Yes, I'm updating this book a second time this week, and it will be updated again on Friday. Since all my other stories are now complete and I'm done with uni for the year, I'm trying to soley focus on the remaining requests (3) and ideas I have yet to write for this story (9). That's like 12 more chapters and I don't have 12 weeks left of the year.

Considering I have 5 fanfics planned for next year that all need planning, I would like to get these stories outta the way asap. So from now on I'll hopefully be updating this story at least 3 times a week for the next 4 weeks.

I hope to stick to this plan, however don't be surprised if I don't as I am also moving out at the end of the month! (finally leaving the nest ^^) so while I'm writing I'm also managing packing and other adult things to prepare for my new place.

Anyway, as soon as I've uploaded the last chapter for this year's batch (I'll tell ya when it happens) I'll be instantly going on my hiatus, having a break from uploading and focusing on planning and writing my stories before I start uni next year. I don't know when exactly I'll be off the hiatus, but I do plan to come back for my final year of writing fanfic in 2021 (that, depending on how things go, might bleed into 2022) - I'll evaluate more once I'm done for this year lol

Okay I won't keep you any longer lol (assuming you actually read this), so please, enjoy the chapter! :)

EDIT: FORGOT THE TITLE OMFG SORRY-

The war had been going on for 6 months now, the city was nothing but rubble and ruined buildings. Most people had left, hoping the rest of the world might be untouched and those that stayed joined the Resistance to try and fight back.

(Y/N) the (a/t) was one of those that joined the Resistance. After having faced the mysterious mercenary and survived she was determined to fight back, to use the second chance of life she was given. The Resistance had welcomed her very warmly, glad to have another member to fight against Eggman and his goons.

Her help was even more welcomed after Sonic was kidnapped and Shadow was found to be working with Eggman. His friends had been so confused when he first made his appearance fighting against Sonic, after everything that had happened with them, they had no clue why he had changed to the evil side once again. Though considering this wasn't the first time, they were more just confused and disappointed.

That was until recently when the group had rescued Sonic from Eggman's base. (Y/N) remembered coming up against Shadow and having to fight him, but at the same time Knuckles and Silver were also fighting him. Considering Shadow couldn't be in two places at once, everyone came to the conclusion that Eggman had somehow found a way to clone the hedgehog, and he was in fact MIA.

The relief after that discovery was immense, and the (a/t) was grateful to feel the tension cease slightly. Considering how tough this war has been, it was a small yet powerful win knowing Shadow hadn't betrayed them again. The next issue was trying to find Shadow, since not even his teammate Rouge knew his location.

A select few people were selected to try and find the hedgehog, and (Y/N) was grateful it wasn't her. She had seen Shadow in action before, he was terrifying, and she wasn't sure how he'd treat any of the new recruits for the Resistance.

So instead, she worked with Sonic to run through the city on a search and rescue mission. Thankfully, her grappling hook helped her keep up with the blue hedgehog, and they managed to save a few people before they were attacked.

Sonic was running when a black and red blur came out of nowhere, spindashing Sonic into a building. (Y/N) startled and swung over to the blue hedgehog, pulling him from the rubble and to his feet. Sonic thanked her and turned to glare at the black hedgehog that stood in front of them. This copy's eyes were dull, the biggest giveaway that it was indeed a fake.

The (f/c) (a/t) and blue hedgehog then stood in a fighting stance, preparing to fight the other. The copy of Shadow then crouched, taking off right towards Sonic. Before he could even react, another figure appeared out of nowhere,

"Chaos Control!" A deep voice yelled, and the copy was kicked back into a building.

Red, black, and white hover shoes landed in front of Sonic and (Y/N), before glancing back at the two. Bright red eyes seemed to glare at the (a/t) and she shrunk back.

"Shadow...? Is that really you?" Sonic asked, clearly acting cautious.

"Yes." The darker hedgehog said, putting a green Chaos Emerald away, "It seems I was gone for far too long. You have some explaining to do."

After Sonic explained to Shadow what had happened in the past few months, the trio returned home. It was an intense walk for the (a/t), as Shadow would glance at her and ask Sonic questions, such things like 'So how many inexperienced fighters are we now dealing with?'; and 'Great, so we have to look after a whole army now?'.

(Y/N) just kept to herself, holding her arm tightly as they returned to the Resistance Headquarters. Once they were inside, Sonic gave her a pat on the back,

"Don't worry about Shadow." He said, watching as the darker hedgehog walked over to the others, "He doesn't trust easily, he has a small circle, but he'll warm up to everyone."

The (a/t) nodded, hoping that the blue hero was right, because otherwise this war was going to be even more stressful and she did not need that right now.

However, the day after Shadow had returned, the two were sent out on a mission together; they were doing rounds of the outskirts of the city to exterminate some of Eggman's robots. It was... Awkward to say the least. Since Shadow clearly didn't trust the (a/t), he acted cold and closed off. She wasn't sure exactly how this mission would go.

But then they found the robots, and things kicked into action. After a while of the two just beating the mechanic army and stopping them from wreaking havoc on the city, Shadow finally made his first comment to the (a/t).

"For a rookie, you fight really well." He said, which caused her to stop in her tracks. She looked over at him and offered a smile,

"Well... When it's either your life or the robots, you tend to pick things up quickly." Was her response, and the hedgehog nodded at that,

"Commendable." He said, and they finished up their mission. And then he asked another question, "Why did you join the Resistance?"

The (a/t) stopped in her tracks, her mind switching back to the moment she had with Infinite, the mysterious mercenary. Shadow stopped as well and glanced at her, tilting his head,

"I'm sorry, was that a bad question?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"No no, just... Remembering." She said, "When this all started, before I joined the Resistance I met Infinite, I cowered away in fear and he spared me for that. Considering he usually killed anyone, I took that as a second opportunity at life and... I didn't want to waste it cowering in fear, I wanted to fight back. Infinite underestimated me and I wanted to prove that."

Shadow watched her, before nodding to himself once again, "I see, that is also commendable. You're very brave for joining us then. I can see the group made the right choices in their teammates."

(Y/N) smiled at that, clearly she had proven herself to Shadow, and that's when she realised something. Sonic must have sent the two out together on purpose. He knew this mission would prove her worth to Shadow, and it had worked. So they started walking again.

On the way back, the two started to talk a little more. It was mostly Shadow asking (Y/N) questions, but to know he was interested in learning about the (a/t) made her feel much better. Sonic was right about him warming up to the new recruits, but he was also the reason, and she'd totally have to thank him later.

It wasn't long before the two were sent out on another mission, and another, and another. Eventually the two had gotten used to working together, and every time on the way back Shadow would ask question, get to know the (a/t). He even started opening up to her, she learnt things about him that she never would have known about otherwise.

Considering his backstory, when he learnt of his friend's disappointment at his possible betrayal, the hedgehog hadn't been too surprised. In fact, it made him realise just how on the fence he had been about these things, and how he was now certain that Eggman will be and always remain the enemy.

(Y/N) was smiling at him now, giving him a pat on the shoulder. It was good he had finally made his decision, and she was relieved to know such a strong character had decided to fight for good. He smiled back, and it was at this point that she realised they had become really close friends. Sonic's goal to get Shadow to trust her had worked, and she couldn't be anymore grateful.

They had just gotten back from another mission, the two smiling at a joke Shadow had made about Sonic. The doors opened and they were met with a mess. Shadow's friends were running around, a red light was flashing and there was an alarm in the distance. Shadow instantly turned serious, and (Y/N) followed him as he walked over to Silver.

"What's going on?" He asked, and the silvery hedgehog.

"It's Eggman." The other said, typing away quickly on a holographic board, "He's on the move, and so are we. We're going to be attacking him tonight. It's now or never."

Shadow and (Y/N) stood there, eyes wide at their comrade. They were going into battle, with Eggman, tonight?

It was so sudden, and the two glanced at each other, nodded, and took off to prepare for the final fight. It didn't take long for the (a/t) to get her things, as she depended on the grappling hook and her favourite wispon. As soon as she was ready, she joined the group who were standing around a large table. They were talking about plans, Shadow stood next to her as they listened.

(Y/N)'s job was probably one of the more tricky ones, considering she had to infiltrate Eggman's base to stop the Phantom Ruby from whatever was going to happen. But with the help of a prototype Infinite had dropped after fighting Silver, it would hopefully go smoothly. Either way the (a/t) was nervous, and she gripped the ruby tightly in her hands.

Once everyone knew their positions, they headed off in different directions. (Y/N) started to leave to before Shadow grabbed her arm. She stopped and glanced back at him, tilting her head in confusion. This battle was happening now, so why was he stopping her?

And then he said something that... Changed everything.

"(Y/N), I love you." He said, keeping his eyes on the floor and the (a/t) froze up, cheeks turning warm, "I know I probably should have said this before, but I wasn't sure until now. And I just want you to know..."

(Y/N) stopped him, leaning in for a quick peck on the lips, "Hey... We'll get through this."

"But... What if we don't?" The hedgehog asked, "I should have come back sooner, maybe if I did, we would have had more time together. I shouldn't have stayed in hiding for so long, because now we're going into battle and... This is risky."

"Yeah, it's very risky." The (a/t) said, "And yeah, maybe you shouldn't have stayed in hiding so long, but that's in the past now. All we can do is focus on the present, on this fight. The time I've spent with you was worth it all in the end."

The hedgehog couldn't stop the smile spreading out on his muzzle, "Same..."

"Exactly." The (a/t) nodded, "And we will get through this fight."

"We will..." Shadow nodded this time, "And after the war?"

"After the war?" (Y/N) smiled, "You totally owe me a date."

"Deal." Shadow chuckled, holding his hand out. The (a/t) took it and giggled. Once their deal was set, the two left the building. It was now or never, and both really wanted to go on that date.

Aight so this definitely wasn't my best chapter. It felt rushed while I was writing it (I managed to fix up some scenes but not all of them – so hopefully it's not too bad) but I couldn't see any other way of writing this.

I noticed in a lot of the requests lately I get carried away with exposition, or with explaining things, and I didn't want to do that in this chapter. But now I see it just feels like shit without it lol

So hopefully ya'll like long as reads because that exposition will be back in the next chapter!

... I'm sorry if this was shit, I just... Didn't want to drag it out ...

I've learnt my lesson.

Haven Out!!!