Archive of Our Own

The world used to fit together like a puzzle that makes a beautiful image when all is said and done, that’s how Sonic sees the world a never ending adventure with different places to discover and each piece has its own food, scenery, music, and so much more that forms its own thing that no other places from different parts of the world could replace.

But like every finished puzzle, there's always some asshole that slams the puzzle onto the floor making it break into pieces destroying all that was good, and the puzzle in question is the entire earth.

And this time he’s part of the blame for why the world is the way it is, at least that’s what Sonic tells himself he knows if he told Tails or Amy how he feels on the subject, the two would deny it saying something along the lines of. “That wasn’t your fault, how were you supposed to know Eggman had a trap for Super Sonic?”

Sonic couldn’t help but think otherwise, he’s been battling against Eggman since he was eight, he knows what Eggman is capable of it should have clicked in his brain that something was going on instead of quipping.

Now he’s stuck with this new body that consumed him when the sun goes down, the world around him was nothing but busy noise at the moment as Sonic stared at his now large hands and sharp nails, and used his tongue to feel the sharp edges of his teeth this new form was nothing but a reminder of his failure.

Sonic’s came back to reality when a chocolate bar was waved under his nose. “Want some chocolate?” Chip asked while giving a sheepish smile.

“No thanks.” Sonic said, pushing the bar back to Chip.

“Chocolate helps me forget my problems.” He tried to persuade. “Then again I don’t remember any of my problems, so I don't actually have any."

“Not remembering your problems is still a problem.” Sonic said with a small smile forming on his face, it's impossible to keep a frown on his face when he's around Chip’s upbeat personality.

“Oh yeah!” Chip beamed, then opened the chocolate bar and put it near Sonic’s mouth to tempt him into taking a bite. “So what's your problem?”

“What?” Sonic asked.

“You look way meaner than usual when you look like that, you're mostly all like,” Chip mimicked Sonic's mellow attitude, by laying against a nearby wall with his legs crossed and arms behind his head. “And now you're all like.” Chip glared at his hand while growling at like a rabid dog.

Sonic let out a sigh while ignoring the pleading eyes Chip was giving him, eventually he lost the battle begrudgingly taking the candy and eating it, which made Chip extremely happy.

“This whole thing is a mess, if I had been more observant none of this would have happened.

Chip didn't need time to think about a response, it came naturally as breathing air. “Are you going to fix it?”

“Of course I am, it's what It's what I do best.”

“Then we should get going, there's no point in moping around.” Chip held Sonic by his index finger, dragging him forward to where one of the temples were told to be by the residents.

Sonic followed with no complaints while silently admiring Chip’s personality, he has such a positive outlook on things it could rival Cream's Sonic wasn't sure if it was because of his memory loss or he's just always been like that, but Sonic appreciates either way.

Throughout their journey around the world the one thing that was constant besides Chip's endless hunger, was his curiosity for everything around him. He asked Sonic millions of questions in every continent they went to, the questions started out simple at first.

“Hey Sonic what’s that?” Chip pointed up at the night sky as a speck of gold flew across the sky.

“That’s a shooting star, if you make a wish it might come true.” Sonic answers.

Chip’s eyes lit up at the explanation. “Ooh ok! I wish me and you-” Sonic swiftly covered Chip’s mouth

“If you tell someone your wish, it won't come true.” Sonic wasn’t sure if that last part was true but last time he spoke about his wish, poor Cream burst out crying out of sadness that Sonic’s wish wouldn’t come true, so better safe than sorry.

Chip nodded then closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them again.

Sonic’s favorite question would have to have been when Chip asked what cotton candy tasted like, realizing he had the perfect opportunity to do the same prank he pulled on Knuckles and Marine, he bought a cone of cotton candy then pulled off a piece and dropped it in Chip’s hands.

Before Chip could swallow the candy whole, Sonic stopped him dead in his tracks. “Chip stop! You have to clean the candy first since it’s really dirty.” Sonic said, placing a bowl of water beside Chip.

Chip looked at the bowl and candy confused. “Why would they make you pay for candy that’s dirty?”

“It’s a human thing, they'll do anything to cut corners instead of doing the job properly.” He shrugged. “If we were in a place full of mobians, the cotton candy would already be clean.” Sonic lied out of his ass, but Chip was none the wiser.

Chip emerged the candy in the water, his face when curious to panicked when the cotton candy dissolved from his hands, and turned the water into a shade of pink. “It melted! Sonic what do I do?”

Sonic immediately started to laugh uncontrollably. "It never gets old!” Sonic wheezed, as he leaned far enough in his chair to fall over but didn’t stop him from cackling, Chip flew over to the hedgehog and pulled on his ear out of frustration while Sonic was struggling to breath from how hard he was laughing, eventually Sonic did give Chip some cotton candy that didn’t get an ounce of water on it.

But somewhere down the road Chip’s questions started to get more serious.

Sonic and Chip walked around Mazuri asking people around if they know where the temple was, Chip paused when he saw a group of people all fully dressed in white one of them was singing while the others dance and played drums, what caught his attention the most was the woman in the middle of it all on her knees as her body laid on top of a coffin, she looked sad and Chip didn't want to walk away when he could possibly cheer her up.

“Hey what’s wrong, do you want some chocolate?” Chip asked flying up to the woman, she wiped the tears out of her eyes while tilting her head at him.

“Chip!” He could hear Sonic’s faint voice over the loud drums, in a flash Sonic appeared to pull Chip away from her. “Samahani kwa rafiki yangu, na rambirambi zangu za dhati.” Sonic said as he bowed his head, the woman gave Sonic a weak smile while giving him a nod of appreciation.

Sonic walked away to let her mourn, with Chip following behind rather confused. “Wait Sonic, what’s wrong with her?”

“She lost someone important in her life.”

“How about we look for her special someone, I bet she'll be happy again if we find them.” Chip said innocently.

“She knows where they are.” Sonic pointed towards the coffin, before it was completely out of their eyesight. “She's sad because they're dead.”

“Dead?” Chip questions tilting his head.

Sonic was quiet for a moment trying to find the right words to explain, he never had to tell someone what death was not even to Tails who was way younger than him, Tails was already accustomed to how cruel and unfair the world was by the time they first met.

“It means that someone is gone and they can’t come back, they can’t talk or move around, they're just still because they're not alive anymore.” Sonic explained.

“Oh…” Is the only response from Chip, Sonic started to regret his answer noticing his friend's dampened mood, he was about to ask Chip if he wanted to get some food to lighten the mood but Chip spoke before he could. “How can we live forever?”

“It doesn't work like that, everybody has to go someday.” Sonic said even though there were some exceptions, Shadow is immortal but he doubts Chip was also made in a lab to stand the test of time.

“There has to be a way, you told me about your adventures with those magical gems and you told me you went into a storybook, if those things can happen then anything can!” Chip insisted, he couldn’t pinpoint why he’s so concerned not for his own lifespan but Sonic’s, there's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that made him feel dread for Sonic, his mind felt like a locked treasure chest that had something important inside thrashing around trying to get out.

“How can we live forever?” He asked again.

“I don’t know.” Sonic answered, with a guilty look on his face that he couldn’t give another answer other than that. “Every life has an end, which is why me and you have to live our lives to the fullest in the time we have.”

Chip let Sonic’s words hang in the air for a moment before slowly nodding. “Ok, then I want to have more adventures with you after this one, until our time is up.”

Sonic smiled and gave Chip a thumbs up. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way buddy.”

Chip’s next question happened in Spagonia, the two walked to Professor Pickle’s lab they passed by a man yelling at everyone passing by to give their souls to their lord of burn for eternity, while Sonic rolled his eyes and kept walking Chip froze a bit he doesn't know what hell is, but the man’s deep voice imitated him enough to be on edge.

“Don’t listen to him Chip, he’s just trying to scare you.” Sonic said gently, Chip nodded and flew beside Sonic though he couldn’t stop thinking about what the man yelled about, hell sounded scary but on the other hand heaven sounded like the complete opposite.

Chip let his own thoughts of what heaven could look like in his head, before turning to his friend before turning to his friend for answers. “Sonic, where can I find a Heaven?” He asked.

Sonic believed in gods, how could he not when he battles them and is on his way to fight another one, but Sonic would never say he’s a religious man there were too many rules that went against his lifestyle to be free as the wind, too many people hiding behind whatever god they worshiped to hurt people they see as lesser, but that didn’t mean he doesn't know the basics at least.

“I don’t know.” Sonic shrugged. “It's a place some folks think good people go after they die nobody knows if it's real or not though, it's just one of the many conspiracies people have about the afterlife.”

“There's more places?” Chip gasped as he shaked Sonic’s arm begging him to tell him more, Sonic told him about how some people thought they would reincarnate into a new person or animal, how others thought there would be nothing, Chip stayed enthralled from beginning to end soaking up everything he said.

“Where do you think you'll go?” Chip asked, once again not worrying about his future in the slightest.

“Don’t know, and don’t care, the only place that matters to me is where I am now.” Sonic smirked, it was a good enough answer for Chip as he beamed at Sonic.

Days and nights passed with the two bringing power into most of the chaos emeralds, till one temple's walls glowed and sucked Chip in.

“Chip!” Sonic yelled as his brain went into overdrive trying to figure out a way to get Chip out, before Sonic could do something drastic the walls glowed once again as Chip flew out with a conflicted look on his face.

He told Sonic everything about who he was and what he’s meant to do now, Sonic wasn't sure what to say, finding out your friend is an immortal being who’s destined to stay in the earth’s core for many years to be a foil for Dark Gaia is a lot to say the least.

Chip didn’t know what to think one hand when he got his memories back it felt right like second nature, on the other hand he didn’t want to go back into the core of the earth now that he’s experienced all that the world has to offer he didn’t want to go back to sleeping for so many years.

He wanted to stay with Sonic and go on even more adventures with him, eat more food, and meet more friends. His mind thought of ways to keep things how they were now, maybe he could bestow the power onto someone else then again how would he even go about that?”

“Sonic.” He called out, getting the hedgehog's attention. “I don’t want to be the Light Gaia, I don’t want to live forever, I want to stay with you there has to be a way to do that right?”

Any hope Chip had that Sonic had a solution died when he gave him a sorrowful gaze. “Chip it would be awesome to have you by my side, but you're too important to the world without you Dark Gaia would make everyone miserable, every yin needs its yang.”

Weirdly enough that made him slightly better about going back into the core, sure we would prefer to live a good life on earth just like everyone around him, but if going back meant Sonic and his friends would be able to live peacefully then it would be worth it.

There was still one thing that Chip couldn't get a clear consensus on Sonic’s mortality, when Chip wakes up again he wants to see Sonic but could Sonic even live that long? The thought of his first adventure with Sonic also being the last made his stomach turn.

“Sonic, will I ever see you again?” He asked, as his hands began to shake slightly. “What is going to happen?”

The silence dragged out for a long time as Sonic thought of what to say, he didn’t want to give Chip another I don't know answer. Sonic didn’t know what the future had in store for him, yet he always demolished all odds stacked against him and he's sure living long enough to see Chip again would be no different.

“Chip no matter what happens while you're gone, I'll do everything in my power to see you again, even if that means I'll become a senile old man by then.” Sonic smiled.

“But what if it's not enough? What if something happens and-”

“We're in the middle of putting the world back together, anything is possible and making impossibility into reality is what I'm good at.“ Sonic quickly cut him off.

“You promise?”

“On my life.” He promised while holding his fist out. “It's a power bump, it means an unbreakable promise.”

“What happens if you break the promise?”

“I don’t know, because I never break my promises.” Sonic smirked, which got Chip to lighten up believing every word that came out of the hedgehog's mouth.

“Power bump!” Chip cheered, connecting his tiny fist against Sonic’s, Chip couldn't wait to do this all over again with his best friend.

After all of the emerald restoring and a battle against a God it was time to say goodbye, it couldn't be one of those slow one's like in the movies Chip was too vital to the earth for that to happen, all that was left was Chip's bracelet and his reassuring words speaking in Sonic’s mind one last time before he was gone completely.

“I'll see you soon buddy.” Sonic whispered to the bracelet, as he ran into the horizon alongside Tails in the Tornado.

Years went on but it never dwells on the determination Sonic had to keep the promise, it sounds impossible living for another ten thousand years but he's Sonic The Hedgehog for crying out loud, if anyone can beat unattainable odds it would be him.

He had started to take more initiative in taking care of his body, less being reckless during a mission rushing head first into danger, but that strategy didn't always follow through, old habits die hard.

Unfortunately life doesn't bend to the will of what someone desires most, you can plan things out as much as you want but life will always find a cruel way to turn everything on its head, the same can be said for death.

You may think you won't die today or tomorrow, because you're still too young and strong to die anytime soon.

But the unfortunate truth is you'll never know when it's your time to go, until you're laying on the floor bleeding out.

.✦ ݁˖

It was supposed to be a simple mission, get the chaos emerald before any enemies did.

Short.

Sweet.

And simple.

That's how it was supposed to go.

Sonic and Shadow raced through Ice Paradise while following the green emerald in Shadow’s hand, as it glowed brighter the further they ran.

“Slow down damn it!” Shadow shouted over the wind that was rapidly hitting his face.

Sonic didn’t slow down for a second all he did was turn around to face Shadow, giving him a cocky smirk as he began to run backwards. “What’s wrong Shads? Don't tell me you're getting tired!”

Shadow didn't answer, only huffing out. “Hmph.” Before speeding up to where Sonic was. “If you start taking this seriously, I won't have to use you as a meat shield later.”

Sonic burst out laughing knowing Shadow wouldn't really do that, not anymore at least Shadow when they first met and when he was running around with amnesia? Oh yeah he's doing that with no hesitation, but nowadays their rivalry has gone through the same stages he and Knuckles experienced a long time ago, with the rivalry dying down and replacing itself as an unbreakable bond that neither of them could put a definition on.

“Who says we can’t have a little bit of fun while we reach our destination?” Sonic playfully stuck his tongue out at Shadow, and held up his hand in the shape of an L on his forehead.

“Turn around before yo-” Shadow wasn’t able to get his warning out as the snow covered trail ended and started an ice road, Sonic slipped on the ice and fell face first.

“I guess you are right, some fun every now and then isn’t a bad thing.” Shadow said, standing over Sonic with a faint smile, while Sonic gave him an unamused stare.

The emerald began to shine brighter in Shadow’s hand, it led them to a glacier that had the white emerald frozen inside the two silently glanced at each other and nodded, then simultaneously curled up into a ball letting their quills cut into the ice until the chaos emerald was free.

Sonic held up the emerald in the air with a trumpet smile. “Another win for Team Sonic!”

A blue beam hit Sonic’s wrist making the gem fly out of Sonic’s hand, it’s difficult to say exactly where it landed the emerald blended within the snow on the ground and the drops that started to fall from the sky.

Metal Sonic flew down with his imitating red eyes locked on the two clearly looking for a fight. “You get the emerald, I'll hold him back for as long as I can.” Sonic instructed, Shadow nodded and ran in the emerald's direction.

Sonic didn’t bother to give a snarky quip as he charged at Metal Sonic with a punch, Sonic’s fast fighting style evolved over the years and as a result so did Metal Sonic’s with both of them throwing blows as the other blocked with ease, eventually Sonic was able to get the upper hand by kicking Metal from the back of his head, causing him to collide into a glacier hard enough for his eyes to start glitching a few times before going out completely.

While Metal was down Sonic glanced back to see how Shadow was doing, he smirked seeing Shadow was coming his way with both chaos emeralds in his hands.

Sonic fully turned towards Shadow as he got ready to run to Shadow and meet him halfway. ‘Yes! Now we can chaos control out of here.’ Sonic grins, he was getting tired of seeing nothing but snow. (He also didn't want to slip on ice in front of Shadow again)

“Sonic behind you!” Shadow shouted as he charged up a chaos blast, but it was already too late.

A sharp pain sliced through Sonic as the sounds around him were replaced with a loud ringing noise, for the first time in a long time Sonic wasn't able to understand the world around him.

Why was Shadow giving him a look of pure terror? He's never seen that emotion on his face, even in their darkest moments.

Why did Shadow call his name in a desperate tone that ripped through the ringing in his ears?

Sonic's eyes trailed down to see Metal Sonic fist had pierced through his stomach, his body could feel the disgusting way Metal's hand was pulling out of his body, he felt his body fall backwards and hit the ground hard. He was too weak to move, all he could do was watch the blue sky as snow landed on his face.

Shadow's body froze as Sonic’s body fell, his mind burned the image of Sonic and Maria clinging onto the last ounce of life they had left, as their bodies hit the floor with the blood from their wound painting the floor together until he couldn’t distinguish the two.

‘Not again!’ Shadow’s thoughts boomed at him, he threw an array of chaos spears at Metal Sonic then ripped his scarf off as he knelt beside Sonic, and pressed the fabric against his wound to slow down the bleeding.

“Sh-Shadow-” Sonic croaked.

“Shut up.” Shadow cut him off with a hiss knowing talking would only make him weaker, not to mention the familiar gentle voice that spoke his name in the same frail way as Sonic did echoing in his mind.

‘Shadow I beg of you, give them a chance to be happy.’

‘No, snap out of it!’ Shadow scolded himself, Sonic won’t last long if he lets the past and present make him act like a deer in headlights.

Shadow balled up his fist expecting to feel an emerald in his palm, readying himself to chaos control him and Sonic to restoration.

But he felt nothing in his hand.

He could feel his heart drop.

He had been so focused on the blood and how to slow it down, focused on the way Sonic and Maria's bodies blurred together in his mind that he hadn’t realized both emeralds slipped from his hands from the shock, he didn’t process that his hands abandoned the chaos emeralds to undo his scarf until it was too late.

The chaos emeralds are gone.

And so was Metal Sonic.

Shadow didn't have time to curse himself for such a stupid mistake not yet, he picked up Sonic and ran as fast as he could to restoration, even if both hedgehogs knew deep down Sonic would bleed out before they could make it half way.

Shadow knows he’s destined to live longer than all of his friends he came to terms with that a long time ago, sometimes when he’s alone the pessimistic part of him couldn't help but think of ways in which everyone would die, in his mind if he could predict their deaths it wouldn’t hurt as much when it happened.

Maybe Rouge would die during a G.U.N mission or in a jewel heist gone wrong, Knuckles and Blaze would probably die defending their homes, Shadow always imagined Sonic dying with a smile on his face as he ran into danger, sacrificing himself for everyone else without a single trace of fear on his face.

He would have never predicted that Sonic’s last moments would have tears fall from his eyes with fear written all over his face, as his voice became more hoarse than before trying to push words out of his mouth.

“I promised Chip I would be there when he came back, I can’t break that promise.” Sonic weeps, the reality that he was leaving this world behind without ever fulfilling the power bump he made with Chip made him feel awful, he couldn’t go now, not when he knew his friend was patiently waiting to see him again.

“I know.” Shadow said not knowing what to say, he had told Sonic decades ago that he was a fool for making such an impossible promise, back then Sonic brushed off his claim saying. “A promise is a promise, and I'm going to keep it.“

Shadow gripped Sonic tighter as he pushed his body to move faster while listening to Sonic’s whimpers, he couldn’t tell if they were out of pain or from him crying, maybe it was a mix of both.

Taking his eyes off of what is in front of him to look at Sonic, Shadow could see the way the light in his eyes started to fade as Sonic’s bright green eyes began to become dull. “Chip, I’m so sorry.” Sonic weakly spoke to the sky, as if he knew the light Gaia would hear him.

Shadow didn’t want Sonic to pass on with a troubled mind, if there was anyone who could fulfill an everlasting task like that it’s him. “I'll help him,” Shadow spoke abruptly. “I'll be there when he emerges from the earth.”

A hint of surprise spread on Sonic’s face, before he could utter anything Shadow cut him off. “I'll watch over your brother and your friends until their last breaths, just..” His next words died in his throat.

“You promise?” Sonic asked weakly.

“On my life.” Shadow nodded.

Shadow had made his way out of the snowstorm but he didn’t continue his path to restoration, the inevitable was going to happen whether he liked it or not. He wanted to make sure the last sight Sonic sees is a beautiful one of the nature he gave his life to protect, he ran all the way to Greenhill a place the two had raced in millions of times to the point both of them had lost count of the win ratio, nowadays they did it mostly for fun.

He laid Sonic in a nearby bed of his favorite flowers, those yellow spiky flowers used to cause a lighthearted argument between them on who’s favorite flowers were better, back then Shadow would scoff at the memories of those childish arguments, but now it was replaced with a painful feeling in his chest. “You've done so much for this world you can rest now, I'll take care of everything else.” Shadow whispered, gripping Sonic’s hand while using his other hand to wipe the last bit of tears on Sonic’s face.

Sonic held Shadow’s hand tightly with the last ounce of strength he had left, while giving him the brightest smile he could muster. “Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

Shadow watched the light in Sonic’s eyes turn hollow and the grip on his hand wilt, that didn’t stop Shadow from keeping his hold on Sonic’s hand as he closed Sonic’s eyelids. He lost track of how much time he sat there gazing at Sonic’s peaceful face while also glancing at his communicator that was on Tails contact, his thumb hovered over the call button not knowing how to break the news to the blue blur’s brother or anyone else for that matter.

.✦ ݁˖

There were a lot of tears more than Shadow’s introverted personality could handle, but he powered through it he became a shoulder for Amy to cry on, he helped Tails during his lowest and guided him the best he could when his desire to avenge Sonic clouded his judgment on things, he visited Knuckles on Angel Island even though they barely said anything to each other the silence said more than words ever could.

His promise extended to people he never spoke to like Mighty and Ray, yes it was awkward at first, but he gave his word to Sonic that he would watch over everyone he cares about and that includes childhood friends.

Time passed on and the people around him grew old and died, he watched Cream grow up to be a kind hearted woman and he watched her grow gray hairs, he witnessed Tails become an amazing hero just like his brother Shadow saw him go out like one too. He remembered Knuckles and Rouge’s wedding, Sonic was the best man while he was the best woman. (Shadow never understood how he got that position, but it was Rouge’s special day so he wasn't about to question it) And he was the one to bury the couple side by side on Angel Island.

The only person he had left was Omega but even his days were numbered, as the world's technology started to grow more advanced Omega’s parts became old, rusted, and hard to find duplicates for.

As time moved on Shadow tried to as well but he missed how things were before, he barely communicated with anyone unless absolutely necessary and that carries on to Shadow's current moment, sitting under a statue dedicated to Sonic in the outskirts of Apotos while watching the moon lower itself.

The time of awakening was about to begin, Shadow gazed up to Sonic’s statue focusing on the stone's smile he rolled his eyes, he could practically hear Sonic’s voice in the back of his mind telling him a small trip around the world with someone will do him some good, instead of isolating himself from everyone.

“Shut up.” Shadow scoffed. “I’m doing what you couldn’t do, the least you can do is not be annoying while I’m at it Faker.” He said trying to look annoyed, but Shadow wasn’t able to hide the smile that formed on his face, he missed those kinds of talks between him and Sonic.

The ground began to shake as the sun rose up from the mountains Shadow wasn't startled by it at all, the only thing he did was softly pat the stone that had Sonic’s birth and death date on it. ‘I’m fulfilling my last and everlasting promise to you, Sonic.’

When the earth stopped rumbling a tiny body faded into existence laying unconscious on the floor exactly where Sonic said he found Chip last time, Shadow gently shook the Light Gaia until he stirred awake.

Chip groaned as he tried to shake off his blurry vision till he saw a familiar muzzle and black nose, which was enough to give him a burst of joy as he hugged Shadow. “Sonic you're really here!”

“I’m not Sonic.” Shadow said slightly annoyed, even in the present day people still mistook him for Sonic to the point that some mobians think that Sonic faked his death and is saving the world in hiding to this day.

“Oh sorry, I thought you were someone else.” Chip apologized, as he pulled away from Shadow.

“I know, Sonic told me all about you.”

Chip’s eyes widen at the mention of Sonic. “You know him? Where is-”

“Sonic is dead.” Shadow cut him off, but he was mentally kicking himself when he saw Chip’s heartbroken expression. It definitely wasn’t the best way to rip the bandaid off, but he didn’t want to lead the chihuahua into thinking his friend was still alive.

He watched Chip’s expressions go from shocked, to sadness, then denial. “No, Sonic said…he promised.”

“He tried his hardest to live long enough see you again, but life isn’t fair to the kindhearted.” Shadow said solemnly, Chip's eyes hardened ready to argue but stopped mid way seeing the statue behind Shadow, he slowly flew up to it and dragged his fingers against the stone and the plaints that tangled around the statue, eventually his eyes landed on a smaller stone that had words on it.

He fought for our freedom when no one else would.

He inspired millions to fight for their own freedom, to fight for what’s right.

Rest in peace Sonic The Hedgehog.

May your name and legacy live on for centuries to come.

And may you continue to inspire more people to fight for their freedom.

Chip’s eyes began to blur with tears as his mind flooded with the memories he and Sonic shared, it’s not fair all he wanted was another adventure with Sonic was that too much to ask for? He’s a freaking deity, yet he couldn’t have something so simple.

He just wants to see him, hug him, sit on his spikey head, eat food with him, Chip would take waving from a distance in a heartbeat if it meant he could see his ocean blue quills and radiant smile that’s been engraved into his brain while sleeping for all those years.

Shadow took Chip and placed him on his shoulder like a baby being patted on its back, he stood there letting Chip cry on him until he couldn’t produce tears anymore. Communication wasn’t Shadow’s strongest point, but after each death of his friends he’s gotten good at comforting others when it comes to grief.

“Thank you.” Chip croaked as he wiped away the last of his tears, Shadow gave him a nod in response.

Chip stared at the statue once more, Sonic looked older and more rugged with his quills and fur sticking out rather than the clean and slick back look he had when they met. “How did he…” Chip asked not wanting to finish the sentence, fortunately Shadow understood.

“We were fighting someone for a chaos emerald, the enemy gave him an injury he couldn’t come back from.” Shadow explained. “I made him a promise to help you put the world back together.” It wasn’t an ask to come along, more like a subtle I will accompany you and you're gonna like it Chip picked up on it instantly.

“We can go whenever you're ready.” Shadow added.

Chip nodded, going back to looking at the statue. He wonders where Sonic was now, was he heaven or reincarnated to repeat their cycle of life, Sonic could be a ghost standing beside him and he would have no way of knowing, maybe there was nothing and Sonic was gone simple as that.

“I hope you're happy wherever you are Sonic.” Chip whispered, pressing his forehead against the stone. “Goodbye.” He then flies back to Shadow ready to start their journey, Chip is grateful he won’t be alone but he couldn't help to wish Sonic was walking beside him instead of someone he hardly knows.

.✦ ݁˖

Chip was depressed it was clear as day to Shadow, his personality is the complete opposite of what Sonic described him as all those decades ago.

He barely talked unless Shadow started the conversation, he never ate anything didn’t even perk up at the sight of candy, Chip always looked like he wanted to go back to the core of the earth, he looked heartbroken like everything around him hurt to see. Shadow knows more than anyone that depression doesn't go away easy, but that won’t stop him from trying to make Chip a little bit better while he was here.

Shadow offered Chip a cone of cotton candy, the Light Gaia swiftly shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”

“I know you're hurting, Sonic told me how much you loved the scenery, the food, and the people, you rarely get to experience this and I know Sonic would want you to do it to the fullest, even if he can’t be with you anymore.

There was a bit of hesitation in Chip’s eyes before he took a bite, his eyes dilated for a moment as his body started to shake. “It still tastes good.

“I miss him…” Chip croaked. “So much.”

“I do too.”

Chip looked up at Shadow tilting his head. “Shadow if you're friends with Sonic, then how are you still alive?” Chip asked.

“I’m immortal.” He answered.

“You're just like me.” Chip gasp.

Shadow nodded. “I understand how you feel, losing someone close to you wanting to say and do more with them, but you can’t and probably won't ever will, you're forever stuck in a body that refuses die.”

“How many people did you lose?” Chip asked.

Shadow's mind swirled through the faces of his friends, Maria, Sonic, Rouge and Molly. “Too many to count.” Shadow answered, clenching his fist.

Before Chip could apologize for asking an insensitive question, Shadow spoke again. “I had a sister named Maria she did nothing wrong and the world punished her for it, but the people we lost aren't gone forever they are in the things they cared about while alive, Maria loved the stars and earth every time I see either it feels like she's still with me.”

Chip tried to put the same logic onto Sonic but he couldn’t narrow it down to a few things, Sonic likes just about everything besides oppression and strawberry shortcake. “What do you think Sonic is?”

“He’s the grass you're sitting on, the sunlight that gives you warmth, and the flowers that bloom around you, Sonic is the nature that he fought everyday to protect.” Shadow answered, plucking a sunflower from ground and twirled the stem around his fingers.

Chip ran his fingers through the grass and dirt as the wind brushed against his burgundy fur, he thought back to the way Sonic would always lay down under the sun like a cat, or the way he would stop running for a short moment to enjoy the view of the nature around him, Chip wasn't sure if Sonic like falling on the ground face first but he does it a lot.

It makes so much sense to Chip now, Sonic loves nature and the way nature wrapped its vines that had blooming flowers on them around Sonic's statue, making the sculpture look even more elegant than it already did shows that nature loves him just as much.

Shadow pulled out Chip’s bracelet from his jacket. “Take this back, it has no need to be here anymore.”

Chip pushed the bracelet back towards Shadow. “You should keep it, that way whenever you're lonely you'll remember that you're not alone, you know someone who has the same problems as you.”

Shadow didn't respond as he put the bracelet back in his pocket, he figured Chip would change his mind somewhere down the road.

After that the two became more closer and comfortable with each other, they would frequently swap stories about their loved ones. Chip would talk about the time when he and Sonic went into a haunted house, or when he got stuck in a vending machine and Sonic had destroyed the entire thing just to get him out.

Shadow would mostly talk about his time with Maria on the ark, how she would sneak him out of the lab when he's about to get tested on then hide the both of them in spaces in the ark only they knew existed, he would tell Chip the way Maria could stare at the earth for hours without becoming bored, as she thought of what she would do first when she goes down to earth, Shadow even bought a guitar from a nearby store to show Chip the kind of music Maria used to play for him.

It was a breath of fresh air for the both of them, to talk with someone after so many years of isolation.

Even after Shadow found someone with the same problems and struggled with immortality as him the universe hated to see him have some kind of good given to him, Chip couldn't stay with him forever he had to go back to the core of the earth, leaving Shadow alone once again.

Once Dark Gaia was defeated Shadow was sent back to where it all began on Apotos, he saw Chip’s body laying the same way he found him before it disappeared.

The bracelet in his jacket pocket began to glow brightly. ‘I'll be here by you always, a part of the earth you tread.’ Chip’s voice rang through Shadow's mind, as he looked at the bracelet in his hand.

“I'll see you later.” He whispered to the bracelet, before slipping it on his arm.

Shadow couldn't see nor feel it but Sonic and Maria stood by his side as ghosts, whispering words he would never be able to hear.

“Thanks Shadow, I knew I could count on you.” Sonic beamed, putting a hand on Shadow’s shoulder but his hand went straight through Shadow's body.

“I'm so proud of you.” Maria whispered as she stood in front of Shadow, his eyes saw straight through her as he walked past her to roam the earth alone once again.

“He'll be okay.” Sonic comforted, as he held Maria's hand. “Chip might be what helps him open up to people again, and if not at least he knows he’s not alone.”

Maria gripped Sonic’s hand as a silent thank you, then looked down at the hedgehog who was staring at where Chip was last before disappearing. “You did all that you could.” She said, while crouching down to Sonic’s eyesight. “Even if he won't see you again, he knows you love him.”

“They both have each other now, they know they're not alone anymore.” She finished, while watching Shadow’s figure become smaller the further he walked away.

“Yeah, You got a point.”

“Of course I do, I can’t remember a time where I was wrong.” She smirked.

“Year forty-twenty six, Labyrinth Zone you said-” Maria cut him off by throwing her hands over his mouth, Sonic licked her hand making Maria pull her hands back.

“Ew, you're disgusting!” Maria yelled trying to sound offended, but she couldn't contain her laughter, Sonic and Maria had many decades to bond in the afterlife from watching over Shadow and hanging out in different places around the world, somewhere down the line they grew a sibling relationship.

“Oh my Gaia, I just remembered something.” Sonic gasp.

“How does licking my hand remind you of anything?”

“Have I ever taken you to Night Carnival?” He asked, completely ignoring her question.

“I can’t remember anything called that, is it as pretty as it sounds?” She asked with stars in her eyes, Sonic nodded which made her even more excited.

“Let's go now!” Maria shouts as she jumps on Sonic’s back for a free piggy back ride. “Mush hedgehog, more adventures for the blue buddies await!” She said, while moving Sonic’s ears around as if they were a controller that would make him move.

“I told you to change our duo name, it makes us sound like dorks.” Sonic groaned, as he started to run.

“That’s because we are.” Maria laughed.

“We? Who's we, you talking about Nintendo Wii?"

Before Maria could come up with a retort, her attention went onto Shadow who they were about to pass by. “Bye Shadow we'll be back soon!”

During the whole run Maria egged Sonic to run faster to which he obliged, Sonic’s speed and Maria's cheers filled the air even if the living couldn't hear them.

The world is back to normal with everything going back to the way it used to be, but even if their loved ones are on another plane of existence from them and they will never get the chance to reunite with each other in, their love and care for each other will never fade away, no matter how far apart they will forever be.