(Requested by user!) (After the events of the metal virus - IDW)

-☆. The terrorising metal virus had finally been cured, and everyone was starting to turn things back to normalcy. Rouge, however, was focused on tracking down Shadow. The bat had finally noticed the hedgehog, though - brooding alone on a platform in Forest Hill.

"There you are! You can be a pain to track down, y'know?" The snow white bat spoke before continuing once she didn't get a reply. "Things seemed to have settled down. All the bad guys are in hiding. At least they're not causing trouble. But... I can't find any sign of Sonic or Omega."

Still, no reply. "Did you hear a word I said?" "Yes." Shadow spoke bluntly. Finally - at least it was something. "What's up? You're brooding even more than usual. If you can't talk about it, I'll leave it be."

"I owe him. Now he's gone. That's all." The ebony hedgehog spoke again, clearly not fond of talking. "Y'know, there's a big party going down at Spiral Hill tonight. Everyone's invited, even you." "Pass." He spoke immediately, no second thought needed. "Figured. But I thought I'd try."