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ladybug_archiveThis is a random "episode guide" for my possible unofficial season 4 of Sonic X: Commentary on if things are IC would be greatly appreciated! Some things happen out of sequence compared to how they happened in Shadow's game. Mostly that's on purpose. This is based on the game Shadow the Hedgehog, but is not a strict adaption.
EDIT: I'm altering this to have the original ending I'd planned. Plus, I'm removing most of the references to Mighty, just in case I decide he is alive after all. XD;
1. Right Back Where We Came. Chris makes an explosive re-entry into his own world and is rescued by Shadow, who senses Chris is in trouble. Shadow is injured while saving Chris, and though he initially refuses to stay, Chris manages to convince him to come to the Thorndyke Manor while he recovers. During a much-needed conversation, Chris finally realizes the truth behind Shadow's cold behavior towards him and helps Shadow to acknowledge that he thinks of Chris as a friend.
2. Chris's parents are overjoyed that Chris is home, but alarmed at how he could have been killed in Eggman's ship. They welcome Shadow warmly, as does the rest of the Thorndyke household, and hope he will stay with them. Chris begins research on his world and Sonic's, believing that there is a way to safely connect them. Shadow refuses to assist, believing that tinkering with the space-time continuum will only wreak havoc. Meanwhile, a new threat waits in the wings---one that could destroy both worlds. For now they decide to quietly observe Shadow, waiting for the right time to make their first move.
3. Chris introduces Shadow to his Earth friends, and the black hedgehog takes a special interest in Helen, reminded again of Maria. She likes him too, remembering happy times in the past with Sonic. And though she can see that Shadow is not Sonic, she can also see that he is a lot better and more noble than he thinks he is. Shadow begins to regain more of his memories as he spends time with her. He further questions his existence, and exactly what he was meant to do. Chris shows him what he salvaged from Gerald Robotnik's journal before Eggman took it away, but the information only confuses Shadow further.
4. Shadow has been laying low, not wanting anyone to know that he is here. But when the new threat suddenly descends on Earth, he is forced to come out of hiding and go into battle. Then he makes another bewildering discovery---the new threat, the Black Arms, seem to know who he is. Apparently Professor Gerald made an agreement with them that the Chaos Emeralds would be delivered to them in fifty years' time, but due to Shadow's disappearance, it was delayed for seven years. Now he must decide whether to fulfill the agreement. Most of the Emeralds are still in Sonic's world. Chris pleads with Shadow not to go in with the Black Arms, reminding him of what happened when he helped Eggman get the Emeralds based around the false promises of helping Shadow remember who he is. Shadow agrees, but by contrast believes the best way to defeat the enemy may be to pretend to work with them for the time being and try to learn their motives. Chris reluctantly agrees, but fears for Shadow's safety.
5. After having to make himself known in order to fight the Black Arms, word has spread quickly of Shadow's presence on Earth. Some are not sure what to make of him, though others willingly accept him, as Chris had promised. Shadow encounters a group that insists Shadow does not have a soul because he was artificially created. Puzzled anew, Shadow tries to determine exactly what it means to have a soul and whether the group is right. This only fuels his concerns that he is nothing more than a weapon and that he will have to be destroyed eventually for the protection of all. Helen tries to comfort him, telling him that of course he has a soul---and a beautiful one---but he wonders how she could know. She tells him it's hard to explain and that it's something he will have to discover on his own. Meanwhile, seeing how beloved Shadow is to many of the people, Black Doom determines to force his hand.
6. The President wishes to meet with Shadow to extend his gratitude for everything Shadow did to save Earth in the past. He also wishes to offer Shadow a job with G.U.N. Shadow refuses, having received a brief flash of memory that G.U.N. soldiers are the ones who killed Maria. As he leaves the White House, the Black Arms launch another attack. He stops them from destroying the city by telling them that he will help them gather the Chaos Emeralds and to leave it to him. Black Doom, their leader, gives Shadow an ultimatum---bring back an Emerald within 24 hours or the city will be destroyed. Unable to give the one Emerald he has, he performs Chaos Control and goes to Sonic's world to find another. Due to his need to hurry, and his unwillingness to explain what's happening and get everyone else caught up in it, he comes across as a vicious antagonist as he tries to retrieve the Grey Emerald from Sonic.
7. During their battle over the Emerald, Sonic realizes that Shadow needs it for some important purpose, but cannot get him to explain. However, their battle is interrupted by Tails, who reports a strange disturbance in the space-time continuum. Apparently, Chris's work with the two worlds, combined with Shadow's sudden teleportation, is starting to open a bridge between the worlds. At this news Shadow grows more panicked, realizing that the Black Arms could then try to take over this world too. He takes the Grey Emerald and leaves, hoping to get it to Black Doom and close the bridge. Instead, the pathway completes and Sonic and Tails follow him through to Chris's world, much to their shock. They witness him giving the Emerald to Black Doom, who calls off the attack on Washington D.C. Trying to understand what's happening, they ask Shadow if he's working with this alien race, to which he replies in the affirmative. Unable to let them know he's a double agent, he allows them to think he has turned traitor. Unheard by them, and impressed Shadow got the Grey Emerald so quickly, Black Doom presents a second ultimatum---bring two or more Emeralds every day until he has collected them all. Each day, two new locations will be the stakes. Sickened, Shadow agrees, and is given the rest of this same day to bring the next two Emeralds and save New York City and Tokyo.
8. Sonic and Tails want to go to California to check on Chris and see if he's alright, but they're also concerned about making sure Shadow doesn't collect the Emeralds for Black Doom. At that moment, Chris makes it to Washington D.C., having heard about the attack on the news. Afraid of the Black Arms overhearing the truth, he cannot explain to Sonic and Tails what Shadow is doing either, and their reunion ends up awkward. Sonic feels that Shadow is working for Black Doom because Black Doom claims to know his past, and while Chris tries to deny this, he can't explain why. Tails worries that Chris is standing up for Shadow when perhaps he shouldn't be. At that moment, Amy calls Sonic with the news that Shadow is tearing everything apart in search of the Cyan Emerald. Sonic and Tails run back over the bridge to stop him. Torn, Chris finally chases after them, managing to set a device to camouflauge the bridge in hopes that Black Doom will not find it. What he doesn't know is that there are two bridges, the second being in California. As they cross the first bridge, they are met by Eggman.
9. Eggman is intrigued by the fact that Chris does not change ages again, and is fascinated by what Chris and Shadow have created, but he wonders whether it will remain stable. Upon hearing about Black Doom and the Black Arms, he grows very concerned. Apparently, he has heard of them from his grandfather's journal. Shadow was supposed to deliver the Chaos Emeralds to them after fifty years, and he determines, that is exactly what he is doing due to his sense of honor. Tails protests that an agreement like that should not be kept, no matter whether Shadow finds it the honorable thing to do. Chris again longs to tell the truth, but his fear for Shadow's safety makes him stay quiet. Instead they go in search of the black hedgehog, only to discover that he has taken the Cyan Emerald and is going for the Red. But in his attempt to retrieve the Red Emerald, he discovers it won't be so easy---he will have to get past Rouge, who isn't willing to give it up without knowing what's going on. In the middle of everything, Knuckles arrives on the scene, having learned things from Amy.
10. Knuckles, Shadow, and Rouge enter into a three-way battle over the Red Emerald, which Shadow easily wins. But as he collects the Emerald and prepares to leave, Rouge tells him she can see that he's gotten into something big and she wants to know what it is. If possible, she wants to help him. Debating within himself, he finally consents to partially let her into his confidence by asking if she can help him gather the remaining Emeralds. Despite him still not being able to tell her why, she agrees. The next Emerald, Green, must be retrieved from Fang the Sniper, which is just the challenge she's looking for. Their battle spills out into Chris's world via the second bridge, much to Chuck Thorndyke's shock. Black Arms scouts, having gone there to investigate since Shadow was staying there, quickly take control of the situation and seriously harm both Rouge and Fang to get the Green Emerald. In addition, the second bridge has been discovered. The Black Arms quickly begin to investigate, passing into Sonic's world.
11. Topaz is sent to investigate the disturbance at the Thorndyke Manor, where to her shock she finds Rouge and Fang being treated by Ella and Mr. Tanaka, with life-threatening injuries. She sends for a helicopter to air-lift them to the nearest hospital, while trying to piece together what on Earth is happening. In Sonic's world, he, Tails, Chris, and Eggman become aware of the Black Arms invasion and rush to stop it, while Chris berates himself, believing it to be his fault that they passed through the dimensions. Sonic tries to comfort him, without success. Shadow, meanwhile, realizing the bridge was crossed, rushes to meet Black Doom with the three Emeralds he currently has. He demands to know Black Doom's intentions, to which he is told that both worlds will become theirs. He offers all three Emeralds to stall them, to which he is told that they will be accepted as payment to save New York City and Tokyo, but not either world as a whole. There are still two remaining Emeralds---Blue and Yellow---and they must be found during the following 48-hour time period (the Green and Purple Emeralds pay for tomorrow's installment). Shadow then realizes that they have the Green Emerald and demands to know how they got it. He is informed of Rouge's injuries and is led to believe that she is dead, causing him to blame himself for getting her involved. He refuses to have anything to do with anyone else until this mess is taken care of.
12. Shadow searches for the Blue Emerald, having been allowed to keep the Purple Emerald to track it down. He ends up at the Chaotix Detective Agency, eventually engaging in a battle with Espio to get the Blue Emerald from him. His anger and frustration over the news of Rouge's death causes him to be much more aggressive than he means to be, seriously hurting Espio as well as damaging the agency. Vector and Charmy try to reason with him, all to no avail. But even as he takes the Blue Emerald and leaves, he feels like all is hopeless. The Black Arms are threatening cities, but not just that---they're threatening both worlds. If they take possession of all Emeralds, they will be unstoppable. Yet, if Shadow refuses to give them the Emeralds, cities will be destroyed that very day. Maria wanted him to give hope to humanity, but how can he, he feels, when he has none? He wonders if there is any way to save everything, or if there will have to be sacrifices to save the worlds. Rouge already paid the price. While he is going through this turmoil, Sonic and the others find him. Sonic again tries to get Shadow to tell what's going on, and to fight with them instead of against them, but this only infuriates him all the more. He says Sonic will never understand and that he has to fight alone for the good of everyone. He departs to find the final Emerald, wondering if there's any possible way he can take possession of all the Emeralds and go into his Super form to stop the Black Arms.
13. Chris at last admits that Shadow has been forced into the role he's playing and that the Emeralds he gave to the Black Arms were exchanged in order to stop thousands of lives from being lost and to try to buy some time to stop the aliens. Upset that they didn't realize from the start, Sonic and Tails set out to help Shadow find the last Emerald, which Eggman confesses he has. Indeed, Shadow is already attacking Eggman's latest base, and in spite of Decoe and Bocoe's best efforts, he is soon inside and to the location of the Yellow Emerald. As he is about to take it, Eggman arrives with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Chris. Chris admits that he told what's really happening, to which Shadow is not surprised. He says it doesn't matter; he will still be the one to defeat the Black Arms himself because this is a problem that he has made worse. He takes the Yellow Emerald, refusing everyone's help once again, telling them of Rouge's death and that it's his fault. Chris counters in anguish that it's his fault because of trying to connect the worlds. Shadow tells him this still wouldn't have happened had he not teleported between the worlds and unknowingly set the bridges in place. He leaves to try to figure out how to stop the Black Arms on his own. Chris is then called by Chuck, who tells him that Rouge and Fang are alive, but still critically injured. Meanwhile, Shadow confronts Black Doom, who tells him that they will use the Chaos Emeralds to bring the recurring Black Comet to Earth and enslave all life except those which have the Black Arms' blood.
14. Black Doom continues his explanation to Shadow, telling him that the deal made between Gerald Robotnik and Black Doom directly concerned Shadow's birth. Black Doom helped with Shadow's creation, if Gereld promised Shadow would assist them in fifty years when the Black Comet came back. It should have come seven years ago, but because of anomalies in the space-time continuum, it was delayed in its arrival. When they heard Shadow had returned, the Comet regained its natural path through space and headed for Earth. Shadow is sickened, believing it to be directly his fault that the world is now in such danger. He refuses to give over the final Emeralds, vowing that he will be Black Doom's worst nightmare. Enraged, but still believing he can sway Shadow, Black Doom begins reminding him of humanity's wicked ways, going so far as to project Shadow into a very real vision of what happened on the ARK when Maria was killed. But though Shadow is badly shaken, he then becomes more angry than ever. He says he can't know if Black Doom is showing him the way it really happened, but that even if he is, Black Doom is no better than the wicked humans. He vows to keep hold of Maria's wish and continue seeking the good in humanity. Black Doom then reveals that Shadow has been speaking to a holographic projection and he is truly aboard the ARK. With the current Emeralds he possesses, he is going to destroy Central City. In addition, his armies are set in six cities around both worlds. At his command, they will attack and decimate them all. In horror Shadow realizes that he can't be everywhere at once, and he needs to be in order to stop this madness. Right at that moment, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, the Chaotix, Chris, and Eggman arrive, vowing to help Shadow whether he wants it or not. Knowing that now there is no choice, he accepts.
15. Shadow determines to go aboard the ARK and try to stop Black Doom directly, while the others try to save the cities. Suddenly overcome and fearing he will never see Shadow again, Chris embraces him and lets him know that Rouge is still alive. Shadow is stunned. He returns the hug, telling Chris to let Rouge know he is sorry. Chris tells him he can tell her himself, when this is over, and that he shouldn't blame himself. Shadow responds that he is to blame and he truly was created to be a weapon, before using Chaos Control to get to the ARK. Chris screams after Shadow in desperation, begging him to come back from this fight. Sonic tries to comfort Chris, reminding him that Shadow is the Ultimate Lifeform and that he always seems to find a way out of his predicaments. Then they all separate, going to try to save the cities of both worlds, along with the military organizations in each. Rouge regains consciousness at the hospital, with Ella at her side. Realizing what's happening, Rouge is determined to get up and join the fight, but Ella insists she rest. Then Cream, Cheese, and Vanilla enter the hospital room, having fled across the bridge when their home was attacked by the Black Arms. While they talk and reunite with Rouge and Ella, a horrible explosion suddenly comes over the television. Central City has been destroyed.
16. On the ARK, Shadow is still repulsed by what he now knows of his origins. And he can't help but remember Cosmo having been an unwilling spy for the Metarex. He realizes they were both made to be something they despised. But, just as he felt Cosmo needed to be killed for being a weapon, he feels the same about himself. As he hurries down the corridor, he can feel the Eclipse Cannon gathering energy to fire. He rushes to the control room, desperate to stop Black Doom from wiping out Central City, but he fails, arriving as the cannon fires. In a last effort, he teleports to Central City, gathering as many people as possible. He berates the fact that he can't become Super Shadow and stop time in order to save the entire city, but takes the few refugees to a hill as the blast from the Eclipse Cannon hits. Both worlds are in shock from the destruction, and while rescue teams are dispatched, the inhabitants of both worlds mourn and pray for the lost, not knowing anyone has survived. On the hill, a small child shyly approaches Shadow and asks who he is. Taken aback, Shadow is not sure how to answer. The child's mother thanks him for saving them, to which he replies that there were many like them that he could not save. He stares at the vaporized pit that had been Central City, horror sweeping over him again as he wonders whether he could have saved everyone if he had not given any Emeralds to Black Doom. At the same time, he knows that the other cities then would have been destroyed. But trading one for another was not what he had wanted at all. A rescue team finds them then, and he watches as they're guided away. Just then, the Chaotix find him and run up. At least one of the six cities has been saved; they just came from the battle, which G.U.N. now has under control. But they've just gotten word that the city Amy and Chris went to needs backup. Shadow postpones the battle with Black Doom in order to accompany the Chaotix to the other city---which turns out to be the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
17. Shadow leaves the Chaotix and makes his way among the G.U.N. agents swarming the city, struggling to fight the Black Arms. Shadow helps where he can, despite his loathing of the G.U.N. organization in general. While searching for Chris and Amy, he ends up paired with a worried but determined G.U.N. agent who is trying to rescue several households affected by a fire. He helps her look, and together they're able to save most everyone. They cannot access the final house, however, and it collapses, killing those who were inside it. The G.U.N. agent reacts in horror, and a memory of something Chris said to Shadow comes to his mind---"How can you blame people alive today for what happened fifty years ago?!" He realizes that there are many good people within the ranks of G.U.N., and briefly thinks of accepting the President's earlier offer---if they ever get out of this mess. He leaves the G.U.N. agent when she is reunited with her partner, and resumes the search for Chris and Amy. Though he cannot find them, he does learn that they are safe.
18. Sonic and Knuckles are fighting to save one of the major cities in their world. They battle the Black Arms for ages alongside the military units, but no matter how many they defeat, there are always more to take their place. And Knuckles has a very bad feeling; apparently the Master Emerald has been sending him warning signals. Somewhere in this mess, there has been a horrific tragedy. Sonic is disturbed by this news, immediately wondering if the others are alright. Meanwhile, Rouge finally manages to slip out of the hospital, determined to do something. As Shadow wanders through the war-torn Los Angeles, he meets up with her. Each is relieved to see the other alive, and when Shadow tries to apologize for what happened, Rouge won't hear of it. She wanted to help Shadow, and she intends to again. After all, two worlds are at stake here. He knows she should return to the hospital, but she insists on staying with him. And then, as they're surrounded by the Black Arms, there is no time for protesting. Shadow destroys the lot of them, telling Rouge what he has learned about himself and his creation. She tells him that it doesn't matter how or why he was created; what matters is what he does with it now. He stays silent, pondering her words. Then he realizes Station Square, which is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, will be under attack, too. Concerned for Chris's family and friends, he goes there with Rouge. Together they find Helen's house on fire and barely manage to get her out, though it looks like it was too late for her. In despair Shadow struggles to administer CPR, and at last Helen gasps for breath. Rouge quietly tells him he saved her.
19. Helen revives as the medics come. She thanks Shadow and Rouge for getting her out, and Shadow again for resuscitating her. She tells him she knows he is destined for great things, which surprises him. He has another flash of memory, of Gerald telling him he was created for something important. Then Maria's voice echoes through his mind, telling him that he was created to bring hope for the people of Earth and to watch over them "like a shadow." Finally, he hears Rouge from a few minutes ago, telling him it only matters what he does, not how or why he was created. But he still feels a bit of confusion. Maria surely did not know about the deal with Black Doom, he decides. Gerald would not have told her such a thing. He comes back to the present as Helen takes his hand, pleading with him to be careful. He finally nods in consent as she is lifted onto a stretcher. Eggman suddenly contacts him without warning, telling him that he and Tails are battling the Black Arms in another city of Sonic's planet. The connection cuts off abruptly, indicating that something has gone wrong. Shadow and Rouge move to leave and investigate, and are met by Fang the Sniper. Not particularly wanting to have his world conquered and thus be unable to collect bounties, he agrees to go with them. The trio journeys to the city, fighting more Black Arms along the way and locating Tails and Eggman. With their best efforts, the city still looks as though it's finished. But at the last moment, Eggman's robot backup arrive and the wave of Black Arms are beat back. Shadow, however, cannot celebrate the victory---not when so many other calamities are taking place and Black Doom is still loose. He resolves to himself that it's time for that final battle, while the other cities are still at war.
20. Before Shadow can use Chaos Control and return to the ARK, a small number of Black Arms appear who were not defeated in battle. Furious now, he uses one of his most destructive attacks. Fang the Sniper apparently got his hands on an arsenal of military weapons, as he begins throwing grenades to help out. Rouge manages another screw kick, though she is clearly weakening. Torn between what to do when the battle ends, Shadow at last teleports her and Fang back to the hospital, though Fang quickly escapes again. He insists that Rouge stay, however, which Ella, Cream, Cheese, and Vanilla echo. Rouge finally, grudgingly consents. Shadow thanks her for her help and she asks if he'll be back. He doesn't know how to answer the question. She tells him that if he won't be, he should see Helen one more time. This is said facing away from him, as she is trying to conceal the grief and heartbreak in her eyes at the thought of him not returning. Unsure of how to react to this, or the fact that her voice is cracking, Shadow finally just says he will see Helen, just for a moment. As he leaves, Cream hugs Cheese, tears in her own eyes. Shadow soon finds the room where Helen was brought. She is awake, and, sensing that Shadow is going to battle Black Doom, implores him to do everything he can to get back. He tells her he honestly doesn't know if he can. She gives him a sad smile and says that it's okay, as long as he tries his hardest. Then she embraces him, reminding him of what she told him in episode #5. He tells her he still hasn't discovered what it means to have a soul. She says that the knowledge is deep in his heart and that he will know when the time is right. Shadow hesitates, then asks for a rare favor---if he doesn't make it, he wants her to tell Chris that he tried. She agrees, and watches as he uses Chaos Control there and then. When he has left, she turns her head to the side, several tears slipping from her eyes. She prays for his safety and that he will know his true worth.
21. Chris and Amy have been battling their way through the still war-torn Los Angeles. They encounter the G.U.N. agent who worked with Shadow, and though it's a relief to know Shadow was alright then, it was several hours ago now. And Chris can't ignore the bad feeling he's been having. Amy tells him that Shadow will be fine, since he's the Ultimate Lifeform, but Chris thinks back to the conversation he and Shadow had right after Shadow came back to Earth. Shadow had said sometimes he felt invincible, but he knew he couldn't be infallible. Right after Chris's flashback, he and Amy encounter Fang the Sniper. Amy is immediately on guard, but Fang lets her know that for now, he's working on their side. He tells them that Shadow was alright as soon as an hour ago, but that he was going to fight Black Doom. Then they are assaulted by a strong group of Black Arms. The situation looks hopeless until Fang sets off another grenade, killing several Black Arms and stunning the rest. He says for them to leave the rest to him and keep going. Chris doesn't want to, but Fang lets him know that the Black Arms want to use him against Shadow, and that it is highly important at all costs for him to stay safe. Alarmed, Chris finally flees with Amy. As they leave, Fang sets off several more grenades to wipe out the rest. According to him, he was going easy on them before because of not wanting to hurt Chris and Amy. Chris looks back, seeing the dark smoke clouds, and wonders if Fang made it out alive. Amy reassures him and they keep going.
22. The Chaotix have been having their own problems. While trying to rescue people from a collapsing building, they encounter opposition from some who do not want to trust anthropomorphic animals. Espio protests, saying that they should know that they are here to help and always tried to help in the past, but is told that it's their fault Eggman ever got into this world. Disgusted, he doesn't want to waste time with them and goes past, searching for the people who want to be helped. Vector and Charmy have been helping some children, hoping that the building won't get attacked again. It seems unlikely, since it's already going and nothing can stop it, but Charmy worries that during the fighting, some sort of projectile could hit, even if by accident. Espio finds them and lets them know about the people downstairs, making their own way out. He is concerned whether they will try to hinder the Chaotix, but Vector is certain they will just get out themselves, if they can. As they continue their work, they encounter several of the Black Arms' robots, which were left to scour the building for anything important. Espio takes on the robots while Vector and Charmy proceed to help the rest of the people get out. His best efforts weaken them immensely, though he has been badly injured. He cannot hide from them, as even when he goes invisible, they can pinpoint his location with infra-red. As Vector and Charmy get the last people out of the building, the robots turn to try to attack them. Espio throws himself at them, using his shuriken one final time to cut into their metallic bodies. He is badly shot by their lasers, and Charmy turns and screams in horror as he falls. He tells the bee to get out while he can, and though Vector would stay under other circumstances, he takes Charmy and flees. Behind them, the building collapses. Charmy cries out again, his eyes wide in horrified disbelief.
23. As the dust clears from the collapse, Charmy screams at Vector, telling him they never should have left Espio in there. Vector, his nerves about to snap, screams back that of course they shouldn't have; it was what Espio wanted. He had sacrificed himself for them. Charmy, barely listening, flies to the debris and struggles to move it, calling for Espio. Vector runs to help him, and together they manage to dig out their friend's fatally injured body. Espio revives for the final time, telling Vector and Charmy to stick together and not break apart, like they all did after Mighty's death. With a weak, dry smirk, he tells them that's his final order, and if they don't follow it, he will come back to whip them into shape. Vector demands to know who made Espio the leader, but tears are forming in his eyes. He says it should have been him in the building, but Espio counters him, saying that they each did what they had to do and that Vector is needed as he is the real leader. Charmy sobs, and Espio tells him to try not to annoy Vector too much when he's gone. Charmy tells him to shut up and live so that he can annoy Espio again. But Espio knows it's the end for him. He gazes into the distance, whispering Mighty's name as he dies. Charmy cries out in denial, hugging Espio as he sobs. Vector swears, punching the nearby debris. Sonic and Knuckles arrive then and are horrified at the scene. Realizing Shadow has gone to the ARK, Sonic says that they need to get up there to help him while G.U.N. and the other military units finish taking care of things here. Knuckles thinks Shadow will want to go it alone, but Sonic insists on finding a way there. Tails and Eggman arrive too, and after expressing sorrow over Espio, Tails suggests they use Eggman's latest shuttle. Eggman agrees. Meanwhile on the ARK, Black Doom is trying one final time to sway Shadow to his side. This time, instead of showing him what happened fifty years ago, he shows a possible future in which all humans---including Chris and Helen---have turned against Shadow, fearful of his powers. Shadow falls to his knees, devastated. It surprises him at first, how devoted he's become to the humans, but then he hears their voices in his mind, encouraging him. He gets up, telling Black Doom that it's over and he's made his final mistake. Instead, Black Doom levitates the remaining Chaos Emeralds away from Shadow, agreeing that it is over---the Black Arms will rule the world and the current inhabitants will serve as their food source.
24. As Sonic and the others journey to the ARK, they see in horror that the Black Comet is coming closer to Earth. Suddenly it's gone, having been Chaos-Controlled through the atmosphere. As they arrive and look for Shadow, they find him at Black Doom's mercy. Black Doom seems to be attempting to mind-control Shadow, who is in obvious pain. Then Black Doom reveals the rest of the truth---he used his blood and DNA to help create Shadow. Shadow is, in effect, his "son." Shadow is more repulsed than ever, and while he's still being tortured with the mind control, Black Doom unleashes a paralyzing gas on him and the others. As he sends worms to kill them, Shadow's Black Arms blood keeps him immune. He breaks free of the mind control, saying that no one will control him and he will choose his own destiny. Black Doom teleports to the comet, accepting that Shadow is his enemy but not believing that he can be defeated. Shadow saves the others from the worms and the gas, then goes after him. Vector and Charmy, determined to help in spite of their grief, use the secret files they were collecting earlier and hack into the computer---guided by Espio's spirit. Somehow they activate a file of Gerald Robotnik explaining the full truth to Shadow---once he realized what he had gotten into, he planned that Shadow would destroy the Black Arms and the Black Comet, using the Eclipse Cannon. Shadow was meant to be the protector of Earth. This is an extreme weight lifted from Shadow's mind, but he has no time to think about it. When he finds Black Doom, the villain transforms into his final form, Devil Doom. Shadow then gathers all of the Emeralds to him for his final form, Hyper Shadow. While his friends watch, worried, and cheer him on, he fights with everything he's got for the world's safety.
25. The people of both worlds are able to see something in the sky, the manifestation of the comet entering the atmosphere and the desperate battle to stop it and Black Doom. The inhabitants unite, bringing their prayers and their hopes for a brighter future due to Shadow fighting for them. At last Devil Doom is defeated, falling from the comet. Shadow then forces it back into space with Chaos Control, before returning to the ARK and firing the Eclipse Cannon at it. Sonic and the others rejoice, believing it's over, but Shadow still feels something isn't right. He gathers the Emeralds again, once more becoming Hyper Shadow as he journeys to see exactly what became of Devil Doom. Though his arch-enemy should have been killed, he's suddenly met by him in the skies about Station Square. Despite Devil Doom being weakened, he puts up enough of a fight that Shadow is pushed to take desperate measures. He removes his inhibitor rings for one final, fatal assault. Devil Doom is destroyed ... and so is he. He falls to his death, whispering that he's sorry and that he tried as he impacts. As Chris runs out, looking for him in desperation, he almost trips over the Purple Emerald. Shadow lost them all in the fall. Chris picks up the Emerald, staring at it for a moment before hurrying ahead, screaming for Shadow. He finally finds the black hedgehog's body, lifeless on top of the debris from a collapsed building. Chris cries out in anguish, holding Shadow close to him as he pleads for him to awaken. His attempts to revive his friend are in vain, and in one last, desperate attempt, Chris rushes Shadow home to his grandfather. But Chuck also cannot do anything for him. The Ultimate Lifeform can die, after all.
26. Both worlds are already mourning Shadow's death when Sonic and the others get back on Eggman's shuttle. Stunned, they go to the Thorndyke Manor, where Chris is in the laboratory with Shadow's body on a slab. He is staring hopelessly at their heroic friend, berating the fact that no one could save him. Slowly he takes the Purple Emerald out of his pocket and sets it beside Shadow. To his surprise, it begins to glow. Knuckles suddenly wonders whether Shadow is fully dead or if he could be revived by the power of the Chaos Emeralds and the intensity of their wills for him to live. Chris is stunned, but immediately hopeful. Sonic says they will gather the rest of the Emeralds, while Chris stays to watch over Shadow. Rouge, hearing about the tragic events, comes to help, along with Cream, Cheese, and Ella. When all the Emeralds have been collected, they return to the laboratory, where Chris says he can feel Shadow's presence. They set the Emeralds around Shadow, praying for them to activate and restore him to life. The Emeralds begin to glow, rising in the air and circling Shadow's body. There is an immense flash of light, and when it fades, the Emeralds have fallen back to the slab. At first it appears that it didn't work, but then Shadow weakly opens his eyes. Chris embraces him joyously, while the others cheer and express their joy in other ways. Vector, though happy, feels a bit jealous that Espio can't be restored as well. Charmy is also saddened thinking of their fallen friend, but tries to console them both by saying he's probably with Mighty. Shadow sits up, explaining that he has all of his memories back. He also tells Chris what he learned in space concerning his blood, DNA, and his true purpose. He says he understands now, and he's going to put the past behind him and move forward. While he isn't entirely sure what it means to have a soul, he has a better idea of it now and believes that he does have one. The worlds begin picking up the pieces from the Black Arms attack, while the bridges between the worlds remain. Though they're unsure if the bridges will stay permanently, Chris is grateful that they're here for now and that he and Sonic and the others can spend time together again. Vector and Charmy visit Espio's grave, noticing that the grass is growing very green around it while the other nearby graves seem a bit more underkept. Shadow decides to keep living at the Thorndyke Manor, and he also determines to accept the President's offer of being a G.U.N. agent. He will continue to protect the world as best as he can.
EDIT: I'm altering this to have the original ending I'd planned. Plus, I'm removing most of the references to Mighty, just in case I decide he is alive after all. XD;
1. Right Back Where We Came. Chris makes an explosive re-entry into his own world and is rescued by Shadow, who senses Chris is in trouble. Shadow is injured while saving Chris, and though he initially refuses to stay, Chris manages to convince him to come to the Thorndyke Manor while he recovers. During a much-needed conversation, Chris finally realizes the truth behind Shadow's cold behavior towards him and helps Shadow to acknowledge that he thinks of Chris as a friend.
2. Chris's parents are overjoyed that Chris is home, but alarmed at how he could have been killed in Eggman's ship. They welcome Shadow warmly, as does the rest of the Thorndyke household, and hope he will stay with them. Chris begins research on his world and Sonic's, believing that there is a way to safely connect them. Shadow refuses to assist, believing that tinkering with the space-time continuum will only wreak havoc. Meanwhile, a new threat waits in the wings---one that could destroy both worlds. For now they decide to quietly observe Shadow, waiting for the right time to make their first move.
3. Chris introduces Shadow to his Earth friends, and the black hedgehog takes a special interest in Helen, reminded again of Maria. She likes him too, remembering happy times in the past with Sonic. And though she can see that Shadow is not Sonic, she can also see that he is a lot better and more noble than he thinks he is. Shadow begins to regain more of his memories as he spends time with her. He further questions his existence, and exactly what he was meant to do. Chris shows him what he salvaged from Gerald Robotnik's journal before Eggman took it away, but the information only confuses Shadow further.
4. Shadow has been laying low, not wanting anyone to know that he is here. But when the new threat suddenly descends on Earth, he is forced to come out of hiding and go into battle. Then he makes another bewildering discovery---the new threat, the Black Arms, seem to know who he is. Apparently Professor Gerald made an agreement with them that the Chaos Emeralds would be delivered to them in fifty years' time, but due to Shadow's disappearance, it was delayed for seven years. Now he must decide whether to fulfill the agreement. Most of the Emeralds are still in Sonic's world. Chris pleads with Shadow not to go in with the Black Arms, reminding him of what happened when he helped Eggman get the Emeralds based around the false promises of helping Shadow remember who he is. Shadow agrees, but by contrast believes the best way to defeat the enemy may be to pretend to work with them for the time being and try to learn their motives. Chris reluctantly agrees, but fears for Shadow's safety.
5. After having to make himself known in order to fight the Black Arms, word has spread quickly of Shadow's presence on Earth. Some are not sure what to make of him, though others willingly accept him, as Chris had promised. Shadow encounters a group that insists Shadow does not have a soul because he was artificially created. Puzzled anew, Shadow tries to determine exactly what it means to have a soul and whether the group is right. This only fuels his concerns that he is nothing more than a weapon and that he will have to be destroyed eventually for the protection of all. Helen tries to comfort him, telling him that of course he has a soul---and a beautiful one---but he wonders how she could know. She tells him it's hard to explain and that it's something he will have to discover on his own. Meanwhile, seeing how beloved Shadow is to many of the people, Black Doom determines to force his hand.
6. The President wishes to meet with Shadow to extend his gratitude for everything Shadow did to save Earth in the past. He also wishes to offer Shadow a job with G.U.N. Shadow refuses, having received a brief flash of memory that G.U.N. soldiers are the ones who killed Maria. As he leaves the White House, the Black Arms launch another attack. He stops them from destroying the city by telling them that he will help them gather the Chaos Emeralds and to leave it to him. Black Doom, their leader, gives Shadow an ultimatum---bring back an Emerald within 24 hours or the city will be destroyed. Unable to give the one Emerald he has, he performs Chaos Control and goes to Sonic's world to find another. Due to his need to hurry, and his unwillingness to explain what's happening and get everyone else caught up in it, he comes across as a vicious antagonist as he tries to retrieve the Grey Emerald from Sonic.
7. During their battle over the Emerald, Sonic realizes that Shadow needs it for some important purpose, but cannot get him to explain. However, their battle is interrupted by Tails, who reports a strange disturbance in the space-time continuum. Apparently, Chris's work with the two worlds, combined with Shadow's sudden teleportation, is starting to open a bridge between the worlds. At this news Shadow grows more panicked, realizing that the Black Arms could then try to take over this world too. He takes the Grey Emerald and leaves, hoping to get it to Black Doom and close the bridge. Instead, the pathway completes and Sonic and Tails follow him through to Chris's world, much to their shock. They witness him giving the Emerald to Black Doom, who calls off the attack on Washington D.C. Trying to understand what's happening, they ask Shadow if he's working with this alien race, to which he replies in the affirmative. Unable to let them know he's a double agent, he allows them to think he has turned traitor. Unheard by them, and impressed Shadow got the Grey Emerald so quickly, Black Doom presents a second ultimatum---bring two or more Emeralds every day until he has collected them all. Each day, two new locations will be the stakes. Sickened, Shadow agrees, and is given the rest of this same day to bring the next two Emeralds and save New York City and Tokyo.
8. Sonic and Tails want to go to California to check on Chris and see if he's alright, but they're also concerned about making sure Shadow doesn't collect the Emeralds for Black Doom. At that moment, Chris makes it to Washington D.C., having heard about the attack on the news. Afraid of the Black Arms overhearing the truth, he cannot explain to Sonic and Tails what Shadow is doing either, and their reunion ends up awkward. Sonic feels that Shadow is working for Black Doom because Black Doom claims to know his past, and while Chris tries to deny this, he can't explain why. Tails worries that Chris is standing up for Shadow when perhaps he shouldn't be. At that moment, Amy calls Sonic with the news that Shadow is tearing everything apart in search of the Cyan Emerald. Sonic and Tails run back over the bridge to stop him. Torn, Chris finally chases after them, managing to set a device to camouflauge the bridge in hopes that Black Doom will not find it. What he doesn't know is that there are two bridges, the second being in California. As they cross the first bridge, they are met by Eggman.
9. Eggman is intrigued by the fact that Chris does not change ages again, and is fascinated by what Chris and Shadow have created, but he wonders whether it will remain stable. Upon hearing about Black Doom and the Black Arms, he grows very concerned. Apparently, he has heard of them from his grandfather's journal. Shadow was supposed to deliver the Chaos Emeralds to them after fifty years, and he determines, that is exactly what he is doing due to his sense of honor. Tails protests that an agreement like that should not be kept, no matter whether Shadow finds it the honorable thing to do. Chris again longs to tell the truth, but his fear for Shadow's safety makes him stay quiet. Instead they go in search of the black hedgehog, only to discover that he has taken the Cyan Emerald and is going for the Red. But in his attempt to retrieve the Red Emerald, he discovers it won't be so easy---he will have to get past Rouge, who isn't willing to give it up without knowing what's going on. In the middle of everything, Knuckles arrives on the scene, having learned things from Amy.
10. Knuckles, Shadow, and Rouge enter into a three-way battle over the Red Emerald, which Shadow easily wins. But as he collects the Emerald and prepares to leave, Rouge tells him she can see that he's gotten into something big and she wants to know what it is. If possible, she wants to help him. Debating within himself, he finally consents to partially let her into his confidence by asking if she can help him gather the remaining Emeralds. Despite him still not being able to tell her why, she agrees. The next Emerald, Green, must be retrieved from Fang the Sniper, which is just the challenge she's looking for. Their battle spills out into Chris's world via the second bridge, much to Chuck Thorndyke's shock. Black Arms scouts, having gone there to investigate since Shadow was staying there, quickly take control of the situation and seriously harm both Rouge and Fang to get the Green Emerald. In addition, the second bridge has been discovered. The Black Arms quickly begin to investigate, passing into Sonic's world.
11. Topaz is sent to investigate the disturbance at the Thorndyke Manor, where to her shock she finds Rouge and Fang being treated by Ella and Mr. Tanaka, with life-threatening injuries. She sends for a helicopter to air-lift them to the nearest hospital, while trying to piece together what on Earth is happening. In Sonic's world, he, Tails, Chris, and Eggman become aware of the Black Arms invasion and rush to stop it, while Chris berates himself, believing it to be his fault that they passed through the dimensions. Sonic tries to comfort him, without success. Shadow, meanwhile, realizing the bridge was crossed, rushes to meet Black Doom with the three Emeralds he currently has. He demands to know Black Doom's intentions, to which he is told that both worlds will become theirs. He offers all three Emeralds to stall them, to which he is told that they will be accepted as payment to save New York City and Tokyo, but not either world as a whole. There are still two remaining Emeralds---Blue and Yellow---and they must be found during the following 48-hour time period (the Green and Purple Emeralds pay for tomorrow's installment). Shadow then realizes that they have the Green Emerald and demands to know how they got it. He is informed of Rouge's injuries and is led to believe that she is dead, causing him to blame himself for getting her involved. He refuses to have anything to do with anyone else until this mess is taken care of.
12. Shadow searches for the Blue Emerald, having been allowed to keep the Purple Emerald to track it down. He ends up at the Chaotix Detective Agency, eventually engaging in a battle with Espio to get the Blue Emerald from him. His anger and frustration over the news of Rouge's death causes him to be much more aggressive than he means to be, seriously hurting Espio as well as damaging the agency. Vector and Charmy try to reason with him, all to no avail. But even as he takes the Blue Emerald and leaves, he feels like all is hopeless. The Black Arms are threatening cities, but not just that---they're threatening both worlds. If they take possession of all Emeralds, they will be unstoppable. Yet, if Shadow refuses to give them the Emeralds, cities will be destroyed that very day. Maria wanted him to give hope to humanity, but how can he, he feels, when he has none? He wonders if there is any way to save everything, or if there will have to be sacrifices to save the worlds. Rouge already paid the price. While he is going through this turmoil, Sonic and the others find him. Sonic again tries to get Shadow to tell what's going on, and to fight with them instead of against them, but this only infuriates him all the more. He says Sonic will never understand and that he has to fight alone for the good of everyone. He departs to find the final Emerald, wondering if there's any possible way he can take possession of all the Emeralds and go into his Super form to stop the Black Arms.
13. Chris at last admits that Shadow has been forced into the role he's playing and that the Emeralds he gave to the Black Arms were exchanged in order to stop thousands of lives from being lost and to try to buy some time to stop the aliens. Upset that they didn't realize from the start, Sonic and Tails set out to help Shadow find the last Emerald, which Eggman confesses he has. Indeed, Shadow is already attacking Eggman's latest base, and in spite of Decoe and Bocoe's best efforts, he is soon inside and to the location of the Yellow Emerald. As he is about to take it, Eggman arrives with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Chris. Chris admits that he told what's really happening, to which Shadow is not surprised. He says it doesn't matter; he will still be the one to defeat the Black Arms himself because this is a problem that he has made worse. He takes the Yellow Emerald, refusing everyone's help once again, telling them of Rouge's death and that it's his fault. Chris counters in anguish that it's his fault because of trying to connect the worlds. Shadow tells him this still wouldn't have happened had he not teleported between the worlds and unknowingly set the bridges in place. He leaves to try to figure out how to stop the Black Arms on his own. Chris is then called by Chuck, who tells him that Rouge and Fang are alive, but still critically injured. Meanwhile, Shadow confronts Black Doom, who tells him that they will use the Chaos Emeralds to bring the recurring Black Comet to Earth and enslave all life except those which have the Black Arms' blood.
14. Black Doom continues his explanation to Shadow, telling him that the deal made between Gerald Robotnik and Black Doom directly concerned Shadow's birth. Black Doom helped with Shadow's creation, if Gereld promised Shadow would assist them in fifty years when the Black Comet came back. It should have come seven years ago, but because of anomalies in the space-time continuum, it was delayed in its arrival. When they heard Shadow had returned, the Comet regained its natural path through space and headed for Earth. Shadow is sickened, believing it to be directly his fault that the world is now in such danger. He refuses to give over the final Emeralds, vowing that he will be Black Doom's worst nightmare. Enraged, but still believing he can sway Shadow, Black Doom begins reminding him of humanity's wicked ways, going so far as to project Shadow into a very real vision of what happened on the ARK when Maria was killed. But though Shadow is badly shaken, he then becomes more angry than ever. He says he can't know if Black Doom is showing him the way it really happened, but that even if he is, Black Doom is no better than the wicked humans. He vows to keep hold of Maria's wish and continue seeking the good in humanity. Black Doom then reveals that Shadow has been speaking to a holographic projection and he is truly aboard the ARK. With the current Emeralds he possesses, he is going to destroy Central City. In addition, his armies are set in six cities around both worlds. At his command, they will attack and decimate them all. In horror Shadow realizes that he can't be everywhere at once, and he needs to be in order to stop this madness. Right at that moment, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, the Chaotix, Chris, and Eggman arrive, vowing to help Shadow whether he wants it or not. Knowing that now there is no choice, he accepts.
15. Shadow determines to go aboard the ARK and try to stop Black Doom directly, while the others try to save the cities. Suddenly overcome and fearing he will never see Shadow again, Chris embraces him and lets him know that Rouge is still alive. Shadow is stunned. He returns the hug, telling Chris to let Rouge know he is sorry. Chris tells him he can tell her himself, when this is over, and that he shouldn't blame himself. Shadow responds that he is to blame and he truly was created to be a weapon, before using Chaos Control to get to the ARK. Chris screams after Shadow in desperation, begging him to come back from this fight. Sonic tries to comfort Chris, reminding him that Shadow is the Ultimate Lifeform and that he always seems to find a way out of his predicaments. Then they all separate, going to try to save the cities of both worlds, along with the military organizations in each. Rouge regains consciousness at the hospital, with Ella at her side. Realizing what's happening, Rouge is determined to get up and join the fight, but Ella insists she rest. Then Cream, Cheese, and Vanilla enter the hospital room, having fled across the bridge when their home was attacked by the Black Arms. While they talk and reunite with Rouge and Ella, a horrible explosion suddenly comes over the television. Central City has been destroyed.
16. On the ARK, Shadow is still repulsed by what he now knows of his origins. And he can't help but remember Cosmo having been an unwilling spy for the Metarex. He realizes they were both made to be something they despised. But, just as he felt Cosmo needed to be killed for being a weapon, he feels the same about himself. As he hurries down the corridor, he can feel the Eclipse Cannon gathering energy to fire. He rushes to the control room, desperate to stop Black Doom from wiping out Central City, but he fails, arriving as the cannon fires. In a last effort, he teleports to Central City, gathering as many people as possible. He berates the fact that he can't become Super Shadow and stop time in order to save the entire city, but takes the few refugees to a hill as the blast from the Eclipse Cannon hits. Both worlds are in shock from the destruction, and while rescue teams are dispatched, the inhabitants of both worlds mourn and pray for the lost, not knowing anyone has survived. On the hill, a small child shyly approaches Shadow and asks who he is. Taken aback, Shadow is not sure how to answer. The child's mother thanks him for saving them, to which he replies that there were many like them that he could not save. He stares at the vaporized pit that had been Central City, horror sweeping over him again as he wonders whether he could have saved everyone if he had not given any Emeralds to Black Doom. At the same time, he knows that the other cities then would have been destroyed. But trading one for another was not what he had wanted at all. A rescue team finds them then, and he watches as they're guided away. Just then, the Chaotix find him and run up. At least one of the six cities has been saved; they just came from the battle, which G.U.N. now has under control. But they've just gotten word that the city Amy and Chris went to needs backup. Shadow postpones the battle with Black Doom in order to accompany the Chaotix to the other city---which turns out to be the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
17. Shadow leaves the Chaotix and makes his way among the G.U.N. agents swarming the city, struggling to fight the Black Arms. Shadow helps where he can, despite his loathing of the G.U.N. organization in general. While searching for Chris and Amy, he ends up paired with a worried but determined G.U.N. agent who is trying to rescue several households affected by a fire. He helps her look, and together they're able to save most everyone. They cannot access the final house, however, and it collapses, killing those who were inside it. The G.U.N. agent reacts in horror, and a memory of something Chris said to Shadow comes to his mind---"How can you blame people alive today for what happened fifty years ago?!" He realizes that there are many good people within the ranks of G.U.N., and briefly thinks of accepting the President's earlier offer---if they ever get out of this mess. He leaves the G.U.N. agent when she is reunited with her partner, and resumes the search for Chris and Amy. Though he cannot find them, he does learn that they are safe.
18. Sonic and Knuckles are fighting to save one of the major cities in their world. They battle the Black Arms for ages alongside the military units, but no matter how many they defeat, there are always more to take their place. And Knuckles has a very bad feeling; apparently the Master Emerald has been sending him warning signals. Somewhere in this mess, there has been a horrific tragedy. Sonic is disturbed by this news, immediately wondering if the others are alright. Meanwhile, Rouge finally manages to slip out of the hospital, determined to do something. As Shadow wanders through the war-torn Los Angeles, he meets up with her. Each is relieved to see the other alive, and when Shadow tries to apologize for what happened, Rouge won't hear of it. She wanted to help Shadow, and she intends to again. After all, two worlds are at stake here. He knows she should return to the hospital, but she insists on staying with him. And then, as they're surrounded by the Black Arms, there is no time for protesting. Shadow destroys the lot of them, telling Rouge what he has learned about himself and his creation. She tells him that it doesn't matter how or why he was created; what matters is what he does with it now. He stays silent, pondering her words. Then he realizes Station Square, which is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, will be under attack, too. Concerned for Chris's family and friends, he goes there with Rouge. Together they find Helen's house on fire and barely manage to get her out, though it looks like it was too late for her. In despair Shadow struggles to administer CPR, and at last Helen gasps for breath. Rouge quietly tells him he saved her.
19. Helen revives as the medics come. She thanks Shadow and Rouge for getting her out, and Shadow again for resuscitating her. She tells him she knows he is destined for great things, which surprises him. He has another flash of memory, of Gerald telling him he was created for something important. Then Maria's voice echoes through his mind, telling him that he was created to bring hope for the people of Earth and to watch over them "like a shadow." Finally, he hears Rouge from a few minutes ago, telling him it only matters what he does, not how or why he was created. But he still feels a bit of confusion. Maria surely did not know about the deal with Black Doom, he decides. Gerald would not have told her such a thing. He comes back to the present as Helen takes his hand, pleading with him to be careful. He finally nods in consent as she is lifted onto a stretcher. Eggman suddenly contacts him without warning, telling him that he and Tails are battling the Black Arms in another city of Sonic's planet. The connection cuts off abruptly, indicating that something has gone wrong. Shadow and Rouge move to leave and investigate, and are met by Fang the Sniper. Not particularly wanting to have his world conquered and thus be unable to collect bounties, he agrees to go with them. The trio journeys to the city, fighting more Black Arms along the way and locating Tails and Eggman. With their best efforts, the city still looks as though it's finished. But at the last moment, Eggman's robot backup arrive and the wave of Black Arms are beat back. Shadow, however, cannot celebrate the victory---not when so many other calamities are taking place and Black Doom is still loose. He resolves to himself that it's time for that final battle, while the other cities are still at war.
20. Before Shadow can use Chaos Control and return to the ARK, a small number of Black Arms appear who were not defeated in battle. Furious now, he uses one of his most destructive attacks. Fang the Sniper apparently got his hands on an arsenal of military weapons, as he begins throwing grenades to help out. Rouge manages another screw kick, though she is clearly weakening. Torn between what to do when the battle ends, Shadow at last teleports her and Fang back to the hospital, though Fang quickly escapes again. He insists that Rouge stay, however, which Ella, Cream, Cheese, and Vanilla echo. Rouge finally, grudgingly consents. Shadow thanks her for her help and she asks if he'll be back. He doesn't know how to answer the question. She tells him that if he won't be, he should see Helen one more time. This is said facing away from him, as she is trying to conceal the grief and heartbreak in her eyes at the thought of him not returning. Unsure of how to react to this, or the fact that her voice is cracking, Shadow finally just says he will see Helen, just for a moment. As he leaves, Cream hugs Cheese, tears in her own eyes. Shadow soon finds the room where Helen was brought. She is awake, and, sensing that Shadow is going to battle Black Doom, implores him to do everything he can to get back. He tells her he honestly doesn't know if he can. She gives him a sad smile and says that it's okay, as long as he tries his hardest. Then she embraces him, reminding him of what she told him in episode #5. He tells her he still hasn't discovered what it means to have a soul. She says that the knowledge is deep in his heart and that he will know when the time is right. Shadow hesitates, then asks for a rare favor---if he doesn't make it, he wants her to tell Chris that he tried. She agrees, and watches as he uses Chaos Control there and then. When he has left, she turns her head to the side, several tears slipping from her eyes. She prays for his safety and that he will know his true worth.
21. Chris and Amy have been battling their way through the still war-torn Los Angeles. They encounter the G.U.N. agent who worked with Shadow, and though it's a relief to know Shadow was alright then, it was several hours ago now. And Chris can't ignore the bad feeling he's been having. Amy tells him that Shadow will be fine, since he's the Ultimate Lifeform, but Chris thinks back to the conversation he and Shadow had right after Shadow came back to Earth. Shadow had said sometimes he felt invincible, but he knew he couldn't be infallible. Right after Chris's flashback, he and Amy encounter Fang the Sniper. Amy is immediately on guard, but Fang lets her know that for now, he's working on their side. He tells them that Shadow was alright as soon as an hour ago, but that he was going to fight Black Doom. Then they are assaulted by a strong group of Black Arms. The situation looks hopeless until Fang sets off another grenade, killing several Black Arms and stunning the rest. He says for them to leave the rest to him and keep going. Chris doesn't want to, but Fang lets him know that the Black Arms want to use him against Shadow, and that it is highly important at all costs for him to stay safe. Alarmed, Chris finally flees with Amy. As they leave, Fang sets off several more grenades to wipe out the rest. According to him, he was going easy on them before because of not wanting to hurt Chris and Amy. Chris looks back, seeing the dark smoke clouds, and wonders if Fang made it out alive. Amy reassures him and they keep going.
22. The Chaotix have been having their own problems. While trying to rescue people from a collapsing building, they encounter opposition from some who do not want to trust anthropomorphic animals. Espio protests, saying that they should know that they are here to help and always tried to help in the past, but is told that it's their fault Eggman ever got into this world. Disgusted, he doesn't want to waste time with them and goes past, searching for the people who want to be helped. Vector and Charmy have been helping some children, hoping that the building won't get attacked again. It seems unlikely, since it's already going and nothing can stop it, but Charmy worries that during the fighting, some sort of projectile could hit, even if by accident. Espio finds them and lets them know about the people downstairs, making their own way out. He is concerned whether they will try to hinder the Chaotix, but Vector is certain they will just get out themselves, if they can. As they continue their work, they encounter several of the Black Arms' robots, which were left to scour the building for anything important. Espio takes on the robots while Vector and Charmy proceed to help the rest of the people get out. His best efforts weaken them immensely, though he has been badly injured. He cannot hide from them, as even when he goes invisible, they can pinpoint his location with infra-red. As Vector and Charmy get the last people out of the building, the robots turn to try to attack them. Espio throws himself at them, using his shuriken one final time to cut into their metallic bodies. He is badly shot by their lasers, and Charmy turns and screams in horror as he falls. He tells the bee to get out while he can, and though Vector would stay under other circumstances, he takes Charmy and flees. Behind them, the building collapses. Charmy cries out again, his eyes wide in horrified disbelief.
23. As the dust clears from the collapse, Charmy screams at Vector, telling him they never should have left Espio in there. Vector, his nerves about to snap, screams back that of course they shouldn't have; it was what Espio wanted. He had sacrificed himself for them. Charmy, barely listening, flies to the debris and struggles to move it, calling for Espio. Vector runs to help him, and together they manage to dig out their friend's fatally injured body. Espio revives for the final time, telling Vector and Charmy to stick together and not break apart, like they all did after Mighty's death. With a weak, dry smirk, he tells them that's his final order, and if they don't follow it, he will come back to whip them into shape. Vector demands to know who made Espio the leader, but tears are forming in his eyes. He says it should have been him in the building, but Espio counters him, saying that they each did what they had to do and that Vector is needed as he is the real leader. Charmy sobs, and Espio tells him to try not to annoy Vector too much when he's gone. Charmy tells him to shut up and live so that he can annoy Espio again. But Espio knows it's the end for him. He gazes into the distance, whispering Mighty's name as he dies. Charmy cries out in denial, hugging Espio as he sobs. Vector swears, punching the nearby debris. Sonic and Knuckles arrive then and are horrified at the scene. Realizing Shadow has gone to the ARK, Sonic says that they need to get up there to help him while G.U.N. and the other military units finish taking care of things here. Knuckles thinks Shadow will want to go it alone, but Sonic insists on finding a way there. Tails and Eggman arrive too, and after expressing sorrow over Espio, Tails suggests they use Eggman's latest shuttle. Eggman agrees. Meanwhile on the ARK, Black Doom is trying one final time to sway Shadow to his side. This time, instead of showing him what happened fifty years ago, he shows a possible future in which all humans---including Chris and Helen---have turned against Shadow, fearful of his powers. Shadow falls to his knees, devastated. It surprises him at first, how devoted he's become to the humans, but then he hears their voices in his mind, encouraging him. He gets up, telling Black Doom that it's over and he's made his final mistake. Instead, Black Doom levitates the remaining Chaos Emeralds away from Shadow, agreeing that it is over---the Black Arms will rule the world and the current inhabitants will serve as their food source.
24. As Sonic and the others journey to the ARK, they see in horror that the Black Comet is coming closer to Earth. Suddenly it's gone, having been Chaos-Controlled through the atmosphere. As they arrive and look for Shadow, they find him at Black Doom's mercy. Black Doom seems to be attempting to mind-control Shadow, who is in obvious pain. Then Black Doom reveals the rest of the truth---he used his blood and DNA to help create Shadow. Shadow is, in effect, his "son." Shadow is more repulsed than ever, and while he's still being tortured with the mind control, Black Doom unleashes a paralyzing gas on him and the others. As he sends worms to kill them, Shadow's Black Arms blood keeps him immune. He breaks free of the mind control, saying that no one will control him and he will choose his own destiny. Black Doom teleports to the comet, accepting that Shadow is his enemy but not believing that he can be defeated. Shadow saves the others from the worms and the gas, then goes after him. Vector and Charmy, determined to help in spite of their grief, use the secret files they were collecting earlier and hack into the computer---guided by Espio's spirit. Somehow they activate a file of Gerald Robotnik explaining the full truth to Shadow---once he realized what he had gotten into, he planned that Shadow would destroy the Black Arms and the Black Comet, using the Eclipse Cannon. Shadow was meant to be the protector of Earth. This is an extreme weight lifted from Shadow's mind, but he has no time to think about it. When he finds Black Doom, the villain transforms into his final form, Devil Doom. Shadow then gathers all of the Emeralds to him for his final form, Hyper Shadow. While his friends watch, worried, and cheer him on, he fights with everything he's got for the world's safety.
25. The people of both worlds are able to see something in the sky, the manifestation of the comet entering the atmosphere and the desperate battle to stop it and Black Doom. The inhabitants unite, bringing their prayers and their hopes for a brighter future due to Shadow fighting for them. At last Devil Doom is defeated, falling from the comet. Shadow then forces it back into space with Chaos Control, before returning to the ARK and firing the Eclipse Cannon at it. Sonic and the others rejoice, believing it's over, but Shadow still feels something isn't right. He gathers the Emeralds again, once more becoming Hyper Shadow as he journeys to see exactly what became of Devil Doom. Though his arch-enemy should have been killed, he's suddenly met by him in the skies about Station Square. Despite Devil Doom being weakened, he puts up enough of a fight that Shadow is pushed to take desperate measures. He removes his inhibitor rings for one final, fatal assault. Devil Doom is destroyed ... and so is he. He falls to his death, whispering that he's sorry and that he tried as he impacts. As Chris runs out, looking for him in desperation, he almost trips over the Purple Emerald. Shadow lost them all in the fall. Chris picks up the Emerald, staring at it for a moment before hurrying ahead, screaming for Shadow. He finally finds the black hedgehog's body, lifeless on top of the debris from a collapsed building. Chris cries out in anguish, holding Shadow close to him as he pleads for him to awaken. His attempts to revive his friend are in vain, and in one last, desperate attempt, Chris rushes Shadow home to his grandfather. But Chuck also cannot do anything for him. The Ultimate Lifeform can die, after all.
26. Both worlds are already mourning Shadow's death when Sonic and the others get back on Eggman's shuttle. Stunned, they go to the Thorndyke Manor, where Chris is in the laboratory with Shadow's body on a slab. He is staring hopelessly at their heroic friend, berating the fact that no one could save him. Slowly he takes the Purple Emerald out of his pocket and sets it beside Shadow. To his surprise, it begins to glow. Knuckles suddenly wonders whether Shadow is fully dead or if he could be revived by the power of the Chaos Emeralds and the intensity of their wills for him to live. Chris is stunned, but immediately hopeful. Sonic says they will gather the rest of the Emeralds, while Chris stays to watch over Shadow. Rouge, hearing about the tragic events, comes to help, along with Cream, Cheese, and Ella. When all the Emeralds have been collected, they return to the laboratory, where Chris says he can feel Shadow's presence. They set the Emeralds around Shadow, praying for them to activate and restore him to life. The Emeralds begin to glow, rising in the air and circling Shadow's body. There is an immense flash of light, and when it fades, the Emeralds have fallen back to the slab. At first it appears that it didn't work, but then Shadow weakly opens his eyes. Chris embraces him joyously, while the others cheer and express their joy in other ways. Vector, though happy, feels a bit jealous that Espio can't be restored as well. Charmy is also saddened thinking of their fallen friend, but tries to console them both by saying he's probably with Mighty. Shadow sits up, explaining that he has all of his memories back. He also tells Chris what he learned in space concerning his blood, DNA, and his true purpose. He says he understands now, and he's going to put the past behind him and move forward. While he isn't entirely sure what it means to have a soul, he has a better idea of it now and believes that he does have one. The worlds begin picking up the pieces from the Black Arms attack, while the bridges between the worlds remain. Though they're unsure if the bridges will stay permanently, Chris is grateful that they're here for now and that he and Sonic and the others can spend time together again. Vector and Charmy visit Espio's grave, noticing that the grass is growing very green around it while the other nearby graves seem a bit more underkept. Shadow decides to keep living at the Thorndyke Manor, and he also determines to accept the President's offer of being a G.U.N. agent. He will continue to protect the world as best as he can.
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Date: 2009-09-13 09:49 am (UTC)^^
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Date: 2009-09-14 06:05 am (UTC)