Disclaimer: Shadow the Hedgehog and all related characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog games, shows, movies and etc. belong to Sega, the Sonic Team and all other affiliates.

Chapter 1

"Please, Sonic, can't you take me?" Amy pleaded as she was about to cry.

"But I already told you I couldn't!" said an annoyed Sonic.

"Oh, but Sonic, it won't take as long as you think. I just have to go to the main mortgage office and pay my mortgage as usual its just that there was some kind of trouble this time and they are requiring me to go all the way to Sedna to pay. All you have to do is "Chaos Control" us there and wait a few minutes while I pay then we can come back and you can run away from me like you always do. I just really need your help this time. Please I don't want to lose my home." Amy was in tears.

"Why do you always have to do this Amy!? I can't do it. I need to return my chaos emerald to GUN today. I'm not about to go to jail again. Sorry Ames but I gotta run!" Sonic sped off, leaving Amy alone in the empty streets of Mobious.

"Fine!" Amy was angry now. She turned around and started walking the opposite direction. Why does he always treat me this way? Without Sonic I can't get there in time. My mortgage is due tomorrow and I barely got the letter that I had to go all the way to Sedna to pay it today! Think, Amy Rose, you can't lose your home that easily.

The sun was up high and her watch marked 12:13 PM. The rays hit her fur and made her glow but anyone could see that she was in a gloomy mood. She walked on the sidewalk next to the park by a small lake in Mobious. The blue water sparkled as the sun rays enriched it, allowing the ducks to enjoy it. Amy slowly walked to an old, brown bench in the park and took a seat. She crossed her arms and legs, having her right over her left, as she stared into the blue lake.

Looks as blue as Sonic. Her thoughts drifted away from her mortgage and into the blue blur. He obviously doesn't care about me. I might as well just give up on him. I always get ditched by him and I don't even know why I chase him around anymore. I'm done. He and I can only be friends, nothing more. At first, Amy thought the park was empty but out in the corner of her eye she saw a black hedgehog sitting by the lake. He leaned back with his eyes closed enjoying everything the sun could offer him. Amy could see that he was lost in his thoughts which only made her curious.

Maybe Shadow can take me…

Amy got up from the brown bench and started walking slowly towards Shadow. As she walked she started questioning whether she should ask him for the favor or not. Shadow and I aren't very close. He is way too quiet. I'm not sure whether he'll even talk to me. He'll probably just ignore me like Sonic does. Well…it won't hurt to ask…

As Amy got close Shadow could hear the steps she took with her red and white striped boots which caused him to open his eyes and look at the sparkly water. Oh man, maybe he's angry and I'll just annoy him more. Amy thought.

"Hey, Shadow." said Amy in a quiet voice.

"Amy Rose." said Shadow, who was still looking at the water.

"How are you?" she asked, trying to sound like her cheerful self.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"What makes you think I want something?" replied Amy, raising her left eyebrow.

"Well, you never talk to me. Why would you start today?"

"Maybe I just wanted to say hi to a familiar face."

"Humph." was his reply. Well aren't we just peachy today? Amy thought.

"So what is it that you want?" he asked, still not looking at her.

"Well, I don't even know if I should still ask. You don't seem too happy to see me." she said nervously.

"So?"

Wow he is rude. she thought. "Well, since you're just dying to know, I'll tell you." said Amy in a sarcastic way. She waited for a response but when she realized that she wasn't going to get one she started talking. "Turns out my mortgage is due tomorrow and that was fine until I got a letter today telling me that I have to go all the way to Sedna to pay it. You see, the main mortgage company is located there and for some reason they won't allow me to pay it at the one in Mobious. I can't mail it out because it won't get there in time and they need to see me in person. I don't know why but if I don't get there in time I'll lose my home and everything in it. Please, Shadow, can you take me?"

"Why can't your hero take you?" asked Shadow. Amy twitched at the way that he referred to Sonic. So much for my hero… she thought.

"Well I asked him to Chaos Control me there and told him that it shouldn't take that long, but he just nagged at me and told me he had to return his chaos emerald to GUN. I was wondering if you had turned yours in yet. If not, maybe you could help me."

"Those fools." he said. "Do they really think that I will turn my chaos emerald in to them? Who are they to control other people's property?" Shadow was angry now.

"I take that you haven't turned yours in yet, then." Amy said, trying to cheer him up.

"Humph" he replied again.

"Shadow I didn't mean to make you angry." she said apologetically.

"You didn't, they did."

"Well I guess that you won't take me then. It's ok." she said, forcing herself to smile. Shadow looked at her, finally taking his eyes off the lake. He examined her face and realized that she was sad. He couldn't help but relate her sad face to the one Maria had when he last saw her. He realized that he felt sorry for the pink hedgehog. Maybe she's not as annoying as Sonic makes her out to be... thought Shadow

"How long did you say this would take?" he asked timidly. He saw the change of expression in her as soon as he asked.

"Well I don't think that it will take that long. I mean, I'm not sure but you would just have to Chaos Control us there and I would go in and pay and answer any questions that they have. Then you can Chaos Control us back." Amy seemed almost cheerful.

He thought about it for a second. Since when do you take pity on others Shadow? He asked himself.

"If it doesn't take that long then I guess I can do it." he said almost as if he were surrendering.

"Oh, Shadow, thank you so much!" Amy said gleefully. She was about to hug Shadow but then realized that they weren't that close. He was a mystery to her and she liked it. She was excited to know that Shadow would go out of his way to help her. Maybe I'll get to know him more... she thought.

"Do you have everything that you need on you already?" Shadow asked.

"Well, no...not really. I just have to go home really quick and get the rings I need to pay my mortgage." Amy said shyly.

"Fine."

"So, will you take me there or do I have to run there and back?" she asked.

"I didn't ride my motorcycle out today. How far do you live?"

"Um…not far at all. Just around the corner. You could walk me if you want." said Amy smiling.

Why would I want to do that? Shadow thought, giving her an annoyed look.

"Sure."

"Thanks." Amy said. "Just follow me." Amy could see that Shadow was annoyed. He's way too serious. I need to find a way to get him to open up a little more or this small trip will be a disaster. She looked over at Shadow who was next to her. He walked with his head down as if he was being dragged somewhere against his will which only made Amy want to giggle.

Shadow what's the matter with you? he asked himself. It's not like you to do people favors.

"What Shadow? Did somebody die?" Amy asked with a smile.

"Why do you ask?"

"You look so serious. I don't bite, you know." For the first time she saw a small smirk appear on Shadow's face which he quickly tried to hide. Although it was hardly noticeable, she saw it and it only made her more comfortable to be around him.

"That's it." she said, pointing at a small house in the form of a cottage. "That's my house." The house was small with a garden full of roses along the walkway. It was light green with brown windows and a tinted roof.

"So this is what you're fighting for, huh?" Shadow questioned.

"Yeah." she responded. "It's the only thing I own and I'm not about to lose it. Why don't you come in? I won't take long, promise." Amy smiled. Shadow didn't respond but followed her along her rose walkway and into her house. The windows invited enough sunlight inside to make the living room bright and allow Shadow to observe it. The couches were tan and her carpet was white and clean which made Shadow wonder whether he should come in with his dusty shoes or not.

"Are you thirsty?" Amy asked.

"No."

"Well then just chill for a second. I'll be right back." she said. Shadow watched her disappear into the hallway and started looking around her living room. She had one picture frame on top of her red brick chimney which contained a picture of her and Sonic. She was hugging him but he was trying to pull away from her to set himself free. Poor Amy. Shadow thought. He looked around the room at her other frames and saw some familiar faces but none of them had Sonic in it. Maybe she's not as obsessed as I thought. He heard her footsteps in the hallway and turned around.

"I'm ready." she announced as she walked over to him. He nodded and took out his silver chaos emerald as he reached for Amy's hand.

"Hold on tight." he said to her and she nodded in response. "Chaos Control!" Shadow shouted as silver light shot out of the emerald, sending both of them to Sedna and leaving Amy's house alone and empty once more.