It's been two months since the second Underworlder War. Leo's snakebite on his right upper arm was treated with care. Billie had kept up his courage to confess his feelings to Bashiri. And when he did, she gladly reciprocated his feelings, but they decided to tell no one because they wanted to keep it a secret until Leo and Lariel's first child was born. Both Runa and Shadow got to know each other even more. Their feelings were developing, but they hadn't gotten to a point where they realized their feelings for each other.

That night, before the day of the Wedding Ceremony, Runa decided to spend time with Shadow so that she'll have time to decide whether to stay in the Leone Kingdom to continue her role as the leader of the Royal Guardians or to stay with him permanently.

I know. Tough choice, right? But at least we're about to find out.

After going to dinner and a nature walk on the beach, the two walked through Forest Hill. Once they saw a portal, both decided to sit on the grass and leaned against one of the tree trunks nearby the portal. Runa sat first. Then, Shadow sat beside her on her right.

After a few moments of silence, it was Runa who spoke up first.

"I had a really great time with you, Shadow," she said, smiling at him.

Shadow let out a chuckle. "Thanks, Runa. Same here."

Runa chuckled at his comment. She turned to Shadow and gave him a close-eyed smile. "No problem."

Shadow's eyes widened in amazement. His jaw dropped slightly as a blush appeared on his cheeks.

Silence filled the air. As usual, it's rather comforting than awkward. But this time, it's even more comforting than the first. Why? Because Runa already knew why the gut-feeling is dragging her towards Shadow. After a while of silence, a curious question popped into her head.

"Hey, Shadow?"

"Yeah?" Shadow responded, turning to her.

"Since it's the last night before Leo and Lariel's wedding ceremony, do you mind if you could go there? Along with Rouge and Omega? I'm sure they won't mind."

"Leo is one of those who believe in me. I'll ask him myself," Shadow answered, smiling genuinely.

Runa nodded. "Sure thing."

A blush ignited on Runa's cheeks as she slightly looked away. After a while of silence, she turned to Shadow. "Hey, you gave me the earpiece to communicate with each other wherever we go, right?"

"Yeah, but it's only for when we're on missions. Sometimes, I wish I could communicate with you on a screen," Shadow said.

"Oh, that reminds me," said Runa as she pulled out her extra communicator and handed it to him. "Here."

Shadow was quite surprised about the gift Runa was offering him. It felt like no one had given him a gift before. Except the times when he received his own G.U.N. equipment including his motorcycle. But this one... this... this was heartwarming.

"Leo and Lariel gave me an extra communicator just in case I lost the first one. And now that I've heard you wanna communicate with someone through video chat, I thought I should give this one to you," Runa told Shadow, smiling at him.

With that being said, Shadow's hand reached towards the communicator and he looked at it in his hands.

"Whenever you need anything, you can always contact me," Runa told him.

Shadow nodded in response. "Thank you, Runa. I'll keep it in mind."

"No problem," Runa replied with a warm and genuine smile. Then, her facial expression turned into a downward one. Her eyes made contact with the ground.

"What is it?" Shadow asked her in concern.

It took her a few moments before Runa answered. "This might be my last night with you, Shadow." Her eyes turned to him. "We might never see each other again."

Shadow could see sparkles in Runa's eyes. Then, a few moments later, he saw that her tears finally began to roll down her cheeks.

Shadow's eyes were filled with concern and sympathy. In one split second, he pulled Runa into a hug. Her head was immediately buried in his chest fur as they hugged each other for comfort.

"It's alright, Runa. You're alright. I could say the same to you, but I can't. I'll miss the treasured times we have together and the times where we have to fight together and breakthrough. Also, your kindness to your chao friends, your full respect for me and my privacy, your smile, your enthusiasm... and most of all... how unique you are. They remind me of Maria," he said in a low voice only Runa could hear. "I want you to know that whether you're far or near, I'll always be there for you. Now and forever."

Runa couldn't help but stretched her lips into a warm and genuine smile. "Shadow..." she said in a low voice only he could hear as they pulled away from the hug. "Thank you. You're always there for me. Even in times of trouble."

"No problem, Runa," Shadow said. Then, he turned to the night sky. His eyes gazed at the stars. "No problem."

Runa turned to the sky as well and gazed at the stars.

Silence occurred in the air again. Then, a few moments later, Shadow felt a weight against his left shoulder.

Shadow flinched for a bit. He turned to his left and saw Runa falling asleep on his shoulder.

Shadow's blush immediately increased on his cheeks. He was stunned at first, but a few moments later, his face relaxed into a small smile as he stared at Runa's face. He didn't want to admit it, but the way she slept peacefully was cute and adorable. The same strange feeling rushed through his veins again. This time, he was comfortable with it, but he still wondered what that feeling was. His eyes closed as he turned away and he let out a chuckle again.

Shadow opened his eyes and gazed at the stars again while letting Runa sleep peacefully. Little did he nor Runa know, someone had accidentally caught their moment, but decided to let it slide.

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

The next day...

It was the wedding ceremony do-over. Abraham had given Team Dark permission to participate in Leo and Lariel's wedding ceremony. It was the same as the first. From the introduction to the near end of the vows. And continuing on, it was Solenan who concluded, "I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Leo's hands cupped Lariel's cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. Lariel's arms immediately wrapped around his shoulders. Then, her right arm was moved to his waist. Same goes with Leo's right arm.

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Some grown-ups and teenagers covered the children's eyes to not let them see the kissing scene. Although, Clifton, wanted to see it just to be happy for them. And so, the next part of the ceremony began.

Right now, during the banquet in the ballroom, guests were served with great food in the Leone Kingdom. After that came the wedding cake. During all this, games were played and the program went on.

After eating the wedding cake, it was time for Leo and Lariel to dance alone on the dance floor. Right at the center of the ballroom. But before that, Runa stepped up onstage with a microphone in her hands. In every wedding ceremony, any wedding singer is required to sing the traditional song dedicated to a wedded couple. As music was starting, it's time for the two wedded lions to waltz around the dance floor.

In a few seconds of instrumental, Runa started singing. Her voice was soft and was like a sweet and kind angel as she did so.

From when they met,

A spark fills in each of them

Step-by-step, they'll realize

How much they're meant to be

May love be eternal

For two hearts become one

May love be eternal

For they'll be there for each other

As everyone watched how Leo and Lariel waltzed across the dance floor, they listened to Runa's voice in awe. No one have ever imagined anyone singing like this. Most especially Shadow, who's not much focused on the dance. He found himself staring amazingly at Runa as she continued to sing. With that, Leo and Lariel started waltzing across the ballroom while being careful between the tables.

From one obstacle to another,

They still come through together

Though they may have some conflicts,

Still they always make up

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, they heard a vocalizing song from a small choir walking up onstage behind Runa. This surprised the audience because there has never been a part like this in every tradition. As the chorus started, Leo and Lariel waltzed their way back to the dance floor.

[Ensemble]

May love be eternal (Runa: May love... be eternal!)

For two hearts become one (Runa: Two hearts become one!)

May love be eternal (Runa: May love... be eternal!)

For they'll be there for each other

Finally making it to the dance floor, Leo and Lariel made a few last steps during the waltz.

[Runa]

Oh, until the end!

Leo raised his right hand allowing Lariel to twirl. Then, the two ended up in a dipping position.

[All]

May their journey be continued

Until the end of time

After the song ended, the crowd went wild for the whole part of the wedding ceremony. Some of them for the dancing. Others — especially Shadow, who's clapping his hands while slightly smiling — cheered for Runa's performance.

As they did, Leo put his right fist on his hips. This gave Lariel a chance to wrap her arm around his right arm. Then, the two walked onstage as the small choir and Runa exited. But Runa stood beside the stage as the wedded couple gave the audience a speech onstage. In front of everyone else.

"I'd like to thank everyone for participating in our wedding ceremony. It really means a lot to both of us. I'd also like to thank—" Leo turned to Runa. "—Runa for the traditional song you sang to us. With a little addition of course."

Runa and the small choir let out giggles and light chuckles.

"And most of all, I'd like to thank—" Leo turned to Lariel. "—my most beloved wife, now known as Queen Lariel, for making my life possible and changed forever."

Lariel gave him a warm and genuine smile. "Well, I could say the same with Leo, but I'd also like to thank him as well. For changing my life and making me feel like a part of the family. For we both have things in common, we get along well."

"And before we go to our honeymoon, we would like to share one more thing," Leo said as he turned to Runa. "Runa?"

A brief hesitation struck through Runa, but was taken over by preparedness and determination. Yet she had a slight feeling of wondering if she's ever going to see Shadow again or not after the wedding. With that, she nodded as she stepped up onstage beside him.

"As my destiny is to both lead the Leone Kingdom and protect it from any harm, I'd like to pass on my duty to this young and active hedgehog, whose leadership has led us to victory, even during her training. Ladies and gentlemen..."

But just as Leo was about to say the last words, his eyes suddenly encountered Shadow the Hedgehog. In his eyes, it seemed like Shadow was okay with it, but for some reason, he felt something wrong.

"...boys and girls..."

Cringe started taking over Leo. Not only he felt something wrong, but he hesitated if he should confirm about Runa the Hedgehog being the new leader of the Royal Guardians. He looked down and sighed.

Everyone's eyes were filled with concern about Leo's hesitation. Both Lariel and Runa turned to him in concern.

"Are you okay, Leo?" Lariel asked him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine," Leo answered.

A few moments later, an idea suddenly popped into Leo's head. With that, he turned to the audience with Runa and Lariel following his gesture.

"There has been a change of plans since the end of the second Underworlder War. In fact, I was originally going to appoint Runa as the leader of the Royal Guardians. But seeing how a spark is igniting between Runa and Shadow—"

The name "Shadow" caught the Ultimate Lifeform's attention.

"—and how Runa was created for a real purpose, I'd like to make a declaration," Leo said as he turned to Shadow. "Shadow, do you mind if you step onstage and stand beside Runa?"

Both Runa and Shadow were quite surprised at the words they heard from Leo. At one point, they thought they could be separated forever, but happiness washed over their bodies as their lives were about to be changed forever.

With that, Shadow nodded as he rose from his seat and walked onstage. Then, he stood at Runa's left side like Leo said.

"I have seen little moments between Shadow and Runa the Hedgehogs," Leo said. "They remind me of how Lariel and I journeyed together. All the way to our marriage. Today, our journey will continue. Hearing of how Runa unlocked her full potential and seeing how she and Shadow converse with each other, I, too, finally understand."

Then, there came a declaration from Leo himself. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, it is my great honor to present to you..." Leo's right hand gestured to Runa. "...Runa the Hedgehog, guardian of Shadow the Hedgehog."

Upon hearing this, Runa's eyes widened in astonishment. A feeling of gratitude and acknowledgement to Leo for letting her stay with Shadow washed over her, but she managed to regain her composure. Sparkles filled her eyes.

As for the crowd, they went absolutely amazingly wild. Exclamations like "Yay, Runa!", "Alright, Shadow!", "Croco-mazing!", "Wooo!" and "Woohoo!" were heard.

Then, Runa's astonished expression turned into a warm and genuine smile. Tears of joy filled her eyes. This declaration made her so happy she wanted to say thanks. But she's too enjoyable to do so.

Runa felt an arm pulling her closer to Shadow's body.

"Ooomph!"

Runa looked up to see Shadow, smirking at her. She turned her head away while a warm blush ignited on her cheeks. Runa's and Shadow's tails were now wagging rapidly as she did so.

A bit later on, Lariel tossed a bouquet of flowers to the bridesmaids. Surprisingly, the ones who caught the flowers were Bunnie and Sally. But Sally decided to give the flowers to Bunnie. Well, Amy tried to catch it, but it didn't go quite well.

Then, Leo tossed the garter to the groomsmen. Sonic and Antoine fought for it, but the garter unexpectedly landed on Tails' hands. This surprised Sonic, Antoine and especially Tails.

Then, Leo and Lariel went in a royal honeymoon through the carriage, with the audience waving goodbyes at them.

In the Leone Kingdom, the honeymoon for the king and queen and sometimes leaders of the Royal Guardians usually lasts for the whole night. Then, the couple will come back to do their duties.

As Runa and Shadow waved at them, Abraham approached them, much to Runa's surprise.

"So, now that you're appointed as Shadow's Guardian, I'd like to offer you training in G.U.N."

Runa became more surprised. "R-Really?"

"Yes. It seems you and Shadow get along really well. You've been taking care of your human friends and you hangout with Shadow once in a while. But there's no need to worry about that. I have prepared a schedule for you to have your time with your human friends, to train in G.U.N., to have a day-off and to go on missions if necessary. I have also prepared an apartment room for you, your chao friends and your human friends to settle in. Keep in mind that you guys are roommates with Shadow."

Runa's surprised expression turned into a genuine smile. "I'd love that! Thank you, Commander!"

"No problem."

With that being said, everyone watched as Leo and Lariel left for the royal honeymoon.

Little did everyone know, a crack appeared in the sky.

End of Book 5