A/N: This is the one that started it all! They actually do program light-up road signs to say something like this, when there's no traffic conditions to announce. Either that or "Buckle Up, It's the Law." Which, sadly, wouldn't work on a motorcycle, because they don't have seat belts. Nor do school buses.
Like the newspaper headline once said: Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted. (o_O)
Anyway!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic and Co.
That encounter with the policeman did not have permanent effects. Shadow figured out the concept of speed limits, but evidently for the sole purpose of breaking them.
"Seriously," called Rouge, clinging to the front of the motorcycle sidecar. "Don't you think you're going too fast?"
"Whatever," said Shadow.
"Oh come on, you have to drive carefully!"
"Says who?"
Rouge stewed for a minute, then noticed a big flashing highway sign.
"Says that sign!" she piped. "Look, it says 'DRIVE SAFELY PA'."
"Big deal," snorted Shadow. "That sign isn't meant for us. It says 'Drive safely, Pa.' It's a warning for fathers to drive safely, probably so they don't hurt their kids."
"Oh, honestly," snorted Rouge.
"Well, it's so," retorted Shadow.
Presently they crossed the state line. Rouge saw another sign. This one said "DRIVE SAFELY MD."
"See, they're still telling you to drive safely!" she persisted.
"They're not telling me anything of the sort. It says, 'Drive safely, M.D.' They want doctors to drive safely."
"You're kidding me! Shadow, you're just worming out of it."
"I'll slow down if and when I see a sign that actually applies to me."
Rouge growled. At the rate they were going, they soon crossed a state line yet again. Rouge saw yet another flashing sign.
"Shadow, look! 'DRIVE SAFELY VA.' Worm out of that one, why don't you!"
Shadow glanced over at her blandly.
"Veterans' Association," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Rouge exploded.
"Okay, I see! You're never going to act like a reasonable person and slow down, never! You're just too good to listen to anybody, aren't you!"
Shadow smirked calmly.
"Like I said. None of these signs really apply to me. I'm not a father, or a doctor, or a member of the Veterans' Association. When I see a sign that definitely applies to me, then I will follow it."
"Yeah, right. You'll worm out of anything," muttered Rouge sullenly. Shadow could be the most annoying creature on the planet when he chose to be.
Presently, however, they passed not one but two flashing highway signs, set up right next to each other. Rouge smirked and gave Shadow a triumphant look, while he growled in baffled defeat.
The signs read, "SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG, SLOW THAT FREAKING MOTORCYCLE DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
Shadow was a man of his word, at least. He slowed down.