A/N See told you there'd be another chapter. Anyway I know what you're thinking, Shadow died! How can that mean it will continue. Well shut up and sit back and relax cause the heart warming stuff is coming.
Also I know the last chapter may have felt fast. Like the entire thing, especially the fight. I did that all on purpose to make the chapter feel like we were out of time and that everything was going incredibly fast. SO if you didn't like it that was my reasoning.
Also I'm sorry it took longer for this chapter to come out(not like getting out one a day isn't fast enough) but I was getting strained by getting a chapter out basically once a day. I sort of wanted to play some games that I haven't played in awhile. I got a bit nostalgic and played some crash, then I finally found some time to play with some friends on a few games. Plus I got SUPER tired from work and passed out on the couch.
Shadow was having a wonderful day, he was hanging out with Maria on the grass. They were currently having a picnic. He'd had fun with Maria for a long time. He didn't even know how long it had been anyway. It felt like a blur.
His human friend was older now, though she still carried her innocent look like always. Ever since he got here he spent nearly everyday with her it was paradise. Although today she seemed quieter then normal.
"You are acting a bit strange is something?" he asked looking to her with a worried expression.
Her blue eyes looked up at him and smiled "No, it's alright" her soft voice had matured over the years now a young woman.
"Then why are you acting strange?"
"Because this is all about to come to an end" she frowned.
"What?" he asked confused.
"I'm sorry Shadow but you have to go now before it's too late"
"Too late for what?" he asked feeling different. He looked around the park they were in had become just a blank white plain.
"What happened?"
Maria was still smiling "As I said, it's time for you to leave and get back"
"What do you mean!?" he shouted desperately seeing her start to float away. His feet refused to move and he reached out in vain to catch her "Don't leave me!"
She chuckled "Don't worry Shadow, we'll see eachother again. Now enjoy your life"
He felt faint and the world got fuzzy, he felt dizzy and his eyes closed leaving him darkness.
Then he saw the light again, it blinded him but he couldn't move his arms to protect his vision. So he closed his eyes and kept testing his vision until his eyes adjusted.
He felt so tired and weak and numb all over. He looked around and found himself inside a room. He couldn't look around to much due to his weakness but from what he could see and hear he was in a hospital room.
He was all alone at the moment so he tried to think.
He was with Maria a minute ago, now he was in a hospital room. What the hell happened?
His mind went in circles until he heard footsteps come in. It was a nurse, she was a dog, looked like a golden retriever. She was looking at a clip board so didn't notice he was awake and checked the machine next to him. She was attractive woman, her fur nice and shiny, her tail had long fur like most of her species. Her eyes were blue and had a pretty face. Lastly and because she was in a nurse outfit it was more apparent, she was very curvy. Her neck had a sky blue collar with a small tag hanging off it with a maple leaf on it, on the other side as it bounced with her step he vaguely saw an "A" on it.
"Ah Mr. Shadow, how are we doing today?" she spoke to herself but he with great difficulty said "Fine"
She gasped jumping back and looked to him "Oh my god you're awake!?"
He had no idea how to respond and just asked "Where am I?"
The female took a deep breath "You are in Westopolis hospital. How do I explain this… ummm… you've been in a coma"
He froze, the first question entering his mind "H-how long!?"
The golden retriever hesitantly said "Two years"
"Two years…." He asked. No wonder he was so weak, he hadn't moved in two years. He suddenly remembered "Where are my friends?"
"I think one will be here soon, you woke up just before visiting time" the female smiled hoping he'd like that.
He would have nodded but said "Ok… how'd I get here?' he asked needing answers.
The female quietly said "Wait until your friend arrives"
He sighed but accepted that.
The nurse kept him company during the wait, which was another fifteen minutes. They hardly spoke besides him asking her her name.
"I'm Chloe, I've been tending to you for all two years" she smiled kindly.
"Well thank you Chloe"
They heard more footsteps walk in and both looked to see a fox. It was Tails, he was taller then last he saw him. Almost matching his own height now. He looked far more mature. He was wearing a red t-shirt with blue jeans. He was also carrying a book with a book mark about a quarter of the way through the book.
"Oh hey Chloe" he said surprised to see the nurse there, his voice was deeper now. Usually she was gone by now and he could stay here by himself.
"Hello Tails, reading to Shadow again. I'm sure he'd enjoy hearing your voice" she smiled hinting.
He obviously didn't catch the hint and nodded walking to his normal chair beside the bed.
Shadow watched the fox amused that he still hadn't noticed he was awake. Apparently he did this sometimes so he was probably was just in a rhythm now.
He was confused though Last he saw of the two tailed fox he had yelled and pushed him. He made him cry and essentially abandoned the poor boy. Now he was here visiting him consistently in his sleep. He felt like an asshole for treating the fox so badly.
He finally felt some feeling in his body, the warm feeling that the fox cared about him that much.
He looked over at Chloe who was trying hard not to speak of give away Shadows being awake.
He then looked to the fox again as he was about to start reading, the book was one he didn't know. It didn't matter he finally managed to speak "Hey bud"
The foxes ears flicked freezing hearing the voice he hadn't heard in almost 2 years.
His eyes looked to the hedgehog and took a very slow gasp trying to get his bearings. The hedgehog that had been asleep for so long finally had his eyes open and speaking.
"Shadow?" he asked stunned trying to figure out if it was his imagination.
Shadow smiled warmly back at the fox "What do I have something on my face" he managed to joke.
Tails chuckled "You're awake… wait… YOU'RE AWAKE!" he yelled happily hurting Shadows ears.
Chloe laughed "It's about time you noticed. He only woke about twenty minutes ago"
"Oh my god. You are awake, it's a miracle!"
That confused the hedgehog, how was it a miracle. Sure waking from a coma was a happy thing but a miracle? Was he in a coma that was expected to last forever?
"I've been coming here for almost two years, just talking to you and reading to you. I mean others have too but I came the most, I hoped my voice would wake you up. This was my last ditch effort to wake you up because…" he suddenly went quiet frowning and looking away.
Shadow was surprised by his sudden stop and looked to the golden retriever. She too was looking away awkwardly.
"What?' he asked looking between them.
Tails sighed "Well… I know you just woke up but… this… this was the last day before…" he couldn't finish.
Shadow got worried and waited for the fox to finally finish the suspense killing him.
"Shadow… none of us wanted to do it but keep you alive was eating into our money…. Tomorrow was the day we were gonna… pull the plug" he felt horrible. Like he said none of their friends wanted to give up but they just couldn't afford it anymore.
The shock that he was one day away from dying in his sleep confused and shocked him.
"But, no worries now we can all rest easy now because you are awake. Thank god" he sighed heavily. He obviously didn't want to have t come down to that.
Shadow barely heard him and remembered Marias last few words. She said something about having to leave before it was too late. She must have known the day was coming and woke him up. He owed her his life twice now.
"Thank you Maria" he whispered.
"What?' Tails asked not hearing well.
"Nothing' he said.
Tails took a deep breath "Wait until everyone else hears about this" he smiled pulling out his phone to call everyone "I'll be back in a sec" he got up to talk outside.
Shadow didn't care that he had been so close to death. He was sure that Maria woke him up and had full control. Everything had been under control so he didn't have a feeling of closeness to death.
While Tails was gone Chloe approached again and said "he comes all the time and reads to you. Sometimes he talks about his life. I could tell he really missed you"
Shadow smiled "Does anyone else visit"
"Of course, a woman, a bat visits sometimes. More recently with a an echidna too" that news made Shadow smile, perhaps their plan with Knuckles and Rouge had worked out, atleast enough to make them friends.
"Oh and sometimes Tails came in with his girlfriend. There was another rabbit I think is his girlfriend's mom along with a crocodile.
He smiled hearing the entire family visited him… except "Any pink hedgehogs?" he asked hesitantly.
"Occasionally, not as often as everyone else. I think she didn't like seeing you like you were" Chloe said feeling he specifically asked of her because she was important to him.
"Anyone else?"
"A blue hedgehog, Sonic the hedgehog, he stops by" he smiled at that too. He noticed her blush a bit at the mention of the blue blurs name making him curious but she continued before he could think about it too hard.
"A silver hedgehog and purple cat come in whenever they have the time. They are actually the ones paying most of your bills since they own a good business"
Shadow felt a bit guilty that Blaze and Silver had been supporting him for years. He would make it up to them once he could get to a bank and pay off his debt to them.
"Occasionally a chameleon, bee, and two other Hedgehogs comes but not as often" she finally finished.
"That sounds like all of them" Shadow smiled.
Chloe gave a smile over to him "Just gonna say, you are are gonna have to go through physiotherapy"
Shadow had no doubts about that. He was totally paralyzed right now and would need to get his muscles working again "Hmmm, well if I have a pretty letting holding my body, it won't be that hard" he said. He flirted making her giggle. He meant nothing by it, just to clear the air.
"Thank you, we'll try to make it fun for you as much we can" she smiled.
With that they waited and Tails came back into the room "Ok everyone is coming"
Shadow smiled at the fox, he still couldn't get over how old the fox looked. Last he saw he was a shortish teenager. Now he was near average size. He looked stronger and carried more confidence then before.
Chloe said "I'll be back, I got other patients I really need to check on" leaving the two males alone.
Tails sat back down and Shadow decided to ask "So, you know where I've been these last two years. Where have you been?"
The fox tried t think. What had he done in the last two years? "Well I finished school. I was one of the best students they ever had. I've got grants already for research I'm doing" he smiled.
Shadow smiled "Good for you. How are you and Cream?"
Tails scratched his head nervously blushing "Well… we're still together… and umm… we got… intimate awhile back… just don't tell Vanilla ok?"
Shadow managed a weak chuckle "Wait you actually went for it?" he also found it amusing that he was afraid of Vanilla.
"Ya… it was kinda birthday present"
The hedgehog knew it was embarrassing so moved on and finally asked "What happened… I mean… everything was a blur… I thought I died?"
The fox frowned looking away "Ya well… let me explain before everyone comes here"
Two years ago…
Tails cried all the way home and also when he entered the house prompting Sonic, who was home, to ask "Tails, what happened are you ok?"
Tails sadly recounted hi story and said "I think he's scared. He's thinking too hard and I think e's gonna run away"
Sonic took a deep breath understanding what he was saying. Shadow obviously wasn't used too all these new feelings and it was making him think wrong, or over think things. He was jumping to conclusions and it was going to make them all lose him forever.
"We need to go and find him" he already had his phone out and called everyone he could. He soon called Blaze and Silver, Vanilla, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Rouge and also tried to call Shadow but his phone was off.
Everyone was there within in half an hour.
Besides who he called Amy was there now too.
"He's gone!? We need to find him" she pleaded everyone already in agreement with that.
Vector said "We need to split up"
Sonic started calling names "Ok, Knuckles, Amy and Silver, are with me. Blaze, you go with Charmy, Espio, Vector and Rouge. Vanilla stay home, incase he comes for his stuff"
The rabbit nodded.
Tails then said "No better idea, I'll get into the Tornado, I got scanners that still have programming for Black Arm forces. If he has Black Dooms blood then I could find him. Perhaps not considering it's half alien blood"
Sonic nodded to that, "ok, go hurry"
Tails was about to head downstairs to his lab but Cream hopped over "I'm going with you, there's two seats. I want to help too" she wasn't gonna take no for answer so the fox nodded and led her downstairs. But then the fox ran back up and said "Blaze, Sonic you take these communicators so I can stay in touch ok?"
Both the cat and hedgehog too them and placed it into their ears.
"Ok, everyone move out" Sonic said.
"Wait!" Amy yelled and rushed for Shadows things. She reached inside and pulled out the green chaos emerald. Vanilla wasn't surprised like everyone else that it was in there since Shadow had telerported her home before with it.
"If we keep this it may be a reason for him to stay" it was far to valuable for him to just leave behind, so if he found it gone from his stuff he might stick around to get it back.
"Good idea" Sonic smiled and took it placing it in his pocket "Ok, now let's move"
As the left the Tornado shot up from the backyard of Sonics house and fired off into the sky it's loud jet engines dissipating as it flew away.
Sonics team went left and Blazes went right.
Tails flew off wherever he could activating his scanner. He tried to adjust it to see if he could more accurately track Shadows half blood but he couldn't change it that much.
"Do you think we'll find him?" he heard Cream ask.
Tails sighed pausing "I don't know, he could be miles away by now. Outside the city. He can start a new life if he needed to.
He couldn't see it but she frowned because of what he said but knew she was "I will try my best to find him, you got me?"
"I got you" he heard her say.
Tails turned on the coms "So anyone have an idea of where he could have gone?"
Rouge spoke "If he hasn't visited Vanillas' place then he could be anywhere. I'd like to say I know but I don't"
The answer held in everyone's mind. Guess they'd have to search the old fashion way.
Minutes before GUN contacts Shadow…
Tails growled in frustration he'd scanned almost the entire city with the focused tracker. Any lower and he risked missing Shadow but he still hadn't found him. He was either out of the city or really lucky, or was actively avoiding him.
Cream was looking at other scanners, Tails set up screens back there for a co pilot to watch. Her brow furrowed and said "Hey Tails, radar is picking up something. Multiple helicopters"
"Helicopters… where?"
"Heading towards the crummy side of town….3d scans say it's GUN helicopters" Cream said knowing that wasn't normal.
"GUN helicopters, where are they heading?" Tails asked, Shadow was worried about them wanting to get him and if they were mobilizing it was worth the look.
"To the bad side of town" the rabbit replied coming to the same conclusion as him.
Tails got on the com again "Sonic, get back to the bad districts. We've got GUN helicopters mobilizing; we're heading that way too"
"We're on it Tails, be there in a flash"
Tail flew that way higher then the GUN transports and started scanning what they were up to. Man tight roped down and started converging to relatively the same space. As he followed where they were heading it looked head and finally got the reading he'd been waiting for.
Cream exclaimed "Tails, there he is! They are after him!"
"Sonic, they are definitely after Shadow, hurry!"
On the ground…
"Alright then, everyone we got move!" as he picked up pace to the fastest he could go that they could keep up with.
Behind Amy and Knuckles were just barely keeping pace while Silver kept up fine due to him being able to fly.
Amy growled "If they hurt him…"
"Don't worry Ames, they'll regret it" Knuckles added on.
Sonic felt the same way but they needed to get there first.
Suddenly they all heard a snap of a rifle, then heard some shouts that sounded like "Secure the asset!"
Sonic came to a sliding stop. Down the street to his left he saw Shadow. He was surrounded by five GUN soldiers, two that had medic patches on their shoulders, past them was a floating monitor with the General on the screen and… "Omega?"
They couldn't focus on the robot as they could clearly see Shadow slouching and holding his side. He looked weak already. Everyone noticed the blood dripping down his side and Amy gasped.
"NO!" nobody was expecting her to burst forward piko hammer in hand rushing towards the soldiers.
Sonic rushed after her knowing she'd need help.
Knuckles noticed someone stand up on the rook to his right, it was a sniper. He must have been the one who shot. "You aren't getting away that easily" he clenched his fist and ran for the roof and started to climb up to him.
Silver remembered the helicopters and knew he'd have to watch out for those and flew into the air.
Amy reached the group fly past the soldiers and smashed the monitor "GET AWAY!" she screeched smashing the monitor sending it flying down the street.
Omega made surprised chirp noises and slid away using his thruster pack. Behind Amy Sonic bounced from soldier to soldier knocking them out in succession before they could attack Amy.
Sonic then went to Shadow who was standing up again, he couldn't stand by himself. His blood had dripped to the floor a bit and all down his side.
"We have to get out of here" he said starting to support his dark counterpart.
Amy turned panting having never ran that fast before "Is he alright?"
Sonic could barely hold up his weight but said "We need to get him to a hospital soon, that's for sure"
He turned and saw Knuckles throwing a man from the top of a building, guessed it was the sniper who shot Shadow.
His ears twitched hearing helicopter rotors approaching.
Amy looked around "What's that?"
Sonic finally saw the Helicopters approaching just over a building. Knuckles made it to them seeing the approaching aircraft "We can't fight those things"
Sonic smirked, "We got Air support"
Indeed above they saw Silver fly to the closest of the three approaching heli's. His hands glowed green making the first helicopter glow as well.
The cockpit was violently ripped off and then the pilot. Silver placed the man on a building then crushed the aircraft into a metal ball. He proceeded to do that all over again with the next.
As he started manipulating the second the third turned and fired at him trying to save it's comrade.
Just in time Silver brought up a psi shield then pushed back at the aircraft violently like a shockwave taking it down instantly. He followed that be proceeding to destroy the final helicopter.
"Ok, let's go" Sonic said about to take off when suddenly Omega slid in front of them.
Knuckles growled clenching his fists and yelled "Get out of the way Omega!"
The robots blank eyes stared at them for what felt like forever "Priority, protect Shadow the hedgehog" it surprised everyone and apparently Shadow heard it too since he made a weak sigh. Omega slid past them deploying his guns. Behind them they could already hear him firing off bullets to soldiers coming from behind.
Above Silver was still deflecting any aircraft that came close. Tail's Tornado had joined the fray.
"Hurry, he's dying!" Amy said getting everyone back into the moment.
Sonic nodded "I got it" and ran forward as fast as he could while still comfortably holding Shadow. He turned a corner but slid to a stop "Oh crap" in front of them was about twenty GUN soldiers.
He couldn't see a way out. If he ran back he'd be gunned down, if he tried to escape with a daring trick he'd either be gunned down or they'd open fire and take down Knuckles and Amy. He no choice but to stop and wait, something he didn't have time for.
"We're surrounded" Knuckles said pointing out the few soldiers on the roofs to their right and left.
Sonic panted then felt something slip into his pocket then was suddenly pushed away. He saw Shadow stumble a few steps ahead, the emerald in hand. The emerald flared brightly as his body began to pulse with blue energy.
The GUN soldiers opened fire on the black hedgehog. The bullets simply bounced off him the energy creating a shield around. Knuckles, Amy and Sonic took steps back covering their faces as the bullets ricocheted off him.
Over the radio Sonic heard Tails yell "What's going on, sensors are picking up a massive amount of chaos energy!?" before Sonic could answer he heard Shadow yell.
"CHAOS CONTROL!"
"What?" they all said but suddenly teleported.
Looking around they all found themselves back at Sonics house. They all looked around to find Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, Silver and Omega there. Tails wasn't he was still flying around back where he was. Shadow was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is he!?" Amy screamed in terror.
"I don't…" Sonic said then saw in the distance a massive red explosion.
"He used Chaos Blast" Knuckles commented.
Seconds ago…
Tails saw the flare of chaos energy on his screens he turned on the radio "What's going on, sensors are picking up a massive amount of chaos energy!?" he received no reply but noticed almost half the energy dissipate dramatically.
His screens then alerted him to coming danger originating to where Shadow last he checked.
"No, he not doing that" he mumbled. He quickly looked out as he passed by and saw Shadow alone still being shot at brightly glowing red now.
"We need to leave now!" he yelled.
"What about Shadow!?" Cream said seeing him down there too.
"If we don't leave now, he'll be the death of us!" he said hitting the afterburners.
His screens flared from all the energy being released and looked back seeing the massive explosion expanding. He'd easily clear it but the last two helicopters and any soldiers in the area weren't.
Tails called out "Sonic!... please tell me you are ok"
"Ya Tails, good to see you're ok too. Shadow teleported us away just before he used Chaos Blast"
The fox sighed and said "I'm going back to get him. I'm gonna have to leave Cream so come get her"
"Don't worry bud I'll keep her safe"
Tails pulled around the jet and flew back and said "Sorry Cream but Shadow needs your seat"
"Don't worry it's ok" she said understanding the situation perfectly.
They neared the center of the blast, which had finished by now. Nobody was there anymore. Anything that was left was either completely gone or dust. It was morbid.
In the center was Shadow the only thing in the street, face down in the ground bleeding all over the road. Tails threw all caution into the wind quickly VTOL landing a bit away from the hedgehog and quickly hopped out of the plane and yelled "Cream help me out"
The rabbit hopped out following the fox.
Tails didn't take the time to check Shadows pulse or anything, there was no time for that and said "Take his legs I got his shoulders" flipping the hedgehog over. The hole in his side still very much there. Somehow the chaos energy had healed it up just a little bit so it was bleeding slower now. It was still bleeding but he had an extended time now.
The fox quickly grabbed the emerald too and picked him with Cream. They carried him to the Tornado and placed him in the co pilots seat.
Tails hopped back into his seat and said "Stand back" not wanting to hurt Cream on take off. She did as asked and stepped away as the engine flared up again and quickly flew off to the hospital.
He called over the radio on an open channel "Hello Hospital, no time to explain but a jet is about to arrive at your helipad, be ready for emergency care"
He heard somebody respond but he was too focused.
Within les then a minute he was landing at the helipad paramedics just barely showing up as he did. The sight of a jet landing on their helipad was already strange enough but when the two tailed fox pulled out a practically dead hedgehog they leapt to action.
One hour later…
Tails was waiting in the waiting room, he still hadn't cleaned the blood from his hands. He heard many footsteps approach and looked up to see all his friends arrive.
Amy rushed him and asked hysterically "Is he ok?"
"I don't know… they haven't told me anything yet. I've just been waiting!" he said speaking for the first time in nearly an hour.
Amy teared up, she had been holding onto the hope that he'd be ok but with no answer her composure was entirely gone.
Sonic walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder "I'm sure he'll make it, he's too stubborn to die"
She didn't respond besides crying so he helped her sit down on a chair. Once he had put her there Vanilla sat next to the crying girl and consoled her.
Sonic walked to Tails again "What was he like when you found him?"
"Still bleeding, not as badly though. He was unconscious and basically dead. All I've heard since then is they are fighting to keep him alive with everything they had" Tails explained sadly.
Sonic needed to keep himself composed. If he didn't then everyone might start panicking "He'll make it, I know he will"
Tails nodded and barely remembered pulling out the chaos emerald "Here… please take it" The blue hedgehog did as asked and placed it back into his pocket.
Elsewhere in the room Rouge had her arms crossed defensively. She stayed away from everyone. To her surprise Knuckles approached her.
"You ok?" he asked her.
"I know you did your best… I just wish I had been there too. I mean he's my friend and all" she asked looking away from the echidna.
"I know. But you were there for him still. Despite not being there you were helping find him just as hard as the rest of us. I'm sure had it been your group you'd have fought just as hard as us" he said trying to be nice to the bat.
Her eyes looked back to him, she appreciated it and said "Thanks Knuckles"
"No problem" he smiled.
Silver had to sit down. Using his powers like that exhausted him so Blaze stayed by his side making sure he was ok.
Vector sat next to Vanilla was still trying to comfort and calm down Amy. He was also talking to Charmy trying to help him too, he was scared for Shadow. He'd always kinda looked up to the dark hedgehog and the ten year old couldn't imagine his friend dying.
Espio stood by himself quietly mumbling something.
Cream sat next to Tails and gently held his hand who appreciated it a lot. Although he quickly apologized for getting her hands dirty with blood. She didn't care, right now it wasn't that important.
Sonic stood alone waiting. He watched all his friends talking quietly with everyone. It was the closest he'd ever seen them all in a long time. Everyone working together and appreciative of eachothers company.
He heard foot steps approaching and saw a female golden retriever. He tried to read her face and predict what she had to say. It was but something else was there which gave him some hope.
He approached wanting to hear it first so he could tell the group himself.
She asked "Are you waiting on the black hedgehog?" she asked sure he was but was making sure. He nodded to her question.
"Ok well" she began to whisper "Right now he's still being treated on, he's still very much close to death but we've stopped his bleeding. Unless something happens that starts the bleeding or something else gives out, he's stable. As for recovering, we can't tell if he'll recover. That's all luck right now"
Sonic sighed, he was glad to hear Shadow was stable, but he was literally straddling the line between alive and dead. That probably meant nobody could see him right now too.
He nodded to her "Thank you, I'll let everyone. Please keep him alive" he pleaded to her then turned.
She nodded and got back to work while Sonic went back and retold his condition to everyone else.
Despite all the relief that he was stable they were all incredibly worried that he wouldn't make it. It was enough of a boost to make Amy stop crying though.
A couple more hours later…
Most of the group had fallen asleep, the only ones still awake, were Sonic, Amy, Tails and Vector.
During their wait Silver had snuggled up to Blaze and both had fallen asleep together. Vector supported both Charmy and Vanilla. It was kinda amusing but Rouge had fallen asleep leaning against Knuckles subconsciously in her sleep. Tails held Cream at she slept too.
Sonic was still standing relatively where he had been before and heard footsteps again turning to face the nurse from before.
His eyes pleaded for good news and she made a weak smile "Ok, we've got good news and bad news. And I really think you should start with the good first"
"Ok… go" he asked hesitantly the other three people awake listened in.
"He's going to live… barely, but…. He's…."
Amy got up and quickly walked over "But what!?"
"He's… he's…. in a coma"
The four gasped.
"A coma… then get him out of it" Amy said getting hysterical again.
"I'm sorry… we can't. We can't even tell how long he'll be in it. He could be in the coma forever" she couldn't handle this pressure looking away.
Sonic hugged Amy and asked trying to stay calm "Ok, so what can we do?"
The female sighed "Only two choices, you can either pay to keep him alive and hope he wakes up or… and I'm gonna be very careful saying this but… let him go"
"No, we can't. We'll pay anything!" Amy pleaded.
She nodded "Ok, then, we'll keep him alive for a few days. Figure out how you're gonna pay until then" her frown heavy but asked "For now could you fill out this form. You need to sign in your friend for us"
Sonic took it and filled out the paper work remembering to use a fake name for Shadow. He had made sure do that so the government couldn't find the record of him being here.
When he handed it back she looked confused. Considering the form was filled out by Sonic the hedgehog and their friend was a dark hedgehog she assumed it was Shadow.
"Umm… may I ask… is this Shadow the hedgehogs real name?" wanting to make sure.
Sonic sighed hoping she wouldn't ask.
"Listen, he's like this because the government wanted to capture him. Please use the fake name and tell nobody. Or they will come and take him away"
She went wide eyed realizing the gravity of the situation and nodded "Yes, I'll do that. Nobody else will know"
She walked away after receiving a nod and smile from the hedgehog and went to hand over the form to a desk worker.
Amy whimpered at the thought of Shadow possibly being a coma forever, he could live forever but would be asleep through it all. It didn't seem fair.
Sonic comforted her again and soon both were in their seats sleeping.
Through the next few days they figured out a plan on how to pay for Shadow. Blaze and Silver had a lot of big deals coming up for work so they would pay most of it. Everyone else pitched in what they could.
When the forms had all been sighed and paid for they were all allowed to see Shadow.
At the moment only Sonic, Amy, Tails, Cream and Vanilla came.
Amy entered the room and found Shadow totally comatose. He was hooked up to several machines keeping him alive.
She gasped seeing him like that and walked to the side of the bed staring down at him.
"Oh Shadow… you… please wake up?" she whispered. There was clearly no response and the rest of her friends watch all silently in sorrow for both her and Shadow.
They all stood there, they didn't know what to do. What could they do? He was almost lifeless. They couldn't really speak to him or hear what he had to say. It felt hopeless.
They waited for about half an hour before leaving him alone.
After everyone visited whenever they had the time and felt like looking at the poor hedgehog. Rouge visited a few times. She spoke to him recalling old jobs wondering if speaking would help.
Tails did the same, but more spoke about his own life.
Amy would come and just hold his hand silently the entire time hoping he'd wake up.
Silver and Blaze would stop by too, although they didn't stay long.
Vanilla would come sometimes either with or without Vector and silently watch him or speak with her company.
Sonic only came alone or with Amy but he quietly stayed the room no matter what. Although later in the year he'd speak with the nurse that he'd spoken to the first time he had been here. He'd learned her name was Chloe and she was nice. Like she promised she hadn't told anyone that Shadow was actually Shadow. Tails had also hacked GUN and learned that they believed Shadow was dead. Having killed himself in the explosion.
Everyone showed less regularly.
One year later…
Chloe walked into the room, almost everyone was visiting today since it was the first full year Shadow had ben in here. She had to ask them if they were going to pay for another year. Although she politely waited for everyone to start clearing out.
"Umm, Silver Blaze. I need to speak with you" she frowned.
The two turned and she continued "I'm sorry to ask you this but you need to pay for the next year of bills for Shadow"
The hedgehog and cat sighed, they really didn't want to go through this right now, but Blaze said "We've been thinking about that. His bills are gonna put a dent into our accounts. We'd be stretching ourselves"
Chloe nodded "Well you have a few days, speak with everyone ok?"
They nodded and spoke to their friends.
"Guys we can't keep this up. We barely made it through this year paying his bills. I don't want, I really don't but unless we get some help we can't pay for his bills" Blaze explained heart broken she couldn't do more.
We can't just give up" Amy pleaded looking around to anyone who could help.
Rouge stepped forward, "I'll pay half of it" nobody knew where the money was coming from except Amy, it was she had left over from the heist they pulled just over a year ago.
With that agreed they were all able to pay.
Knuckles walked u to Rouge "I don't know where the money is coming from but… I'm glad you are offering what you can"
"As I said, he's my friend. I'll do what I can for him" she said all serious.
Knuckles then looked over to her and nervously asked "Ummm… Tails finished up the defense systems for angel island and… I'm finding it hard to pass the time… mind if we do something tomorrow or something?"
Rouge looked to him surprised "Oh… well, I guess we could do something. Sure. I'll meet ya tomorrow"
He sighed lightly and said "Thanks" Rouge was surprised by his wanting to hang with her but it was a welcome surprise.
After that everyone got on with their lives again visiting Shadow when they could. Most of them slowly visited less and less but still came around atleast once a month. Tails was really the only one who kept up coming atleast once a week. He would read to Shadow or just talk to him.
Late in the year everyone had to worry about paying for Shadow again. Silver and Blaze couldn't spare any more money since the year had been a bit hard. Everyone else couldn't accumulate the money they needed help and soon all came to the realization they couldn't make it.
It destroyed Amy and everyone else wasn't much better. After two years they'd have to let go of Shadow.
Tails took the news badly too but he continued seeing Shadow like always in hopes he could wake him up.
Unknown to everyone a miracle was coming. But for now they were all preparing to all visit Shadow one last time before he had to be unplugged. Until a phone call from Tails lifted their spirits.
Present…
Shadow had listened to the entire story. The whole time he had been trying to move even the slightest and was actually able to move his fingers a little. His friends went through so much just for him. Nearly made themselves bankrupt to save him. He felt terrible but also felt loved that someone would actually got that far for him.
"Tails… you really came all those times?" he asked the fox.
"Of course I did. We're friends, I carried you to the hospital keep you alive, I wasn't gonna give up" Tails spoke finally back in the moment.
Shadow wanted to hug the fox but obviously couldn't so resorted to a warm smile. He could remember more of his time asleep with Maria. He'd found it good to be nice to her. So he decided to change himself a bit in real life. He might be a bit rude and distant but he would also more likely nicer to people in general.
"So Chloe has been quiet, I got to thank her later for that" he commented.
"Yup, thanks to her the army believes you are dead" Tails smiled but then thought abut all the actual dead people.
"You know it was the only way right?" the dark hedgehog said knowing what he was thinking about.
"I know… if we'd left you there they wouldn't have had to die but then you wouldn't be here now" It was a choice he hoped Shadow would think about.
They stayed quiet but heard heels clicking down the hall.
"That sounds like Rouge" Tails said recognizing her heels.
Sure enough in another few seconds Rouge rushed in and gasped seeing Shadow awake "Oh Shadow, hun you're awake!" She was quickly followed by Knuckles also smiling to see his friend back.
Shadow hardly was able to say hello as Rouge dashed over and hugged him "I missed my partner!"
"Uhhh, hey Rouge… I'd hug back but you know, kinda paralysed" he explained. Tails just watched smiling as the red echidna walked to his side also watching the scene.
Rouge backed off and said "I was so worried you'd never wake up."
Tails quickly said "Don't worry Rouge, he already knows what would have happened tomorrow"
The bat and echidna frowned, they felt ashamed for almost letting the hedgehog die.
"Don't worry. I can't ask you all to bankrupt yourself for me. I'm glad I'm awake now"
The two new comers nodded with smiles.
"So what do you do now without me?" he asked the bat.
"Well I still keep up with my normal life. Although I could never find a replacement for you. But I also took a more stable job. Now work as an investigative reporter at the local news paper" she explained.
Knuckles then said "I work as a boxing instructor, with Tails defense system I don't need to hang out at angel island all the time so I got that to pass the time now"
"Good for you. Training champs I'm sure" Shadow smirked.
"Doing my best to" he chuckled.
"You better get back on your feet soon Shadow, I miss the old days as partners" Rouge smiled leaning back in her chair.
"I'll do my best, trust me when I say I want out of this damn bed ASAP" he agreed.
Hearing more footsteps they looked to the door and found Blaze and Silver run in. he was exhausted since he wasn't much of a runner but Blaze was fine.
"It's true. You're awake" Blaze said stunned.
"It's about time our investment payed off" Silver panted joking a bit but Blaze just lightly slapped his shoulder.
"Hey there you two" Shadow smiled.
The cat walked and hedgehog walked to the side of the bed "We spent a ton on you, it's good to see it all payed off in the end" Blaze looked down him.
"I heard" he simply responded back "How are you guys?"
Silver smiled hard but Blaze shushed him, they were hiding something for now.
Once again footsteps were heard. Sliding in came Vector, Charmy and Espio. Too bad Vector was big and slipped and tripped over his friends.
"Get off Vector" Espio grunted.
The croc quickly got up scratching his head "Sorry"
Charmy buzzed up and yelled seeing Shadow "You're awake!" his voice starting to crack as he entered puberty.
"Ya I've been getting that a lot recently" Shadow joked making everyone chuckle.
"It is good to see you awake again" Espio said silently.
In contrast Vector yelled "You're awake buddy, finally Vanilla can get your junk out of the house!" obviously joking.
"Good to see you two" Shadows voice filled with joking sarcasm.
The room was slowly getting really crowded now especially with Vector who was like three people combined.
Next group was Cream and Vanilla. Cream had grown like Tails, only about half an inch shorter then him now and growing into a attractive woman.
Vanilla looked basically the same though. They two were obviously happy to see Shadow awake and well.
"I missed you Mr. Shadow!" Cream said hugging him before sitting on Tails lap due to the ever decreasing space in the room.
Shadow knew there was only two people left to arrive, one of which was could hardly wait to show up.
Just like that two pairs of footsteps were heard and everyone looked back. At the doorway was Sonic with Amy. He brought her over since they had been hanging out before then.
He let her go first and she approached the bedside smiling down at Shadow.
He just watched her an uncontrollable smile on his face "Hey Rose" he finally said.
Her eyes teared up in happiness, hearing his voice was the last thing she needed to be sure he was ok and hugged him intensely.
"I missed you so much" she cried into his ear.
He wanted to hug back and tell her everything was gonna be ok, he couldn't so he said "I didn't want to leave you behind"
He felt her hug tighter. He could see past her and everyone was watching silently with overjoyed smiles.
He hoped it would be enough to show her he wasn't leaving anymore. He had spent two year away from her and despite having Maria for company he felt empty. He knew he had to stay here.
Amy refused to leave his side but Sonic walked over "Hey Shadow, long time now see" he smirked joking.
"Well atleast for me" Shadow said going with the joke.
"But seriously glad to see you awake bud. We all missed you… I'm sure you can tell though"
Shadow smiled "Yes I can clearly see that now. Any nobody has to explain what happened, Tails explained everything for me before you guys showed up"
They were all relieved. Nobody wanted to recount the doubt, worry and sadness again.
That's when Chloe came in and smiled seeing everyone here at once again "I see everyone has seen Shadow awake. I hate to say it but his visiting time is coming to a close"
Everyone looked saddened that they'd have to leave Shadow alone but he did just wake up so the doctors needed to assess him.
Everyone saifdtheir goodbyes filing out. Rouge waved goodbye and blew him a kiss, flirty like always. Sonic, Amy and Tails remained. The fox got up and said "Well I better get going, I got grants to use. I'll visit again soon I promise" he pointed to the hedgehog confidently taking his leave.
Shadow looked to the last two and said "Don't worry, I'll be here next time you visit" joking in his tone a but making the two laugh.
"I just don't want to leave you alone" Amy whimpered.
"I won't be, it's a hospital full of people. Besides Chloe can keep me company"
The pink hedgehog sighed I hate to do it but I'll see you later. I'm just happy you are awake" she with great hesitation let go of his almost lifeless hand. But kissed his forehead whispering, "You're not leaving again" it wasn't a question.
"No, I won't' he whispered back. She lifted her head and turned and walked out.
Sonic smiled "She was devastated with out you"
Shadow looked away "I would have hoped she'd have been ok without me"
Sonic sighed but smiled "I mean for awhile she didn't know what to do. Although she made it through and despite still being sad with you being gone she got better. Almost lost her job from avoiding it but she forced herself back. She stills lives with Vanilla and Cream. Also still works at the diner, although she's a supervisor now. Besides that she hasn't changed much" the hedgehog explained staying seated in the room.
"Well that's good to hear, I'm glad she made it through. How about you? How's life been?" he asked smiling.
"That's new, you actually caring" Sonic chuckled.
"Ya let's just say I had a lot to think about those last two years. Besides I had someone to talk to about it" he smiled warmly.
Sonic rolled his eyes but answered his question "I work now. I'm a coach for various teams at the nearby school. Still no girlfriend though" he said with a slight bit of sadness over that.
"Well that can't be bad. Remember you don't like getting tied down?" he wanted to ask again incase things changed.
Sonic made a short laugh "… Maybe I've done some growing too…. I don't see Tails as often anymore since he's either working on science stuff… or with Cream. It really made me feel lonely" Unknown to Shadow nobody else knew this.
"Oh so then why haven't you got one? You are Sonic the hedgehog?" his eyebrow raised.
"Well… remember you had a problem of girls asking you out only because you're Shadow… and to stay hidden?" Sonic asked. Shadow would have nodded but Sonic understood "Ya well I want to find someone like Amy who isn't in it for the nae either"
Shadow thought, he remembered observing Chloe blush at the mention of Sonics name and asked "Any people you might consider?"
"Not really" he said with a sigh.
Shadow didn't want to name drop but also wanted to figure his idea out and said "Well I'll let you know if anyone around here might like you. I got nothing else to do besides listen and observe for awhile"
Sonic chuckled at what he thought was a joke "Thanks, good luck with that"
"Well you better get going" Shadow flicked his eyes to the door.
Sonic nodded "Ya I guess I do. I'll see you again man. Hope your physiotherapy works fast"
"I'll try my best"
"You always do… and it's really good to see you awake…. I know I would have regretted pulling the plug" the blue hedgehog frowned having almost ended his friends life. The doctors still couldn't find out if he'd be asleep forever or temporarily so they were taking a big gamble giving up.
"Well you didn't have to. Don't dwell on it now" Shadow almost ordered.
"I'll try" he looked away then walked to the door.
"Anyway, have fun lounging around with good looking nurses tending to your every need"
Shadow rolled his eyes "Oh ya I'm sure I'll have fun having them do 'everything' for me"
Sonic realized what he meant, oh right, your waste and junk… everything besides that" he corrected himself.
"See ya around" Shadow said chuckling letting him leave.
In a few minutes appeared and checked on him "So I assume you enjoyed your friends being here?"
"Definetly" Shadow smiled.
"Good. I always heard you were cold and distant. Doesn't seem that way with such devout friends" she pointed.
"I was. I got better recently before I got into a coma though. Guess I left and impression"
"A damn good one" she pointed out checking stuff on her clipboard.
Shadow was quiet and asked "So…. Do you have a boyfriend?"
Ok, I can already see all the people getting pissed I pulled the 'coma card' but I kinda don't care. As I said in the last chapter I wanted to make everyone closer as a group and showing everyone go to those lengths to keep Shadow alive(with the flashback and the monetary stuff)
As I said above I'm sorry this took me a day or two to update. I recently started doing my first ranked gamed of League of legends and it took a lot of my time. Plus the day before I was exhausted as I explained.
I also want to say obviously Chloe is made up but she isn't really and OC, I don't plan to keep her around as one unless people like her. I actually have a bit of trivia about her I might remember to reveal in the next chapter. It has to do with her collar and my uncles dog who I love.(already a connection cause they are both golden retrievers)
Also loz on the chapter name.(atleast to me)
So hope you enjoyed the chapter and hope you enjoy what's coming up. Until next time!
Admiralkirk