A. F.O.R.G.O.T.T.E.N. H.E.R.O.
By MercuryTears

Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow the hedgehog, Sonic the hedgehog, or any related characters. They are the property of SonicTeam(Sega).

Along the dismal grey coastline of a shadowy sea, the water tumbled down onto the sand, then, hissing, retreated back into the salty mass of waves and froth. The stars winked down on the beach scene, set high in the dark sky, high above the swirling, cold, foggy sea air.

Strolling through the shallows of the colorless water, tears streaming down her face, a bright hedgehog stared up at the mass of silver that dotted the dark night sky. Why was she crying?

I crept closer, still hidden behind the faded grey fence that marked the beginning of the beach. The soft sound of the sand beneath my feet silent against the roaring of the ocean waves, I edged closer to the weeping stranger. She seemed so familiar…Had I met her before?

As I passed a large, hunched tree, my foot fell on a discarded, dry twig. A short snap was produced, enough to stir the young lady from her crying.

"Who's there?"

Such a frightened voice. She was scared. I scared her. Disgust spread through my veins in seconds, and I felt obliged to apologize to the girl for disturbing her. I hurried to the entrance gate of the beach, revealing myself to her.

As she turned to face me, I saw her face for the first time. I felt the color drain from my face. She was beautiful, and even though I saw only blacks and whites, a rainbow seemed to glow off of her skin, her fur.

She seemed taken by surprise as well, for some reason, although it certainly wasn't at my appearance. I was cut and bruised for reasons I could not recall, certainly not a sight for sore eyes.

She blinked once, twice. Three times. She seemed short of words. Perhaps I was meant to begin?

"Very sorry for frightening you, I was merely concerned at your--" I began, although she didn't let me finish my apology.

"Shush," She whispered in a voice hoarse from crying. "I know you, don't I?"

"I don't believe so…" I replied. She was quite familiar, and something seemed to be prodding at the back of my brain, persuading me to recall her name, or anything about her.

Suddenly her eyes widened, lighting up, struck by realization. "I do know you…" She muttered in awe. "…Shadow the hedgehog…"