Bitterness and anger

A few days pass and Sapphire decides to return home. As for Amy, she's still feeling bitter about Sapphire and decides to stay at home. Sapphire quickly arrives home and goes to the cave. She returns to her hedgehog self and decides to walk around her homeland, to bump into Sonic.

"Hey, there Sonic." Sapphire greets

"Hey, Sapphire. How's things?" Sonic responds

"I'm good, thank you. How's Amy?"

"She's still rather bitter about you. I don't know why."

"So, it's not ideal to go to her."

"You can if you want. I'll stay out of it if that's alright."

"That's fine."

Sapphire goes to see Amy, to discover that Amy is still holding grudges from a few days previous.

"Hey, Amy." Sapphire greets

"What do you want?" Amy says, still agitated

"I'm just here to see how you are."

"I'm just fine. I'd rather if you and your magical hands would leave me alone."

"Let me say this, I'll only say it once. I would never cast spells over friends. Unless they needed protecting or healing. For any other reason, I wouldn't think to use magic. At all."

"Then how would you explain my quills changing colour?"

"That I can't explain. But all I know is that I've not got anything to do with it."

After some awkward silence, Sapphire decides to leave Amy alone and goes back to her quiet walk. Sapphire soon bumps into Shadow on her walk.

"Oh, hello Shadow." Sapphire greets

"Hey, there. How are you?" Shadow responds

"I'm all good. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm good." Shadow says, holding Sapphire's hand

"What are you after?"

Shadow soon comes in close and kisses Sapphire on the lips. Sapphire soon realises that Shadow has missed her.

"You've missed me, right?" Sapphire asks

Shadow blinks, as a form of a nod. Sapphire decides to take Shadow to the cave.

"Why are you bringing me here?" Shadow asks

"You'll see. Keep following." Sapphire responds

Sapphire guides Shadow to one of the entrances and shows him around it.

"What are you showing me?"

"Hold on, we're nearly there."

Sapphire and Shadow soon arrive at a rather nicely decorated chamber. Shadow is looking around, admiring his surroundings.

"Do you like it?" Sapphire asks

"Yes, I do. How long did this take you?" Shadow responds

"About a week or two. But I've had help with it."

"How did you come up with this?"

"You've been there to calm me down when it's needed, and I just wanted to return the favour. It's not extravagant, but it's my way of saying thanks."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I also made this space for us both to spend our time."

Shadow soon realises that he's going to get what he wants and freezes.

"Are you okay?"

"This is new."

"I know, and respect that. You said you wanted attention and affection. So, I'm gonna give it."

Shadow soon looks around the chamber, admiring the décor on the walls. Shadow soon hugs Sapphire.

"I love you." Shadow says

"I love you too, Shadow." Sapphire says, rubbing Shadow's back

"I like that, it's... nice."

"Do you wanna stay here?"

"Yes, I'd love to."

Shadow and Sapphire spend time in the chamber, holding hands and talking. As for Amy, she's out, looking for Sapphire. Tails notices and approaches Amy.

"Hey, Tails. Have you seen Sapphire? I owe her an apology." Amy says

"Hey, there. I'd check the cave near Shadow's home." Tails responds

"Thanks, Tails."

"You're welcome."

Amy goes to the cave to look for Sapphire.

"Sapphire? Are you in here?" Amy calls out

Sapphire hears Amy's voice and hurriedly sits up, for Shadow to notice.

"Are you okay?" Shadow asks

"I hear Amy calling out. Could you wait here a minute?" Sapphire responds

"Sure."

Sapphire goes out to the entrances, to find Amy looking around for her.

"Hey, Amy." Sapphire greets

"Oh, there you are. I've come to apologise." Amy responds

"I'm all ears."

"I'm sorry about a few days ago. It got outta hand."

"I owe you an apology as well. My reaction wasn't the most ideal, so I apologise for that."

"Apology accepted. Are we still friends?"

"Of course. I'm not gonna let a spat end our friendship."

Sapphire notices Amy's quills returning to their original colour. She quickly realises that Amy's loneliness is causing her quills to change colour.

"I think I know what's making your quills change colour."

"That would be...?"

"Loneliness. Ever since you've broke up with Sonic, I've noticed that you've become lonely and without any interaction, it gets worse."

"It does feel lonely without the others around."

"Why don't you fix that? Talk to the others, find things to do. Get out there."

Amy decides to take up Sapphire's suggestion of interacting with the others and Sapphire decides to go back into the chamber, to discover that Shadow isn't there.

'Now, where's he gone?' Sapphire thinks to herself

Then, out of the blue, Shadow appears behind Sapphire.

"Hello, there." Shadow says as Sapphire turns

"Hey, there. What's in your hand?" Sapphire responds

"It's called a Chaos Emerald. Wanna hold it?"

"Are you sure?"

Shadow soon does his approval blink and Sapphire takes hold of the Chaos Emerald; for it to start glowing brightly. Sapphire quickly becomes nervous and hurriedly hands back the Chaos Emerald.

"Are you alright?"

"Just nervous from that thing. That's all."

Shadow soon has an idea and puts the Chaos Emerald out, keeping hold of it.

"You're not giving it to me again, are you?" Sapphire asks

Shadow stays silent and puts Sapphire's hand over the one that's holding the Emerald. The pair close their eyes and end up on the pasture of a quiet field. The pair open their eyes and Sapphire is admiring her surroundings.

"Where did you take me? This is beautiful." Sapphire asks

"I don't know. But I'm guessing you like it." Shadow responds

"Like it? I love it. Thank you."

Sapphire soon hugs Shadow, for him to return it. Sapphire lets go, walks around, and explores where she is; for her to love the area more. Shadow catches up with Sapphire and hugs her from behind.

"Do you wanna go home?"

"Yes, I think I've had enough of being here for now."

Shadow and Sapphire use the Chaos Emerald and return to their shared home. As for Amy, she's with the others talking and having fun. Knuckles is watching Amy intently, trying to string a sentence together, for Amy to notice.

"Hey, Knuckles. Are you okay?" Amy asks

"Yeah, all good." Knuckles responds

"Okay, then."

Amy returns to talking to the others. Knuckles goes into the cave, to feel a warm breeze. He follows the breeze to discover the decorated chamber and looks around.

"Who decorated this place?" Knuckles thinks out loud

Knuckles soon rests his feet and falls asleep. As for Shadow and Sapphire, they go to the cave, for Sapphire to catch a scent.

"Someone's here." Sapphire says, searching for the scent

Shadow doesn't react, catching the same scent and searching alongside Sapphire, to find Knuckles fast asleep near the magic-induced warm light. The pair watch in silence, for Knuckles to move in his sleep. After some time, Shadow decides to leave.

"Are you alright?" Sapphire asks

"Yes, I'm just going home." Shadow responds

"Okay, do you want me to join?"

"You don't have to."

Shadow goes home and Sapphire goes to Knuckles. After two hours, Knuckles wakes up, to notice Sapphire.

"Hey, Knuckles." Sapphire greets

"Hey, what're you doing here?" Knuckles responds

"I decorated this chamber, with some help."

"What for?"

"Just returning love for Shadow, that's all. What're you doing here?"

"I felt a warm breeze and found this place."

"Then you fell asleep."

"Yeah, pretty much."

Knuckles soon goes silent; for Sapphire to notice.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm all good."

"Are you sure of that? You look like you're hiding something."

"I'm sure."

Knuckles leaves to join the others and Sapphire goes out for another walk. Sapphire soon reaches the others, to find everyone looking towards her.

"What?" Sapphire asks

"You might wanna read this." Knuckles says

"A note? Who from?"

"It says your father."

Sapphire declines the note and goes to her father's home in the city, to find no-one home. She soon finds a note on the counter. It reads: 'Dear daughter, this will be the last message you'll ever get from me. So, keep reading. I'm no longer here and have decided to give you the home to own, as inheritance. You may use the home as you wish to use it. May your life be wonderful. Your father.' Sapphire keeps reading: 'PS I knew that you'd decline the note delivered to your friends. Goodbye.' Sapphire finishes reading and freezes. Realising that her father has died, she turns into her human form and looks at her surroundings. As for Shadow, he wakes up and goes to the others, to find them all stood in silence.

"Hey, what's happened?" Shadow asks

"Read this. Sapphire declined it." Knuckles responds

Shadow reads the note, taking note of what's happened.

"Her father's died. She went to the city to his former home." Sonic says

"Sapphire's not returned yet. I'm hoping she's alright." Amy says

"I doubt as much. The two relatives were very close." Shadow informs

Shadow soon speeds off to Sapphire's city home. Sapphire quickly hears something whizzing towards her front door and goes to have a look; to find Shadow at the door.

"Hey, Shadow." Sapphire greets, quickly silencing herself

"Hey." Shadow responds

"Come in. There's no-one else here."

Shadow enters to see an empty reception area and pieces of Sapphire's father's memory, plotted around the room. Sapphire is eerily silent, keeping her emotions in, for Shadow to notice and put his arm around her.

"My father and I were very close. It feels strange to have this home to myself and to be able to use it however I wish to. With his memory and essence all over the house, I don't know whether to keep this place or leave it behind."

"I know about your father. From the note you declined back home."

"Wait, you read that note?"

"Yes, and so did everyone else. Do you want me to leave?"

"I'll leave that choice to you."

Sapphire quickly stops talking and takes a walk around her city home; for her to close her eyes and wonder in her thoughts. Soon, tears stream down her cheeks. After a few hours, she goes downstairs and sees Shadow looking around the home.

"Hey, Shadow."

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Defeated, at the knowledge of my father not being here. But... I don't know."

Shadow comes closer to Sapphire, taking hold of her hand. Sapphire soon returns to her hedgehog self, hugging Shadow. Knowing that Sapphire only has Shadow and her otherworld friends left, she freezes and lets go of Shadow.

"Are you okay?"

"I just don't know what to do with this home. I mean, this is my inheritance."

"I know. Do you wanna move back here?"

"To be honest, I don't know what to do."

Shadow and Sapphire are quickly in silence. Knowing that she loves her new home, she decides upon selling the home and giving all the proceeds back to the city. Before leaving, Sapphire picks up a picture of her, her father and Felicity stood inside the cathedral hall.

"Wait, you're not keeping the home?"

"I want someone else to have it and the money will go back to the city. They need it more than I do."

Sapphire soon looks at the picture she retrieved, shedding a tear or two.

"I want to go home, not be here any longer."

Sapphire speeds home alone, for Shadow to struggle with keeping up. Sapphire arrives home, goes to the cave and goes down a different entrance to an empty chamber. Sapphire quickly decides to make the chamber into a remembrance shrine for Felicity and her father. After a few hours of decorating and finding the correct light brightness, she completes the remembrance shrine and carefully places the picture in between the statutes of Felicity and her father. Soon, her magic puts Sapphire in a dress suitable for the area.

Shadow soon returns home.

"Have you seen Sapphire?" Shadow asks

"I saw her go to the cave. Can I come along?" Tails responds

"Sure. But, when we get there, stay near the entrance."

"Okay."

Shadow and Tails go to the cave and Tails waits at the entrance. Shadow goes to the entrances and places his Chaos Emerald on the ground, for it to go to where Sapphire is. Shadow follows, to find Sapphire in front of a shrine, in a navy and black dress.

"Hey, Sapphire." Shadow greets

"Hey, there." Sapphire responds

Shadow soon goes next to Sapphire and stands in silence. Sapphire turns her head to Shadow, giving a slight smile and looks back at the shrine. Shadow puts out his hand, for Sapphire to take hold, without looking in Shadow's direction. Shadow looks towards Sapphire. After a few hours, Sapphire comes to terms with her father not being around.

"I think I'm ready to go out again."

"What about the dress, will that stay?"

"Why, do you like it?"

"Yes, I do. It suits you."

Sapphire blushes.

"Thanks."

"Nervous?"

"A bit, yes. But it feels right."

Shadow and Sapphire look each other in the eyes and their pupils enlarge. Diving into each other's souls, the two are soon comfortable in their company. After two more hours, the pair decide to go to Shadow's home.

A week passes and a new letter arrives at the meeting area. Sapphire arrives at the meeting area to find the letter in her name. Sapphire reads the letter: 'Dear Geraldine Hawthorne, since the property doesn't meet our selling conditions and was awarded as inheritance, we're not able to sell the property. We've also been informed that you're required to keep the property for yourself. Yours Sincerely, City Properties.' After reading, Sapphire freezes in disappointment. Sapphire goes to her new home and goes inside. She soon walks around and figures out what to do with the place; use magic to convert it into a personal sanctuary.

As for Shadow, he looks around for Sapphire and goes to the city. Shadow goes to Sapphire's home, to find the door locked. He knocks the door and waits for a response. As for Sapphire, she hears knocking and unlocks the door.

"Come in, the door's unlocked." Sapphire says

Shadow enters, to notice changes to the reception area and certain other places.

"You've changed the place." Shadow says

"I know. Since I couldn't sell it, I've decided to turn it into something else, keeping some of the memories of my father and friend." Sapphire responds

"Do you want help?"

"Yes, that would be appreciated."

After a few hours of rearranging and redecorating, the home may not be complete but it's functional. Sapphire quickly realises that this is going to be a timelier project.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, having an actual project it feels great."

"Is this what you want to do with your house?"

"A new start is needed. That can't be done with the surroundings the same."

Sapphire looks around and goes upstairs. Sapphire goes to her bedroom and looks at her possessions.

'All these pictures...' Sapphire thinks, in an eerie silence

Looking around and reminiscing, Sapphire finds the same photo of her and Felicity, looking at it with a smile on her face. Soon there's a knock at the door and Sapphire turns into her human form. Sapphire answers to find her ex-girlfriend at the door.

"What do you want?" Sapphire asks, getting agitated

"That's not a good way to treat someone." The girl responds

"And? Why are you at my door?"

"No reason. Why are you mad at me?"

"You know our history. Get away from my house!"

"Just because we're exes."

"Stop acting innocent, you know what you did. I was never attracted to you in the first place."

"Really? I was your first, but not your last."

"I wasn't attracted to the others either. Then, it leaks out in school that I'm not attracted to my native race."

"Not just that, you run faster than any of us."

"So? I'm different, you don't need to criticise. Plus, you never told me what you're here for."

"Your mother was right. You are alien, and there's no changing it."

"Get away from my house, now!"

"Or what? Are you gonna get one of your weird friends to kill me? I'd like to see you try."

Sapphire quickly pins her ex-girlfriend to an outside wall.

"I don't need to get my friends involved. I can kill using words, now hear me. Get away from my house and leave me alone."

"Y'know I'm not I'm not scared."

"I don't care. I've never been attracted to you, and I never will. I will never be your friend either. So, get lost and don't come back!"

Sapphire's ex-girlfriend gives up and walks away. Sapphire storms back inside, angered at a realisation, her ex is the catalyst for her mother's abuse and decides to browse her wardrobe upstairs. She browses for an hour to find her favourite Halloween costume from her thirteenth; a dark fairy outfit, with fangs and headband to match and tries it on. To Sapphire's surprise, it still fits, and she gets back into her original dress. Shadow comes up and notices Sapphire.

"Hey, there." Shadow greets

"Hi, Shadow." Sapphire responds

"Are you alright?"

"I didn't think she had the audacity to come here after the break-up. She's just... Argh!"

"Wait, you two dated?"

"Yes, when we were twelve. She was my first, but not my last. It took two more for me to realise that I wasn't attracted to other humans. It was hard to understand at first, but I got used to it."

"So, what are you then?"

"See that pink, blue and purple flag up there, that's what I am."

"What does the flag mean?"

"Bisexual is the meaning behind it. I didn't expect to feel that way until I met you and your companions."

"Weren't I the first one you properly saw?"

"Yes, you were. But, before I passed out, I noticed Amy, looking absolutely phenomenal. She was the first one I began to like."

"Whilst she was still with Sonic."

"Yep. I didn't know that then. I found that out after we both got into that fight."

"When you got with me."

"Yes, then Blaze showed up to break us both up. I've liked her as well."

"Then what?"

"I realised that I favoured her more as a friend. We may not have talked, but she's still favourable."

"I don't know how you didn't say this before."

"More out of fear, as opposed to trust. That's the only reason."

Sapphire quickly begins to tense up, moving away from Shadow.

"Are you alright?"

"No, not really. I want to be on my own for a while. I'll see you at home."

Shadow quickly realises that Sapphire is still frightened after coming out and decides to leave her alone. Shadow soon looks around the house for more things he can do to help with Sapphire's project whilst she's gone and notices two empty bedrooms: with nothing more than a bed and wardrobe each. He decides to add a personal touch to the spare single bedroom. After a few hours of arranging and decorating, Shadow finishes the single bedroom and moves on to somewhere else.

As for Sapphire, she's in an empty cave chamber calming down and making small bulbs of light appear from her hands, for her to catch a glimpse of Shadow, editing her project. The light quickly fizzles out and Sapphire falls asleep. Night falls, Sapphire wakes up and goes back to Shadow's home; to notice him fast asleep on his rug and goes to the waters nearby. Midnight comes and Shadow wakes up; to notice Sapphire standing near the waters and approaches her. Shadow stops halfway, for Sapphire to turn in his direction.

The pair are soon looking at each other, in silence. Sapphire slowly approaches Shadow and stops. Shadow soon takes Sapphire's hand, pulls her towards his body holding Sapphire close.

"What are you doing?" Sapphire says, calming down

"Doing what I should've done before you went home." Shadow responds, rubbing Sapphire's back

"That would be...?"

"Give back to you, what you gave to me."

"Really? After what I told you earlier?"

Shadow does his nod and gets out the Emerald. The pair soon travel to the same field as before and lay on the grass.

"Look up there. I see you as one of those."

"A star?"

"Yes, but you shine brighter than the rest. You're special to me and I've wanted to say it for a long time."

"But, I'm bisexual. Doesn't that bother you?"

"No, it doesn't. I'll continue to love you the same."

Sapphire quickly silences herself and lays in silence, for Shadow to move closer. Sapphire blushes and turns her face away.

"Blushing again?"

"Mm-hm. Not that you can see it."

"I can't see it, but I can tell. You always move your head away when you do that."

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"No, I quite like it."

Sapphire puts her head on Shadow's chest and Shadow soon freezes.

"Are you okay, Shadow?"

"Yes, I just don't know what to do."

"Do what you're comfortable with doing. I won't complain."

Shadow puts his arm around Sapphire, takes hold of one hand and kisses her forehead.

"I think I wanna stay here tonight. With you."

"That's fine. Where do we sleep?"

Sapphire clicks her fingers and a tent appears, with the pair inside on an air-filled mattress under a thick blanket. Shadow looks at Sapphire in amazement and falls for Sapphire even more.

"How did you...?"

"Meet your request, or get all the gear?"

"Both."

"The gear came from my city home and you wanted somewhere to sleep. So, there you are!"

"Thank you."

"It's all good. I think we should call it kip now."

The pair are quick to fall asleep. Morning comes and Shadow is the first to wake up, for Sapphire to follow an hour later.

"Morning, Sapphire."

"Morning, Shadow."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling relatively good this morning. You?"

"I'm good as well. I want to show you something."

Shadow gets Sapphire close and uses the Emerald to travel to the city home.

"Why are we here?"

"You'll see. Close your eyes and follow me upstairs."

Curious, Sapphire follows the given instructions. The pair soon reach Sapphire's father's former bedroom.

"Now, open them."

Sapphire opens her eyes and is amazed by what she sees. She walks around the room, admiring the decor around the room and the outside view.

"Wow, this room and the view are stunning."

'Just like the one I'm looking at.' Shadow thinks to himself

"Did someone help you with this?"

"No, I did it alone."

"Thank you so much. I love it!"

Shadow does his nod and pulls Sapphire in close. As for Sonic and the others, they're with a different friend; Silver, a white hedgehog with the power to move things with his mind.

"Where's Shadow?" Silver asks

"He's in the city, with his girlfriend." Amy responds

"Shadow? Girlfriend? Keep dreaming he's not the type."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Quickly, there's an awkward silence and Silver is still in denial. As for Shadow, he decides to head home.

"I'll see you back home." Shadow says

"Alright, are you okay?" Sapphire responds

"I'm all good. I'll see you."

"Goodbye, for now."

Shadow takes hold of Sapphire's hand, pulls her close and kisses her hand. As Shadow leaves for home, Sapphire goes downstairs to eat. Shadow returns home, to notice Silver standing with the others.

"What are you doing here?" Shadow asks

"Standing with friends. I'd ask the same to you." Silver responds

"I live here."

"Alone, I'm betting."

Shadow walks to his home, keeping tight-lipped. Night falls, Sapphire turns invisible and goes home; for her to bump into Silver on her travels.

"Who's there?" Silver asks

Sapphire quickly speeds to the cave, for Silver hear. Sapphire reaches the cave, pulls the feather out of her hair, and starts flying to an empty cave chamber. Silver reaches the cave, finds Shadow and Sapphire's crash pad, and looks around to notice a warm, romantic glow. Sapphire turns into her hedgehog form and speeds to the cave top. She watches Silver follow her speeding sound and rids her disguise. Silver levitates in the air and finds Sapphire on the cave top.

"Hey, there." Silver greets, for Sapphire to react

"Who are you? I've never seen you before." Sapphire responds

"I'm Silver, a friend of Sonic's. You are..."

"Sapphire, also Sonic's friend. You're... another hedgehog."

"Yes, so are you. You look beautiful."

"Gee, thanks. You may leave now." Sapphire says, noticing Silver intention and moving away

Silver, still levitating, gets closer to Sapphire, for her to move further away. Sapphire soon forms a protective bubble around herself, as a warning to Silver.

"Two words: I'm taken. Now, leave me be and don't touch my bubble."

"You're new around here."

"Not really, I moved here. Now, leave me."

Sapphire quickly throws an invisible shock in Silver's direction.

"What was that for?"

"Listen to me, I'll say this only once; I'm taken and not interested in you, Silver. Now, just give up and leave me alone."

Sapphire quickly transports herself to the field. After the commotion, Tails, Sonic and Blaze race to the cave, to notice Silver in the air above.

"What's up with Silver?" Blaze asks

"I think he's just been rejected by Sapphire." Sonic responds

"He should've seen it coming, she's taken and won't accept anyone else."

Without them knowing, Shadow overhears and travels to the field, to find Sapphire sitting on the grass, uncomfortably.

"Hey, are you alright?" Shadow asks

"Yeah, I'll manage. After that I just want to be away from Silver. I wasn't tryna be rude, I just see him as a friend. That's all." Sapphire responds

"That's why something felt off earlier."

"Something tells me that he was told that you have a girlfriend and he wouldn't believe what that individual said."

As for Silver, he's out looking for Sapphire, to find her next to Shadow in a field. He lands quietly behind the pair, for Sapphire to hear the grass rustling behind her. She turns to find Silver, failing at hiding in the grass.

"Silver, I can see you. Get up." Sapphire says

Silver stands up, to notice Shadow.

"What do you want?" Shadow says, protecting Sapphire

"I came to make an apology." Silver responds

Shadow tries going forward, to be stopped.

"No, Shadow. I can handle this." Sapphire responds

Sapphire approaches Silver.

"I'm all ears, Silver."

"I'm sorry about what happened earlier. Amy said something about Shadow having a girlfriend and I didn't believe her."

"Then you didn't realise it was me that Shadow's in love with."

"Exactly. I've never thought of Shadow to be the type for relationships."

"From what I can gather, neither did anyone else."

"So, are we good?"

"Yes, we are. Apology accepted, my friend."

Sapphire and Silver shake hands, in friendship.

"I'll leave you two alone. Goodbye, for now."

"Goodbye, Silver."

Silver goes back to Sonic and the others. Shadow and Sapphire return to their quiet night together. Morning comes and Sapphire is the first to wake up. Sapphire travels to the city to shop for clothes and reaches the shopping centre.

'Oh, boy. Now where do I go?' Sapphire thinks

"Hello there. Are you looking for something?" A citizen asks

"Yes, I'm looking for a clothing store."

"Wait, you go by the name of Sapphire, right?"

"Yes, why'd you ask?"

"I've been asked by a girl named Felicity to direct you to a clothing store when you stop by."

"You mean, my late friend Felicity-Rose?"

"Yes, now come with me."

Sapphire turns into her human form and follows the citizen to a rather extravagant clothing store, filled with Halloween offers and staff waiting.

"Why am I here and why is everyone waiting?"

"We've had lots of customers and been waiting for you to stop by."

"Wait, you work here?"

"Yes, the name's Natalie. Follow me, you're looking for clothes I believe."

"Yes."

"Come with me to the tailoring area."

Sapphire is has a quick and short feeling of bewilderment as she follows Natalie and is quickly being measured up and recommended clothes, to reject them.

"What are you looking for?" Another staff member asks

"I'm looking for clothes that I can put together to celebrate Halloween with my friends."

"And impress a special someone, I believe."

"I guess so. Can I look on my own? I think I know what I want."

"Yes, certainly."

Sapphire looks around and picks up the clothes she wants. She spots an electronic calendar on the wall, it's October 21st.

"Have you got all you want?" Natalie asks

"Yeah, do you sell eyeliner? That would be all after that."

"Yes, we do. This way."

Sapphire follows Natalie to the beauty section and gets what she wants.

"I'm done. Where's the checkout?"

"This way."

Sapphire is quickly shown to the checkout to be attended by a different staff member. After paying for her items, Sapphire leaves for home and turns back into a hedgehog. As she goes to the cave, she bumps into Shadow.

"Hey, there." Shadow greets

"Hi, how are you?" Sapphire responds, nervously

"I'm good. Where have you been?"

"Just to a clothing store in the city. Nothing more. Bye now."

"Goodbye then."

Sapphire goes to the cave, leaving Shadow confused. Sapphire reaches an empty cave chamber and makes some clothes rails appear. Soon, a mirror appears in front of Sapphire and she looks at herself, becoming upset and quickly gets to trying on her new clothes. After an hour, she finds an outfit she likes, consisting of a faux leather jacket, t-shirt, and jeans. Sapphire steps back to bump into someone. She turns to find Shadow, standing behind her.

"Oh, hey. What're you doing here?" Sapphire asks

"Finding out what you're up to." Shadow responds

"Just trying on some new stuff."

"Get some more light in here."

Sapphire brightens the light in the chamber and Shadow is enamoured by what he sees.

'She looks phenomenal. No-one compares to her.' Shadow thinks

"What do you think?"

"You look phenomenal."

"Thanks, I'm trying to pair some things up for a Halloween ensemble."

"I'm guessing you don't know what to choose."

"That's right. With all I've got, there's so much I can put together."

"Do you need help?"

"You don't have to, really."

Shadow gets to the clothes rails and decides to help. After two hours of mixing and matching, another favoured outfit is found and added to Sapphire's list of contenders for Halloween. She quickly decides on the previous outfit for Halloween and changes into her very first outfit, the long-sleeved t-shirt and denim shorts.

"Let's go somewhere else."

"Agreed. Where shall we go, Shadow?"

"Anywhere."

"Race you to the city then."

"Bring it!"

Shadow and Sapphire soon race each other to the shopping centre in the city and get there at the same time.

"It's a tie! For the first time ever."

"I'm not surprised."

"And that would be… why?"

"I caught up with you, for once."

"Uh-huh, I see. Let's be moving."

Shadow and Sapphire enter the shopping centre and look around, for Shadow to stop at a florist. Bewildered, Sapphire follows. Shadow buys a rose and makes it into a small headpiece, using magic.

"How did you learn that?"

"I found some books in your house and skimmed through them."

"You learned a crafting spell from one of them."

"Yes, I guess so."

Shadow hands over the headpiece and Sapphire makes it multi-coloured. Sapphire puts on the headpiece and starts blushing.

"You're getting good at the blushing thing."

"No, really. I'm not good at this hiding thing."

"No, you're not."

'He's just so… there are so many words, just one thought.' Sapphire thinks

Without the pair realising, Sapphire's ex-girlfriend is watching from a café and devises a plan to win Sapphire back, use her magic of anti-love to cause a rift in Sapphire's relationship. Sapphire soon senses anti-love magic in the air.

"My ex is here. Her magic is coming off her."

"And that magic is…"

"Anti-love. The type that never wins against love. I'm gonna find her!"

"No, wait!"

"Why not? She's tryna break us up so she can get back with me."

Sapphire gets out of Shadow's arms and finds her ex-girlfriend in a café. Enraged, she goes to her ex-girlfriend.

"Hey! What are you doing here?!" Sapphire exclaims

"You'll find out!" Sapphire's ex-girlfriend responds, casting an amnesia spell over Sapphire

"Adios, Geraldine! I'll have you in no time!" Sapphire's ex-girlfriend says, to bump into Shadow

"What have you done?" Shadow asks, getting angry

"Your 'girlfriend' now has amnesia. Anything after our break-up and when she met you, she doesn't remember. Adios, Shadow the Hedgehog!"

Sapphire's ex-girlfriend soon runs off into the crowds and Shadow runs to Sapphire's aid.

"Hey, are you alright?" Shadow asks

"Wait, who are you? Where am I?" Sapphire asks, still in hedgehog form

"I'm Shadow, your boyfriend. You're in the shopping centre."

"Do I know you from somewhere? Are my father and friend around?"

'The witch has made Sapphire forget about her father, mother and friend. It's payback time!' Shadow thinks

"Can you get me home?"

"Yes."

Shadow takes Sapphire home, for her to not recognise her surroundings.

"Where am I? This doesn't look or feel like home!" Sapphire says, getting stressed

"Hey, Shadow. What's with Sapphire?" Sonic asks

"Her ex-girlfriend has used magic to give her amnesia. Sapphire doesn't remember anything after the break-up or meeting me." Shadow responds

"Who's this? Wait, who are everyone else?"

"She doesn't know where she is, nor does she remember any of us. You need to get Sapphire back to the city and fast!" Blaze informs

Shadow takes Sapphire to her city home, for her to become more stressed about her surroundings.

"Wait, is this my house?" Sapphire asks

"Yes, it is. You were given it by your father." Shadow responds

"My father's still alive, right? What about my mother and Felicity?"

"None are alive. Your friend was killed, and your father died. As for your mother, she was killed to protect the city."

"Are you lying to me?"

"I wish I was, but all this is true."

Sapphire quickly gets a sharp, painful headache; of which causes her to remember her mother, father, and friend.

"I remember all three of them. But, still don't remember you..."

"I think I know what might help."

Shadow calms himself and puts his forehead against Sapphire's.

"What are you doing?"

"Just wait, and you'll find out."

Shadow takes hold of Sapphire's hand and kisses her lips. Sapphire is wide-eyed with confusion, but quickly eases into it and quickly remembers Shadow and their relationship.

"So, you're Shadow!" Sapphire says, triumphantly

"Yes, that's so."

"Wait, why has my house changed?"

"You were given this house by your father and started changing the place."

Shadow quickly remembers that Sapphire doesn't remember this and takes Sapphire back home.

"Are we going back there again?"

"Yes, that's right."

Shadow and Sapphire soon return home and go to the cave.

"Why are we in a cave?"

"I'll show you."

Shadow takes Sapphire into the decorated cave chamber, for Sapphire to remember where she is.

"Wait, I remember decorating this chamber. But, what for?"

"You made it for me, to return the love I gave to you. We then travelled to a field using this."

Sapphire soon sees the Chaos Emerald in Shadow's hand and takes it for a closer look, for it to react to her magic. Sapphire soon has a vision of her and Shadow in that same field and everything else that happened before then. She gets quick, sharp headache.

"Sonic, Amy... Blaze, Knuckles, Tails... Silver, Shadow!" Sapphire says, with her eyes glowing white

"Are you alright?" Shadow asks, to be ignored

"My mother, killed to save the city, friend was killed by a monster. Father died, unknown reason. Given my house as inheritance and couldn't sell it. Ex-girlfriend. Wait, why is she in this vision?"

Sapphire quickly remembers every spell that she ever learned, friendships made and her relationship with Shadow. The vision quickly finishes, and the amnesia spell is broken, for her to realise her new enemy is her ex-girlfriend.

"I think I know who my new fight is against."

"Your ex-girlfriend?"

"Yep, that's right. I think I'll need to do this alone. But, do come along when I choose to face her."

Oblivious to what she faces over the next five days, Sapphire brushes up on her magic spells and skills. But, will they be useful?