."

"Thanks Rouge..." (Y/N) mumbled, though she didn't lift her gaze from the glass coffee table, "I'll think about it..."

The bat only nodded, before giving the (a/t) a hug and leaving the small apartment. (Y/N) closed her eyes and leant into the hug, but didn't return it. Her ears pressed against her head, and she laid her head on the small table. They hadn't even gone back to get his body. The others didn't want to do it without the she-(a/t), and she had refused to go.

At first the red echidna, she couldn't remember his name, was furious with her lack of wanting to help, but both Rouge, Sonic and Tails had all jumped to her defence. They explained she had been there when he died, and they explained that he was wrapped up in vines, that he'll be okay for a while.

Tears started to run down the (a/t)'s muzzle, and she wrapped her arms around her head. Was she a bad person for leaving him there for so long? Was she a horrible person for pushing all his friends away when she knew they wanted to help her? Rouge was the only one she would talk to, having known Shadow the best. The others had tried, but she barely responded.

It was just so hard. So much had happened in such a little amount of time. She woke up, found out she was 150 years old, her family was gone. And then she fell in love with the Ultimate Lifeform -As Sonic called him at some point-, only for him to be shot and die in front of her.

Was it some sort of curse? If she fell in love again, would that person die as well?

No, no way would she fall for another. Shadow was all that was on her mind, and she had no idea if she'd ever recover from him.

Hours passed, and soon it was night. She only knew because of the clock across from her. Rouge had explained that 'PM' meant evening, and since it was 9pm, it was dark outside. She hardly left Rouge's apartment.

Perhaps she should sleep, since the ceremony was tomorrow. She should go, instead of closing herself off. She should welcome Shadow's friends. Though as she looked down at her tattered 150-year-old clothing, she realised she couldn't go dressed like this.

The (a/t) let out a sigh, before taking her place on the couch. She can ask Rouge for better clothes tomorrow. But for now, she'd have to endure the nightmare of losing Shadow all over again.

The next day moved slowly, (Y/N) woke up once again from the nightmares, the feeling of lips lingering on her own more prominent today than they had ever been. Rouge was just leaning down to wake her up, wearing her silky purple pyjamas. She gave the (a/t) a concerned look, before tilting her head,

"Breakfast?" She asked.

"No thanks..." The (a/t) held her hand to her lips, "U-Um... But could I have some... Different clothes..?"

The bat smiled, "I've been waiting for you to ask that question. One moment, I have the perfect thing for today."

While the girl got ready, while she washed her fur and brushed her hair out, she made the decision that she would visit Shadow today. She mentioned it to Rouge, telling her that she wanted to go alone. The bat nodded in understanding, before handing her a rose.

"Give this to him, from both of us." The bat smiled, though she too teared up, "Tell him we miss him, okay hun?"

(Y/N) nodded, before pulling the bat into a hug, "Thank you Rouge..."

"It's nothing." The bat pulled away, wiping a stray tear from her make-up covered eyes, "Now lets go, or we'll be late."

The ceremony took place around 10am, (Y/N) was slowly getting used to telling the times. She took her seat next to Rouge up on the small stage. Sonic and Tails sat next to her, and the rest of the friends were in amongst the crowd. They knew why you four were up there, they knew you were tied to Shadow somehow, and they knew how hard it must have been to be here.

Rouge was the first to stand and speak. Though (Y/N) couldn't focus. She was zoned out, the people around her a blur of faces, the words a mumble of incoherent speech. Unknown to her, Rouge had asked her to speak, but upon seeing the blankness of her (e/c) eyes, she instead told the crowd that the (a/t) was still too distraught to speak and may even by shy.

Sonic and Tails spoke next, though once again it was blurry and a mumbled mess. (Y/N) hated being there knowing what it meant. Rouge then started going over the new rules for G.U.N, something about no secrets, and treating all Mobians and Humans with respect and such.

The ceremony ended, and all the (a/t) wanted to do was leave, was to find Shadow and talk to him. Rouge glanced at her, tilting her head at the (a/t).

"Are you okay?" She asked, and (Y/N) shook her head.

"You want to visit him, don't you?" The bat said, holding her hand carefully.

(Y/N) nodded her head.

Sonic got wind of her wishes and offered to run her there so she wouldn't be walking forever. She nearly turned him down but realised it would be dark by the time she got there, and it would be too dangerous to be alone at night.

She still hadn't fully grasped her powers, and since that day, any and all power seemed to have faded, she couldn't feel anything.

So she accepted the offer, and he took her to the hidden building where everything had taken place. He stopped just outside the forest, and gave her a small device.

"Once you want to come back, press that button. I'll be here in seconds." He said, before resting a hand on her shoulder, "I've seen this before (Y/N). Shadow did the same thing after he regained his memory, he pushed everyone away and... If it wasn't for Rouge we wouldn't be here."

The (a/t) stared at him. Why was he telling her this?

"A-Anyway..." He pulled his hand away, rubbing it almost subconsciously, "I'll leave you be. Just... remember we're all here for you, okay?"

(Y/N) gave a small, weak smile, "O-Okay..."

He smiled back, seeming satisfied with her answer. Giving her the thumbs up, the blue hedgehog took off, leaving her alone in this cold, gloomy place. (Y/N) looked around the area, making sure no one else was around, before heading into the forest. It didn't take long to find the tree, to find the bundle of vines.

A pang went through the (a/t)'s chest, and she kneeled in front of the vines. Gently placing the rose next to the vegetation, the girl covered her face, letting out a deep sigh,

"W-We miss you... Y-You know..." She mumbled out, closing her eyes as she fought back the pain-filled tears, "R-Rouge and I... All the o-others... I-I wish I had been stronger... I-I wish I could have... Saved you..."

Silence surrounded her, and it seemed to hurt more. Why had she expected a response? The (a/t) should have known better. But... It seemed to make her feel better, talking about it.

"I-I'm sorry..." She mumbled out, "I'm sorry I was so... Weak... I w-wish you were here..."

Something snapped, and her ears twitched, perking upright. Slowly, the (a/t) lifted her head as one of the vines around Shadow's body broke. Something seemed to be pushing against them, wanting to break free. The other vines started snapping, falling limp against the ground.

And then it happened. Shadow burst free. He gasped as he broke from the vines, panting heavily as if he had held his breath for a long time. His ruby red eyes scanned the area franticly, before setting on the (a/t) that sat in front of him, tense and wide-eyed. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"(Y-Y/N)...?" The dark hedgehog asked, rubbing his face and reaching for her, "Wh-What happened...? Are you alright?"

The (a/t) was frozen. Was this real? Or was this another nightmare? The hedgehog watched her, before looking around himself. He saw the vines and gently picked one up, before looking back at the she-(a/t).

"Did you... Save me?" He tilted his head.

(Y/N) let out a small sob, this couldn't be real, "N-No... I... I couldn't save..."

Shadow's eyes seemed to widen in realisation, and he crawled over to the (a/t), pulling her into a tight hug. (Y/N) collapsed into him, crying into his warm fur. His heart beat beneath her ear, and she let out a shaky sigh.

He was alive, this was real. He was right here in front of her.

"Shh..." He mumbled, slowly patting the (a/t)'s head, "How long was I gone for...?"

"A-A week..." She managed to stutter, "B-but how... How is this... H-How is it possible...?"

The hedgehog was quiet for a moment, hugging her even tighter, "I don't know... But whatever it was, I'm grateful."

"M-Me too..." She moved her head to his shoulder, sniffling, "I-I was so... Scared..."

"Shh..." He said again, "Would you mind telling me what happened?"

"I-I don't know..." She pulled away, her ears lowering slightly, "It's been my nightmare since... I..."

The hedgehog's ears lowered slightly as well. She'd had nightmares of what had happened? He couldn't deny, the moments before everything went black were a blur. He just remembered a horrible burn in his side, before warmth enveloped him and everything went black.

Carefully, he cupped the (a/t)'s cheek, leaning his forehead against her own.

"Don't worry... This isn't a nightmare... I'm really here." He mumbled, "And I'm glad. But I want to know what happened, it might help us figure out why I'm here at all."

The (a/t) nodded slowly, before taking a deep breath, "O-Okay... I'll try..."

Shadow nodded, gently kissing her forehead.

"You were... Shot... By the Commander..." She started quietly, "H-He was going to shoot you again b-but I got in the way and I... I managed to use the air around us and... I killed him. Then I took you outside, and Tails said we should hide. I wanted to help you first but he was right... We hid here, and I tried to find a way to heal you... The vines started to wrap around you, I figured they would do to you what you did to me but... But you still..."

The hedgehog blinked, watching as (Y/N) covered her mouth, her shoulders shook in his hold, "I think I know what happened then..."

"Y-You do...?"

"The vines saved me. As they had done for you over a century ago." Shadow said, looking back to the vines that had started to rot away, "Maybe because it was such a damaging shot, I had to die so I could heal. That's what I can guess."

"A-Are you sure...?" (Y/N) asked.

"Well..." Shadow rubbed his head, "Mostly. I think I was given a choice. Because when everything went black, Maria and Holly appeared and... We talked. We talked so much, I told them all about you, and this adventure and... And then they asked..."

"What...?"

"They asked me if I missed you." He looked at her, "I told them of course I did. I had promised to help you get through this world. Then they asked if I wanted to keep my promise, or if I wanted to stay with them and..."

"And you chose me..." The (a/t) sniffed, a small smile appeared on her muzzle.

"Well of course, I made a promise to you." The hedgehog said, "And... I love you. Why wouldn't I choose you?"

(Y/N) gave a small giggle of relief, before wrapping her arms around the hedgehog tightly and pressing her lips against his own. Shadow rocked back in surprise, setting his hands on her sides and closing his eyes, kissing back.

A moment passed, and neither wanted to pull away, both too relieved to be in each other's arms again. But finally, (Y/N) sat back up.

"The others are going to be so over the moon." She smiled down at him, "Especially Rouge, she's really missed you."

"Trust me, I missed everyone as well." The hedgehog chuckled, playing with the (h/l) hair that fell around the (a/t)'s face, "Just... Don't tell them I said that."

"Of course." (Y/N) giggled more, "And hey... Shadow?"

"Yes?" He asked, cupping the back of her head and pulling her back down to him. She happily laid next to him, nuzzling into his chest. He was so warm, it felt so natural to snuggle into his side.

"I'm never leaving your side again, got that?"

He let out a chuckle, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

She smiled, before pulling him into another kiss. He was alright. Everything was finally alright. And that's exactly what she wanted. What they wanted.

~END~