Black, Red and Pink

Chapters

Left at the doorstep
Morning Routine
Brace yourselves...cuteness is coming
Trip to the sanctuary
Shadow: Beginnings
Shadow: Westopolis
Shadow: Lethal Highway and Black Bull
Shadow: Break from the action
Pinkies Birthday part 1
Pinkies Birthday part 2
Pinkies Birthday part 3
Shadow: Prison Island
Shadow: Sky Troops part 1
Shadow: Sky Troops part 2
Shadow: Air Fleet
Shadow: Black Comet, Black Arms meeting
Shadow: The not-so-grand finale part 1
Shadow: The not-so-grand finale part 2
Shadow: The not-so-grand finale part 3
Recovery
06: Vacation
06: Arriving in Soleanna
06: Wave Ocean part 1
06: Wave Ocean part 2
06: A friendly meeting and new companions
06: The confession
06: Here comes a new challenger
06: First fight of many
06: Silver
06: Regretful pride
06: Kingdom Valley
06: Kingdom Valley part 2
06: Confrontation
06: The trigger
06: The future
06: The plan
06: Iblis
06: Idle chatting in the apocalypse
06: Plans into action

Left at the doorstep

Shadow sat on the edge of a cliff overlooking Station Square. Ever since he and the others defeated Metal Madness he really hasn't done much else with his time but explore and think about things. He sighed as he watched the sun go down, taking in the beauty before him as the sky went from blue, orange, dark blue and then to black. The stars twinkled and the moon rose behind him. "I should get going, otherwise Rouge will just get on my nerves about coming back late, not that I care."

He turned around and began walking over the lush green grass and listened to the leaves rustling in the wind. He eventually made it to a large street where most of his 'friends' lived. He walked along the clean sidewalk until he came across a large two story house that was painted black and red. He shared this house with Rouge and Omega since be didn't have anywhere else to go other than the space colony ark, they even painted the house in his colour scheme to make him feel more welcome.

He walked through the door and closed it. He made his way to the stairs and up to his bedroom. Without moving under the covers he dropped himself onto his large bed. His room was pretty bare, other than a few photos and his weapons closet. He shut his eyes and slipped into a dreamless sleep.

He was awoken by a loud knocking at the front door, which he heard with his enhanced hearing that was given to him by Gerald Robotnick. He groaned at threw his legs over the side of the bed and made his way down to the first floor. He opened the door to find no one there, the rain was coming down bad. He was about to shut the door when he heard whimpering. He looked at the ground and saw a cardboard box with a note on it, still dry somehow.

He lifted the box inside and placed it on the kitchen counter. He took the note of the box and read it out loud.

Dear Shadow Vladimir Robotnick

I know this will come as an inconvenience to you and quite frankly I have no idea why my superiors want me to give her to you of all people. Inside this box is a small pony named Pinkie Pie, and be warned, this little one is supernaturally adorable. Up to a little challenge? See how long you can go with her staring at you without at least petting her.

You are to take care of and protect this pony with your life. Don't ask questions because you won't get answers, we all have to do things we don't want to do.

So try to stay positive as your wacky adventures slowly start to form a bond between you until they day she has to leave yeah? No one likes a crybaby.

"Pony?" Shadow opened the box to find a shivering pink pony with a straight mane curled up in the corner. "I'm supposed to take care of this thing? You've gotta be kidding me." He looked at the note and groaned. "Rouge will get a real kick outta this, and Sonic will not let it go." He looked at the shivering pony and sighed. "I might as well warm her up." He threw a few logs into the fireplace and grabbed a towel from the bathroom.

He picked Pinkie out of the box and wrapped her in the towel, set her down by the fire and sat on the sofa watching her shivering slowly cease. Pinkie opened her eyes and looked at the fire and snuggled into the towel that slowly started to become wet due to her soaked fur. She looked around the room until she saw Shadow and smiled happily at him, her baby blue eyes going wide.

Shadow just watched as she clumsily got out of the towel and sat down in front of him, staring at him with expecting eyes.

Stay strong, you are powerful, don't...let...the...cuteness...over...power you.

In about 4.563 seconds he gave in and lifted her in his hands and held her in the air which caused her to squeal in delight. This brought a small smile to his face as her little hooves kicked in excitement. He continued smiling until she wrapped her front legs around his torso and said something that caught him by surprise.

"Waddy!" His eyes shot open in surprise.

Did...did she just imprint on me? Me?

"What's with all the noise down here?" They both looked to see Rouge in her pyjamas wiping away some sleep in her eye. "Shadow, what are you doing up th..." Her eyes widened at the sight before her. Pinkie had climbed onto Shadows head while he was shocked and had her legs sprawled out across his forehead. It was both hilarious and adorable as they both looked at her with wide eyes. "Shadow *pfft* why is there a pink pony in your head?"

He tossed the note at her and she began reading it.

"You're supposed to take care of this thing? You?"

"I've already asked myself the same thing, I would have just left her at some other doorstep if not for-"

"Waddy!" Pinkie cried out while nuzzling one of Shadows quills.

"What she said." Rouge tried to suppress her laughter but failed...miserably.

"She...she thinks you're....she thinks you're her...BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!" Shadow frowned at this. Pinkie noticed Shadows face and smirked.

"Momma!" Rouge froze with wide eyes as Shadow began snickering.

"Look at that, looks like you and I are her parents." Rouge blushed and recomposed herself.

"I have no interest in raising a child with you Shadow."

"Maybe this will change your mind." Shadow held Pinkie up to her face and they stared at each other.

Too cute...must hug...must...take...care...of...pony.

Rouge gave in and brought Pinkie in for a hug, Shadow giving her a smug look. "Fine, I'll help you take care of her. Only because she'd kill me with her cuteness if I didn't." Shadow rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen and fetched a carton of milk for Pinkie. "So, her name's Pinkie Pie huh?"

"That's what the letter says yeah."

"Shadow?"

"Yeah?"

"You never told me your middle name was Vladimir." All she got was a groan and the sound of something hitting the counter from the kitchen. A few moments later Pinkie was happily slurping away at the milk carton through a straw the managed to find. Just then they heard heavy footsteps coming from down the hallway.

"Don't mind me, I'm just getting a midnight milkshake then heading back to sleep mode." Omega walked into the kitchen, grabbed a milkshake and began walking over to the hallway until he saw Pinkie. They both stared at each other curiously. "Why is there a tiny equine in the living room?" Pinkie stared at him with wide eyes.

Critical Error: Optic sensors malfunctioning

Cause: Weaponised adorableness

Prime directive changed: Cuddle small equine

Omega picked Pinkie up and brought her into a hug, which she returned. "Nanny!"

"Wait what?"

Shadow rolled his eyes and Rouge laughed.

A few weeks ago Shadow had altered Omegas personality core and voice chip to give him more of a personality, his voice was now slightly higher and less robotic.

"This should be interesting."

Morning Routine

Shadow awoke a few hours after finding Pinkie at his doorstep, she was currently cuddled up to his side with her mane now poofy and curled. He gave a soft smile and scratched behind her ear, bringing a huge smile from her.

Am I really going through with this? I don't really think I'm that great of a father figure. Hell, I don't even have any memories other than the recent adventure, and a few fragments of some girl named Maria.

He looked to Pinkie who was now looking at him with her beautiful baby blue eyes, giving him a happy smile, which he returned.

"Morning Pinkie."

"Mowing waddy." She yawned and nuzzled his side. She then started playing with one of his quills by batting it with her front hooves

"Come on, let's go get some breakfast." She smiled and crawled onto his head. Throwing his legs off the side of the bed he made his way down stairs to find Omega making pancakes with an apron on that had 'Kiss my shiny metal ass' written on it. "Morning Omega."

"Mowing Nanny!" Omega smacked his head into the counter after hearing that which caused Pinkie to laugh.

"Just sit down you two or I'm launching you both into orbit." Shadow rolled his eyes as he took a carton of milk out of the fridge for Pinkie and started making some coffee. As soon as the coffee was made Rouge lazily walled into the kitchen.

"Coffee, now." Shadow handed her a fresh mug. "Thanks Shads."

"Mowing Momma." Pinkie sat on the table in front of where Rouge was sitting.

"Oh...hey there squirt. Let mommy drink her coffee then I'll play with you." Pinkie nodded and sat on her Shadows head again. "So Shadow, are we really doing this then?"

"Not like we have a choice, she's already imprinted on us so..."

"I think she'll be a good influence on you." They both turned to face Omega as he flipped a pancake. "You've been so moody up until Pinkie appeared, I don't even think I saw you smile before she showed up. Plus it will be hilarious to see the others reaction to that nuclear powered cuteness."

Shadow held the milk carton up to Pinkie once he found a straw, she sat with the carton in her forehooves as she happily slurped away. Omega set the pancakes in front of Shadow and Rouge and drank a chocolate milkshake. "How can you drink those things without frying your circuitry?"

"For some strange reason Eggman designed me to draw spare energy from milkshakes. I think he was going through a phase."

Shadow shrugged and began eating his breakfast. The rest of the meal was sat in silence until they all finished. Shadow burped Pinkie after she finished her milk, Omega had scanned her and determined that she was about 1 year and three months old. He also pointed out her cutie mark which they all agreed was nothing more than a tattoo, although Pinkie seemed to have found a bunch of balloons somehow.

Shadow made a list of things that they would need to get for Pinkie while Rouge played with her. Rouge had changed into her normal attire and began brushing Pinkies coat, as her mane was a lost cause. Omega began building a playpen for her and even found a toy cannon for her somewhere, that she named the 'pawy camon' or party cannon in real English.

Just then they heard a knock on the front door. Rouge opened it to find Amy and Tails. "Oh, hello you two, come on in." They walked into the house only to freeze in place when they saw Pinkie on top of Shadows head.

"Oh my goodness, she's adorable!" Amy picked Pinkie up and hugged her. "What's her name?"

"Am Pinko Pie!"

"She means Pinkie Pie." Corrected Omega.

"Shadow, why do you have a tiny pink pony that looks like she could give a guy diabetes just by looking at him?" Asked Tails struggling not to tear Pinkie off of Amy and cuddle her.

"Someone left her in a box at our doorstep last night, I would have found someone else to look after her if not for one thing."

"And that is?"

Pinkie jumped out of Amy's arms and clumsily walked over to Shadow and wrapped her legs around his ankle. "Waddy!"

"HNNG!" Tails clutched his chest and fell to the ground while Amy just 'aww'd.

"If you're her daddy, who's mommy?" Pinkie pointed a hoof at a blushing Rouge.

"Momma!"

Amy burst out laughing while Rouge just faceplamed. Omega was the only one to check on the unconscious Tails.

"Yo Tails...you alright?"

Subject Miles Prower status: near death

Cause: Exposure to overpowered cuteness

Course of action: Poke with stick, see if that helps

Terror, terror in the night.

The rushing winds crash into the crowds and rain falls no matter where you turn. There is no escape, no escaping the true horror. A sudden silence...then roaring thunder! Lightning! Floods! Tornadoes! Famine! Pestilence! Fire! Earthquakes!

GAHHHHHHHHH!!!

Making way to hazy afternoon sunshine. I'll be back with the five day forecast after...this.

Shadow turned off the television. "Well that was certainly an interesting weather forecast." He set the remote down and looked to see Amy and Tails playing with Pinkie who was rolling around on a large rubber ball with little to no effort. Another smile made its way onto his face.

"Yeah, I can do this."

"Waddy!" Pinkie had rolled over to him and held a small note in her mouth that said 'hug?' With her front legs reaching out to him. The sight nearly made him squeal like a fan girl, he picked her up and held her close.

I can do this...

Brace yourselves...cuteness is coming

Shadow was currently at the shopping mall in Station Square gathering the things he would need for Pinkie. Omega was on babysitting duty while Rouge was out on a job. Shadow had considered getting a job to help provide rings for the group, but all he had to do was run through one of the zones to get a hefty amount.

Still, he wondered what it would be like working for G.U.N. with Rouge and Omega. He shook those thoughts out of his head and walked into the next store. After looking around the Isles he came across a selection of baby foods, he looked at the list that Omega had given him and selected a brand that was suitable for Pinkie to eat.

"I wonder how Omega and Pinkie are getting along right now."

Meanwhile

"CHOO CHOO MOTHA BUCKAS!!!" Omega and Pinkie were currently at an amusement part playing on the bumper trains, a modified version of bumper cars.

Pinkie laughed in happiness as they plowed through the other children on the track.

"I'm sure they're fine." As he filled his basket with more essential items he accidentally bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry about that." Shadow then looked up to see a familiar crocodile. "Vector?"

"Oh Shadow. Didn't think I'd see you of all people here."

"I could say the same thing to you."

"We got stuck with a babysitting job that we thought was a murder case, we would have declined but we are getting a hefty load of rings for it. Why are you here anyway?" Vector looked at Shadows basket and raised a brow. "More importantly why do you have all that baby stuff?"

"I kinda...have a kid now."

"Well then congratulations man, who's the lucky girl?"

"No one, someone left a box on my doorstep two nights ago."

"Oh, that's cruel." Vector and Shadow continued talking as they picked out more stuff. When Shadow reached for a branded baby milk Vector stopped him. "You don't want that stuff, it's from one of those factory places. You're better of with this store brand, straight from a farm and it's cheap." Vector handed him a plain bottle with the stores logo on it.

"How come you know so much about this?"

"I used to run a daycare before creating The Chaotix. Gotta know this kinda stuff with a kid around Shadow, you might wanna do some research."

"I will, thank you."

"Hey, I don't think I've ever seen you smile before. That kid must be some kinda Saint to pull that off."

"She's gotten me to smile, Rouge to become her adoptive mother, Omega to agree to be her nana, Tails to have a heart attack and Amy to stop thinking about Sonic for a full two hours." Vector just walked wide eyed as they paid for their stuff and walked out of the store before shaking his head.

"This I gotta see." Shadow rolled his eyes and led Vector to his home. After walking for ten minutes they came across a tiny alligator. "Huh...he's a tiny one isn't he?"

"I think he could be a good pet for Pinkie, no idea why though." Shadow picked up the small creature and they continued on their way. When they got back they saw Omega carrying a small pink ball of fur in his hands. "Hey Omega, everything alright?"

"Shush, Pinkie is asleep." Vector looked at the ball of fluff and froze. Pinkie was curled up with her hooves close to her body and was hugging her tail, snoring peacefully.

Too adorable...stay strong...don't squeal...don't...squeal!

Just then Vector passed out while standing, his body freezing in place. Shadow just looked to him then to Pinkie multiple times, this little pony was the definition of death by cuteness.

"Hey Shadow, what do you think Eggmans reaction will be like when he sees Pinkie?" Shadow scratched his chin in thought.

"He'd either die of a heart attack, try to weaponise her cuteness..."

"She already did that."

"...or he would stop trying to take over the world." Both of them looked to each other before smirking. Pinkie started to stir and stretched like a cat, causing them both to smile softly. She opened her huge baby blue eyes and yawned, she then looked around and spotted Shadow. Smiling, she spread her forelegs wanting to be held by him.

He picked her up and hugged her, causing her to nuzzle into his chest. Shadow showed Pinkie the tiny alligator and she gasped, she then grabbed it and hugged it, then giving it the name 'Gummy'. Upon further inspection the tiny creature seemed to have no teeth, it then latched onto Pinkies mane with his gums and froze, causing Pinkie to giggle."

"Alright, let's go give Eggman a heart attack."

"Yay!" Omega threw his hands in the air with joy, he then turned around to see Vector still frozen. "You go on ahead, there is something I have to do." Shadow nodded and started his hover shoes, he then skated his way in the direction of Eggmans current base.

Omega walked up to Vector and scanned him.

Subject Vector the Crocodile status: cuteness induced coma

Course of action: You know what to do

Omega slowly raised a stick. "I love my life."

Eggman sat in his control room as egg-pawns monitored the base and Station Square. He looked at one screen in particular and raised a brow. "Why is E-123 poking Vector with a stick?"

Just then the alarm in the base went off, signalling that an intruder had entered the base.

"Who is it? Sonic, Knuckles?"

"It is Shadow your supreme roundness, and he appears to have a small equine and reptile with him."

"Call me that again and I use your parts for the Cubot Series! Anyway, what does that emo want now?"

"Sir, the badnicks have encountered Shadow and are...letting him through willingly?"

"WHAT!?!" Eggman grabbed the robot and threw him out if the way, staring at the screen. He then heard a knock at the door to the control room. "Did...did Shadow just knock at my door? Without blowing a hole in the wall?" He hit a switch that opened the door and Shadow slowly walked in.

"Why hello there my dear nephew, how have you been?"

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT!!!"

"And you still think I listen?"

"Uh...fair point, now what do you want this time?"

"I want you to meet your new cousin." Eggman raised a brow as Shadow walked up to him. He smirked and held Pinkie up to his face, her staring at him with a huge smile.

Eggman just sat there as all of the robots in the room malfunctioned due to the sheer volume of adorableness. For the first time ever Eggman took of his glasses and revealed his sapphire blue eyes, Pinkie then took the glasses and put them on, also adding a fake moustache and rubbing her hooves menacingly.

"I can't take over the world if it has something this adorable in it."

"You're going to try anyway aren't you?"

"If I don't who else will?"

"Egg-Robo?"

"Scrapped."

"The E-100s?"

"Destroyed or gone rogue."

"You really need to keep track of your boss robots."

"I know." Eggman took Pinkie from Shadow and looked her over. "Fascinating, where did you find her?"

"Box on doorstep."

"That's just cruel, even I think that's too evil." He stroked Pinkies mane a few times before giving her back to Shadow. "I assume she's already imprinted on you yes?" Shadow nodded. "And you're ok with that?" He nodded again. "Very well, I'll give you lot a few years to get her raised before I attack again, I don't want to rob her of her childhood."

"This coming from the guy who traps animals in robots, blew up half the moon, summoned a God of destruction and almost destroyed the planet multiple times."

"Shut up and leave already, before I change my mind." Shadow rolled his eyes and skated out of the base. "Now that I'm alone...HNNG!!!" He grabbed his chest and fell limp in the Egg-O-Matic.

Trip to the sanctuary

*Warning, the following chapter contains references to the sonic Archie series and Sonic Universe comics. If you have any questions about mentioned characters feel free to ask as I am well informed about these comics*

The next day in on Angel Island, Shadow zoomed through the forest with Pinkie holding onto one of his quills. He dodged and weaved through the trees as he collected rings and destroyed some abandoned badnicks along the way. As he was entering a clearing he spotted an item monitor with a blue cannon on its screen, it looked exactly like Pinkies toy party cannon. He walked up to it to inspect the new power up. Just then Pinkie jumped and landed on the monitor, destroying it and revealing the weapon within.

Pinkie sat on top of the blue cannon and clapped her hooves happily. As a motobug drove towards Shadow Pinkie aimed the cannon and fired. The badnick was hit by a wave of confetti and sweets, resulting on it to explode and free the flicky bird within.

"Pawy camon, pawy camon!" Pinkie somehow shrank the weapon down and stashed it in her mane. Shadow just blinked and shrugged. He knelt down so Pinkie could jump onto his head and she hugged her favourite quill as he shot off again.

Knuckles sat beside the master emerald in the sky sanctuary with a hand of cards in his hands, and another hand by the master emerald. He looked to his cards then to the master emerald. He revealed his hand and turned the others over...finding he had lost to the gem.

"I need to get off this island more." Just then he heard two pairs of footsteps approaching. He looked over to see two familiar faces. "Mighty! Ray! How have you guys been, we haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah, we finally got back from our adventures around the world. Met some interesting people, ran into Bark the Polar Bear a while back." Mighty shook Knuckles' hand.

"He's not still with the Hooligans is he?"

"Oh no, they split up a while ago. He's actually moving to Station Square pretty soon, got a job in Zone Construction with Mina."

"Oh yeah, I heard Minas quit her singing career. She's doing Zone Construction now?"

"She tests out the zones with her speed, Bark does the heavy lifting."

"Well, it's good to see you two back, I know Charmy and Vector will be real happy." Just then a familiar chameleon showed himself. "How long have you been there Espio?"

"Ever since your second round of Texas Hold'em." Espio hugged Mighty and Ray. "It's great to have you two back." Something caught the ninjas eye as he looked out at a long platform. "Hey, isn't that Shadow?"

They all looked over to see Shadow collecting rings and zooming around the platforms, he then turned and was now heading for the master emeralds shrine where the goal post was placed.

"He better not be trying to steal the master emerald. You never know with this guy, especially since he's still deciding whether to side with good or evil." The group just looked at Knuckles with disapproving stares.

Shadow reached the goal post and ended his run through the zone. "Ok, so I got three hundred and sixty four ring from that. Should pay the electricity bill this month." Just then a small pixelated version of himself appeared with a small jingle. "And a continue apparently, didn't know we still had these things."

The group looked curiously at the hedgehog because of a small ball of pink fur hanging from his quills. Just then the ball jumped off of him and formed Pinkie who stretched like a cat. She looked around until her gaze fell upon the group, she the smiled and ran over to Espio, hugging his leg.

"Um Espio? You ok?" Knuckles looked at his friend worriedly.

Resist, must resist...you...have...ninja power...don't give in! Espio gave up a few man points to hug the small pink bundle of energy. Ray fainted and Mighty just stared wide eyed. Knuckles still hadn't got a good look at the filly so he just looked at his friends confused. Shadow walked up to them and smiled at Pinkie and Espio.

"I'm starting to think that no one can resist this little one."

"Shadow, who is this adorable little creature?" Asked Espio as Pinkie hung from his horn.

"This is Pinkie Pie, my...my daughter." Knuckles just burst out laughing.

"Oh man! You and Rouge had a kid in this length of time, that's rich!" Knuckles ceased his laughter and turned away.

"I think you're just jealous Knuckles." He stopped walking as a blush appeared on his face.

"Jealous of what exactly?"

"That Rouge agreed to raise a child with me and not you." Knuckles reached for Shadows head but stopped, took a deal breath and put his arms down. "Point proven."

"What do you want Shadow, why are you here?" Knuckles asked in a cold voice.

"I was just collecting some rings and showing Pinkie around the island." Pinkie jumped out of Espios embrace and onto Knuckles' fist. Knuckles raised his hand to find himself staring into huge baby blue eyes. The stare down lasted a good five minutes before Knuckles suffered a heart attack and gripped his chest. Shadow rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. "Omega, got another one for you."

"Where, I'll grab my stick...wait that sounds wr-" Shadow hung up after that little innuendo.

"Come on Pinkie, let's go home."

The next day, Shadow sat with Pinkie as she watched some morning cartoons. Her show was interrupted when an emergency broadcast came on.

"We interrupt this program to bring you this emergency news update."

The city of Station Square is in a panic as a mysterious warning from some strange force was made to the president this morning. What's worse is that world wide hero, Sonic Maurice Hedgehog has gone missing!

Shadow shut off the television and got out of his seat. "Pinkie, you stay here with Omega. Dady needs to go out for a little while." Pinkie nodded and scurried to Omegas room. Shadow threw the door open and ran to Tails' house.

"Tails! Tails!" He got no answer. "Damnit!"

He started his hover shoes and shot off at full speed to check every known zone. "I swear if that faker is slacking off again in Ice Cap I'm going to punch him so hard!"

Shadow: Beginnings

10 years later

It had been ten years since the disappearance of Sonic the Hedgehog, at first the planet was in uproar but a few weeks later everything had calmed down. Search parties were sent out by G.U.N. for the following months but they eventually stopped. Shadow had looked over the planet multiple times, with his speed it made it easier for him to get around.

The other mobians were devastated...well, most of them anyway. Not much had happened in the world since, in the Team Dark residence however...

Pinkie had brought much needed joy to the depressed people of Station Square and Westopolis. Her innocence and overall adorableness was all that was needed to bring a smile to the people's faces. Eggman had kept his promise and stayed hidden in his base, inactive and began focusing on his robotics research.

Amy often visited to see Pinkie as it took her mind off of Sonic. She eventually got over the whole thing and began looking for other relationship options. Tails started becoming more independent without Sonic around to hold his hand, he had taken it as his responsibility to fill in for Sonic if the situation arose. Knuckles had been visiting more often, taking the role of an uncle for Pinkie. The Chaotix often babysitted Pinkie as they absolutely loved her, and she got along really well with Charmy.

Omega had fully accepted the role as nanny for the pink pony, and he actually took pride in it, although he seemed to have a strange obsession with poking people with sticks. Rouge and Shadow grew accustomed to her calling them her parents, although no relationship beyond friends came about.

Shadow and Omega decided it best to educate Pinkie themselves, as to avoid any teasing or problems with her hyperactive personality in a school with everyone being a separate species.

She eventually received a mark on her flank that none of them could figure out how it had gotten there of all places. Later that day Shadow received a letter from the very same people that had given her to them, detailing that it represented her special talent. Ever since then Pinkie has jumped at every opportunity to throw a party.

As Pinkie grew so did her energy and curiosity. She would watch from a hill as Shadow went through Green Hill to collect rings, she eventually started trying to copy his spindash ability, and surprisingly she could almost do it first try. Shadow began teaching her how to use it and eventually how to homing attack. She of course upgraded her party cannon with help from Omega to make it more efficient at destroying badnicks and other hostile creatures.

She was now eleven years old and was just up to Shadows waist. She had noticed that over time Shadows headaches and visions were becoming more frequent, along with him mindlessly mumbling the name 'Maria.'

When she asked him about it he sat her down and gently told her about his amnesia. She took it to heart and started trying to find a way to cure him of his memory loss, which he greatly appreciated, but there is only so much a little filly like her can do.

After the threat against planet earth by an unknown force, Shadow had begun training with various weapons in the event of an invasion...

...and he was right to do so.

Shadow and Pinkie sat on a hill overlooking Westopolis on a blanket eating some sandwiches. The unusual forecast had stated that the weather was to be clear and bright, so they thought it was a great idea for a picnic. Pinkie loved Rouge and Omega, but she loved spending quality time with Shadow a little bit more. Pinkie flew a kite over the field while Shadow looked over a few papers.

He had begun trying to develop Pinkie her own set of hover shoes do she didn't have to cling to his top quill when going through a zone. So far he couldn't find a way to shrink the jets down for the shape of her hooves and had sought out the help of Tails and Eggman. They had told him the shoes would be complete soon and to stop by the workshop later that week.

He set the papers in the picnic basket as the shoes were going to be her present for her twelfth birthday the next weekend. He smiled as she slowly floated off the ground as the wind got stronger and pulled the kite up, but not too high that she would fly away. He loved moments like this, just watching her play about without a care in the world.

His thoughts went back to that strange girl he kept seeing in his visions. 'Who is that girl? And why can't I get this gruesome imagine out of my head?' He thought to himself. He momentarily pictured the girl being shot by a soldier before snapping back to reality.

"Daddy!" Pinkie shook his arm and he looked at her. "You were mumbling that name again." The worry present in her voice was enough to make him uneasy.

"I'm fine Pinkie, just another vision." He scratched her behind the ears which caused her to give a goofy expression and tapped her back leg. Just then her tail started twitching violently.

"Uh-oh."

"What, what is it?" Over the years he learned to read the signs of Pinies self proclaimed 'Pinkie sense', and after hearing the name of it he was surprised no one had been sued yet.

"Something's gonna fall." Just then a large vortex of red clouds appeared over the city. "Something very mean." Just then creatures stared to fall out of the vortex and into Westopolis, cries of fear could be heard and there was multiple explosions. "Daddy, we have to help the people in the city!"

"Right!" He was about to take off when he heard a dark crackled voice.

"Shadow..."

Just then a star shaped creature with one eye floated towards them, revealing a hologram of a dark figure in a dark red cloak, three orange eyes and some old tribal jewellery.

"As you can see, the day of reckoning will soon be here. Find the seven chaos emeralds, and bring them to me as promised."

Shadow hid Pinkie behind him and stared the figure in the eyes. "Who are you, how do you know I'm Shadow, and what are you talking about?" The hologram ceased and the creature flew away. When Shadow tried to go after it multiple explosions went off around him, he grabbed Pinkie and shielded her from the blasts.

When the dust settled he looked out to the damaged city. "Daddy, who was that?"

"I don't know Pinkie, but...I think he might know about my past." Pinkie just tilted her head.

"What gave you that idea?"

"He told me about this 'day of reckoning' like I should know about it." Pinkie then thought about it for a moment.

"Whelp, he said he'd do something if you brought him the emeralds, so maybe he'd be willing to share your past with you."

"Alright then, let's go find those emeralds!" Pinkie nodded and jumped onto Shadows quills as he shot off towards the besieged city.

Shadow: Westopolis

As the two reached the city they found a large crater in their way, looking around Pinkie spotted a large dash panel that would send them across. Once they were flung into the air Shadow began to free fall into a large hole in a broken building as huge lasers shot down from the sky. Once they were on the ground they were flung across another crater.

On the other side they landed on a broken road with a G.U.N. soldier hiding behind a barricade. Upon closer inspection there seemed to be a few flying creatures surrounding him. Shadow took them out with a homing attack while Pinkie comforted the soldier. Just then Pinkie saw a laser coming down on their immediate area and grabbed the soldier and jumped out of the blast radius.

Shadow heard something come from behind him and saw another flying creature flying towards him. It was then punched out of the sky by a familiar face.

"Hey Shadow, long time no see." Mighty chuckled as he looked around the area. "This place has gone to hell, I need your help dealing with these black creatures." Just then they heard a gunshot and looked at the soldier. "Did he just shot at us?"

"Is it because we're black?" Shadow asked in a offended tone.

"N-no! I-I-I'm new to the agency, I didn't know that this was all going to happen. I'm just on edge, please, I'm sorry!"

Shadow walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulders. "It's fine, you're scared. You stay here and guard this spot, and tell your other soldiers to not shoot at us." The soldier nodded and sent the message to the other agents in the area. "Come on you two, we have a city to save." The group ran down the road until the came across a group of soldiers fighting some alien foot-soldiers.

Pinkie nodded to Shadow and walked up to the aliens. When they looked at her they paused, she looked at them with huge puppydog eyes and a quivering lip. They looked to each other nervously as one scratched his head in thought. They then began contemplating something in their own language before pointing their guns at her.

Pinkie smirked and pulled out her party cannon, blasting the creatures with confetti and small explosives. When the last alien fell a dark red box opened revealing the green chaos emerald. Pinkie grabbed it and presented it to her father. "Look daddy! A chaos emerald!"

Shadow looked at the area confused. "Why would that guy want me to collect the chaos emerald but put one in a box that can only be opened if you kill his soldiers?" Mighty thought about it for a second.

"Maybe he has a weird fetish for that kinda thing?"

"Mighty! Not in front of Pinkie!"

"Daddy, what's a fetish?" Mighty chuckled nervously as Shadow gave him a death glare.

"You're too young to be saying that Pinkie, I'll tell you when you're older."

"I'm just gonna look it up when we get home~"

"I'll put safe-search on."

"I already know how to turn that off." Shadow facepalmed and Mighty started shuffling away.

Shadow then looked and pointed at him. "You, you are the uncle that no one likes."

Uh...Shadow, it's my job to give the characters their place in the family.

"Daddy, who is that voice?"

Shit! I've been compromised! Memory wipe! Memory wipe!

A bright light envelopes the group, erasing their memory of the narrator talking to them. They looked to each other and shrugged. A spring appeared and they jumped onto it, taking them to the next section. They found a large iron wall in the way, which was then blasted by a laser. They took out a few more black creatures before proceeding to the next area that became available due to another road block being destroyed.

Before they could move further they were stopped by the starfish-like creature.

"Shadow, you're late...from now on, my eye sh-"

It was cut off by Pinkie shooting it with her cannon. "He's in charge of these meanies, he took away the people's smiles." Pinkies mane became flat. "Let's tear 'em all apart!" She raced ahead and started to attack more of the black creatures that had set up a barricade further down the road. A few lasers tried to hit her, only to hit its own soldiers.

"Come on Mighty, we have to get to her before gets hurt." Shadow was about to take off when he heard a G.U.N. soldier call him.

"Here, take this!" He threw him his sidearm. "Go protect the little pony, and wipe out these freaks!" Shadow saluted the soldier and made his way down the street. Upon arrival he found Pinkie had returned to her normal self while helping a wounded soldier into cover as some aliens shot at them. Shadow aimed his gun and shot the aliens one by one.

"Oh yeah, I love this thing." Mighty smashed a creatures head with his fist and punched a hole through the barricade. Shadow walked over to Pinkie as another soldier helped her carry his teammate. "Are you ok Pinkie, you went a little nuts back there?"

"Sorry daddy, when I saw the looks of horror on the aliens faces, I turned back and helped make them smile again...before blasting them off the face of Mobius."

"Atta girl." He ruffled her mane and they pressed onwards. They were flung by another dash panel over to a rooftop. There they helped some soldiers deal with more aliens before lowering a bridge up to the next rooftop. Taking out more aliens to reveal a spring, the came across a section where they needed to triangle jump from wall to wall to reach the other side, where some flying creatures and one foot-soldier stood behind a cluster of red plants. Shadow shot one of the plants causing it to explode. Taking out the aliens they jumped down to the next street where more lasers tried to hit them.

Upon reaching the end of the street they found an abandoned bus with a few aliens behind it. Mighty went over and flipped the bus onto the creatures, squashing them with a satisfying poot noise, causing Pinkie to giggle and proceed to make fart noises all the way down until they came across a flying G.U.N. drone trying to shoot some aliens behind another bus. Repeating the process they came across a section where the lasers had caused the main highway to bend in a lop like the ones in Green Hill.

"I have no idea how they are gonna fix that, but I have a feeling Bark is gonna demand a raise for it." Shadow mumbled to himself as they ran up the loop with the help of dash panels, Pinkie holding onto Shadows quill.

Flying of another dash panel they came to an underground section of the road where they found more soldiers shooting the aliens. Taking them out they charged forward and came into a large open area where a huge battle was taking place. A helicopter flew overhead and began to mow down the aliens in the area only to be shot down by a laser. "Uncle Mighty, go help the pilot out of the wreckage!" Mighty nodded at Pinkie and separated from the group.

Taking out a few more enemies they eventually reached a large goal ring with the blue chaos emerald inside it. Just then a G.U.N. soldier ran up to them.

"Hey, thanks for all your help you two. There was a few more black aliens up ahead but they were killed by a well trained squad. Here, we got you something as a thank you." The soldier reached into his pocket and pulled out a flame bracelet. "Found this lying around, figured you could use it better than we ever could."

"Uh...thank you. Secure the area and tell your higher ups that we will assis you in the fight against the aliens." The soldier nodded and ran off. Pinkie just looked at him confused.

"What happened to getting your memories back, if we go against the aliens then we go against that guy with the eye, it even rhymes!"

"I'm doing this because they are a danger to you. You are the only ray of sunshine in my life. So if that means I have to give up my memories to protect you, then it's worth it."

Pinkie jumped down and hugged him. "I love you daddy."

"I love you too Pinkie Pie."

Shadow: Lethal Highway and Black Bull

After retrieving the second chaos emerald, Shadow and Pinkie began walking back to their home to rest up and think of a new plan. "Daddy, are we still collecting the chaos emeralds?"

Shadow looked to the mystic gems in his hands. "Whatever that alien leader is up to he requires the emeralds powers, the less he has, the more of a chance we have of stopping him." As they began walking along a damaged highway a small alien aircraft flew above them. "What the hell?" Shadow squinted his eyes and noticed a thin energy field around it.

"Should we go after that?" Pinkie looked around until she caught a glimpse of something that made her grin. "Hey Daddy, look!" She pointed her tiny hoof in the direction of a black and red motorcycle. Turning back to her father they both smirked.

"I'll drive, you shoot." Pinkie nodded and hopped onto the back of the bike as Shadow started the engine. "Huh, someone actually left the keys in this thing."

"But wait, won't this make us go slower?" Pinkie asked as the pulled out a modified version of the party cannon that was slimmer and had the look of an advanced rocket launcher.

"Yeah but it'll make us look more badass." He pulled out a pair of sunglasses and sped down the damaged road. Along the way they came across a group of black aliens attacking a squad of soldiers. Shadow jumped off the bike and quickly dealt with the attackers. Picking up a gun from a nearby gun crate he hopped back onto the bike and they eventually caught up to the alien ship. "Ok Pinkie, let's do this!" The pink filly smirked and aimed her 'party bazooka' and fired. The projectile launched from it was surrounded by confetti until it his a blue shield, the energy field then spat off small parts of itself like shattered glass when it was hit.

Shadow levelled his new assault rifle and began unloading the entire clip onto the shield, chipping away at its durability. When he ran out of ammo he discarded the weapon and pulled out his sidearm. They both gave the shield everything they had until they ran out of ammunition. "Daddy, I have a plan!"

"Yeah, what is it?!" He slammed his foot into the ground as they slid around a sharp corner.

"Use chaos control to send me ahead so I can ready the party bombs!" Smiling, Shadow took out a chaos emerald and charged its energy.

"Chaos Control!" With a flash of light Pinkie was gone. After picking up another pistol he returned to shooting the aircraft. He came to a point where he had to leave the bike behind and pursue the ship on foot. Activating two large doors he passed into the next area. Looking ahead he saw a few baby blue spheres along the route the ship was taking. As it flew over the blue items the balls exploded into large clouds of fire, candy and of course confetti, heavily damaging the shied until it turned green.

Pinkie sat on top of a phone both with her party cannon ready. "Party hard." She fired one last shot at the ships shield and it shattered like glass, leaving the aircraft vulnerable.

A group of soldiers noticed this and began firing at it, many of their robots doing the same. Soon the ship hit the ground and slid across the road. Shadow pulled out a black smartphone with his emblem on the back and sent a message to someone. "Come on Pinke, I'll buy you some ice cream on the way home." She jumped with joy and began skipping beside her father as they left the area.

"What did you do about the pilot daddy?" Shadow just laughed.

"I let someone do something that they haven't done since the first week you were brought to us."

...

Meanwhile, the alien pilot shakily climbed out of the wreckage and breathed heavily. Opening his eyes he was greeted by two black metal feet. Looking up he saw Omega standing over him with glowing red eyes. Omega then slowly pulled a stick into the aliens vision.

...

"You're cruel daddy."

"They started it."

Pinkie sat on top of Shadows head as she happily licked her ice cream while humming to herself. Just then the weird star creature floated by them. "He Pinkie, did you see that?"

Pinkie just looked at the creature and groaned. "Didn't I kill that thing already, he's just so mean it makes me wanna cus!"

Shadow immediately stopped. "Who taught you how to swear?"

"I heard mommy yelling a lot of swears when she stubbed her toe on the coffee table." Shadow faceplamned and continued on. Turning the corner he spotted the creature with the third chaos emerald by its side. Pinkie noticed this and pointed her hoof at Dooms Eye. "Daddy..." Shadow took a fighting stance. "...get'em!" He shot foreward and readied his fist to punch the star in the eye. As he got close he was thrown off balance as a gust of wind blew across the area.

Looking up he saw a large puffy alien creature with large wings and one huge eye.

"Say hello to the Black Bull you traitorous hedgehog, he shall be the instrument of your destruction!"

"I can't exactly he a traitor to someone I never sided with in the first place now can I?" Dooms Eye just flew away and the Black Bull roared.

"Daddy, can I take this one?" Pinkie asked in an excited state.

"Go right ahead Pinkie, just don't hurt yourself." Pinkie jumped off his head and Shadow walked to the side of the street. "Pinkie..." Pinkie readied her replenished party bazooka. "...sick'em."

Running over to a building Pinkie began scaling the wall while shooting multiple party rockets at the large creature. It shot a ball of dark energy at her and hit her in the chest, causing her body to flash in and out of existence while a few rings spewed out of her body. "Hey! That was my allowance you jerk!"

The bull flew down the street and started shooting waves of electricity at her as she followed it. She scaled a wall again and hit its eye with a homing attack, causing it to scream in pain. She then unleaded a flurry of attacks onto the alien. Once it was weak enough it fell to the ground. Pinkie walked over to its mouth and placed a small blue orb between its teeth. Walking away the ball exploded, finishing the Black Bull. "Cool fillies don't look at explosions."

Shadow chuckled and grabbed the third chaos emerald. "C'mon, let's go home, hopefully without any interruptions this time." Pinke placed her hoof in Shadows hand as they walked out of the city together.

Shadow: Break from the action

Shadow sat in his living room polishing his new sidearm and customising it to his needs. Pinkie sat watching some Saturday morning cartoons with Gummy latched onto her hair. Omega had gotten back from fighting off some black creatures in the governments mainframe with Rouge and both sat in the living room, Omega having Pinkie sit on his head.

They had gotten news that Knuckles was defending the ancient ruins from an attack alongside Bark the Polar-bear and Mina the Mongoose. The Chaotix were called in to gather any information on the aliens from any mainframe they could hack into. Tails was investigating a large loss in gold rings and suspected Eggman had gone back to his old ways when in truth Pinkie had visited the moustached doctor and convinced him to join the fight against the aliens and Egg-Pawns were now joining the G.U.N. forces in Station Square.

Amy had become more independent as she had now reached her twenties. She was currently investigating some strange reports in an old castle that was supposedly haunted. Mighty was still running around Westopolis searching for any civilians that didn't manage to make it out before the aliens attacked.

Shadow slumped back in his recliner and stared at the ceiling, thoughts about the Black Arms flooding his mind. The creature nowh known as Black Doom seemed familiar, like he had met him before. Shaking the thoughts away before he suffered another vision and headache, Shadow got up and headed for the door. "I'm just going out for a walk. I'll be back soon." The group nodded to him and he walked out the door.

As he walked down the street he passed a young boy who wore red fingerless gloves, a white polo-shirt, blue shorts and shoes and a white helmet with large red rooster locks. "Hey Billy, how was the battle in Morning Land?"

"Well, we were able to beat those weird creatures with our own creatures and giant eggs, not much damage was felt to the chickens homes." The boy answered with a smile.

"Well that's good to hear, tell your friends I said hi." Billy nodded and ran off down the street.

When Shadow had walked out of the door Pinkie immediately jumped off of Omegas head. "I'm just going to my room for awhile Nanna." Omega just stayed still and mumbled something under his breath. Pinkie walked into her bright pink room and pulled out a chair at her desk. She took out a tablet and began searching the web for something very important. "It amazes me how the government can be so stupid and post their plans and documents on the Internet." She logged onto her profile in the G.U.N. database and searched 'Project: The Ultimate Lifeform.'

Hacking into the secret files undetected she copied the words from the page into a notebook with a piece of paper stuck on the cover that said 'Daddy's Past Research.'

"Wait, it says that Shadow the Hedgehog died when saving the earth from the falling Space Colony Ark, how can that be? He's still here." She copied the last few words down and closed the tab. She then opened a new one and began to type. "Ok, what...does...fetish...mean?"

Shadow walked through the peaceful zone that was Green Hill, he was staying away from the action stage. He sat down on a bridge and looked out at the green valley before him. Sighing he pulled out a picture of Pinkies fifth birthday party, everyone had attended, even Tails Doll, fricken Tails Doll fell under Pinkie's adorable spell, as did Mecha, Silver and Metal Sonic.

Shadow chuckled over the memory of that day, Pinkie had the three robo-hogs wrapped around her tiny hoof as they all competed as to who would serve or hold her. It did eventually result in Metal Sonic turning into Metal Overlord again but be caused no destruction, he just took Pinkie for a fly and came back.

A lot has changed in Shadows world ever since Pinkie came into his life. Things have been more peaceful, everyone had improved from their flaws, everyone had a place in the world...except for Shadow. He had yet to find his purpose in the world. You could argue that his purpose is to protect and raise Pinkie but that'd be the easy way out. He wanted the truth, but he had to sacrifice the truth in order to protect Pinkie.

Shaking his head at his dilemma he got up and shot off towards his home. His questions would be answered another day, right now he had to rest, think things through and above all...keep Pinkie safe.

Pinkies Birthday part 1

"Move a little to the left." Shadow said to Omega who was holding him up as he was placing a party banner on the ceiling. Omega did as instructed and moved a step to the left allowing Shadow to nail the banner in place. Jumping off of Omegas head Shadow looked up at his work, smiling with pride as he had finally been able to get the ting to stay up after numerous failed attempts. They couldn't get Rouge to fly up and place it because she was busy distracting Pinkie a the two Team Dark members set up everything.

"What's next on the list?" Omega asked.

Shadow took out a checklist and ticked off the party banner. "Next is the cake, I'll go get that and be back here in no time, I got Pinkies favourite bakery to make it for her so I shouldn't be too long. While I'm doing that do you think you could make a start on the party food?"

Omega stood straight before placing a chefs hat on his head. "My time has come." With that he walked into the kitchen to perform his mechanical magic. Shadow blinked and shook his head at the action before placing the checklist down and zooming out the front door. As Shadow had left the house a new figure had entered.

"Hello, is anyone home?" The female voice called out.

Omega stopped and turned his head. "I know that voice..." He set down his cooking utensils and took off his hat before walking into the front room to see a familiar face standing there. "What are you doing here?" He asked not with hostility but with extreme confusion.

As Shadow carefully came to a stop outside the small bakery just a few blocks down he pushed open the door to the pink building and a tiny bell rang out from the top of the doorframe. Walking in Shadows vision lay on the selection of freshly made baked goods ranging from cupcakes to marble cake to French fancies and other treats that he had grown to love, Pinkies insistence of trying new sweets had drove him to eat the things he once hated for no reason and made him love them.

With his body being the way it was he didn't have to worry about cholesterol or fat, perks to being the "Ultimate Lifeform." So he could eat all the junk he wanted without the shame or damage, it seemed that Pinkie was just made of sugar so it had no real effect on her. The only thing that did make Pinkie go ballistic was when she had tried a Red Bull, and she didn't need no wings to fly when that happened.

As Shadow was busy looking at the teasing treats he failed to notice the two store owners coming in from the back room with a large white box. He looked up and smiled at the happy elderly couple that had started the bakery and had kept it running for over forty years. "Ah, good morning Mr and Mrs Sweets, I hope that what your carrying is my order?"

The seventy year old thin man with a small grey moustache chuckled and handed the box to Shadow over the counter. "You'd be correct my boy. I hope that Pinkie Pie enjoys this and has a happy birthday." He said kindly in a tired voice.

"Please give this card to her from us." The plump elderly woman with grey hair tied in a ponytail said as she gave Sahdow and envelope which he placed in his invisible pockets.

He reached for his wallet when he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. "Don't you worry about paying sonny, consider it a thank you for all the times Pinkie has helped out around here."

Knowing there was no use in arguing with the man Shadow gave a sigh with a smile. "You know I'm going to feel guilty about not paying you right?"

"Oh you'll get over it, now get going, you've got a party to prepare, give that lovable ball of energy our best." Mrs Sweets said as she smiled warmly.

Shadow nodded and walked out of the small store, holding the large box behind him as he sped through the streets with great care. As he slowed down just a bit away from his house he spotted Knuckles and Vector walking towards the house with smiles on their faces and gifts in their hands. They spotted Shadow and waved to him while waiting for him to reach them.

"You guys are early." Shadow said simply as he reached the pair.

"We wanted to get here early to help set up the party for our favourite little pony!" Vector exclaimed with enthusiasm and a huge smile.

"And didn't you want everyone to get here early so we could surprise Pinkie?" Knuckles asked with a raised brow.

"Well, yeah, but I just wasn't expecting anyone to come this early." Shadow sighed and began walking towards the house. "Come in, you can help set up the decorations and Omega with the food."

"Omega is cooking?! Alright!" Vector yelled in joy. Everyone now knew that Omega was the best cook anyone had ever known, so whenever he cooked for a large group of people or mobians he could deliver a very tasty spread.

Shadow rolled his eyes at the crocodile and led the two inside, only to lose his smile as he saw who was standing in the living room with Omega. He felt no negative emotions, only extreme confusion as did the two other mobians standing behind him.

"Sally Acorn? What are you doing here?" Knuckles was the one to ask.

Pinkies Birthday part 2

Sally rubbed her arm nervously as all eyes lay on her. While some were extremely glad to see her they were more confused over her sudden appearance. Shadow just held a neutral expression, trying to figure out why Sally would even be near Station Square in the first place, last he checked the Freedom Fighters had disbanded as Dr Robotnik was destroyed(1). Not allowing his mind to wander he was the one to ask the question that needed to be answered. "Why appear now? Why here?" He was concerned that something had happened with her kingdom due to the Black Arms but was more concerned with the risk of her arrival ruining Pinkies party.

Sally sighed and placed her back against the wall. "I denounced my right to the throne." She answered quietly, but loud enough for the others to hear. Omega, Shadow, Vector and Knuckles just stared at her in shock.

"Why would you do that Sally, has something happened? Do you need our help again?" Knuckles asked as he set his gift down on a table and began moving closer to Sally.

"I just...felt like I didn't want my life to be filled with all of those Royal duties, all of that responsibility, all of the expectations. It may be a cliché thing for me to think about but I just felt like my life could be so much better than that. I miss the days that I had the freedom to do as I wanted without an entire nation judging me for it, I miss the days of the Freedom Fighters and I miss the days I could just be me." Sally explained sadly. "So...I left my brother in charge, he's been dreaning of the position of King since he was young and he has shown great leadership skills. I saw an opportunity and I took it." She sighed and looked to the ground.

Knuckles looked to Vector who shrugged. Shadow set the box with the cake on a table nearby and walked over to Sally. "So you came here hoping to start your life over with your old friends?" He asked with understanding, resulting in a nod from the former queen. "Well, you probably made the right choice coming here, everything is for the most part the same so that should bring some comfort of you're missing the old days."

Sally just looked up at Shadow and gave a sad smile. "You've changed though." She said with a raised brow. "What happened that made you so much more open and understanding?"

Shadow just smiled and looked away. "It's not something you'd expect of me. Being a parent can change someone, in this case it changed more for the better."

Sally perked up at the topic being changed. "I remember with those missions you did for me nine years ago you had mentioned something about having a new reason to keep fighting after you lost your memories, I assume you were talking about a child?" Sally then looked around the room and smirked. "You're right though, I would never have expected someone like you to do this for someone else, that kid must really be special to have changed you."

Vector laughed as he recalled some memories of Pinkie and Shadow. "You've got that right Sally, Pinkie Pie is a really special kid, brings smiles to everyone she meets, there is not one person or mobian that dislikes her! She even got Eggman to stop being evil for a few years!" He exclaimed with happiness.

Sally just looked at Shafow with a raised brow. "You named your daughter Pinkie Pie?"

Shadow just frowned, finding her question slightly insulting, not to him but to Pinkie. "She's adopted, that was her name before she was left at the doorstep one night ten years ago, right before Sonic's disappearance."

Sally flinched at his glare. "I'm sorry...I wasn't trying to-"

"It's fine, just forget it." He stopped her mid sentence before the tension could grow. "Now, if you want to talk about your problems or catch up it will have to wait until later, after Pinkies party, I don't want her birthday to be ruined because of some inevitable drama other than the Black Arms suddenly attacking again."

Sally just smiled and nodded. Shadow, Knuckles, Sally and Vector began setting up the rest of the party while Omega worked his mechanical magic in the kitchen, making sure to have a selection of Pinkies favourite foods as well as other things for the rest of those attending.

Meanwhile

Rouge walked with Pinkie bouncing along beside her. While the others were preparing the surprise party Rouge had been keeping Pinkie busy by going around and visiting their friends who were all informed of the plan and were instructed to head straight to the party after they had been visited.

The two were approaching the house that belonged to Tails who was busy working on his biplane out in his front yard. "Hello Tails." Rouge said earning the two tailed foxes attention.

Tails looked over and smiled at the two before getting up and walking over to them. Over the past ten years he had grown noticeably taller, now being in his early twenties, and his voice was still high but deep enough that you would know he has aged. "Pinkie, Rouge, how are you two doing?" He asked as he knelt down to scratch Pinkies ear, resulting in her melting in his hands with a goofy smile that war,ed his heart. "I'd say pretty good."

Rouge smiled at her daughter. "You're right, Pinkie has just loved going around to see everyone today, right Pinkie?"

Pinkie smiled brightly and nodded. "Yeah! Going around to see everyone means I get to make more of my friends smile!" She announced happily.

"Well no matter where you go you'll always make people happy, there isn't one person other than those aliens that can look at you without smiling." Tails told the tiny pink pony while ruffling her mane.

This just made Pinkies smile widen, knowing that just her presence made people happy. "Well making others smile is what I do best afterall, that and throwing parties, smashing bots, hunting aliens-" Pinkie just continued to list off other things that she excelled at doing while Rouge guided her away from Tails and down the sidewalk to their next destination. Tails quickly put his plane in his garage, put his tools away, grabbed his gift and spun his tails, flying off towards the house of Team Dark.

Pinkies Birthday part 3