CHAPTER XX

Shadow pushed the ANSWER button, and was rewarded with Sonic's visage. Groaning inwardly, he crossed his arms, waiting for the lecture. "What have I done now?"

"Nothing," growled Sonic, irritably, "I just got away from Amy... I'll have to kill Tails later… and found Metal's back on the loose."

Shadow shrugged, "So what do you want me to do about it?"

Sonic shrugged in response, "I'm just letting you know in case you see him. By the way, how's that Chao Garden coming?"

"Fine," said Shadow, "And how would I see him if I'm up here in the ARK?"

"Well, I don't know. Tikal said it was a good idea so… yeah…"

Shadow nodded, "I'll tell you if I see him."

Sonic hung up, and Shadow was glad to see him gone. The black hedgehog shared about the same amount of love for the blue hedgehog as was shared in reverse. He sat back down, picking listlessly at his dinner. For some reason, he was feeling oddly confused right now.

"So," said Blaze, watching him, "What gave you the clue that I liked Sonic?"

"Well, Eggman once told me he kissed you."

Blaze snorted, "What Eggman won't tell you is that he kissed me on the cheek as a sign of friendship – it wasn't anything romantic."

Shadow looked up at her, "The other reason I thought you were enamored with him is because you came here in the first place. I thought you wouldn't want to leave your Sol Emeralds alone."

"I didn't," answered Blaze, "But Tails' little device left me no choice… I kind of wound up dragged here."

Shadow nodded, he knew all too well what Tails' machines were capable of. "I also forgot to say thank you…" he said, quietly.

Blaze looked up in surprise, "For what?"

"You came up here to help me care for Pandora – most people can't stand to be within nine feet of me."

"I can't see why not," replied the violet feline, "You're not that bad of a person…"

Shadow scooped up her empty plate, putting his on top and carrying them into the kitchen. "Most people would tend to disagree."

He returned a few moments later and sat down across from Blaze again. "Is there anything else you wish to know about me?"

"One thing," said Blaze, looking at him with an unreadable expression, "When can I see N-9?"

Shadow almost fell out of his chair in surprise. "You'd like to see it?"

"Of course I would!" Blaze said, standing up and stretching, "I used to watch the stars all the time back home, I'd be interested in seeing what they look like here."

Shadow recovered from his surprise and nodded in understanding. "We can go in a few minutes; I just have to get something ready. Can you go check on Pandora for me?"

"Yes," she said, walking off. Shadow sighed in relief, that cat made him uneasy. She seemed to be the opposite of everything Sonic had described her as. He shook his head, clearing his mind of these thoughts, "Better fix that piano and then go show Blaze the simulator…"

A few minutes later, he met Blaze by the Chao Garden and escorted her up to the observatory known as N-9. He lifted the lever again and motioned her inside.

"Blaze," he said, walking over to a console on the far wall, "Prepare to see the result of over fifty years of astronomical research and collaboration."