While Sonic Team thought of going to Acorn Island on a normal ship, Princess Sally was generous enough to send a cruise ship to pick them up on Ancient Island.

It should be a quick three-day journey to Acorn Island, a mini vacation until they get there. Princess Sally had offered her personal airplane as well but due to that their island being too small to have an airport, Sally just opted for the second-best option.

Oh yes, Ancient Island was only known for its mystery ruins and strange ecosystem only found there. To stay as eco-friendly to the environment, the leader of Ancient Island decided to use as few resources as possible. Of course, they had TV, internet, and other 'fancy' things. But they were behind compared to other Islands. Still, it was a popular place for tourists to visit the Ancient ruins and of course, it's the home of the five renowned heroes.

More spotlight has come towards the Island ever since Sonic Boom started airing on TV and because famous actor Shadow the Hedgehog is currently residing there as well.

"You know, I am surprised you are keeping your cool Sonic," Tails is relaxing. Sunbathing with a light reflector and shades. "You hate water."

"Yes, but staying in my room and dying of boredom without doing anything was not an option," Sonic keeps his eyes closed only to hear the waves crash against the cruise. This only amplifies his fear. "I don't know how Shadow does it. It's been the second day and he is still locked up in his room."

"He seems to be a guy that likes to keep to himself."

"I am honestly surprised he came at all ... like without a proper invitation."

For some reason, Tails just wants to come up with an excuse to defend Shadow. Although Sonic has very good reasons to feel strange regarding Shadow's sudden choice to come with them even when Princess Sally had not requested him to come.

"He is probably just bored," Tails says. "Or probably misses the city."

Sonic did not care to ask further. After all, as long as Shadow is not bothering him, he is ok with it.

Sonic Team is doing different things on the cruise. Knuckles is training rock claiming at the private gym. Sticks is in the pool with Amy. 

There is only one day left before they reach Acorn Island.

And Sonic only hopes the days get better.

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The night is extremely cold and Amy feels certain fear as she looks around the cruise surrounded by the complete darkness of the ocean. Nonetheless, the stars and moon reflecting on the water make it seem as if they were flying through space.

She kinda wishes Sonic was here with her. Maybe a romantic moment could happen. But now, anything happening between the two is almost impossible.

"Just when I thought you couldn't get uglier, you come up with that sad face of yours."

She immediately recognizes that voice and rolls her eyes at his presence.

"You know, I am starting to see why you are so popular with the ladies."

In reality, Amy wants to say something like "you are hella ugly too" but she could not say that when Shadow's bright vermillion eyes could outshine any star in the dark sky.

Shadow doesn't say anything. Instead, he joins her and looks at the dark ocean in front of him. For the first time, Amy is sure that Shadow is feeling some type of way. Usually, she couldn't tell what he is feeling but right now she is certain.

"Are you worried?" she asks, noticing how the dark hedgehog slightly taps his foot on the ground. "I mean I would too if I came to Princess Sally's castle without an invitation."

Shadow immediately moves his head to the other side as he did not want Amy to look at his blush. He knows that the others would find it suspicious that he would come uninvited. What he did not expect is that someone would confront him about it.

"Sally and I ... We go way back. I know she won't mind."

There is a certain curiosity in Amy that she could not control. She wants to know more. For her fanfic of course, not because she is genuinely interested in knowing more about Shadow.

"Well, you sure are full of secrets. You know the Princess, Rouge the Bat, and a robot that could annihilate an entire village," Amy says. "You must have great stories to tell."

"I have great stories but I am not a good storyteller."

"That's a lie. Whenever you act, the world shuts up and listens to you."

Amy did not realize how embarrassing her words actually are. It's true, Amy did find Shadow's acting to be fascinating. But that thought should be kept in the dark inner corner of her brain.

Although Shadow is not on the best terms with Amy, her sincere feelings are something that he appreciates. Even when she is shy to admit certain things, she always manages to speak the truth.

And that is something that he likes.

"How I met Rouge and Omega is a different story but it relates to Sally later on," Shadow feels the wind caress his face, his quills moving along with it. "I was young and I went to Acorn Island to find something."

"To find what?" Amy is surprised that Shadow did not make fun of her this time. But instead is taking the time to share a little bit of his story.

"A Chaos Emerald."

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His search starts at Acorn Island where the Royal Acorn Family guards one of Chaos Emeralds. His target was clear. Steal the Chaos Emerald from the family's secret island treasury. Shadow did not want to cause a big commotion.

Rumour has it that having the seven Chaos Emeralds will grant one wish to the one who reunites them all. And that's all Shadow wanted to do.

His one and only friend Maria had died due to a strange illness. Her life was cut off too short and he wants nothing but to bring her back. He has one Emerald, and six to go.

It's nothing too hard. He has abilities. Shadow had to learn how to steal and deceive people since he has memory. Maria has always been sick and he always tried to give her the best, as much as robbery could provide.

This time around he had failed her. He couldn't protect. Nor save her.

He was a complete failure.

Shadow got inside the treasury without being detected. Things were a bit easier for him since he started to train with Chaos Control. He still struggles and only can teletransport to short distances and doing that makes him tired. There were guards but he went inside the room unnoticed by using Chaos Control to avoid them. He is thankful that he stole the red Chaos Emerald from Ancient Island.

As he got into the room, he snaps his fingers and makes his red Chaos Emerald disappear into thin air.

Then, he sees the green Chaos Emerald. On a crystal box, of course, it won't be too easy. He took a few seconds and takes a deep breath of air. Using Chaos Control constantly is exhausting his body. Analyzing the room, he searches for cameras, he finds it strange that there is none.

He heard sounds coming from the ceiling, coming from the air conduct. There was someone on top and Shadow did not know if he should be ready to just take the Emerald and leave. But before he could make a decision, someone comes out of the air ventilation and landed on the floor without making a sound.

They stare at each other for a few seconds, registering what is happening.

"Oh no."

It's a female's voice. She is wearing a black latex suit that covers the entirety of her body except for her blue eyes.

"I am sorry, but I am getting this Chaos Emerald for myself."

She walked towards him and Shadow heard her steps, heels probably. Putting her hands on her waist, she demonstrated that she was not too happy to see him and the sentiment was reciprocated.

"I got here first."

"Well yes because I was too busy deactivating the cameras so I could sneak in," she said. "So you're welcome. If it wasn't for me, you would have been caught right away."

"I appreciate that, but I still don't think I can let you go with that Emerald."

"It's not like I was asking you for permission to take it in the first place."

It's just a matter of who was going to make the first move. Shadow was not worried at all, after all, he was faster and stronger. He can overpower her-

She breaks the crystal box that contained the Chaos Emerald.

The alarm goes off. Shadow hated it, the sound is too loud and hurts his sensitive ears. He looked at the figure in front of him who already has the green emerald in her hand.

"You idiot! Now we won't be able to get out of here!" Shadow pointed at her as he saw that she started to fly.

"What? You can't handle a few guards? Besides I fail to see how that's my problem-"

Pew Pew

She immediately fell to the floor as bullets are thrown at her. Instinctively, they both hid behind the stand where the Chaos Emerald previously was.

"DESTROY ENEMIES. PROTECT CHAOS EMERALD."

Shadow took a quick look and noticed how the robot came out of a secret wall. He had many questions such as why was an Eggman robot on Acorn Island and protecting a Chaos Emerald? Those questions could wait.

He noticed that the robot had a long cord attached to his back. Probably a power source. If he destroys that cord then maybe the robot will shut down.

But that was too much work and risk. And his body was on the verge of giving up due to using too much Chaos Control before.

"Give me that!" Shadow forcefully took the emerald away from the treasure hunter but she was not letting go of it so easily.

"Oh, no, you won't have it!" she pushed him to the ground and tried to attack him. Shadow wanted to throw her to the side but couldn't. If he did, she could get shot.

"DESTROY ENEMIES. PROTECT EMERALD."

The robot was coming closer and closer to them. Shadow had to make a choice.

"Chaos ... Control!"

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.

He started coughing up blood.

His white glove has now turned red and he looked at it with disgust. He grabbed onto his chest, and his heart accelerated but he doesn't want the other two to look at him as weak. His pride is bigger than any pain.

"Finally, it took you 10 minutes."

The criminal no longer wears a mask, revealing herself to be a bat. She was frowning down at him, her hands on her waist, impatient.

"The emerald," Shadow said as he stood up from the grass. He can't believe he passed out for ten minutes straight. Using too much chaos power was taking a big hit on his body. "Where is the other Chaos Emerald?"

"The other?"

Shadow snapped his fingers and his green Chaos Emerald appeared out of the thin ear. He held it, at least this one is safe.

"You already have a Chaos Emerald? Why do you want another one?" the bat asked in disbelief and anger.

"None of your business," Shadow snapped his fingers again and the Chaos Emerald disappeared again. Where? He is not certain, but he calls it 'pocket dimension.'

"Where is the other Chaos Emerald?"

"Don't look at me. I don't have it."

Shadow looked up and down at her. She was right, he could not sense any chaos energy coming from her. Instead, he could sense it coming from another figure. Said figure was sitting under a tree. Almost lifeless, he was looking at something but Shadow could not tell what it was.

"I have it. It's become part of me," the robot said and Shadow could almost feel a sentiment in his voice. Something he thought could not be possible. "If you take it out ... I'll die."

"Fuck," Shadow puts his hands into fists, realizing his mistake. "I must have fucked up the Chaos Control. It integrated into your body and has become your power source."

"Fucking great," the bat walked in front of him. She knew that confronting him will solve nothing but she just wanted to let her frustrations out.

"Just exactly what I needed. This was my last fucking chance to pay my debts and now I am going to have to sleep on the streets because you didn't know how to control your powers."

She knew it was not a good idea to fight with the guy that just performed Chaos Control, an ability that few have, but did she care? No really.

"Me? Maybe if you weren't punching me in the face I would have performed a more proper Chaos Control," Shadow raised his voice. "You got us in this trouble!"

"Well I am sorry for punching you in the face but I need to do this to survive. I have a reason to do what I am doing. Unlike you who just wants the Emerald for silly villain purposes."

She did not know if he was a villain but by how annoying he is, she is almost sure of it. Either that or he works for Eggman for some reason.

"Yes, I have silly villain purposes. I am trying to revive my dead best friend. I am sorry if that cause is not as noble as trying to pay debt collectors."

Maybe he said too much. But he did not want wrong assumptions of him. He is not a villain. Although many see him that way, he knew is not one because Maria has told him so. And if she said he is not a bad guy, then he was not.

After a few seconds, the bat responded.

"You shouldn't try to revive the dead with the Chaos Emerald," she said. "Terrible things happen to the one that does."

"And you shouldn't be using it to pay your debts, but here we are."

Taking a big sigh, the bat took a few seconds to cool down. Maybe she can still manipulate the hedgehog to open the robot and then she could take the opportunity to steal the Chaos Emerald.

"Fighting won't get us anywhere," she said. "We have to find a way to open up this robot."

"Oh, I am able to do that by myself. And when I do, I'll take the Chaos Emerald and I'll be on my way."

Of course, it won't be so easy.

"You will have to fight me first," she was done with him. Fine, she will fight him if that's what he wanted.

"I am stronger than you," Shadow walked past her and stood in front of the robot. He dismissed her completely, seeing her as a waste of time.

He did not see her as a threat and that infuriated the bat.

"Maybe but not now. You were coughing up blood earlier, you are weak at this moment," the bat crossed her arms in front of her chest. She smiled with the hope that it showed him that his words did not hurt her pride, even when they did. "I don't enjoy beating up others ... But I will if I have to."

"Well, then," Shadow's voice lowers. He is tired of her and how annoying she was. "I guess I'll just have to take you out before I destroy the robot."

"What are you waiting for them?" She took a fighting stance and waited for the dark hedgehog to attack first. But that never came to be, because the robot interrupted both of them.

"Or maybe... I can just give you the emerald and the location of the others ... In exchange for something."

It did not make sense to Shadow. His proposal must be some sort of trap or maybe the robot was too stupid to understand the situation he was in.

"And what would that be?" Shadow asked. Maybe he could take advantage of the situation, but he still has to be careful.

"You two become a team," the robot said. He was looking at something so tentatively but Shadow did not know what it was. 

"Batgirl, you can use my metal parts to sell and pay your debts ... I am not worth much but I think it will be enough. In exchange for that, Batgirl has to help the black hedgehog to find the other chaos emeralds."

This definitely was a trap, there is no way a sentient robot could be this dumb.

"I don't get it. What would you get from all of this?" the bat asked this time. Taking a place next to the dark and red hedgehog, facing the robot. She was just as intrigued as he is.

"This view," the robot said.

"The ... view?"

Both, Shadow and the bat slowly turned around. They were so focused on fighting each other that they did not realize that they were on top of a cliff, underneath them was Acorn City. The city was home to the majority of the population of the Island. With tall skyscrapers, homes, cars, festivals, theaters, stadiums, and many many lights.

To Shadow and the bat, this is not a view to be awed at. It was too urban for their liking.

Their questions continued, and this time they looked at the robot with hopes to find answers.

"I was created by a mad scientist a very long time ago. I was given the mission to come to Acorn Island and steal the Chaos Emerald but I failed and I have been kept as a guarding robot for years for the royal family," the robot said. He made a small pause as if he was remembering every single thing that happened to him.

"I could not get out because the only thing that kept me alive was being attached to the power source in the treasury. I was there ... Just waiting for something to happen."

"Years passed and nothing happened. I thought that I would spend all eternity like that. I sometimes wondered what the outside world would look like," he directed his sight at the two Mobians. "And then you two appeared and thanks to you both I was able to see this view."

"And it's way more beautiful than I could ever imagine."

The two were speechless.

The bat took a quick look at the dark hedgehog next to her and for a small moment, she saw an expression on his face. Regret. Guilt.

"I am forever thankful to you both. If it weren't for you two ... I would have never been able to experience something as beautiful as this," the robot said. He was supposed to have an emotionless voice but Shadow could clearly feel how honest and grateful he was.

"I am ready to go. You can take the Chaos Emerald and dismantle me. My dream has been accomplished."

The robot's voice quickly reminded him of Maria. How she was unable to go out due to her sickness. All the many things she wanted to experience, all the things she wanted to see ... the things he wanted to show her.

He failed her. But deep down he knew, that she would have not wanted to live if that meant she would be taking someone else's life.

She was good like that.

"No. You are coming with me," Shadow said. He came up with a plan. It's definitely going to take longer but it should be successful.

"We will find a shattered crystal or something to repair you. But I won't take your life. Besides, I think I will make a better team with you than with the bat girl."

"My name is Rouge and I want in."

"What?"

"Look, I am good at stealing, you are good at fighting and the robot can locate the other chaos emeralds," Rouge said. "My debt collectors were already after me, the police might as well. We can make a great team."

"I'll help you out if you give me all the emeralds after you are done reviving your friend," Rouge, was not only thinking of the Chaos Emeralds but of the other riches they might find along the way.

"Meanwhile, we can try and find a shattered crystal for the robot to use."

"My name is Omega," the robot interrupted. He was sitting under a tree and looked a bit too comfortable. "But I don't know if I want to be part of the team. I like the view here."

"I will show you other pretty views," Shadow said. "The world is really big. You will like it."

"Ok ... Thank you, hedgehog."

"My name is Shadow," he looked at Rouge and his soft expression quickly disappeared. "And I've never worked with anyone before ... I can trust you but I don't know about bat girl here.

"Hey, I helped hacked the cameras, I have skills," she defended herself. This time she moved her hands to her hips, giving a more authoritative vibe to her. "You know that if you want to collect all Chaos Emeralds, you are going to need help."

Shadow did not completely trust her. But he did understand her to a certain point. She just needed the money and as much as he did not want to admit it, he does need the help. The bat has skills and seems to be reliable. But still ... he will be careful.

"I guess I can make an exception ... for now."

"Alright, if we are going to be a team, then we are going to have to work on a better outfit for you both," Rouge has a judging look on her face. If there was anything else she hated more than debt collectors that were people with no fashion sense. Well, maybe she disliked them a little less.

"I am not wearing a latex suit," Shadow quickly shut her down. His body is giving up on him and all he wanted was to find a place to sleep.

"You don't have to, but you do have to wear something that covers your face and body," Rouge said as she walked around the dark hedgehog. Now that she took a better look at him, she noticed that he is quite good-looking. That could help in their future missions.

"You have been lucky that you haven't been caught by any cameras but you may not have the same luck going forward."

Shadow was already regretting his previous decision. This bat talked too much.

"Besides after you revive your friend, you won't want to be persecuted for the rest of time right?" Rouge said as she took a quick look at Omega and then back at Shadow. "What if one day you become famous and then everyone finds out you were a criminal because some police footage of you was leaked?"

"As if that is going to ever happen," Shadow knew that there is a slim chance of that happening. He is too fast and besides, he is careful.

"You never know."

But there is always a possibility ...

And so, Shadow did wear an all-black suit.

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.

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"We were never able to repair Omega properly. But Tails helped a lot, I am sure he should be functional for a couple of months."

"Wait wait wait," Amy stops him. She is mostly in disbelief but she knows Shadow is not one to lie. "You are telling me you were a famous criminal? That sounds straight out of a fanfic!"

The word 'fanfic' created some sense of panic in him. Of course, he did not want to be obvious. Shadow is also not surprised that Amy knew about fanfiction, although it did surprise him that she mentioned it so casually.

"Hey, you are the heroine who is also an actress, you tell me."

True. Their lives were nothing but simple. Amy had no complaints about her life but she sometimes wishes she could dedicate more time to her writing. Maybe one day write a book and not just fanfiction. Or who knows, turn one of her fanfictions into a book ... but if that happens she would be forced to expose her 'cringy' writing and she's absolutely not having that.

"Our lives are ... strange uh?" Amy puts her hands on her shoulders and rubs her shoulders. It's starting to get cold, she looks at Shadow who just nods at her question. "I am curious ... What made you stop? And how do you being an ex-criminal relate to Princess Sally?"

Shadow seems hesitant and Amy immediately regrets asking.

"Hey, you don't have to tell me! I understand talking about the past can be difficult," Amy tries to reassure him that she is fine without knowing. She is more than grateful already to know something new about Shadow. "Why don't you instead tell me if you like pineapple on pizza or not?"

"You are still on that?" Shadow asks and he appreciates that Amy tries to lighten up the mood a little so it's not awkward between the two. "I don't know. I haven't tried it yet."

"There are some in the kitchen, you should try some if you have the chance."

"Yeah ... Maybe."

It's quiet now and Amy began to shiver a bit more. Shadow does not have his jacket. Actually, Amy has not returned it yet but he feels like its not the moment to ask it. He moves his body closer to hers and she notices it. She looks away and although Amy knew this is Shadow's way of being a gentleman, she still feels embarrassed.

"What about you?"

He breaks the silence so as to not make the situation more embarrassing.

"About me?"

"How did you meet your team?" Shadow asks. He asks and turns to look at Amy who was still looking at him. Their faces were close and this only got Amy to feel nervous. She keeps her calm, especially when Shadow did not seem to bother by the short distance.

"Oh that," Amy turns her face to look at the ocean. It's scary but not so much when he is here. "Well, I met them all at different times ... But I met Sonic first."

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She just remembers crying. It took a lot of courage from her to escape from the orphanage but now she is lost. Her tarot cards had told her that a hero would come to rescue her. A hero that never came.

Little Amy could not wait any longer in that horrible place. A place she arrived after her parents passed away in an accident.

She endured a lot. The psychological abuse of being left alone in the dark closet if she misbehaved. Not allowing her to eat. Hitting with all kinds of items.

The burning of her most precious items ... her books.

That was the last thing string for her.

The forest is a cold place and it's December. She starts to regret it a little. Yes, the orphanage was cold as well but at least she wasn't blasted by strong winds in every direction.

She could no longer feel her hands or her face. Her eyes were slowly closing. Either because she is tired and needs sleep or because she is dying.

Amy hoped it was the second option.

But before her eyes close, she saw a figure walking towards her.

It was him. He who found her. She did not look for him, he came alone to her.

Her hero.

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.

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She hears a bonfire.

Some rusty blankets were being wrapped around her. There is a storm outside, pouring and thunder but the smell of wet soil relaxed her. Slowly, she opens her eyes and rubs them. Immediately, small Amy notices the blue hedgehog looking at her.

"Who are you?" she asks. "And Where am I?"

"The name's Sonic," he says with a soft smile. "And you are in my cave. You were about to die out there. What were you doing anyways?"

She feels her throat go dry and took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. For a few seconds, she thought that she will be punished for speaking too much, for saying the truth. However, she reminds herself that's no longer the case. She is not in the orphanage anymore and Sonic seems to be a trustable boy.

"I ran away from an orphanage," Amy looks down, her voice quiet but still Sonic could hear her completely. "There were bad to me."

He did not want to ask any more questions. Based on her sad face, the dark circle in her eyes, and her dirty clothes, Sonic knew that her life was not easy. He did not want to force her either, to speak of things she is not ready to share.

"I am sorry you went through that."

Amy just looks up at him, acknowledging his words. There was not much she could say.

After a few seconds, Sonic speaks again, not wanting the situation to become awkward.

"Tails and I escaped the war on our island," Sonic turns and looks behind him. Amy follows him with her eyes and notices a very small yellow fur ball cuddled in rags. It was a fox.

"I am fine. I've always been alone since I can remember but Tails ... He lost his entire family."

Living in an orphanage did not make it easy for Amy to learn much about the outside world. In reality, this is probably the third time she heard there was an ongoing war. But she was not aware of the magnitude of it.

"Poor thing. He is just a small fox."

"Yes, life has taken a lot from him," Sonic looks at Tails who is peacefully sleeping. He picks up another clothing rag and covers the little fox with it. Once he is done with that, he goes back to look at Amy.

"I am tired of running away," he says. "I need a favor from you."

"Yes?" Amy asks nervously which Sonic found to be kinda cute.

"I need someone to take care of Tails while I am gone. He is too small and I don't want to put him in danger."

She just met him but she did not want to let him go just yet. But he seems sure about his decision and Amy knew there will be no words to stop him. Things were happening too fast and there is nothing she can do but trust. Trust that things will get better, that life gets better. That he will come back.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll go stop the war before it spreads any longer."

"That's crazy!" She almost screams but contains herself so as to not interrupt the fox's sleep. "What makes you think you can stop a war?"

"I'll figure it out," Sonic was very nonchalant about this. Stretching his arms and putting them back. This boy rated confidence as if he knew every step of his path.

"Don't worry, I am fast. I'll be back before you know it."

"I think you trust me too much," Amy says, feeling the complete opposite of Sonic. Insecure. "You just met me. What if I can't take care of Tails?"

"You have endured terrible things but you dared to change your situation and I respect that," Sonic says. "Do you think you can't do it?"

"No, I can is just ... I am scared," Amy wonders how this blue hedgehog seems to be so confident. He seems to be around the same age as her but does show signs to be afraid.

"What if you don't come back? What if you can't stop the war?"

"I'll be back before you know it," Sonic stands up and goes to a small wooden box that it's a little more inside the cave. He opens it and takes an apple out of it. He then walks back towards Amy and throws it at her. She catches it.

"And don't worry, I'll stop the war from spreading here."

She didn't say anything after that. Amy looks down at the apple and holds it with both of her hands. With her thumb, she caresses the apple but she shows no signs to be hungry.

Sonic feels guilty for giving this small pink hedgehog such a big responsibility. But couldn't waste any more time and he can't leave Tails alone either.

Now that he thinks about it. He doesn't know her name yet.

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Amy."

Sonic smiles at her. Her name fits her.

"You should rest, you've been through a lot today."

"I can't sleep."

Her sorrow is present and it was to no surprise that it made Sonic feel the same way. He could not blame her but he can try and make her feel better.

"Amy, can I tell you a story?"

"Uh?"

"Yes, a story," he says. "It'll help you sleep."

She liked the idea of a story. The last time someone told her a story was her mother. Without much thought, she lies on the small pile of rags she was previously sleeping on.

"If I fall asleep, will you promise to finish the story when you come back?"

"I promise."

There is a smile on her and that comforts Sonic. He smiles back and takes a deep breath before starting his story.

"A very long time ago ... There was a Knight as fast as the wind who fell in love with the Lady of the Lake ..."

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.

.

"So that's how Sonic became the Hero of the Seven Islands uh?" As much as Shadow did not want to admit it, he feels some sense of respect toward him. "At a such young age."

It didn't take too much thought, but Shadow assumed that Sonic must have been around 13 or 14 when he finished the war. At least he remembers seeing that in a newspaper once.

"Yes. And Sonic never told me the end of the story," Amy giggles a little as she remembers the blue one and his face of confusion. "He just said 'Oh, I forgot how it ended."

"After that, I just thought of all the possible endings. How the story would have progressed, and what would the characters have said?"

There is a certain excitement in her voice and this sentiment overtook Shadow. He also wanted to know even when he knew nothing about the story.

"And what ending did you come up with?"

"I have two endings," Amy says as she finds Shadow's closeness a bit strange but it's not uncomfortable.

"The first one in which the Knight of the Wind loses and the Lady of the Lake marries Sir Lancelot and the other ending is ... One in which the war never happened and the Lady of the Lake could do whatever she wanted."

Writers sometimes like to tell their personal stories with their characters. Shadow wonders if Amy was trying to do the same.

"Did you ever want to become an actress ... A hero?"

"I don't regret either or is just ... Well after Sonic told me that story, I fell in love with him."

Shadow could see small sparkles in her eyes as she talked about him. Oh, and how he wished ... How he wished that certain someone could think of him the same way Amy thinks about Sonic.

"And yes, I know it sounds stupid, but I did," Amy continues, forgetting for a second that Shadow is there. "The way he spoke, how he described the characters, the story ... he is an amazing story-teller and I-"

She looks at Shadow and there is a smile on his face.

A smile that made her shy and embarrassed. But also could see right through her. All her dreams and hopes, the things she wants to accomplish, and also the things she did not.

"I ... I actually just wanted to become a writer."

The sound of the waves could still be heard. It's dark and scary but not so much when they are together like this. He feels like he needs to say something, to comfort her.

"Amy, I-"

"Not, like I care much but I don't think you guys should be together too much."

They both turn around and found Sonic. He doesn't seem angry or annoyed, just genuinely worried. Either because the water around the ship made him nervous or because he just did not want them to be seen by others and interpreted it the wrong way.

"There are people who still think you two are dating and who knows? Maybe some paparazzi are around taking pictures already."

"Oh, you are right!" Amy says and she takes a few steps away from Shadow and for a small fraction of a second, the dark hedgehog missed her closeness.

"We are arriving at Acorn Island tomorrow morning," Sonic says. "And Sticks fell asleep on a floating bed on the water and I can't get her out ... Can you help me?"

"Yes, sure," Amy smiles at Sonic, and then she looks at Shadow. The same warm smile she gave to the blue hedgehog is not the same one she gave to Shadow. "Goodnight."

The blue and black hedgehog watch as Amy walks away. Disappearing into the vastness of the cruise. After she is no longer visible, Sonic turns to look at Shadow, keeping a distance.

"So what, did Amy tell you about how she taught me how to read and write?"

That was a fact that Shadow did not expect to learn today. But either or, it's an interesting detail to know about the blue blur.

"No, she just told me how she met you," Shadow says. "You didn't know how to read and write?"

"Nop, but let's keep that and the orphanage thing a secrete alright?" Sonic says as he crosses his arms around his chest. "We like to keep our past private."

"You have my word."

Sonic nods and then walks away. He knew that Amy is going to need a lot of help taking Sticks out of the water.

After that, Shadow just goes back into his thoughts. A small memory crosses his mind and he looks up at the moon.

"An orphanage uh?"

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"How are you feeling?"

"I've been feeling better. I went to volunteer at the orphanage today."

They have been hiding ever since the war started. Although Shadow did not care much about it since it's always been the two of them. Stealing and lying to get on their way.

They had built a small house on a tree and all Shadow cares about is this place he calls home and taking care of Maria.

"An orphanage? You plan to leave me there now?"

The blond hedgehog sits on her bed. Her blue eyes look tired but she still tries her best to smile at Shadow.

"You know I am not in good health ... I was just checking for future options."

"You know I can take care of myself," Shadow sits next to her bed. He has told her multiple times that she should not overexert herself but Maria is not one to stay in bed and do nothing.

"What makes you think I'll want to go to an orphanage?"

"I know, but I don't want you to be alone."

He hates it when she talks like that. Talking as if one day she will leave him. Shadow could not accept that fact.

He just couldn't.

"Don't worry, it's not like I can force you," Maria says. "Besides that place was horrible. They treat the kids terribly."

Hearing that, Shadow knew where this was going.

"Not our problem."

Shadow stood up and went to look at his book box. He was trying to decide what book to read Maria today. Maybe something they haven't finished yet. Don Quijote? One Thousand and One Nights? The Great Gatsby?

Cyrano de Bergerac!

Shadow has been wanting to read a play after all-

"Shadow, please!"

Shadow closes the book and looks at Maria, annoyed.

"Let's say I go and do something about it ... What is next? What could we do with all of those kids?"

"Nothing, just take the police there. They will move the kids to a better place."

Maria knows that even when Shadow says he doesn't care, he actually does. He was born with a kind heart after all.

"You know the police and I am not on good terms."

"That's why! Make them chase you! You know they are too slow for you."

Shadow is quiet and Maria looks at him with soft eyes. She knew that he could say no to her.

"Shadow, please."

"Fine," Shadow puts the book next to Maria's bed, on her small bedside table. Hopefully, he can read it once he comes back.

"But remember,"

Shadow goes to the window and before jumping out of it, he gives Maria one last look. She just smiles at him, innocently.

"I am not a hero."

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A/N:

I made a Twitter account in case you want to follow me and see writing updates:
@/shadamywriter

I thought it would be strange to make Maria a human in the Sonic Boom universe, so I made her a hedgehog girl. Eggman and Maria are not related to this story because that would not go with the timeline of this story.

When Sonic and Amy met, Sonic was around 13/14 and Amy was around 11/12

Shadow became a criminal around the age of 17. Became an actor at age 20. He is now 23.

Not much romance on this chapter. Nonetheless, I still hope you like it. I kinda want this story to feel like a fanfic? You know how in fanfics, there are certain tropes and storylines that are common? I kinda want to write a fanfic within a fanfic. It's hard to explain but I hope yall get it.

So basically this is a Sonic Boom, Actor AU/Heros/ Fanfic writer-fan story???

Do you know how convoluted this story is? Yes, is that fanfic-esque feeling I want to convey. Kinda like fanfic written by a 12-year-old but make it 'classy'

Anyways, I hope you all liked this chapter and the next chapter ... More drama unfolds!

Hint Hint: What will happen when The Fanfictioner asks ARoseWithoutThorns to meet up in person?

And drunk confessions??!!!

Thank you for reading! More ShadAmy to come in the next chapter!

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