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The black hedgehog closed his eyes as he was falling to his end. It was okay for he has completed his only purpose left in life. Death is scary but he didn't fear, he was going home to the people that loved him now.
As those thoughts paced through his mind, someone grabbed his hand, stopping him from falling. "SHADOW! GOTCHA!" He looked up to see a blue hedgehog trying his best to hold him still. Sonic... Shadow pitied him for trying to save everyone. You can't save everyone. He learned that many years ago.
"Sonic, you have to let me go." Sonic's eyes widened at the sentence, he was horrified. "No. I'm not losing a friend!" Shadow pitied him. "My purpose is done, let me go. Set me free, Sonic." The blue hedgehog felt his grip weaken. "I need to pull you up." Shadow protests. "Come on, you idiot. Save yourself. Save the people that love and cherish you. Leave me behind, I won't get mad or upset." Sonic feels tears well up on his eyes "There's still hope left for you- You have a life in front of you... You don't have to die! Come on Shadow, let me help you."
Shadow looks at Sonic one last time "Make sure everyone on the ARK gets back safely... Goodbye, Sonic the Hedgehog..." With that, Shadow let's go of Sonic's hand, who screams after him with terror.
Shadow doesn't have regrets, he has fulfilled his life and his promise. He sees Sonic look at him one more time and get back on the ARK. He smiles to himself, closing his eyes for one last time in his life. "Maria... This is what you would've wanted, right? I'm keeping my promise at last. I'm coming home, Maria..."
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As Sonic lands on the ARK, Rouge runs at him with Tails and Knuckles not too far behind. The ARK scientists surrounded him waiting for answers. Rouge holds his hands. "Where's Shadow? Is he safe? Please tell me you saved him..." Sonic swallows a lump in his throat. How is he supposed to tell her he failed..?
He feels Tails hug his arm. "Are you okay Sonic? You look pale." Sonic couldn't hold it in anymore. He failed. He failed as a hero, a friend and a brother. He breaks down sobbing, everyone shocked at the sudden emotional burst. Tails gasps and hugs him, trying to calm his brother down. "Hey... It's okay Soni-" "NO IT'S NOT!" He screams between sobs "It's not- It's not... I failed as a hero and as a friend. I couldn't save him... I couldn't..."
Rouge felt her world shatter at that instance. Her friend, hell maybe best friend... He was dead. He was gone. He sacrificed himself for everyone here. It wasn't fair. Without thinking, she found herself pulling Sonic up. "YOU. YOU DIDN'T TRY DID YOU." Everyone was speechless, Sonic accepting the bitter words with silence. "YOU COULD'VE SAVED HIM LIKE YOU SAVED EVERYONE ELSE. YOU COULD'VE BUT YOU CHOOSE TO LET HIM DIE."
The failed hero accepts every insult from the angry bat. She had every right. She deserved to be angry. He deserved the anger. "You're right. I should've tried harder..." He whispers, making Rouge stop for a split second. She puts him down and Tails again rushes to hug his older brother. "Don't be too harsh on yourself Sonic... I'm sure he forgave you..." Sonic hugged Tails back. "I don't want forgiveness, I just need a second chance to save him..."
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With concerned looks from everyone, Sonic gets up after letting out his left sorrow. "Come on everyone. I made a promise to make sure you guys are safe. Let's keep that promise..."