"I tried to lead by example, but they did not see. I tried to lead by force, but they rejected me. I tried to fulfill my promise to her, but they see me as a threat," Shadow told Runa. "I tried finding ways to punish those who oppose me, but I kept hearing whispers in my head. How come you believe I'm a 'good person' when everyone else thinks I'm a threat to Mobius?!"

After Runa was back in control, she slowly rose back into her standing position. Groans escaped her mouth and one of her eyes was half-opened as she did so.

After hearing Shadow's question, Runa didn't know how to respond. Then, after she put her words together, she finally answered him in between grunts and groans. "I... see something in you... that no one else has. I feel... something... you've been feeling. You wanted... to do good to others... but... you were... afraid to do so... because of... what happened... a few years ago.

"They... only rejected you because... you're too... far when it comes to... your recent journey. Nnngh..." Runa continued pushing herself back into her standing position. "The... Shadow I know would... never cause destruction. My desire... is for you to do good... to all of Mobius. I think... it would be better if... you make... a good redemption... and get to know them."

Shadow delivered a direct punch towards her, but was blocked by her hand.

One thing to know for sure, Runa felt a gravity force pushing her backwards. No, not the actual force. Shadow was pushing her fist harder. He launched an attack to Runa's left side with his other hand but her hand gripped his wrist tightly.

Right now, Shadow and Runa were glaring and pushing against each other. Runa did not know what to do. Her eyes were full of reluctance, hesitation and worst of all... fear. Tears started to fill her eyes as she kept pushing herself to not be knocked to the ground nor punctured by the tree. Right in the corner of her eye, she saw her toes in her boots pushing her away from the tree trunk.

"As I said, I tried, but they rejected me," Shadow said.

"But I don't!"

Shadow's eyes widened in surprise.

"I don't reject you," Runa said.

Silence filled the air. Shadow continued to be surprised as sparkles appeared in his eyes.

"I know you're trying you're best," Runa said. "I'm serious, Shadow. I want to help you see that what she desperately wanted means you're created to protect people and give them a chance. And doing so will help all those people see the good in you."

An image of Maria appeared before Shadow again. She was seen begging him to stop like the last time she appeared before him. Shadow's eyes widened at first, but he mentally pushed the image away and continued to glare at Runa.

"Don't talk to me about what you're going to talk about!" said Shadow, pushing her with more strength. Although, what Runa's feeling right now sent tears in her eyes. And it's not just that. She had the same amount of tears as Shadow was having right now.

Runa began to think of another way to end this battle. And a few moments later, realization struck through her.

"That's it! I know the reason why I'm brought to this world!"

"And why's that?" Shadow asked her.

"I came here because fate is testing me. A test that will help me fulfill what I'm here for. I'm brought to this world to bring you into the light, help you make a good redemption and help you show how much change you have made. I'm also here to connect you to all of Mobius. All out of compassion, humility, forgiveness and guidance. So that others will see the goodness inside of you."

For some reason, the last two sentence sent guilt and realization washing over Shadow. Unknown to him, his fists opened and Runa's hands were losing her grip.

"If possible, I can help you see the goodness inside of yourself," Runa said as her fingers moved to his chest fur.

Shadow's facial expression was still there as Runa's right hand clenched onto her left upper arm. Her knees were bent and her lower limbs were a bit wobbly as she continued.

"Please," Runa said, her left hand on her thigh and her right hand reaching out to him. "Being humble to all, guiding those who are troubled, forgiving those who have complicated or good reasons and giving all the care and hope to all of Mobius. This is what she so desperately wanted."

At this point, an image of Maria appeared before him. He could hear her begging him to listen to Runa with tears in her eyes. "Please, Shadow!"

Seeing this sent guilt and realization washing over Shadow even more. And this time, he couldn't take it anymore.

Shadow fell onto his knees. Runa happened to hear him muttering to himself. "I'm... so sorry. " Shadow buried his face in his hands as he broke down in tears. "I'm so sorry... Maria. I didn't know... I could cause... so much destruction. I'm... so sorry."

With that, Shadow continued breaking down in tears.

Runa closed her eyes and let tears roll down her cheeks. After a few moments, she kneeled down and laid her left hand on Shadow's right shoulder. "I'm sure she'll forgive you. And perhaps, so do I," she said with a forgiving smile. With that, she held out her right hand once again.

For a brief moment, Shadow was shocked. Then, his hand reached to Runa's and they both rose into standing positions. After that, what surprised her was the hug Shadow pulled her into. And she could hear faint sniffs from him.

"Thank you. For showing me what it means. To protect Mobius... and to give everyone a chance... to be happy," he said.

It took Runa a few moments before a warm blush ignited on her cheeks and she let out a light chuckle. Then, she hugged him back. "You're welcome, Shadow."

The hug lasted until they pulled away. Shadow was about to wipe away his tears when Runa used her thumb to do so. "Hey, it's okay. You're okay now. You've changed."

After a few moments of silence, Shadow was the first to ask her. "Now that we both know I've changed, who would be the first I should apologize to?"

"That's a good question. I think the first one you should apologize to... is the king himself," Runa said, referring to Sonic.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

Later on...

Runa and Shadow had walked with each other back to Mobotropolis. During their walk, they chatted with each other about their lives and stuff that came to their minds. At that point, Shadow became more open to Runa. Runa noticed Shadow's smile spreading across his face more as they talked.

Right now, they're back in Mobotropolis City. There, the Freedom Fighters took notice of them with smiles on their faces. Manik and Sonia sped towards Runa happily.

"Runa!"

Once Manik and Sonia got to Runa, they wrapped their arms around her waist, with Manik on her right and Sonia on her left. This surprised her at first, but a few moments later, she wrapped her left arm around Sonia while she wrapped her right one on Manik.

"We were so worried we thought you were dead!" Manik exclaimed

"Did you stop King Shadow, Runa?" Sonia asked Runa.

Runa let out a chuckle. "Yes, but not in the way you think."

"What do you mean by that?" Sonic asked in confusion.

Runa turned to Sonic. "I managed to convince Shadow to change into a good person."

Every Freedom Fighter turned to Shadow in shock. Then, they turned to Runa. As Sonia and Manik heard this, they pulled away from Runa and stared at her in shock.

"You've changed him?! How?!" Sonic asked.

"Ya sure about that?" Belle asked. "I mean, it's hard to believe, but..."

"Yes, I'm sure," Runa said.

"Then, how did you get thru to him?" Jacques asked.

"I'll explain later, but right now, Shadow has something to say to Sonic," Runa said. Then, she turned to Shadow. "Shadow, can you do the honors?"

Shadow nodded. "Of course."

With that, Shadow turned to Sonic. He walked his way towards him, Sonia, Manik, Lara-Su and the rest of the new Freedom Fighters. Then, for the first time ever, he kneeled down.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it, Shadow. Runa had done enough to bring you into the light," said Sonic. "In other words, I forgive you."

"We all do!" said Melody.

"Oui! Of course!" Jacques said.

As Jacques said this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Skye turned to Sonic. "But... what if the others don't?" he said in a low voice only Sonic could hear.

"Hmm..."

Sonic's right thumb and index pinched his chin. His elbow laid on his other hand. His eyes narrowed in deep thought.

After a few moments, Sonic turned to Skye. "Then, we'll just have to place him in house arrest back at the castle." He turned to Shadow. "How does that sound, Shadow?"

Shadow looked up at Sonic in quite a surprise. "You're... letting me stay?"

"Well, yeah. We'll at least try to help connect you with the people like Runa said," said Sonic.

"I hope so."

"Then, as king of the Kingdom of Acorn, I hereby place you in house arrest at Castle Mobius until everyone in Mobius believes you've changed," Sonic declared.

Shadow nodded. "Very well."

With that, Shadow rose into his standing position. Then, he reached out his hands allowing himself to be cuffed by anyone present. Turns out, it was Lara who cuffed him with restraints. Those restraints could block his Chaos Powers no matter how he tried to attack anyone.

"No wonder you're new here! You were sent here with a purpose!" Lara told Runa, smirking.

Runa chuckled. "Sure. It can be related to that."

"Oh, by the way, we haven't introduced you to the new Freedom Fighters yet," Sonic said.

"Oh, I see," Runa said.

With that, Sonic turned to the new Freedom Fighters. "Freedom Fighters..." He gestured to Runa. "Meet Runa. She's a friend Manik, Sonia, Sal, Lara and I made."

Sonic turned to Runa and gestured to each member of the new Freedom Fighters, starting with himself, Manik, Sonia and Lara-Su. "Runa, you know me, Manik, Sonia and Lara-Su, right?"

Runa nodded. "Yes. Of course."

"Okay, then."

Then, Sonic gestured to the rest of the new Freedom Fighters. "With us are Melody, Skye, Jacques and Belle."

"Hiya, Runa! Nice meeting you!" Melody said, waving her hand happily.

"Bonjour, ma nouvelle amie. It iz nice to meet you," Jacques said with a smile. Roughly translated in the first sentence, "Hello, my new friend."

"Idem ici," Belle said, smiling alongside her brother. Roughly translated, "Same here."

"It... I-I-It's nice to meet you... R-R... Runa," Skye said nervously.

"Don't mind my lil' brother. He's just a little shy around girls," Melody said, reassuring Runa.

Runa let out a light chuckle. "It's okay, Melody. It's nice meeting you, too," she said. Then, she closed her eyes as a warm smile appeared on her face.

Shadow's eyes widened in shock as he saw Runa's warm smile. Little did anyone know, a tint shade of red crept up to his cheeks.

Just then, everyone noticed something about Runa that's occurring in her now.

"Uh, Runa?" Sonia pointed out.

Runa opened her eyes in surprise. "Huh?" Then, she looked down at herself. What she saw was her body... becoming transparent. Not only that, but when she looked at her hands, she realized. Now that she completed her test, she's going back to her own world.

Runa turned back to everyone else. "Looks like my work is done here."

"What?! No! That can't be it! We just met you!" said Melody.

"She's right, sugah. We still have a lot to learn about you," Belle said.

"I agree," Manik said.

"Yeah! We would love it if you stay in the castle with us!" Sonia said.

Shadow turned away and closed his eyes. His head was contacted to the ground.

"It's alright, guys. I'm sure we'll meet her again sometime," Sonic said. Then, he ruffled Manik's head.

"I know we will," Lara-Su reassured the others.

Sonia walked her way towards Runa. "Will you come visit us sometime?"

"I'm sure I'll have time for that, Sonia," said Runa, smiling. "After all..." She then, ruffled Sonia's hair. "There might be another me living in this world. In fact, I must congratulate you and your brother for what you did to Perfect Tikhaos a few months ago."

"Hahaha! Sure thing! Hahaha!" said Sonia.

"Hope we'll meet again sometime," Lara-Su said, smiling at her.

"Sure thing, Lara," said Runa, smiling at her back.

Shadow opened his eyes and turned to her. For Runa, what she felt like was the feeling of Shadow's wonder if he would ever see her again.

With that, Runa walked towards Shadow and laid her right hand on his left shoulder.

"Don't worry, Shadow. I'm sure we'll meet again sometime," she told him, smiling.

"It's alright. I know you'll be safe. Be careful, Runa," Shadow said.

Runa chuckled. "I know. You, too."

Runa's hand slipped away from Shadow as she sent a warm and genuine smile to him. Shadow managed to send Runa a tiny smile. In the background, you could see the new Freedom Fighters, snickering at the moment.

Belle let out a giggle. "My, my. Would ya look at that?"

Sonia and Manik faced each other. Then, they closed their eyes and covered their mouths to prevent themselves from snickering.

Lara-Su and Mina did the same.

Skye just watched the moment with his hands behind his back.

Both Sonic and Jacques just stood there, smirking at the moment.

As Runa's body became even more transparent, a magenta aura surrounded her. Everyone waved goodbye except Shadow, who just nodded and smiled in farewell.

"Bye, Runa!" said Manik and Sonia.

"See ya soon!" Mina said.

"Bye-bye, mademoiselle!" Jacques said.

"See ya soon, mon ami," Belle said.

"Bye!" Sonic said.

Skye waved shyly at Runa. He gave her a small smile. "B... Bye, Runa."

"Goodbye, my friends! I'll see you in another time!" Runa replied. "Also, tell Miles and Mina I said 'hi.' And 'I'm okay.'"

"We will!" everyone said in unison.

With that being said, Runa disappeared right in front of their eyes.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

With Runa, she was now back to where she came from. Her hands were on her hips as she smiled at herself.

Hoo! What a great test! And why do I still feel so different after all I've been through in another version of Mobius? shethought.

Before giving herselfan answer, a needle was shot through Runa's right shoulder and she collapsed intwo arms. Then, the next thing she knew, everything went all black.