Epilogue
A month passed, and Sonic didn't reappear. Though his friends still clung to the hope that he was still alive, the mayor of Empire City decided to hold a twilight memorial service for him.
Amy didn't attend the ceremony, not feeling well that day, but Tails, Cosmo, Shadow and all the others attended.
The mayor had asked that Tails give a speech at the ceremony, and the kitsune worked hard on a way to convey his feelings.
The ceremony was in the park, and thousands attended. Tails took several deep breaths as he looked out over the crowd. "I don't know if I can do this...!"
"You can." Knuckles replied. "Do it for him..."
Tails nodded, then stepped out as the crowd looked up to him.
"Good evening, everyone... The mayor asked me to give a speech about Sonic, since I was one of his closest friends..."
He looked down at the papers, then took in a deep breath. "Sonic was a very special person to me... He was a brother, a friend... And a hero to all of us. I met him as a little kid, when he chose to help me become a better mechanic and person. He was a mentor to me...
Sonic loved adventure. He loved meeting new people. But most of all, he loved helping people. He didn't care about the risks he'd be taking to help others...not even in his final hours.
He cared about everyone, regardless of who they were or where they came from...He'll always be remembered, and he wouldn't want us to be sad about his absence.
He once said "If you have time to think about your problems, then run."
Perhaps that was what he did sometimes, but he always used those times to help others.
He's my hero...and he always will be."
He bowed as the crowd applauded, then he went back behind the curtain, where Cosmo hugged him tightly.
"I'm so proud of you, Tails..." She whispered. "We'll find him, I promise."
Tails nodded. "I hope so, Cosmo...I sure hope so."
______________________________________
"Come in."
Shadow didn't look up from the papers in front of him as the door opened and someone stepped in. He knew who it was from the yelp they gave as they tripped over their own feet and nearly ran into the table. "What is it, Honesty...?"
"S-Sorry to interrupt your grieving, sir..." The skunk murmured nervously.
Shadow opened his mouth to tell him that he wasn't grieving, but he knew it was true, and to lie to the younger agent was pointless, since he could detect lies.
"...What is it?" He repeated.
"D-Dr. Robinson called the desk. She's a scientist working on the fourth floor, and she's working on-"
"I know who she is, Honesty...She's beginning to bother me, with how often she asks you to check in on me..."
"Right... She said something about asking you if you needed any therapy after everything that's happened."
"I don't know, Honesty... I think I'll get over it, but I just don't know yet."
"Of course... Have you ever met her personally before?"
"No. Why?"
"Well..." He looked at the picture of Shadow and Maria. "I don't think it's a coincidence that she's constantly checking on you, and she looks like your friend here."
Shadow looked up from his papers. "...what?"
Honesty picked up the photo. "The girl here."
Shadow stood up. It couldn't be... "What's Dr. Robinson's first name?"
"Maria, why?"
Shadow got up. "I'll be right back."
"They're the same person, aren't they?"
"I'll find out when I get there."
Shadow left the office and headed down the hall to the stairs.
If he was right, and his sister had been working under his nose all this time...
He dashed down the stairs to the fourth floor and straight to Dr. Robinson's lab. "Dr. Maria Robinson...?"
The scientist was currently writing something down on a clipboard, but she paused and looked up with a smile, adjusting her glasses. "Commander Shadow?" She asked.
Her blonde hair was back in a ponytail and it was streaked with red, but there was no denying that familiar glint in her eyes.
It was Maria. His sister.
"I...I don't know what to say right now." He replied.
Maria sighed. "I know...I have a lot of explaining to do. Only you, I and Tower know who I really am...or was."
"And Honesty Galaxino."
"Right. The smart little stinker..." Maria sat down on a stool. "It's a long story, but I've got time to explain..."
"I hope so..." Shadow was suddenly hugging her tightly. "...but for now, I'm just glad you're back..."
"Me too, Shadow...me too."
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