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[All I hear are screams, every time I dare to close my eyes
I no longer dream, only nightmares of those who've died
Nothing's what it seems
Nothing's what it seems
And here in the Underworld, the past seems close behind
This land confuses your mind]
We see Shadow floating in darkness. He seems to be fighting to focus himself against an onslaught of broken memories. He covers his ears as the screams from his past mistakes echo around him. So many people, now dead as a result of his carelessness.
[When does a man become a monster?
Five hundred fifty-eight men who died under your command
Captain! Captain! Captain! Captain!
Why would you let the cyclops live
When ruthlessness is mercy?]
An image of Eggman laughing appears in the background as Shadow himself screams. He blasts the memory of Eggman with a chaos spear, putting him back in the empty darkness around him. He caused all of this because he didn’t end Eggman when he had the chance. This is his fault.
[All I hear are screams, every time I dare to close my eyes
I no longer dream, only nightmares of those who've died
Nothing's what it seems
Nothing's what it seems
But in the Underworld, the past seems close behind
I keep thinking of the infant from that night
I keep thinking of the infant from that night]
Shadow sings to himself as the darkness seems to close in on him. A memory of a young silver floats in view, the boy's happy smiling face seems to scare Shadow. How can he protect Silver? The darkness seems to nearly swallow him completely when a sudden blue light appears, bathing him in almost cool warmth. Like the sun in winter.
[This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms]
Before him stands Sonic, looking as smiling and as confident as he did in life. He looks as he did the day he met him all those years ago.
[Polites]
“Sonic,” He reaches for him but doesn’t seem to ever get within range to grab him.
[Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart
No matter the place, we can light up the world
Here's how to start:
Greet the world with open arms
Greet the world with open arms]
As Sonic finishes singing he flashes shadow his signature grin and gives him a thumbs up before disappearing completely.
[Polites]
He calls out Sonic's name, near tears already at the memory of his friend now truly gone again. That is until a new voice sounds out behind him.
[Waiting
That voice, it can't be
Waiting
Mom?]
Shadow turns to see a yellow light shining brightly behind him, Maria standing within it. She looks healthy and so so happy to see him. Happy tears stream down her face as she and him look at each other. Shadow is stock still, terrified to move and have her disappear completely like Sonic had.
[Waiting
Odysseus, when you come home I'll be waiting
Even if you're the last thing I see, I'll be waiting
I'm right here, mom (Waiting)
Can't you see? I'm
Waiting]
He finally takes a step towards her, his own tears slipping from his eyes as he reaches out. With each step he gets closer, but never close enough to touch her.
[I took too long
I'll always love you
And ventured too far
I'll stay in your heart
While you were
Waiting, waiting, waiting]
Memories of him being unable to save her flash through his mind but before those can destroy him completely the memories of why he’s here, and the promise he made to her take over, filling him with resolve to push forward. As they finish she vanishes, taking her light and smile with her. Shadow looks at his feet and sobs quietly to himself. He can do this, even if it fully destroys him, he can save the world. Somehow.
[Bye mom]
“Goodbye Maria.”