[Mini Story: Gemerl]
Levy's POV
After the guild was disbanded, Gajeel, Lily, and I decided to join the Magic Council's guard for our first mission. The three of us went to investigate the Cherry Blossom Village after the devastation that had occurred. The wind carried with it the last petals of the cherry trees. This place should've been peaceful, a haven of tranquility... but now, only silence remained, broken by the crunch of our footsteps on blood-stained leaves. Scratch marks, savagely torn tiger corpses, and blood... everywhere. My heart tightened.
Me: What could've done this?
Gajeel (growling): Tch... This isn't human.
That's when we saw it. A metallic figure, frozen at the center of the village, eyes off but alert. An abandoned robot... or lying in ambush?

Gajeel (angrily): An Eggman pawn?!
Me: Gajeel, wait! We don't know if he's responsible!
Too late. He had already charged. Metal clashed under the impact of his steel fists. But the robot didn't strike back... it dodged. It analyzed. Then, to my shock, it countered-with the same attack. The same stance as Gajeel. Like a mechanical mirror.
Gajeel (surprised): It's copying my moves?!
Lily: That's no ordinary robot... It's learning.
Gajeel: Tss, I'll crush it!
Me (intervening): Gajeel! STOP! He's not trying to hurt us.
The robot stopped moving. It observed us for a moment, then its voice, strangely human, rang out:
???: I am Gemerl. I was abandoned by Dr. Robotnik. Since then, I've been searching for a purpose... I stopped here.
He lowered his head. He looked... sad? Could a robot feel that? My heart ached again. He hadn't attacked-he was just a witness.
Me: You didn't do this, did you?
He shook his head no... then pulled out a shining blue hair, so bright, so recognizable... Sonic.
Lily, Gajeel, and I looked at each other. Emerl wasn't the culprit.
Me: It's Sonic...
Lily: Are you sure?
Gajeel: What do you mean "are you sure"? You can clearly see it's Sonic's hair!
Me: That's impossible. What was he doing here?
Lily: Maybe he passed by and saw what happened.
Gajeel: Then that makes him a suspect. Let's find him!
Me: Alright.
We were about to leave when I saw the robot looking at us.
Me: Aren't you coming?
He tilted his head, confused.
Me: You were looking for a purpose, right? Then come with us! You guys okay with that?
Gajeel (grumbling): As long as he doesn't attack, fine. But if he betrays us, I'm turning him into dinner.
Lily: Plus, he's got good reflexes. He might be useful for our training.
With that, we welcomed Gemerl into our group, and I took care of him. I kept thinking about this case... the blood... the rage... That wasn't the Sonic we knew. So then... what had he become?
[End of Mini Story]
---
Chelia's POV
We had returned to Earth after resurrecting Maria. We headed to the Sabertooth guild. I was still stunned by what had happened in space-the sudden confession from Maria and the kiss. That image kept looping in my head.
Maria (amazed): Wow, so this is Earth?
Shadow: Yes, this is Earth.
I snapped out of my daze when I saw Maria wrapping her arm around Shadow's right arm. I did the same with his left.
Shadow: What are you doing?
Me (pouting): Do you want her to be your girlfriend?
Shadow: Huh?
Me: Answer me seriously-do you want her to be your second girlfriend?
Shadow: You mean third?
Me (shocked): What do you mean third?
Shadow: Nothing. Forget it.
Maria: I love Shadow, and I know he feels the same.
Me (raising an eyebrow): Is that true?
Shadow (looking at Maria): Of course not, I'm not attracted to... her hedgehog curves...
Me: Are you serious, Shadow? We practically have the same chest size!
Maria: Now that I think about it, the heat here is unbearable.
She started lifting her top. The problem was... she had nothing underneath. Shadow got a nosebleed and screamed while I quickly pulled her shirt back down.
Me: WE DON'T UNDRESS IN PUBLIC!
Maria (confused): Really? But it's really hot here.
Me: Yes, but you have nothing underneath, so keep your clothes on.
Maria (seeing Shadow on the ground): Oh no, Shadow, are you okay? What's wrong?!
Shadow (dazed): Nothing, I'm fine... just a little faint.
Since when does Shadow faint?! Maria wiped his nose with a tissue. He got back up.
Omega: Detection of abnormal emotional state. Chelia, are you okay?
Me (faking a smile): Oh, uh, yes, don't worry.
Shadow: I'll show you my guild, but first, we'll visit the city.
Maria (excited): Awesome!
Me: Go ahead without me. I think I'll head to the guild directly.
Shadow: Really?
Me: Yes, I'll go with Omega. Don't worry.
Shadow looked at me, confused, but was quickly distracted when Maria pulled him by the hand after spotting a restaurant. I walked slowly toward the guild, head down.
Omega: Increase in abnormal emotional activity. Chelia, what's wrong?
Me: Omega... do you think Shadow will forget me?
Omega: What meaning do you give to that question?
Me: I mean... if Shadow accepts Maria as his girlfriend, will he still think of me?
Omega : After a psychological analysis of Shadow, I discovered he once relied on Maria. After her death, Yukino replaced her. Then after his battle with Sonic, he realized he couldn't rely on just one person. Eventually, he accepted you into his heart. You taught him what love between a man and woman means. Even if his first support has returned, I doubt he'll ever stop needing you.
Me: You're probably right... but just thinking about it-I don't know what's happening to me. I think it's related to the power I got from him.
Omega: Analyzing your magical reserves... you have both anti-God and anti-dragon magic. The combination is incompatible and causes side effects on your consciousness. Do you want to get rid of it?
Me: Huh? No, stop being dramatic, Omega. I'm fine. It's unrelated.
We arrived at the guild. Yukino greeted us, but when she saw my sad face, she offered to have some fruit juice with me at the bar.
Yukino: Let me guess... Shadow has something to do with that sad face?
Me (annoyed): You seem to know Shadow well.
Yukino laughed nervously, sensing where I was going. I told her what happened on the Space Colony ARK, how we resurrected Maria, and Maria's feelings for him.
Yukino: Wow, that's a miracle! Shadow really might be the cure to all the world's problems.
Me: Yeah.
Yukino: Tell me... do you want Maria to be his girlfriend?
Me: ...I don't know.
Yukino: What do you mean you don't know?
Me: I want to... but... I'm scared... scared of losing him...
Yukino: You know, I had that feeling too before you came into his life.
Me (surprised): Really?
Yukino: At first, Shadow spent time with me just to make me stronger-he didn't want weakness in the guild. I thought he was happy in solitude, but one day I was terrified of losing him when he decided to commit suicide.
Me (shocked): HE TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE?!
---
Flashback - Yukino's POV
I found him sitting alone, eyes fixed on an old notebook. He was writing feverishly, as if each word weighed a thousand pains. I got curious-I wanted to know what haunted him. But he saw me coming, and his gaze changed.
Shadow (panicked): No... Yukino, please... don't read that...
Me: What's wrong?
Shadow: It's very personal...
He looked... scared. As if he was handing me his bare heart, terrified I'd crush it. I pinned him against the wall-determined to understand.
Shadow (shaking): NO, PLEASE YUKINO, LISTEN TO ME, DON'T READ IT! I'M BEGGING YOU!
I'd never seen him like that-so vulnerable. But I read it anyway. The words hit me like a cold slap.
Notebook:
Every night is darker without her.
I see her again-her smile, her voice... Maria.
I'm tired of surviving in a world where she no longer exists.
Every battle, every day... is just a cruel reminder she's gone.
I wear the mask of the Ultimate Lifeform, but inside, I'm empty.
No one understands... no one's seen what I've seen... what I've lost.
Maria always told me to protect this world.
But if she's not here to see it... what's the point?
I've had enough. I want to see her again.
I don't want to be alone anymore.
So tomorrow, at dawn... I'll go join her.
Forgive me, Maria...
I closed the notebook. My heart broke. My hands trembled. Tears welled before I could stop them. He was... he really was...
I threw myself into his arms without thinking.
Me: No... no, Shadow... You're not alone... Do you hear me?! You're not alone! I'm here... I'm here...
I held him tight. So tight. As if my arms alone could anchor him to this world. I felt his breath tremble against my neck, his shoulders shaking with sobs he tried to suppress.
Me: You can't go... please. You matter to me. You mean so much...
I pressed my forehead against his, our tears mixing.
Me: Maria loved you. And she would never want you to end your life. She wanted you to live. To be happy. And I want that too...
He closed his eyes. And maybe for the first time-he cried.
End of Flashback
---
Chelia's POV
I was wiping away tears after Yukino's touching story.
Yukino: Our relationship changed after that day.
Me: Thank you.
Yukino: Why?
Me: If you hadn't been there, I would've never met him. You gave him the will to live.
Yukino: And you gave him the ability to love-better than anyone. Don't worry about Maria. She'll have a place in his heart, but he won't forget you.
Me: I... I think I understand now.
Everyone turned to the entrance as Shadow and Maria walked in.
Sting (surprised): What the...?
Rogue: Wow, it's...
They all gathered around them like they were global celebrities.
Sting: Shadow, who's this girl?
Shadow: This is Maria-a new member of the guild.
Rogue: Since when??
Shadow: Since now.
Sting: But...
Shadow (firmly): I said since now.
Sting: Okay...
Maria: Hello everyone, I'm Maria Robotnik. Pleased to meet you.
Rufus: Shadow just handed us a rare gem from his kind, it seems.
Orga: I thought he was dating the girl from Lamia Scale.
My heart tightened.
Rufus: He can have a harem like the blue hedgehog.
Yukino: So Maria, what magic do you use?
Maria: Oh, I think it's White Anti-Demon magic.
Everyone: Anti-Demon magic?
Shadow: Originally, it was meant to defeat Black Doom, but I already did that.
Rogue: Anti-demon magic, huh? That's rare.
Lecter: There are white demons?
Sting: Then we've got the same element-we can train together!
Shadow: No thanks, I don't want your bad fashion sense rubbing off on her.
Everyone laughed, but I was lost in thought, wondering if I still belonged here.
Maria: It's a really hard magic to master, but I'm sure with Darling's help I'll get stronger.
She called him Darling ?!
Everyone: Awww, that's so cute!
It was too much. I couldn't hold back the tears. I slipped out through the back and returned to Lamia Scale.
---
Shadow's POV
I was heading to the bar when I noticed Chelia was gone.
Me: Uh, Yukino? Where's Chelia?
Yukino: That's weird. We were just chatting when you came in with Maria.
Maria: Darling, is something wrong?
Me: I think something's wrong with Chelia. She's been acting weird.
Maria: It might be my fault.
Me: Why do you say that?
Maria: I felt chills whenever I sensed her magic energy. Something changed. I thought she was jealous. I wanted to tell you but I got so caught up in Earth's beauty that I forgot.
Me: It's not your fault. I wasn't paying attention. She's probably confused by everything you told me earlier. She didn't expect you to come back, let alone want me as your boyfriend. I'm not saying I don't love you, but I'd rather wait for my first girlfriend's choice. You understand?
Maria: Yes, I understand. Can we go see her?
Me: Of course. Omega, you coming?
Omega: Shadow, there's something I must tell you about Chelia.
Me: What is it?
Omega: The energy Maria spoke of-it's your Chaos power.
Me: My power?
It's true that I taught her the Chaos Anti-Dragon Magic, but what's going on?
Omega: The overabundance of negative energy has created a demon within her, sowing chaos in her mind. High risk of altered consciousness.
Maria: That's exactly what I sensed. My demon slayer magic reacted near her.
Me: We have to find her now!
We teleported directly to Lamia Scale. I found Sonic, Carla, and Wendy at the entrance.
Me: Sonic, where's Chelia?
Sonic: Huh? Wasn't she supposed to be with you?
Maria: So this is your rival?
Sonic: Yep! I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!
Maria: Shadow, you never told me your rival was... fast. But only when it comes to running, I suppose.
She gave me a meaningful look while staring at Sonic.
Sonic: Hey, I'm fast everywhere.
Me: Can I leave before this goes too far?
Maria (pouting): Oh come on, you know full well that you're way cooler, more mysterious, darker... Nothing like this neon-blue furball.
She pulled me close, wrapping her arm around my waist.
Maria (whispering in my ear): And besides, you're so much more enduring than him... right?
I internally choked. How can you ask me that when we've never even done it together?!
But just when I thought I'd hit peak embarrassment... Carla and Wendy were speechless, though Carla snapped out of it and joined in.
Carla: Shadow? Better than Sonic? HA! You mean that uptight hedgehog?
She stepped in front of me, fixing me with a chilling stare, then grabbed Sonic's arm and pressed her cheek against him.
Carla: Sonic's funny, protective, unpredictable... and muscular in all the right places.
She punctuated her statement with a discreet pinch on his abs. Sonic chuckled. Help. Someone. Get me out of this nightmare.
Maria: Tch. Shadow's got class. And charisma. And... a firm, subtle butt.
She smacked my rear. Professor Gerald, at what point did you teach her these things?!
Carla (laughing): Honestly, Shadow probably doesn't even make a sound in bed. You sure he knows how to use it?
Maria: I know he uses his Chaos Control very well, thank you.
Me: CHAOS CONTROL!!
I teleported to the roof. But they kept going.
Carla: Anyway, if we had to vote, Sonic would win hands down. He'd make more than one girl scream in under five seconds.
Wendy (nervously smiling): I can confirm that...
Maria: And Shadow would have them moaning for hours. No need for speed when you've got the stamina of an immortal.
So this... is hell? Why must my charm start wars?
Sonic: By the way, who are you?
Maria: Oh, I'm Maria Robotnik. Pleased to meet you!
They all stared at her blankly like fish. I came back down and explained what happened.
Sonic: Wow, the Robotniks are geniuses! Even if one of them thinks he's an evil genius.
Me: Anyway, where's Chelia?
Wendy: I think she's at home.
I took Maria and teleported, leaving Omega behind. We arrived in front of her bedroom door. We entered, and I saw her standing still by the window. She didn't turn around.
Me: Chelia, we need to talk.
Chelia: Why? We have nothing to say.
Maria: That's the problem. We're worried about you.
Chelia (threatening voice): You think I'm stupid? That I don't see what's going on between you two?
She stood abruptly and faced us.
Chelia: If you date Maria, you'll forget me. Sooner or later. I'm just fun to you. A cute distraction.
What? Chelia... so that's why...
Me: No. You're much more than that. You matter to me, Chelia. I love you too. Just as much as I love her.
Chelia: STOP LYING!
She screamed. I felt a surge of energy, and in an instant, we were thrown into a dark forest.
Chelia floated, her eyes glowing an ominous red, and she attacked. I didn't fight back-I just dodged. Her black wind blades whistled past, her chaotic projectiles exploded around me.
Me (panting): I could neutralize you, but I refuse to hurt the one I love.
Chelia (enraged): Shut up! You're lying! You prefer her, right? She's sweet, perfect, human! Not like me...
She hit my shoulder-blood dripped.
Me: You think I haven't noticed? Your aura... it's like mine when I lose control. You're possessed. This demon was born from my magic... from your pain.
Maria, out of patience, stepped forward. Her white aura lit up. Wings of energy appeared on her back.
Me: Maria?
Maria: Let me handle this, Shadow. I can save her-with my White Anti-Demon Magic.
I nodded, powerless.
The fight was intense. The sky darkened with each clash. Maria dodged, countered, attacked with techniques like Sting's, while Chelia fought with rage, screams, tears, and black fire in her veins. I didn't know Maria was this strong.
Chelia: Why her?! Why not just me?!
Maria (blocking an energy claw): Because Shadow loves us both-but you're the one who refuses to believe he's capable of it!
Chelia: I'm not worth it!
Me (yelling): You're worth so much more, Chelia! You're beautiful, strong, unpredictable... You make me feel alive like no one else! Your gaze excites me more than a Chaos Blast... Your body...
I stopped-but too late. Chelia began to blush... Her aura flickered. The demon screamed inside her.
Chelia (blushing, panting): S-shut up! You're not supposed to say such dirty things while we're fighting!
Maria (smiling): If it helps reach you, he'll say more.
Shadow: You think that's dirty talk? The real Chelia loved doing dirty things with me.
Chelia (resisting): SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!
Me: Remember all the times you tempted me to make love? You couldn't go a week without it.
Maria screamed, releasing a wave of white energy that Chelia took head-on.
Me (weakly smiling through the blood): And the day before yesterday, when you tripped on me in the bathroom? You nearly made me explode from temptation.
Chelia trembled. Maria rushed her and struck her with a palm wrapped in white magic, separating her from the demon. The demonic aura retreated.
Maria leapt on her and cast a seal that destroyed the demon, which looked like a shadow. It screamed and dissolved into a shower of stars.
Chelia opened her eyes. She was crying.
Chelia: I'm sorry... I was jealous... I thought I was in the way.
Maria (kissing her forehead): You're not in the way. And I'll never take more space in Shadow's heart than you.
I approached, kneeling down.
Me: You're both a part of me. Two flames that warm me in different ways. I love you-both of you.
Chelia: So... you want to date both of us?
Me: Yes.
Maria (mischievous smile): Get ready, Shadow. Two girlfriends mean twice the cuddles... and twice the trouble.
Me (smiling, sighing): I might survive.
Maria: Oh, and how about we celebrate?
Chelia: Good idea! What do you suggest?
Maria: Hmmm... (sly smile) What if Shadow made love to us until we couldn't walk?
Me: EXCUSE ME?!
Chelia: Oh, I love that idea! Anyway, tomorrow's Sunday.
Me (trembling): Can we take turns?
Chelia: With your immortal stamina? Of course not.
They pulled me toward the forest's edge, holding hands.
Love is never simple. But sometimes, it's in chaos that we find balance.
---
[Mini Story: The Doctor's Visit]
No one's POV
Sonic had gone to a check-up with the doctor. He came back and found his girlfriends at home.
Wendy: Oh Sonic, how was your appointment?
Sonic: It was enlightening-I became a doctor without realizing it.
Carla: What do you mean?
Flashback
Sonic entered the doctor's office. After a few consultations, the doctor gave him the diagnosis.
Sonic: So, doctor?
Doctor: I'm sorry to tell you, but you have cancer and Alzheimer's.
Sonic: Wow. At least I don't have cancer.
Doctor: No, I'm sorry, you do have cancer.
Sonic: Ah... well, at least I don't have Alzheimer's too.
Doctor: No, you have Alzheimer's as well.
Sonic (confused): Who are you? And why are you saying I have cancer?
Doctor: I'm your doctor. You've been diagnosed with cancer.
Sonic: Cancer? I thought I had Alzheimer's!
Doctor: Oh, so you remember the Alzheimer's now.
Sonic: Yeah, my doctor told me that... wait, who are you?
Doctor: Okay, who's your doctor?
Sonic: You're my doctor! What, do you have Alzheimer's?
Doctor: I do not have Alzheimer's!
Sonic: Okay then, spell it!
Doctor: Uh...
Sonic (smirking): What's the matter, doc? Don't tell me you... forgot?
Doctor: I'm not the problem! I don't have Alzheimer's!
Sonic: Alright, man, I'm not taking medical advice from someone who has cancer.
Doctor: YOU have the cancer! FINAL STAGE! NOW STOP JOKING AND TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!!!
Sonic: Final stage?
Doctor: Yes.
Sonic: When did I beat the other stages? Do your job and run some tests-I might have Alzheimer's!
Doctor (removing his coat): Okay, we're fighting if you won't listen.
Sonic: Excuse me, is there something you need to get off your chest?
Doctor: Yeah-I said I'm the doctor!
He touched his chest and felt a tumor.
Doctor: What's going on?
Sonic (wearing a doctor's coat and glasses): The cancer-it's spreading. You didn't notice because you have Alzheimer's. I'm sorry.
The doctor, utterly confused, fainted. Sonic picked him up and laid him on the bed.
Sonic: Nurse, get him on IV!
Nurse: Right away, sir.
End of Flashback
Sonic: It was fun. Turns out I'm fine.
Wendy (utterly confused): H-how?
Carla: I didn't understand anything!
Sonic: Me neither... but admit it, that was hilarious.
[End of Mini Story]