The girls and Shadow gather in the room where the yearbook is being made. They also manage to get Trixie out of the room as well. Since Trixie has been with Shadow and Sunset, the hedgehog thinks it's she should hear the story as well.
The girls sit on the floor while Shadow is sitting next to Sunset. Everyone gather in a circle and Pinkie has bring them food along with a large bowl of popcorn.
"So Shadow, you told us that you were able to remember who you are? And I suspect you might know how you got here?" Sunset asks.
Shadow nods his head.
"Think you can tell us. Maybe there's a way for us to help you," Twilight says.
"I doubt there's anything you can do to help me," Shadow says.
Pinkie says, "You never know unless you tell us. Now that we got some food and popcorn, you can tell us the story."
"I'm not going to question on how you got that many food," Trixie says.
"Can I have some?" Wallflower asks.
"Sure," Pinkie answers, presenting the bowl of popcorn.
Wallflower takes some in her hand and starts eating the popcorn.
Pinkie says, "Okay, go."
Shadow sighs, "Look, what I'm about to tell you it must be kept to yourselves and you must not tell a soul."
"Promise," The girls answer.
"Well, it all started when I was born, more like created in a space station called Space Colony ARK. I was created by a scientist named Gerald Robotnik," Shadow says.
Twilight shockley asks, "What?! You were… created?! But… it's impossible to create life! And you were created in a space station?!"
"I'm the living proof of it. And yes, I was created by in a space station," Shadow answers.
"That is amazing! I have so many questions! What's it like?! Did you see so many stars and planets from up there?! Maybe even a comet or a meteor shower?! Have you..." Twilight begins to ask.
But Rainbow covers her mouth, "Geeze Twilight, you started to sound like Pinkie with your jabbering. Let Shadow continue."
Twilight nod her head with her mouth covered. Then Rainbow removes her mouth.
Sunset turns to Shadow, and says, "Continue."
"Yes. During my life in ARK, I had to go through all kinds of experiments, check up, and a lot of training. Professor Robotnik told me what I was created to help people. I was also created for many cures to illnesses, including NIDS," Shadow says.
"NIDS? What does that mean?" Applejack asks.
"It mean Neuro-Immuno-Deficiency-Syndrome. It's a very rare, incurable and potentially fatal disease." Sunset answers.
"I remember reading about it too. Not many people can get it, but it's a disease a person could have for the rest of their life, and can also end a person's life," Twilight says.
"That's right," Shadow says.
Pinkie says, "That doesn't sound fun that you have to get check up and train, don't you have any friends."
"Only one," Shadow answers.
"Really? You don't seem to act like the social type," Trixie says.
Rarity slightly punches Trixie on the right shoulders.
"Ow!" Trixie reacts in pain, holding her shoulder.
"Continue," Rarity calmly says.
"So who is this friend? Is she nice?" Fluttershy asks.
"She is nice, more than you think. Her name is Maria Robotnik, she's the granddaughter of Gerald Robotnik," Shadow says.
"Really? I wonder if that makes you and Maria siblings?" Sunset asks.
"Not really, thought she thought of me as a brother," Shadow asks.
"Aww!" The girl happily replies.
Applejack asks, "Sounds to me that the two of are really close."
"Yes we are. She and I lived there practically our entire life. Maria was sick with NIDS and was at the point that she couldn't live on earth anymore, so she was brought to the ARK to live up there," Shadow says.
Fluttershy sadly says, "That must have been awful for her. What about her family?"
"They all remain on earth while Maria and Professor Robotnik remain up there in the colony. Maria and I would look down on the planet almost everyday, and had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together. I never got to see the planet and I wanted to go down there as much as Maria does. When I'm finalized and stable enough, I would have helped cure Maria and we both could go to the planet together," Shadow says.
"But since you're down here it means that you did cure her," Pinkie says.
Shadow looks down to the floor and shakes his head in reply.
"Did something happen?" Wallflower asks.
"Maria never got the chance to see the planet," Shadow answers.
"She never did?" Twilight asks.
"Maria… she died in Space Colony ARK…" shadow answers.
He turns his anger in resentment, "No. She was murdered."
The girls gasps in shock.
"Murdered?!" Sunset asks in shock.
"She was murdered?!" Wallflower adds in disbelief.
Shadow grits his teeth in anger, "She was."
"Shadow, darling, what happened? I know that you don't want to tell us, but maybe we can help you. If you don't feel like telling us, then we'll be alright with it," Rarity asks.
Shadow doesn't say a single word. The girls can tell that Shadow is not looking happy. In face, he seems angry and in a way, devastated.
"I'll tell you. A police force called G.U.N came to the ARK to seize everyone on it. Robotnik told me that the leaders of the planet feared that he would use me to conquer the world," Shadow says.
"Why would they think that?" Rainbow asks.
"Because I was created to be the Ultimate Life Form with incredible powers. Gerald distracted them while Maria and escape to get to the escape pod. We were able to get there, but knew that G.U.N will be there soon. I wanted Maria to get in because they were after me, not her. But Maria pushed me in the pod and locked me in. One of the soldiers came in with the gone, wanting her to let go, but Maria refused. She pulls the switch anyway, and he…" Shadow explains.
He then angrily shouts the last info, "He shot her down!"
Then Shadow slams his fist to the ground, The girls are shocked to see this and can see the sadness and anger in Shadow's eyes.
"The next moment, Maria was laying on the ground helpless due to the shot. In the final moment of her life, she begged me to help people in be friends with them. She told me that the reason I was created to help the people of that planet, and be their friend. Then the escape pod launches me out of the colony. Suddenly a meteor hit the pod and I feel unconscious, and the next moment I ended up here," Shadow says in anger.
The girls begin to get water in their eyes to hear the rest of the story.
"Shadow… I'm sorry. I didn't know you went through something awful," Sunset says.
Shadow manages to calm down, a little, and says, "Of course you didn't because you weren't there when it happen. You didn't see your friend being shot down right in front of you, and couldn't do anything about it. Maria was my only friend, but the leaders of that planet sent soldiers to take her away from me! I tried to save her, but there were too many to stop. I never saw poor Maria again. Maria was never a threat to anyone. All she wanted was to see the planet, but she never had the chance."
"How does she expect me to fulfill her promise after what they did to her?!" Shadow adds.
The girls begin to have tears coming out of their eyes, and Shadow still holding a frown is starting to shed tears as well.
Sunset comes over, and hugs Shadow, "Shadow… Shadow… I'm so sorry!"
Twilight and the others begin to shed tears, even Rainbow is starting to cry. Just then, Shadow hugs Sunset pretty tight, catching Sunset's attention. Sunset looks at Shadow face to face.
"You're still upset with them, aren't you?" Sunset asks.
"I am. I don't know if I could ever forgive them for what they did," Shadow answers.
"I know what it's like. I did a lot of things I regret and I have trouble forgiving myself for all the bad things I did, but I eventually did," Sunset says.
"We all forgave Sunset, and giving her another chance worked better for her and everyone else," Applejack says.
"Yeah. You forgive me for the trouble I caused," Wallflower adds.
"Yeah. I guess so. Honestly, earlier, I was about to get really upset with you," Shadow says.
"Why?" Wallflower asks.
Shadow sighs, "For erasing Sunset's memoires. And honestly, what happened was actually the trigger."
"Wait! You mean when Wallflower zapped Sunset and not us is how you got your memory back?!" Pinkie asks in shock.
"It was more than that. After Wallflower was going to use the stone in up and Sunset takes the hit. It… it reminded me the day Maria was taking from me. When Sunset wanted me to promise to be her friends after her memories erased and to be friends with the girls, well… that what really brought my memory back. It reminds me of the promise Maria and I made to each after being shot," Shadow says.
Realizing this, Wallflower says in remorse, "Oh no, the only reason you remember because I took Sunset's memories. I'm so sorry Shadow, I never wanted to hurt you."
"Well it's not like that was really your fault. You just didn't know," Trixie says.
"She's right, you have no way of knowing it. But, I'm still pretty upset about what happened at the ARK and now," Shadow says.
Sunset lifts Shadow up, and puts him on the table, "Look Shadow, I know that you're upset about what happened in this ARK and at the school, but that's all the past now. You're among friends now. I'm sure that Maria would want you to be happy and make friends. Now you have seven of us."
Trixie says, "Don't forget Wallflower and the Great and Powerful Trixie!"
"I guess, but… that doesn't change the fact Maria is gone," Shadow says with a frown.
"No, it won't. I don't know much about Maria, but what I can tell, she seems to be a good person. Sure, she doesn't deserve what happened to her, but Maria wanted you to take this chance. The girls and I can help you. Sure, we might need to do something about you and your quills because a talking hedgehog is not something we see everyday," Sunset says.
"Nether is magical creatures and magic roaming around in the city," Trixie remarks.
"I see what you mean. A hedgehog is not something this place is used to, and what I remember is correct, this isn't the same planet Maria wanted me to go. I end up in a different world entirely," Shadow says.
Sunset hugs Shadow, "And you can still live up to your promise for Maria, and you're happy to stay with me. You'll be happy here. The girls and I will be sure to take care of you and we can find a way for you to hang out with us without attracting too much attention to yourself."
"Yeah. Plus, you look pretty strong. I'm sure my family can get you a job at Sweet Apple Acres," Applejack says.
"A job?" Sunset asks.
"Yep," Applejack says.
"And I can make you a great disguise. I like to make you something that will look good with the shoes and gloves. And something to bring out your wrist bands," Rarity says.
Fluttershy and the others come over.
"And we'll help you too," Fluttershy says.
Shadow looks around to see the girls are willing to help him, even though he is different and a stranger.
Shadow shows a small smile, and says, "Thanks."
""Glad that you decide to give us a chance," Sunset says.
"Yeah… you know Sunset…" Shadow says, feeling a bit embarrassed and turns his head away
"What?" Sunset asks.
"You kind of remind me of Maria in a away," Shadow says.
Sunset blushes, "That's nice of you to think that way."
Sunset presents her hand and says, "Friends."
"Friends, "Shadow replies.
Then the two grab each others hands.
Shadow decides to live with Sunset and her friends of Canterlot City. He may not know how, but he promise to help Sunset and the girls with the magic situation that is going around lately. He knows that this isn't going to be the same without Maria with him, but wants to keep his promise to her. He may have lost one, but ends up gaining seven best friends, especially Sunset. This life in this world and in Canterlot City is only the beginning.