"Sonic! Be careful!"

Sonic looked above him at tails flying in his Tornado 2. He grinned and gave him a thumbs up. "No problem, Pal! I've got this covered!" Sonic bashed through walls and 'bots to get to Eggman's main control room. "Hey, Eggman! Let Amy out now, before I have to make you!"

Eggman merely smiled and only did one thing. "MUAHAHAHA! FAREWELL FOREVER, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG!" He pressed some button and Sonic fell back. There was pain careening through his entire body and he heard an ear splitting scream come from Amy. He recalled thinking, "Where's the spiteful comeback? Why isn't he saying how much better than me he is?" before his mind blocked the intense pain seconds before he passed out.

He opened his eyes and instantly felt more pain. He squeezed his eyes closed and fell asleep. The next time he woke, it was to see Amy, dressed in new clothes, leaning over him. Her hands were gentle and soft on his throbbing head. They helped ease the pain a little. They talked and she gave him medicine. Just before it put him asleep, Amy told him to dream about life without Eggman…

Life without Eggman would mean no more worries. Tails might actually be able to something worthwhile with his inventions without having Eggman destroy them. Knuckles and Rouge might finally stop pretending to hate each other. He'd be able to run wherever…that part didn't make him happy for some reason. That's what he'd always wanted, but Sonic couldn't picture it just now. All he saw was Amy smiling at him in that way that made him feel afraid. What if Eggman got to her? If he treated her like he cared about her, Eggman would hurt her worse than he already does. But no, this was life without him. Maybe, he could spend time with her…instead of running away from her…find out why she loved him…why he loved her…

Sonic woke with a start. He sat up and shuddered. "What a weird dream," he thought. He tossed back the covers and set his feet on the floor, but when he tried to stand pain seared his body. He sat back down and shuddered again. "What was that?" he wondered, then it came back to him. The first part hadn't been a dream. He looked around Amy's darkened room and saw the balcony. There was a easel with a sheet over top of it. Sonic wished he could walk over to it and see what was under the sheet. It probably wouldn't be very good. Could Amy paint? He wasn't sure, but he doubted it. He laid back and decided to go back to sleep. He'd just shut his eyes when he heard Amy's voice.

"Thank you so much, Shadow. I owe you, really."

"Shadow?" Sonic thought. "As in 'the ultimate life-form' Shadow? Why was he here?"

"Yes, and I will collect sooner or later. I like your plan, though. Getting rid of Eggman is brilliant, but I'm surprised that it was you who thought all of this up."

Sonic's eyes narrowed. Who did he think he was, talking to Amy like that?

"Of course you're surprised. Everyone's just absolutely shocked that I have a brain cell in my head that isn't thinking about Sonic."

"Well, that's the root of your plan, isn't it? Sonic not getting hurt like this again? If Eggman had realized that blue boy was alive, he wouldn't be in there right now." Shadow lightly rapped his knuckles on the door to Amy's room.

"He's the root, yeah, but there's more to it than just him." Amy sighed and stared at the door. "How long before he can do anything?"

Shadow shrugged and thought, "She wants to drop the subject for now? Fine by me." Out loud he said, "He can sit up now without feeling sick and dizzy, but not much more yet." By the end of today he'll be able to walk some. I'd give him about two or three days before he's able to run, longer still before he can run as fast as he normally does. I gave him a good enough jolt with that Chaos Emerald, so he'll heal faster than normal. Where did you get it, anyway?"

"I found it a few days ago…Is there anyway I can keep in touch with you? I may need you again."

"It sounds like you will, I agree." He pulled out a card from behind him and handed it to her. "Give this phone number out to no one else. Understand, Amy? Only contact me if you absolutely need me."

Amy nodded. "Thanks, Shadow. Good luck with your memories and all that. Oh, one more thing. Why'd you come here?"

Because I had to make sure what I heard was true or not. Good luck dealing with him, Amy. You'll need it to keep him here. Chaos Control!" Shadow disappeared in a flash of light.

Amy opened the bedroom door and Sonic quickly shut his eyes. "I do need luck. Oh, Sonic, you need to stay here for your own good. I know you'll feel uncomfortable around me, but…for my plan to work, you'll have to. Maybe Tails can convince you, or Knuckles. At least I know you trust them." Her voice broke and tears started to fall from her eyes. She closed the door and Sonic heard her footsteps trail away.

He slipped his eyes open again. "Talk about some serious guilt," he thought. "So…I guess I'm stuck here until this plan blows up in her face." He closed his eyes and started to will himself to sleep. "Maybe it'll actually work…" he thought, and slept.

I hope it works!

R&R PLEASE! Thank youeverybody who has!