All right. It's been an eventful day for Shadow and Silver. It's not over yet though. Ouch! And I think my back pains hurt! Poor Shadow!

Shadow: The more you write, the more i think you want me dead.

Me: Well I don't!

Silver: Well, if putting him on the precipice of paralysis is a nice thing to do, then you aren't trying to kill him.

Shadow: I am on the precipice of paralysis!

Silver: That was my point.

Me: One: Silver, when did your vocabulary get so large? Two: Will you guys shut up for a little while and make my life easier?

Silver: One: I wanted to prove to some people that I can read!

Shadow: Two: No. You shut up

Me: Oh boy... btw Shadow and Silver don't belong to me, cos if they did, they'd be getting more than verbal attacks from me.

Crimson Amber

Chapter 7: Periphery of Immobility

Shadow took a sharp intake of breath. Blaze had sent for a doctor. Sonic had run off to get the doctor. Shadow's back was burning! The pain was nearly intolerable. He drew in another sharp breath, which broke into a gasp because his back was heaving with each breath he took, only succeeding in worsening the pain.

"Shadow, are you all right? Can you hold out until Sonic returns with our doctor?"

Shadow winced and nodded. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long. This pain was agonizing!

The ivy gate parted, and Sonic returned. Beside him was a small fox. The fox was the colour of a sunset over a field of ripe grain. His eyes were a vibrant shade of cyan. He was carrying so much equipment, he almost toppled over.

"Prince Shadow, meet my little brother," he gave the fox an affectionate pat on the head, "Miles but we all call him Tails. Tails, this is Prince Shadow." The fox attempted to bow, and fell over at the weight of all his equipment. He rose, dusted himself and blushed. "Tails is our resident mechanic, inventor, engineer, and doctor. He made all the technology you see here, and more."

Shadow was surprised. This fox didn't look like much, but if he was, and did, half of what Sonic had said, Shadow was willing to trust him. He looked very young.

Tails went over to check out Shadow's back, as Sonic had explained to him what had happened. He spoke.

"Prince Shadow, may I see your back?"

Shadow was shocked. Tails was but a child! Shadow could tell by his voice. Sonic seemed to trust him though, and he must have been smart to invent all the electronic devices in the HQ. Shadow decided to trust the little fox. He nodded. Tails came to inspect Shadow's back. Shadow gasped, but this time in surprise.

"My Prince?"

"You have two tails!" Shadow exclaimed in surprise. He immediately regretted it as pain shot back up his back.

Tails blushed again. "That is how I got my nickname Prince Shadow. Because of my...noticeable appendages."

Tails began to inspect Shadow's back as gently as possible. He softly ran his hands over Shadow's exposed backbone, causing him to cry out in pain. Tails could see the ridge where the bone was slowly dislodging. He knew that if the bone snapped, Shadow would be paralyzed waist and below. He didn't want to break this to them. He gulped.

Shadow heard this. He closed his eyes. "It's bad isn't it?"

"My prince, You have one of two options. You can wait for your bone to dislodge completely, and become paralyzed for life, or, you can allow me to give you a special mixture I made that makes you go numb in the place in which it is infused, and allow me to put a brace on your backbone to keep it together. The disadvantage of this though, is that you may never be able to run again. You will not be able to move without distinct pain. I'm sorry my prince. I didn't want to say this."

Shadow was at a loss for words. Yet again all was silent as everyone took this in. Again Blaze broke the silence, letting out a strangled sob.

"No...Shadow...Brother...No..."

Sonic who realized the extent of his rash actions against that accursed duke, went over to where Shadow was attempting to sit upright, and kneeled down in front of him, head bowed.

"My prince...I am at fault for this...Punish me if you wish for I deserve it more than I thought I did. My actions caused this. It must be rectified."

Shadow looked up at Sonic gasping in pain as his back again started to burn with an agonizing pain. "No. I refuse to. Sonic. You are looking for rectification. I give it freely to you. I forgive you. You are not truly at fault. You did not realize."

Sonic looked miserable. "My prince, no matter what my brother does, you will still suffer. I want to be punished. It is only the thing to do."

"No Sonic. If I suffer, I suffer. You will not be held responsible. I refuse to hold you accountable. This is my word, and if you are truly loyal to me, you will take it as it is. I refuse to punish you."

Ok so this is done. Shadow is going through a tough time now. I really feel sorry for him, no matter how annoying he is. What will happen to him? All in the next chapter! See you there!