Meanwhile, in a faraway forest clearing, a black figure overlooks the horizon, lost in thought about the memories of his creation. His arms are crossed and his eyes are tightly closed.

"Why does it feel like... I've been here before?"

This figure, who turns out to be Shadow the Hedgehog, opens his eyes and sighs as he looks up into the sky. A pink and orange coloured sunset can be seen and a cool breeze can be felt against his quills.   

"Because you have, Shadow. But... it's been a while since then."

Shadow turns around and notices a young female hedgehog kneeling down behind him. She had burgandy coloured fur and was holding a little pink flower in her hand. He watched as the young female stood up and walked towards him.

"Who are you and how do you know who I am?"

The young female's ears droop as she watches her friend gets into a defensive position. She realises that he did not recognise her and immediately steps back.

"Shadow, please... try to understand. You've only just been reawakened."

Shadow slowly stands up as he gets out of his defensive position. 

"Reawakened? What do you mean?"

The young female, who turns out to be Yami, looks at him with a sympathetic look and slowly starts to walk towards him again.

"Don't you remember anything, Shadow?"

Shadow sighs as he sits down on the grass and picks a flower. He looks at it closely before flicking it away and looking back at Yami.

"I don't remember anything about this place... yet you told me that I have been here before, how does that work?"

Yami sits down next to him and also flicks her flower away. She puts a hand on his shoulder and watches as Shadow turns to her.

"It's been a few years since it all happened. You've been in suspended animation since then, Shadow..."

Shadow blushes a little from Yami's hand being on his shoulder but allows her to keep her hand there. He sighs again as he looks up into the sky.

"I'm so confused... all I remember was seeing another of my kind. He was golden yellow, had red eyes and red and white shoes."

Yami smiles as she realises who Shadow was talking about. She moves closer to him and takes off her backpack. She takes out a photograph from it of the whole group together and points at Sonic.

"That was Sonic... he and you both fought together. You both saved us all from disaster."

Shadow slowly takes the photograph from her and analyses it. He sees himself stood next to Sonic as well as many other mobians standing around them. He moves his hand over part of the photograph which had Rouge on it. Yami points to the figure.

"You recognise her? She's my adoptive sister.

Shadow holds his head and closes his eyes, trying to remember the name of the figure. He soon opens his eyes again and looks down at the figure again.

"Rouge..."

Yami smiles and wags her tail a little as Shadow starts to remember. He hands the photograph back to her and chuckles softly.

"I guess I do remember something after all... I just wish I knew the rest."

Yami gently places her hand on top of his and holds it. Shadow blushes brighter as he notices what Yami was doing.

"You will... it'll just take some time."

Yami soon puts the photograph back into her backpack before proceeding to put it back on her back. She soon stands up and looks down at him.

"Hey... you wanna go and see those people? The ones in the photograph? I can take you to them."

Shadow looks into the horizon before looking back at her and smirking.

"Sure."

Yami smiles as Shadow stands up and starts walking towards the clearing. She soon holds her wrist up to her mouth before pressing a button and starting to talk into her communicator.

<i>"Sonic? Shadow and me are on our way... how are things going?"</i>

<i>"Everything's good here, Yami! Tails and Myla are just setting up the tech, Knuckles, Maia, Silver and Kimi have all come along to help out with the decorations. Oh and Rouge is here too, apparently she got someone else to look after the emerald..."</i>

Yami giggles before starting to talk again.

<i>"I hope she picked someone responsible, you know what Knuckles is like with the emerald! But anyway, we'll be back in about an hour, see you then!"</i>

Sonic chuckles.

<i>"Yeah, same here! See ya later, Yami!"</i>

Yami smirks as she turns off her communicator and runs to catch up with Shadow. She walks slightly ahead of him and leads him back towards the city. Shadow puts a hand on her shoulder and watches as Yami turns to him.

"Thank you... for everything, Yami."

Yami smiles and wags her tail.

"S-Shadow... you know my name?"

Shadow chuckles softly.

"It just came to me... as if by magic!"

Yami giggles and continues to walk beside him. She gently grabs his hand and watches as Shadow starts to blush again.

<i>"I hope this party will help you out, Shadow..."</i>