Chapter 2: ARK Aftermath, Part II
(A/N: Shadow's POV)

As I fell towards Earth, content with my accomplishment, I began to see the light; the light of death. The light enclosed me and soon I was in a beautiful paradise. All around me were trees and plants covered in wonderfully scented wild flowers of all colors. The stars were out in the daytime and the sun never seemed to set. There were also water fountains spurting out of the ground, it sort of resembled glitter on a white slate as it fell. There seemed to be serenity everywhere; no war, no violence or bloodshed. All there was was nature and the kind and loving people populating it. This was where I wanted to be.

Then, I saw a familiar figure run toward me in the most breath-taking gown I have ever seen. It was a silky, sky blue, long-sleeve dress that extended to the knees. It shimmered all the colors of the rainbow as it reflected the sun's everlasting light.

"Shadow!!" The young woman shouted to me.

"Maria!!" I shouted back to her. I was sure that this girl, with her long flowing golden hair and large blue eyes, was indeed my Maria; the Maria that died trying to save me. Finally, I can be with her.. Forever. She had finally reached me as she dropped down on her knees to embrace me. There were tears streaming down her porcelain face so I wiped them away.

"Maria.., It's been so long." I whispered, practically inaudibly.

"I know. It's nice to see you again too.. Shadow." Maria responded.

"Maria, is this.. heaven?" I asked.

"Yes Shadow. But unfortunately..," Maria stood back up and tilted her head away from me, "you cannot stay here with me."

"What?! Why??"

"Well, Shadow, it's just not your time."

"What? What do you mean?"

"It's true, you did fulfill your promise to me. And for that I will be eternally grateful. But you have one more purpose."

"What could possibly be more important than my promise to you?"

".... True love."

"But.., Aren't, you..?"

"No, I'm sorry Shadow, but I am not. I was merely a friend for you so that you could learn to love, and to trust. Now you see why it was my time when it was. I had fulfilled my destiny and now you must fulfill yours."

"But, who is my.. true love?"

"That, Shadow, you must reveal for yourself."

I just nodded as I took in the whole conversation. Maria was not my true love. Yet someone else was? But whom? No one I know was ever that nice to me, male or female. The idea just never occurred in my mind. But if Maria says that the one for me is out there, I guess I'll have to trust her and find this person. "It is time to leave now, Shadow." Maria said to me. "Don't worry. Trust in your strengths and believe in yourself. Just follow your heart and remember that I'm right behind you. My body may be gone, but my spirit will remain here." She patted the patch of white fur on my chest. "As I speak, your body is still falling towards Earth. I won't lie to you, you will be in much pain when you return to your body, but just always remember that there are people who care about you. You will find your true love someday, Shadow. I know you can do it." She knelt and embraced me once again before standing back and disappearing in a shroud of mist. Everything blacked out and then I heard her voice.

"Until we meet again, my friend." Her voice whispered in my head.

"Until then, friend." I responded to no one in particular.

It was then that I woke up in my body. The pain was excruciating! I could still move, but every muscle in my body felt as if it had been sliced open with a knife and rubbed with salt repeatedly. I struggled to get up and think about where to turn for immediate medical attention. I had woken up in the middle of a forest and as I sat up, I could see past some of the trees in front of me. Past the few sets of trees before me was Station Square. I believe that that was home to Sonic, Tails, and Amy.

I can't go to Sonic. Poor faker was so heartbroken over my decision to die before, that he'd probably be too devastated to even accept the fact that I'm still alive. Hmm, that takes out Tails too. Rouge might not mind me staying with her, but I don't know where she lives and I need help now. I have no time to search for addresses. Knuckles is out of the question because his home floats and I have no way of getting up there. Furthermore it's too far out of the way. Eggman, hmm, I could go to him but.. He never did seem like the caring or understanding type to me... Wait! What about that Amy girl? Her home is close to here and she's always caring about the well being of others! Well, Sonic's at least. In addition, her house won't be too hard to find because her favorite color is pink. Everything I've seen her with is pink or red, besides her friends. Her house must be one of those colors. I'll have to go to her for help.