You're Not Lonely

It was a chilly, gloomy evening on Mobius. The sky was white, as if it would snow. It was Christmas Eve, and the trees were bare and looked like bombs had gone off. All the fallen leaves were no longer pretty as they decomposed into the soil. Shops were lined with Christmas decorations. The temperatures were in the low twenties, and drivers were rude at this time of year as they hurried to get their last minute Christmas shopping done. There were no birds chirping or animals scampering, it was far too cold and depressing, especially with the weather like it was. Of course, this didn't help with my mood. I hated Christmas, all the people walking around happily. They had a reason to enjoy Christmas. I didn't. As I walked in downtown Westopolis, I looked at two happy women who were sitting on a bench talking and sipping coffee. Judging by their similar looks, they were both related, and they were having a ball. I shook my head at them as I ventured down a dark alley. It was quiet down here, and a pipe nearby was emitting steam, probably from a drier inside. The apartment building on my left was old and cheap, and I could hear a couple on the top floor screaming as they made love. I wrinkled my nose disgustedly as I pulled out the green Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control," I whispered, and a second later I appeared in a familiar neighborhood. The neighborhood of the blue hedgehog's. It's been almost twenty years since I met this hedgehog, and he was in his mid twenties now, with a wife, Blaze, and two children. They were a happy family. Me, being the Ultimate Life Form that I was, I had nobody. No wife or girlfriend, not that this bothered me one bit.


I walked over to the blue hedgehog's house and peered through the window. The blue hedgehog was giving his youngest son a piggy back ride, both giggling uncontrollably. And that fiery feline wife of his was baking cookies with the oldest daughter. Their Christmas tree was up, and lined with colorful ornaments and tinsel, as well as an old family photo from five years ago. The son was five or six, or something like that, and the daughter was eight. The daughter was lavender like her mother but was a hedgehog, and the son was blue like the father, except he was a cat. Then the blue hedgehog looked out the window and made eye contact with me. Frowning slightly, I turned to leave, just as the door opened.

"Shadow? You wanna come in?" asked the blue hedgehog.

"No," I said firmly.

"You sure? It's supposed to snow in a bit," Sonic said.

"NO. I'm fine," I replied.

"Then why'd you come in and peer through the window? Are you trying to look at my wife?" Sonic joked.

"NO!" I spat.

"Well, I guess I'll see ya soon, Shadow. Take care."

"Don't count on it, blue hedgehog."

The door shut and I glimpsed back through the window and saw Sonic scoop up his son happily and carried through the air, and the son spread his arms out, replicating an airplane. Sighing, I walked towards the street and pulled out the Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control," I muttered, and I warped to Space Colony Ark. I looked out at the big blue Mobius and heaved another sigh. This was going to be another lonely Christmas. And I didn't want to interfere or be a burden to anybody else's Christmas. I generally didn't mind being so lonely, but I couldn't handle another lonely Christmas. This is why I despised Christmas; not just because of the people. My mind wandered onto Maria. I had gotten over Maria, but I still thought about her, especially around Christmastime. Each Christmas I had spent with her I had enjoyed, but then she died...
"Shadow?" said Rouge's voice.


"Hmph," I said in response.


"Shadow, I really think you should spend Christmas with Knuxie and I, and-" Rouge began.

"NO!" I retorted, not turning to face Rouge.

"Why not? Shadow, this is why you hate the holidays. You refuse to spend it with your friends, when we invite you to join us. You don't even attend the big holiday feast!" Rouge cried.

"I do too," I responded.

"Well, you do, but you don't talk to anybody. Shadow, you need to open up. You're-" Rouge began.

"I do not need to open up."

"Yes you do, Shadow. You never talk to anybody."

"I want to be left alone."

"And that's your problem."

"I WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE!"

I heard Rouge sigh, and the sound of shutting doors as she left. I looked down at the floor, lonely again. I wanted to spend time with other people for Christmas, but I didn't think they would enjoy having me around. I used Chaos Control to warp back to Westopolis and walked to Emerald Park. I sat down on the bench and watched the other little kids playing and laughing. They were wearing their heavy coats, yet still went to the park. A kid about six walked by, holding his mother's hand. He was wearing a heavy ski coat, and he pointed at me. "Look Mommy! That guy isn't happy! He must not like Christmas!" squealed the boy.

"Hmph," I mumbled as the mother and the kid walked further away. I heaved another sigh and felt even more lonely now. This is why I despised the human race. And this is why I missed Maria. She was the only best friend I ever had, and she understood me. The reason why I felt so lonely all the time was because she died. Suddenly, I heard a female scream from nearby, as well as Eggman's laugh.

"BA HA HA HA HA HA! Been awhile, huh Amy!?" Eggman cried. I turned around and saw Eggman  in his Egg-O-Matic, holding on to Amy.

"WHY do you insist on capturing me all the time!? I don't have anything you want!" Amy screamed.

"Because I can use you as bait for Sonic, and then capture him!" Eggman replied. I quickly ran towards the scene.

"SHADOW! Help!" Amy cried. Amy was twenty-three years old, and she had grown up a lot. She wasn't so obsessed over the blue hedgehog now, especially after he married Blaze. And as far as I knew, Amy wasn't dating anybody.

"Shadow? What are you doing here!?" Eggman asked in surprise.

"The blue hedgehog is currently at his house with his family. He will not respond to Amy's call for help," I explained.

"AH! Thanks for spilling the beans! BA HA!" Eggman chuckled.

He turned to fly off, but I yelled, "CHAOS BLAST!" and a green explosion filled the air and Eggman was sent flying away, unable to control his Egg-O-Matic, which spun wildly as he flew. He let go of Amy and she fell, but I caught her in my arms. Eggman crashed into a nearby tree and stuck there like glue, and then he fell out of the tree and landed on the ground, cut up and bleeding.

"Thanks, Shadow," Amy whispered to me. I looked into her eyes, which was as green as my Chaos Emerald. My face grew warm as I set her down. "Why'd you rescue me, Shadow?" Amy asked curiously.

"Because you are a female, and I had a female friend once..." I replied slowly, my voice trailing off.

"You're still on about Eggman's cousin, huh?" Amy said.

"Certain times...yes," I replied.

"SHADOW! You've got other friends! Maria will never come back! You must get over her!" Amy said, touching my left hand with both of her hands.

"I know, but sometimes, I feel lonely," I told her. Then I instantly regretted telling Amy this. I had never told anybody about my loneliness.

"Well, why didn't you say so! C'mon! Let's go to Cream's house; she and her mom are baking and watching Christmas movies!" Amy cried.

"No, thanks. But I'll pass," I told Amy.

"Why? Would you rather be lonely here or with Cream and I?" asked Amy. Good point. She wasn't annoyingly boastful like that blue hedgehog, and her optimistic attitude counteracted my pessimistic attitude.

"Alright, I will come with you to Cream's house. But I will not stay long," I replied.

"GREAT! Let's go!" Amy cried. Still holding my hand, she happily skipped towards the direction of Cream's house. I wanted to let go, but for some reason, I found Amy's hand to be rather comforting. I looked at Amy's outfit. She was wearing a coat designed to look like that fat Christmas man with the snowy white beard...Santa, was it? It was red with feathery white cuffs on the sleeves and a feathery white lining on the bottoms of the jacket. She was also wearing fuzzy pink gloves with the occasional white streak. And she was wearing tight black pants and furry snow boots. She's cute, I thought. Then I wrinkled my nose. Really?! Did I HAVE to think that!? When we got to Cream's house, Amy let go of my hand and opened the door and invited me in.

"No, you go in first," I told Amy.

"Don't be silly, Shadow! You're the guest!" Amy told me. Grunting a little, I stepped inside. It smelled like brownies baking in here, and was toasty and cozy, compared to the dull chilly air outside. Amy stepped inside and shut the door and took off her Santa jacket. Underneath it she was wearing a red long-sleeved sweater with a reindeer on it. "Why do you go outside without a coat on, Shadow?" Amy asked me.

"I don't need one," I responded.

"Don't be silly!" Amy giggled.

Amy's giggle reminded me of Maria's. Amy was so much like Maria in personality, but I shook my head. I NEEDED to get over Maria! Amy was right, she was dead. And she wasn't the Ultimate Life Form that I was. Inside, Christmas music was playing on an old boombox, and a Christmas tree towered to the ceiling, lined with ornaments and artwork most likely done by Cream's chao Cheese at the Chao Kindergarten. Cream skipped in, wearing a pink jumpsuit and fuzzy lounge socks. "MR. SHADOW! What a surprise!" Cream cried when she saw me.

"Cream," I greeted her.

"He was lonely in Emerald Park," Amy explained.

"OH! That's no good at all!" Cream cried. Cream was seventeen or eighteen, and was planning on moving out soon. Despite this, she still made cookies with her mother, Vanilla. Cream was also single, and wanted to keep it that way. She grew her hair out and it stretched three inches past her shoulders.

"Nope! So I convinced him to join us!" Amy explained.

"Great! Mom and I are making brownies, as you can tell! They will be done in a few minutes!" Cream said, rolling her eyes a bit. She turned to go upstairs.

"Wanna sit down, Shadow?" Amy asked me.

"Sure, why not," I grumbled. Amy sat down on the red leather couch next to the Christmas tree. I approached her and hesitated.

"Coming? Sit down by me, I will not bite," Amy told me, giggling again. I turned and sat down next to Amy. Amy pulled her feet up on the couch and sat cross-legged. "Shadow, why do you get so lonely all the time? You know you've got us!" Amy said.

"The blue hedgehog annoys me. He's got a family and he-" I began.

"Are you jealous of Sonic's happiness?" Amy asked.

"Wh-!? NO!" I cried, but I suddenly doubted this. I had never thought about this.

"Sonic's got himself a family, and this fact annoys you. Shadow, I don't think you want just a friend. I think you want a wife!" Amy roared.

"Preposterous! I don't see myself settling down and marrying; I am an Ultimate Life Form," I insisted.

"Well, you don't like spending time during Christmas with friends, why not find a girl? It's about time you should! Maybe find one that counteracts your personality, so you can maybe open up a little!" Amy explained. What was she implying?

"NO. I do not want a girlfriend."

"Awwh, sure ya do, Shadow. I mean, think about it, you've GOT friends, but you're still not totally happy."

"I do wish to spend time during Christmas with friends; I just don't think you guys would enjoy my presence."

"NONSENSE SHADOW! Who's putting this in your head?"

"Me."

"Shadow, you need to enjoy life! You have a lot of friends that care about you, even if you aren't exactly heroic. And I'm sorry, but this Maria girl's not here for you, is she?"

"No."

"Then rejoice! Be happy this Christmas! Spend it with Cream and I!"

"No."

"Why not!?"

"Because....I..."

"Because you're afraid I won't enjoy your presence?!"

"I-"

"Shadow, I like you, the way you are. Even if you have a negative personality. And who knows, maybe I can help you open up?"

"I guess you're right."

"I AM RIGHT!" I met Amy's emerald green eyes, and she smiled. I nodded. "No, Shadow," Amy said, and she took her hands and touched the corner of my mouth and lifted the sides of my lips, forming a smile. "Smile, Shadow," Amy told me.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because, you have a cute smile!" Amy giggled. My face grew hot and I pulled away from Amy's grip and looked away. "Smile, Shadow!" Amy begged. I looked at her and smiled merely. "Show some teeth!" Amy instructed. I lifted the corner of my lip a bit, forming a weird lopsided smirk. "That's fake! Act like you just encountered something you really like!" Amy instructed. My thoughts went to Maria, but thinking about her didn't make me happy because I would never see her again. Then the next thing that came to my mind was Amy's outfit from earlier that I thought was "cute" and I smiled. A real smile, showing teeth and all. "AWW! Shadow! Your smile is so CUTE! Now, if you can just do it a little more often..." Amy began. I looked down and my smile faded. I had smiled at the thought of Amy!? What has gotten into me!? This couldn't be right. My face grew hot again at Amy's comment.

"If you smile more, you'll be happier more!" Amy told me.

"I guess you're right," I stated.

"I AM RIGHT!" Amy cried happily.

A beeping sound was heard, and Cream rushed down the stairs. "Brownies are ready," she said, and she went to the kitchen to pull them out of the oven. A minute later, she had a plateful of piping hot brownies in her hands when she appeared again, and she set them down on the couch to my right.

"OOH!" Amy cried happily, reaching for a brownie.

"Careful, they're hot," Cream warned Amy.

Amy extracted her hand from the plate and rested it on my leg. I eyed her. "Shadow, your leg is cold. Want a blanket?" Amy asked.

"No," I insisted, but Amy let go of my leg and touched my chest.

"Your chest is cold too-" Amy began, but stopped herself. She kept her hand on my chest and held still. "Shadow...you have a beating heart..." Amy said slowly.

"Enough!" I exclaimed, brushing Amy's hand off my chest.

"Shadow, if you're the Ultimate Life Form and were created, how come you have a heart?" Amy asked me.

"My body functions normally like any regular body, except I have superficial cells in my body that act like superheroes; they keep me from getting sick or dying," I explained.

"Whoa," Amy said in awe.

"Yes. So I eat, sleep, and do everything else a normal body does, I just never die," I said.

"Doesn't that get old, though?" Amy wanted to know.

"Yes, it does," I said with a sigh, "so far I've found my life to be not worth living."

"Don't say a ridiculous thing like that! Everybody's here for a reason! Even you!" Amy cried.

"What reason would that be?" I asked.

"Maybe this Maria girl wanted you to do something for her?" Amy suggested.

"Yes, but I fulfilled that promise years ago."

"Oh. Still, don't think of your life as meaningless. And don't think you're not meant to live. You have friends that care for you. I care for you, Shadow." Amy put her hand on my leg again. "I am getting you a blanket, Shadow, because I want you to be warm," Amy said, standing up to leave. Why did Amy care so much about my well-being? She never felt this way, at least not to my knowledge. Amy came back with a soft lap blanket and she draped it over my legs. The blanket was nice and cozy, and I felt more relaxed now. "That better?" Amy asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"This'll help even more!" Amy exclaimed, picking up a brownie and handing it to me. Then she got one for herself and rejoined me on the couch. She stuffed the brownie in her mouth and chewed it up quickly. I looked at the brownie. It was flaky and decadent, and it had a gooey chocolate inside. I shrugged sightly and stuffed the brownie into my mouth and began to chew it up slowly. Despite me not liking chocolate, this brownie was exquisitely delectable, as I let the gooey fudge inside melt in my mouth and savored every bite. As I swallowed, it warmed up my throat, stomach, and...heart. I suddenly felt a happiness and joy I haven't felt since Maria died, not because of the brownie, but because I was warm inside and out, and all of a sudden, I regretted originally objecting on coming here. Amy's presence was comforting, and she gave off a radiant glow that made me feel cozy inside and out. When I had finished the brownie, I looked at Amy. "It was good, isn't it?" Amy asked me.

"Yes. Thank you, Amy...I feel...better," I replied.

"GREAT!" Amy cried happily. I looked at Amy and that smile...returned on my face again. Amy smiled back, and her teeth looked beautiful; they complimented her face. I looked away and scowled again. What was I doing?! "What's wrong, Shadow?" Amy asked, concern rising in her voice.

"It's...I'm-" I began.

"What is it, Shadow?" Amy asked. I looked at her and met her eyes, and I saw concern in her eyes...as well as something else...something I couldn't quite recognize.

"I'm...opening up to you," I said slowly.

"That's great! I am trying to get you to do that!" Amy said happily. Her emerald eyes twinkled in the light. They looked dazzlingly gorgeous. I wanted to look away because the amount of beauty overwhelmed me, almost as if it were a big bright light. What was with me all of a sudden? Was I...taken with Amy? I sure hope not...if Amy and I dated...that would be...strange. Yet the image of me being Amy's boyfriend was somewhat flattering. Amy reminded me so much of Maria, only Amy was a hedgehog like me, and not a human like Maria. Maria was only my best friend, so how in the hell could I fancy Amy!? Was it Amy's eyes? Perhaps Eggman fed Amy something that could hypnotize people who looked deep into her eyes, like some paranormal creature. The thought was silly, and I found myself smiling, while still looking at Amy. Amy flushed and looked away, giggling. "What are you thinking about?" Amy asked when she got her face straight.

"I was thinking about...how Eggman gave you something...that causes your eyes to hypnotize people," I said slowly.

"You're enticed by my eyes?" Amy asked curiously, looking at me.

"I...believe so," I replied. Amy looked straight at me and widened her eyes, so I could get a better view of her irises.

"What's so flattering about my eyes? They're only the same color as Sonic's!" Amy wanted to know.

"They are much greener and prettier than the blue hedgehog's eyes," I replied.

"I don't believe Sonic's eyes are 'pretty,'" Amy told me, and she laughed, and I found myself laughing along with her, but then stopped myself and looked at my legs. "I like your laugh, Shadow. You should laugh more often. I've never heard you laugh before, ya know?" Amy told me.

"Really?" I said in awe. I found myself looking up at Amy again...I needed to look at those eyes again. They attracted me, and I wasn't ashamed to admit it.

"Yes," Amy said solemnly, nodding. I chuckled slightly. "Shadow! What's gotten into you!? CREAM! DID YOU POISON THE BROWNIES!? OR DRUG THEM!?" Amy called. Cream came in, looking confused and hurt.

"No, why!?" Cream asked.

"Shadow's acting unusually jovial!" Amy cried.

"I didn't do anything...maybe it's sugar. Maybe sugar makes Shadow happy," Cream suggested. Amy turned to look at me.

"Is this true?" Amy asked me.

"Amy, I am not ashamed to admit that the brownie was delectable, and warmed up my insides, and elated me. However, I am also not ashamed to admit that your eyes pull me in like magnets. And I'll admit, I feel closer to you than ever," I explained. Amy went pink and looked down at my hand, which rested on the couch. Amy put her right hand on top of my left hand. She looked up and met my eyes.

"I'm here to help you, Shadow. I am here to help you feel happier about Christmas. I do not want you to spend another Christmas in sorrow. You are not alone, Shadow. I am here," Amy told me sincerely.


"Why me?" I wanted to know.

"Because I care about you, Shadow. You are my friend," Amy said, and I saw that mysterious glow in her eyes, aside from joy. What was that? Was it concern? Respect? I had a hard time identifying most positive emotions. Then Amy leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me. I was awkward at first, but then relaxed. Amy's body relaxed me all the more, and despite being the type of person who doesn't like to be touched, I liked being close to Amy. Slowly, I lifted my hands and rested them around Amy's sides. Thankfully, Cream left, because this was highly unusual for me. I pulled away and grabbed the plate and stood up and took it to the kitchen and rested it in the sink. I looked on the fridge and saw some pictures of the blue hedgehog's son and daughter. And my happiness faded slightly. I believed Amy was right; I was jealous of the blue hedgehog's happiness. Just when Amy came in and saw me looking at the pictures of the kids. "Shadow, do you like kids?" Amy wanted to know.

I remembered the kid that had insulted me earlier and I looked at the floor. "Not really," I replied.

"That's okay! Me neither. I mean, I like kids, but they're not for me. I'll stick with a chao. At least, for now. Maybe later, I'll change my mind," Amy said, and I met her beautiful green eyes again. I looked out the window and was surprised to see that it was almost dusk. "OOH! Times flies, huh!?" Amy cried.

"Hmph. I guess I'll be leaving, then," I said.

"NO! Stay!" Amy begged, grabbing my hand with both of her hands again.

"Why?" I asked her.

"Because...I...I don't want you to be alone on Christmas Eve," Amy replied. I looked deep into her eyes and saw that mysterious emotion again! Nonetheless, I smiled again, and Amy smiled back.

"I'll stay," I told Amy.

"Great! Thanks, Shadow!" Amy said happily, hugging me. I didn't hug back but still felt comforted by this action. "Here, Shadow, you can sleep on the guest bed," Amy told me, letting go.

"No, thanks," I told her.

"Don't worry! It's not too girlie in there!" Amy told me. I held back a chuckle. "You're the guest, you stay on the guest bed, it's only fair," Amy said.

"Where will you be staying?" I asked Amy.

"At my house, probably. I have my own home," Amy replied.

"I can come home with you," I told Amy, but realized how this sounded and I looked at the floor and my face grew hot.

"That's sweet of you, Shadow, but I don't have a spare bed or anything..." Amy began.

"You don't want me to be alone. So either stay here, or let me come home with you," I insisted. Amy looked up at me and smiled again.

"I seriously think Cream drugged the brownies. Okay! I'll sleep on the couch!" Amy told me.

"NO! On the guest bed. YOU'RE a guest, after all!" I leered.

"But...Shadow-" Amy began.

"Don't worry about me. I sleep on the floor of Space Colony Ark sometimes. I can handle a measly couch," I assured Amy.

"OH! Okay," Amy told me. We paused and looked deep into each others' eyes, and I saw it...AGAIN.

"Amy, what is it with your eyes?" I asked.

"Whaddya mean?" Amy asked curiously. "Are you wondering why they're attracting you?"

"No. I'm asking why there is another emotion in your eyes," I explained.

"What are you talking about?" Amy asked curiously.

"Aside from joy, I see something else in your eyes...it's a positive emotion I can't recognize," I explained.

"Love?"

"Wh-? Love!?"

"You know what love is, Shadow, right?"

"Yes...but...you..."

Amy's eyes widened and she turned away. "Shadow...I'm...I'm sorry," Amy said sadly.

"Sorry about what? What's wrong?" I asked. Her sadness worried me; it reminded me of Mar...oh, what was I saying! I needed to get over Maria for crying out loud! Yet Amy's sadness still worried me.

"I'm sorry if...you...are uncomfortable in anyway. I just want to assure you you're not lonely this Christmas, and...I...can't help myself...you're-" Amy began.

"What?" I wanted to know.

"I like you, Shadow. A lot. Always had liked you," Amy responded finally.

"What?" I repeated, awestruck.

"Ever since I discovered of Sonic's feelings for Blaze...it took me awhile to get over...I turned to the next best thing..." Amy stammered, looking at me.

"Why me? Why not...I dunno, Silver?" I asked.

"I barely know Silver. And besides, with you being the opposite of me, it can work...I can help you open up, like I said," Amy explained. She still refused to face me. "I'm sorry, Shadow. I...I hope I didn't...I'm not-" Amy began with remorse.

"Amy, do not be sorry. I'll admit, you do attract me, and it took me awhile to realize this..." I assured Amy slowly. I figured the reason Amy was acting like this was a result from years of rejection from that goddamn blue hedgehog, which, I'll admit, pissed me off, how he rejected her heart and left her in the dust. I almost felt like he didn't deserve to be Blaze's, too, because of the way he had rejected Amy so. I scowled, picturing the blue hedgehog and his kids again.

"You...like me?" Amy asked, surprised. She turned to look at me.

"Yes, Amy. You warmed me up and you taught me to let go of my past; other people had done this but in insulting ways. You seem interested in me, and I'm interested in you," I told Amy.

"Really? And you didn't eat a drugged brownie?" Amy asked me. I shook my head and smiled merely. Then I went to Amy and wrapped my arms around her body. She smelled like Christmas goodies, and, once again, her closeness comforted me. "Thanks, Shadow. Goodnight," Amy told me.

"Night, Amy," I told her. She turned and left, and I watched her go. I felt so much better, knowing that I was going to spend Christmas this year with somebody, somebody who made me comfortable and warm inside. Yet I felt like this came in so fast. Then again, Amy has always been so attractive...and...looking back and realizing it...I did get slightly jealous when Amy chased after that goddamn blue hedgehog. Maybe...just maybe...I had feelings for Amy all this time but didn't recognize it, because I had always been so drowned in negativity. I needed to spend extra time with Amy to get closer to her. I climbed on the couch and pulled that soft blanket over me, and fell into a gentle sleep.

I woke up to Amy sitting down on the couch and looking at me with her green eyes, holding a plate of breakfast. "Morning, Shadow," Amy whispered, "Merry Christmas."

"Amy, you really shouldn't have-" I began, but Amy laid the breakfast down and I looked at it. It was a heart-shaped pancake, one side was drenched in dark syrup, the other side not. I thought this was slightly ironic.

"I didn't know if you liked syrup or not, so I didn't cover the whole pancake! Sorry if you don't," Amy told me.

"It's fine," I assured Amy, taking a bite of the pancake. It was cinnamon, and, just like the brownie, melted in my mouth with a delectable goodness. I savored every bite again, and, once again, felt warm inside. Cream came in, holding presents.

"Merry Christmas, everybody!" Cream cried.

"Merry Christmas Cream! Want me to make you breakfast?" Amy asked.

"No," Cream replied. She set the presents down on the floor beside me. "These are for you Amy from your friends!" Cream cried. Amy quickly unwrapped them to uncover pajamas from Tails, a necklace from Sonic, and makeup from Blaze.

"OOH! Cool!" Amy roared.

"Amy...I didn't get you anything...I'm sorr-" I began.

"Don't worry about it, Shadow!" Amy assured me.

"I don't think nobody got me anything, actually," I stated.

"Don't be silly! I got you something! I gave you a Christmas day to spend with me," Amy told me. She was right; I smiled merely at her. Then I looked at the yellow bracelet Maria had given me to remember her by. Smiling still, I took it off and handed it to Amy.

"Here...Maria gave me this, and I...wanted to give it to you," I told Amy.

"Awwh, Shadow! I couldn't! Not Maria's gift!" Amy cried.

"Don't worry about it. Maria's dead, and I'm resigned to that fact," I told Amy. Amy smiled at me and I put the bracelet on Amy's right hand for her.

"Thanks, Shadow, for everything," Amy whispered to me.

"No, Amy. Thank YOU. For realizing...I am NOT alone..." I told Amy.

"You're not! And you never WILL be!" Amy cried, and faster than I could react, she slammed her lips onto mine. I was surprised and awkward at first, but then realized how sweet and tender Amy's lips were, and relaxed and put my arms around Amy's waist and kissed back. Cream clapped from nearby. I pulled away, embarrassed. And with the time I spent with Amy, I had the best Christmas ever, and I no longer felt alone.


The End