Can Never Replace You

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sonic characters! It would be great if I owned Tails and Knuckles though!! I wanna hug Knuckles!!!

Kero Guardian: Okay! This is a revised version of this fanfic!

All: Oh boy! (Sweat.)

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Default Chapter

Through the golden gates, joyous singing could be heard. It seemed like another day in eternity for those who passed away and moved on to dwell in Heaven. Clouds everywhere, and a golden light, music rising from invisible instruments and voices of diverse cultures. Mashed when on Earth, yet so beautiful here. Everyone should've been happy! But there was one, kneeling, away from the chorus, well, crying.

{Kero Guardian: Okay so I dunno how Heaven looks like! Then again, aren't Heaven- Jade, Gold, and Silver?! (SWEAT!!)}

Maria wept deeply; covering her eyes with already stained hands. Her golden hair tumbled softly over her shoulders, and she turned her face away from the child trying to comfort her.

"Maria." An elderly, misshapen man shook his head sorrowfully at his granddaughter. "Please, surely you have mistaken, after all, Shadow seems fairly healthy. Ur...a little confused, but in good condition."

The child next to Maria raised her blue-black eyes in a curious stare, in her arms were puppets shaped in the forms of the black hedgehog and his friends. Although she said nothing, her eyes kept staring in almost a tense manner.

Gerald coughed nervously, "Heh. I'm not the only one making it worse..."

It was supposed to be a joke, but the angel at the height no taller than a six year old stood up quickly, causing the scientist to back up. "Baka."

"Urm..." He started, but stopped when the angel fluttered back to the chorus.

The lamenting female drew in a deep breath, a plan troubling her thoughts. A trembling hand clasped itself onto his white clothing, yanking herself to her feet. "Grandfather! I wish to be with Shadow!!"

Never in this man's life had he seen her so demanding, in fact, in the years she was alive-why she was always so giving. He didn't understand why or how that black hedgehog could change the situation so. 'Not that Maria is selfish.' "Now Maria, you should be cognizant of the fact that the dead do not dwell among the living. And besides..." He turned to look at the golden gates. "There's no way to get past those doors unless you-"

Her hand shifted a key to her fingers and Gerald nearly screamed. "THE KE—mph!"

She placed a delicate hand over her hysterical relative's mouth, shaking from both anxiety and fear. Removing her hand, Maria took two steps back, then rushed away. The old man, disbelief paralyzing his body, simply watched her open the doors frantically, throw them wide, and when he snapped back to reality he'd realize he was too late.

She was gone!

"Maria!!!" He gasped, hands brought close to his shoulders, almost reaching out, then shook his head angrily, "no, no, no! Can't let the angels know, but I'm sure that God already...oh boy!"

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A quiet hedgehog waited at the side of a crosswalk, with a small grocery bag in hand. He noticed Chris and Helen in front of him, laughing to one another, and curiously wondered what they had to be so joyful for.

Shadow had remembered seeing something similar with Rouge and Knuckles, however Chris did not scream each time she took the boy's hand in hers, as Knuckles had...nor did the crippled girl beat him up. At that thought, a small smile appeared.

"Silly." He smirked, watching the pair turn the corner. "...Omega said we needed a new pan ...and..."

As he was checking down the list, someone had run into him, or rather ran him over.

"Sonic..."

"Ames, opps, sorryShadowbutIgottasplitAm-aaaaarrrggghhhh!!!"

Too late, the pink hedgehog had already caught him in a deathlike hug. "Oh Sonikku! I told you, you couldn't get away from me I-huh? Oh hi there Shadow, what're you doing on the ground?"

"Enjoying the view of the sky..." He snarled, getting up. "You two never seem to stop, do you?"

"Mmprhh..." Sonic mumbled.

"Amy, let him go. He's more purple than blue now..." Shadow raised his hand, sweatdropping.

"Whoops!" She released him, before giggling. "Sorry Sonikku."

"Cough, gasp! Amy I don't want to go to the mall with you! Why don't you go with Cream or something?!" Asked Sonic as he started to walk away.

"But Sonikku! Cream's off somewhere with Tails!" Amy pouted, following him. "She's been hanging around with him all the time since they quote on quote noticed each other!" With that a cheery sigh escaped her lips. "I wish we were more like them."

The blue hedgehog raised an eyebrow at his constant pursuer. "Uh...what do you mean by that, Ames...?"

"Those two." Shadow shook his head, "Really are hopeless."

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Shadow stepped through the sliding doors of the mall, but paused to see a small group of teenagers gathered around an even smaller stage. "There's no way you can win, TEAM CHAOTIX, if it's trouble you're in...we're going to kick your-GOOONNNG!!! TEAM CHAOTIX!!!"

After the song ended, there was very few applause, as three figures bowed proudly.

"Thank you! Thank you! I LOVE you all!!! You're all wonderful! Whoo!!" Charmy cheered, with Vector laughing, and Espio just smiling.

The little bee suddenly stopped, and a huge simper grew over his young face. "Hey Shadow!!!"

Yes, Shadow was clapping, grocery bag in arms, leaning against the wall. "Well...if it isn't the Chaotix Detective Agency. Very nice." He smirked. "So you gave up your chances as detectives?"

"Nah. Just thought we'd make some extra dough." Vector scratched behind his head, then turned to the twosome. "And we're also having some fun, right boys?"

Charmy snickered, a hand covering his foolish, little grin while Espio crossed his arms, giving an intensive glare. "Hmph." Espio scoffed, looking away.

"Actually! Business isn't going well and-"

"CHARMY!!!!" Vector roared, chasing the insect.

"Hey! It's the truth!!!" The bee panicked.

Shadow continued to smile, observing them run havoc for a little longer before giving Espio a small wave, and walking off to continue his task. When he entered the shop, he greeted Tikal with a small smile. Ever since Knuckles stubbornly refused to allow his ancestor to sell his findings, or "treasures", she finally gave up in asking and chose to have a simple store. Making money for that red echidna hasn't been easy, but business seemed to be going all right, cept Knuckles had to pay for the things in "her" store because of his refusal.

If that wasn't enough for distractions, he heard a familiar voice whine not too far off inside his destination.

"Oh, come on, bat-girl. That's too expensive!" An echidna exclaimed, holding a precious, glass saltshaker. "And why exactly do we WANT a glass salt shaker. Isn't that a little easy to break?!"

"Cause it's pretty, echidna!" His companion reached, and shook it in front of his face. "See how it sparkles in the light? Just like a jewel! Don't you agree...Shadow?"

The black and red hedgehog frowned, not only at the fact that she noticed him so quickly, but also he really didn't know who to side with. But then he saw the pleading look of Knuckles, behind Rouge, who pointed desperately at his somewhat empty wallet, he shrugged. 'His fault for not agreeing with Tikal.'

"Rouge......I think it's nice; decorative too."

"WHAT??!!??"

"Ooh! See, echidna? I told you so!" She clapped her hands, while dragging the groaning teen off.

Shadow chuckled a little. "Those two never cease to amuse me...except Eggman and Sera maybe. Now those two...heh."

"............" He looked down at the pan, and frowned. "I wonder what I'm feeling now."

Something ached inside him again and even if he shook his head, he still felt it. "I wonder...what am I missing?"

"Shadow...?" A small voice whispered behind him. "I can't believe it's you!"

"Huh?!"

He turned around just as a pair of arms hugged him, belonging to a girl with blond hair and blue eyes. He had to admit she was pleasing to look at, but peculiar especially due to the fact that she was wearing...well...what he presumed to be a plastic halo and white wings of a dove.

"I've missed you so much!" He could've sworn her voice was almost singing with joy. "Shadow, what's wrong?"

He broke the embrace nervously, stepping back and glanced up at her. Waiting for her eyes to level with his he replied,

"...Um......who are you?"

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Kero Guardian: There you have it the remake of the Default Chapter, now things will make sense, I hope and I've added more descriptions and hope it's better than before, please tell me if it is!

Shadow: Still kept the storyline, I see.