The New Heroine

Shadow laid motionless against Dawn's back as she drove them to Hedgehog Village on the Purple Lightning. She felt a mix of emotions-worry for her companion, accomplishment for how far she had come on her journey, pride over all the obstacles she had won against, joy over soon reuniting with her family and friends.

And something else. Perhaps stronger than all of those combined.

Long shadows had begun to cast on the ground by the time Dawn pulled up outside her home village. She could feel tears of happiness and relief forming behind her eyes, but she blinked them away and focused on her task at hand. She genlty lifted Shadow up, converted the Purple Lightning into gauntlet form, and helped him into Hedgehog Village. She couldn't stop the smile that grew on her face as she was once again in her place of birth, surrounded by the villagers she grew up with. At that moment, many of them looked her way, greeting her in mixed happiness and surprise, but not knowing what to say about Shadow's unconsious form beside her.

"Where's Tails?" Dawn asked. "Shadow needs his help."

The twintailed fox was in his workshop, and he answered the knock on the door to find a pleasent surprise.

"Dawn? Hey, you're back!" Tails gave her a quick hug before noticing her companion. "Shadow? What happened?"

"Eggman hurt him." Dawn said, addressing his injuries. "Can you help him, Tails?"

"Bring him inside and I'll take a look." Tails helped Dawn carry Shadow over to a spare cot in the corner of the workshop. They gently laid him down, and the fox examined the hedgehog's wounds. "Hmm, these don't look too bad. I should be able to patch them up no problem."

"Thanks, Tails." Dawn said. "I'm gonna go find the others."

Tails smiled. "They can't wait to see you again, Dawn." he said.

Dawn left Tails' workshop and found Amy and Sticks waiting for her in town. She ran into their waiting arms without hesitation, so happy to be with her real friends again.

"We heard from the villagers that you were back." Amy said when they finally seperated. "It's so great to have you home again, Dawn."

"Why now, though?" Sticks asked. "It hasn't been a week yet."

"I'll tell you when we all meet at Tails' workshop." Dawn said. She looked in the direction of her house. "But first, I have to see Mom and Dad."

Amy and Sticks followed Dawn as she eagarly headed for her home, wanting to see the family's reunion. They hung back and watched from a distance. Dawn approached the beach outside her house, but stopped when she saw her parents there, Sonic lounging on a folding chair, Knuckles lifting weights on his bench press. She stood in frozen silence, taking in the wonderful sight of her real, loving parents. Sonic turned and noticed her just then, and he eagarly told Knuckles that their daughter was back.

"Dawn." Sonic said tearfully. He and Knuckles held their arms out to their daughter with big smiles, but she was still stuck in place, overwhelmed with happiness. She finally regained enough sense to start walking towards her parents, and when she was close enough, she collapsed into their embrace and cried out loud from relief and the joy of the moment.

"Mom...Dad..." Dawn let out between sobs. "You don't know...how happy I am to...see you again. After...what Eggman put me and Shadow through...and being with you again, I...I just..." She continued to cry, too caught up in her emotions to say any more.

"Shhh, it's okay, Dawn." Sonic said gently, stroking her quills. "We're here now."

The family sat together on the beach, Dawn's cries slowly diminishing as she calmed down. "I'm so happy to be back home." she said.

"We're happy, too, sweetheart." Knuckles said. "Welcome home."

Amy and Sticks watched them all the while, smiling and tearing with silent joy.

Later, the team gathered in Tails' workshop, where Dawn told them of the nightmarish trial Eggman put her and Shadow through. The dark hedgehog was still unconsious, but his cuts and brusies had been bandaged up, and his broken arm was in a sling. When Dawn finished recalling their fight through Eggman's dark, twisted world, Team Sonic regarded their enemy with anger.

"Man, I didn't think Eggman would stoop that low." Tails murmured.

"Or Charlie and Belinda." Amy said. "But you're right, Tails. That was low, even for them."

"It reminds me of the time we got transported to that alternate dimension." Sonic said, looking distantly at the wall. "A dark, horrific world where everyone and everything was out to get us. And...almost dying..." He shivered and hugged himself, undoubtedly thinking about his close calls with death.

Knuckles and Dawn hugged Sonic. "We don't have to worry about them anymore." the echidna said. "It's all over, and we're all together and safe again."

Sonic thankfully hugged his family back, but his eyes were smoldering. "Next time we see Eggman-and Charlie and Belinda-they'll see what an angry parent can do."

"That won't be for a while, Mom." Dawn said. "I made sure of it." She shuddered. "I just hope I don't see those monsterous versions of you and Dad in my dreams. Fighting them was the hardest part."

Sonic remorsefully thought of the time he donned the mech suit that made him evil, giving his daughter a bad memory. But then he smiled and placed a comforting hand on Dawn's arm.

"Well, just remember, sweetheart," he said, "your dad and I love you no matter what. And we promise, we'll never turn against you or attack you like we did in Eggman's dark world." Tails, Amy, and Sticks watched happily as the family shared another sweet embrace.

Just then, they heard Shadow groan. They hurried to his side, and Dawn gently sat down next to him. Shadow's eyes slowly opened and weakly focused on the smiling face of his companion. "Dawn..." he said in a wavering voice.

"It's okay, Shadow. We're safe." Dawn said gently. "We're in Hedgehog Village. Tails treated your injuries, you're gonna be okay."

Shadow was still in a daze as he took in his surroundings and the comforting faces surrounding him, then at his badaged wounds. "...Thank you." he said to Tails before turning back to Dawn. "You...defeated the robot?"

Dawn nodded. "Seeing how it hurt you gave me the rush I needed to overpower it." she said. "And Eggman won't be perstering us again anytime soon."

Managing a small smile, Shadow's good hand shakily reached up toward Dawn, who took it in both of hers. "You never cease to amaze me." he said, and closed his eyes again.

The team left the workshop to let Shadow rest, but Dawn stayed a moment longer, laying her head on their joined hands. She found herself cherishing this moment, alone with the hedgehog who promised to look after her, in the peaceful safety of her home village, surrounded by the family and friends who loved her.

She carefully leaned forward and gave Shadow a gentle kiss on the cheek, then placed his hand back down and got up to leave. She gave him one last kind look before going, feeling a pleasant warmth where her heart was.

"You know, Dawn," Tails began, "you were gone for five days, so, technically, it has been a week. But, if you want, I can build some robots for you to fight for two more days."

"Sounds like fun." Dawn said, but then slouched. "But first, I need some time to rest after that journey. I'll be in my room."

The team didn't question this. After five days of traveling across Seaside Island, taking on many foes that challenged her physically and mentally, Dawn certainly needed some downtime. In the comfort of her own home.

Two Months Later

Team Sonic decided to wait until Shadow's injuries healed before planning Dawn's ceremony. While Shadow and the villagers lent a hand in the preparations, Tails kept Dawn busy fighting his robots. As Dawn made sure, Eggman did not attack the village again, and hopefully wouldn't for a while.

When the big day finally came, Amy escorted a blindfolded Dawn to the village square. Dawn removed the blindfold to find that the square had been decorated with shiny purple cutouts, neon lights, a dancefloor, a bouffet table, and a stage. The villagers cheered and applauded upon Dawn's arrival, making her smile brightly with happiness.

"There she is!" Sonic said. He and the other members of Team Sonic stood on the stage. "Come on up here, Dawn. It's time to make your status official!"

As Dawn and Amy joined their team on the stage, the hybrid found Shadow in the crowd, smiling for her and her upcoming declaration. Sonic placed his arm around his daughter.

"Dawn, your journey across Seaside Island was a sucess. You've faced all kinds of enemies, in two different worlds, with fierce bravery, strength, and determination. No matter what your opponents through at you, you fought through them all. You never gave up and kept fighting until the end. You've ultimately proven you've got what it takes to be a hero, a defender of Hedgehog Village.

"And tonight, I'm proud to announce you an official member of Team Sonic!"

Dawn couldn't contain her joy as the square filled with cheers and applause for her new status. She started laughing and threw her arms around her parents and friends, her official teammates. When the cheers died down, Shadow took to the stage.

"I have an announcement for you, too, Dawn." He took her hands. "Joining you on your mission was the best decision of my life-of that, there's no doubt. You've opened up my eyes, taught me many valuable lessons, and when I'm around you, I feel...happy. Your kind heart and daring spirit have awakened happiness in me, something I never thought I would feel. You're the most wonderful person I've ever known, Dawn." He held her at arm's length.

"Which is why I can confidently tell you...I'm in love with you."

Not five minutes after receiving her title as heroine, Dawn felt her heart take off again. Her muzzle tinted pink with blush as she wrapped her arms around Shadow.

"Oh, Shadow..." There were so many things she could've said in that moment, but she simply said, "I love you, too."

And once again, the villagers cheered as Dawn and Shadow kissed. Team Sonic watched them silently with happiness, including their leader. When the new couple separated, Sonic approached Shadow good-naturedly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Gotta say, Shadow, you're the last one I expected my daughter to fall in love with." he said. "But for her sake, I think we can put this rivalry of ours behind us, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes. I think it's no longer neccessary." Shadow agreed, shaking Sonic's hand, only for the blue hedgehog to suddenly pull him closer.

"But if you break her heart, then we'll have problems." he said at a volume only Shadow could hear.

Shadow smirked. "Well, lucky for us, I have no intention of doing so." he said before pulling back and wrapping his arm around Dawn.

"Okay, now that that's out of the way," Knuckles said, "how 'bout we get this party started?"

As Dawn celebrated with her fellow villagers, teammates, and new boyfriend, she carried within her more happiness than she ever remembered feeling at any point in her life. She was a victorious survivor, an official hero, and overall proud of all she had accomplished that week. Her courage, determination, and devotion to her home and loved ones would continue to help her fight through whatever threats came their way.

Like the sun rising over the eastern horizon, bringing the light of a new day, she would come bearing the light of hope when her people needed it, and fight to protect them with all her strength, heart, and soul. Like a true heroine would.

The End