Alright! Here's some more for you peeps to read. :)

            Shadow couldn't really keep up with time. He slept a lot as he recovered so the days blurred together. Slowly his strength began to return. The wounds were still there, but at least he regained use of his body. Although it wasn't always a blessing. It took time to get used to moving again. The concept itself was very painful with the flesh sores, but he ignored it whenever he could.

            They wouldn't let him walk on his own. Rouge had said that his legs weren't strong enough to support his weight yet. Being persistent though, Shadow managed to get around by basically using Sonic as a crutch. The cerulean hedgehog didn't seem to mind. After all, he'd probably have done the same thing if he had been in Shadow's position.

            The raven colored hedgehog was like a kid in a candy store. He wanted to explore everything, and do it as fast as possible. Sonic had problems even holding him still so he wouldn't attempt to run off. Rouge had given the two hedgehogs a soft glare, which got them to quiet down. Sonic continued to lead Shadow around the workshop, showing him around. For he knew. There was no way not to see how disorientated Shadow was with not knowing where the hell he was. Only way to remedy this was to show off Tails' shop, exploring every room. Tails' had no problem with their tinkering, since he really couldn't do much about helping with his small concussion. The small fox had busied himself with modifying the Tornado (again), trying to improve every little thing. Rouge had told him not to work so much, but then again, she hadn't really taken that to heart either.

            The workshop was a quaint size. There was the main garage area that took up more than half of the shop, due to the number of planes and cars that Tails had collected over the years, full of scrap and tools hung neatly on the walls. There used to have been only one room in the living quarters, but the area had been expanded when Sonic decided to move in. Knuckles had helped with the construction, and between the three heroes, they had the new rooms completed in about a day and a half. Now there were about four rooms. One for Sonic, one for Tails, and two for any guests. Any other room that wasn't a bedroom had been filled with scrap, tools, and other projects that the two-tailed fox had been working on. It took about an hour for Sonic and Shadow to scale around the house, even though there wasn't really much to look at. Shadow had insisted that he see everything though, so Sonic complied, not caring how long it took. Once they were done, Sonic helped Shadow back toward his room to rest, since it was apparent that the black hedgehog had burned off most of his energy.

            " Don't worry. You'll get better soon." Sonic said, helping him into bed.

            " Ugh..." The black hedgehog looked up at his blue doppelganger. " What was Rouge up to though? I thought I saw her duck into another room."

            " Oh." Sonic kicked at the carpeting a little bit. " That's Tails' Computer Room."

            " Why didn't we look at that?"

            Sonic laughed.

            " Cuz Rouge would have bit my head off. After all, she could probably knock Knux's head off, so I won't take my chances."

            " Speaking of your red echidna friend, you said that he had helped me too. I have not seen him around though."

            " Red went back to Angel Island. He should be back down in a few days. You know, Guardian stuff and all that jazz."

            Shadow nodded. He had come to the conclusion that it had been Knuckles who had held him down when Sonic and Rouge had been treating his wounds. The red echidna was probably the only one who could pin him completely with no help.

            " So what's Rouge doing in there?" He asked.

            A quick shrug.
            " To tell the truth, I really don't know. I hear her cursing in there a lot, so I keep my distance."

            " A wise move." Shadow nodded, remembering a nice welt on the back of his head that he had received from the swift foot connecting, back on ARK.

            " I'm sure you can ask her once you are able to walk on your own."

            " You wouldn't help me see her?"

            " What did I just say? I happen to like walking. I got enough problems with Knuckles if I annoy him."

            Shadow smirked slightly.

            " Hungry? Want me to get you another sandwich?"

            " My appetite actually is quite appeased, so no thanks. I think I need another nap."

            " Ah. Well, I'll leave you alone then."

            Sonic didn't even wait for Shadow to respond and ran out of the room. The dark hedgehog watched the doorway for a moment, thinking to himself. He sighed, then flopped down, trying to get some rest.
***

            The passage of time flowed, and with it, a new hope. One morning, Shadow woke up, he pushed himself upright, glanced around, and tried his luck at walking by himself before Sonic came to check on him. He pulled himself up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Pushing down, he stood up and grasped the nightstand to stabilize himself. Breathing quietly, he looked around. His vision didn't blur, and his head didn't start spinning, so he took his chances and took a step forward, letting go of the stand. Opening his eyes, Shadow realized that he was still upright. Yes! He walked slowly to the door, not wobbling at all, and grabbed the doorframe. Leaning up against it, he sighed deeply and smiled. Looks like I won't be bedridden any longer. Now then, running isn't an option right now, but at least I can move about without worrying about falling on my face. He walked out of the room and down the stairs. Being confined to just the workshop had been maddening, so some fresh air was a breaking point in the insanity.

            Opening the front door carefully, Shadow poked his head out of the half-opened door and glanced around. The workshop was on top of a large hill, with a plateau that jutted out to his left. He walked out onto the porch and noted the runway at the left and the stairwell in front of him. The stairs continued down the hill, greeting the grass with an abrupt end. Looking out at this part of the Mystic Ruins, Shadow surveyed the green trees and saw the train overpass. There was a tall wooden structure that led vertically to the overpass off to the far left. He could hear water flowing, noting the crisp salty smell that danced around his nose, and gazed at the horizon. The ocean was calm, its waves lapping at the walls of earth that made the cliffs next to it. Shadow took everything in as slowly as possible and descended the porch steps and headed for the large stairwell that progressed down the hill.

***

            Sonic was jostled awake by soft furry hands.

            " Sonic!!!"

            He snorted and opened his eyes, staring up at Tails' bright blue ones.

            " Tails? What's wrong?" He rubbed one eye with an ungloved hand.

            " I went to check on how Shadow was doing and he wasn't in bed!"

            " WHAT?!" The cobalt hedgehog shot up from his bed, nearly bowling the two tailed kisune over with one swipe.

            " Sonic! WAIT!"

            He didn't even bother putting on his shoes. Sonic took off down the hall and quickly looked in Shadow's room. It was true. The ebony hedgehog was not there. Blinking, Sonic ran off, looking around the workshop for any signs of Shadow.

            " What the hell is all that racket?!" Rouge's voice bellowed from her room.

            Ignoring her bellows, Sonic dashed around, checking every room. Shadow was no where to be found. As he ran into the airplane area, he realized that the door was wide open. Don't tell me he ran off! Rouge had appeared by now, dressed in her fuzzy pink robe that covered her pajamas.

            " Sonic? What is it?"

            " Shadow's gone."

            " What?!" She blinked at him.

            " The front door is open. I'm going to go look for him."

            " Wait for me!" Tails' called, running into the room.

            The headstrong hedgehog told him to stay here and rest, since he looked wobbly from his concussion already. Rouge had started to say something about trying to calm down, but he disregarded her words and bolted out the door. Sonic scanned the hilltop, noting that there was not one hair of black and red quills anywhere. He then took off down the stairs and headed into the main area of Mystic Ruins. As he ran, he cupped his hands over his mouth and screamed Shadow's name as loud as he could.

            Shadow jumped a little bit and turned his head toward the hill. He was leaning up against a tree near the waterfall, observing everything. A blue blur had appeared on the scene, and it was apparently looking for him.

            " Sonic?" He asked quietly, not expecting the blur to hear him.

            Skidding to a stop, Sonic looked around and noticed that he was next to a tree.

            " Shadow. What are you doing out here?"

            " I needed some fresh air." The tone seemed a little cold, but not as harsh as he could have been.

            Emerald eyes overlooked him, scanning for any other signs of injury. Crimson eyes met his as they stared at each other, sensing each other out. A soft breeze parted through them in a calming wave, sending their quills rocking in it. Sonic blinked. Shadow wasn't looking at him anymore. His eyes were turned toward the waterfall in front of them. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Shifting his own eyes to the waterfall, Sonic gazed at it. Neither of them spoke. They stood there, just listening to the water flowing into its path. A soft whirring noise could be heard. Sonic broke his gaze and looked back. Tails was flying overhead, scanning the Ruins. Damn him. I told him to rest…

            " Sonic!" Tails smiled as he noted the fact that Shadow was with his friend. " You found Shadow too!"

            " I thought I told you to wait at the workshop."

            The smile faded.

            " I wanted to help."

            " I know, but you shouldn't be flying around with that bump on your head. Land."

            He complied to the hedgehog's wishes and landed carefully on the ground, crushing the grass blades under his red and white shoes. His tails shifted as he stood there, eyeing the older males. Shadow hadn't said anything to them. His eyes were fixated on the water, watching it tumble and swirl. He blinked and saw something else.

***

            The force of the impact had knocked the wind out of him. His body sunk, then floated around within the coldness that surrounded him. The sound rang in his ears as he felt himself being jolted around. Uncontrollable forces pulled him along, moving him upwards. He fought as best he could, but was swept away. Breathing was not an option. His lungs burned as they cried for sustenance. A popping noise filled his ears as he broke the surface, hearing louder sounds now as the force propelled him. He gasped, choking on the liquid as it filled his mouth. Spitting and hacking, he managed to get some of it out, only for it to be filled as he was slapped downward. Another current took him, tossing him downward in a swirling motion. He screamed in torment, air releasing from his mouth. The bubbles danced in front of him, taunting. He couldn't breathe. Lungs aching, he tried to fight the current as it drove him into the depths. His arms weren't strong enough and he felt his body go limp with fatigue. The force pulled him downward, then began to slowly lift him up again. He was amazed that he was barely conscious, let alone alive at the fact that he couldn't breathe. Tossed into the air again, he gasped loudly, then braced for impact. The collision stung, biting at every inch of flesh. Another swirl of energy lifted him up again, and drove his body smack into a rock.
*** 

            Shadow hadn't even realized that he was clutching his head. Sonic shook him, screaming into his ear.

            " Shadow!! Snap out of it! Wake up!!"

            Red eyes blinked and he uttered a small groan. Two pairs of eyes stared at him intensely. The jet black hedgehog moved his hands from his temples and blinked at them.

            " What happened? You cried out sharply. Are you alright?" Sonic asked, his hands still sitting on Shadow's shoulders.

            " I'm... not sure..." He rubbed his head for a moment. Could that have been a memory...?

            Sonic's green eyes pierced into him, searching. He felt Shadow move a little and dropped his hands from the black hedgehog's shoulders. Tails said nothing, but watched them carefully. Shaking his head a little, Shadow blinked.

            " It passed. I'm fine."

            " Come on. Let's get you back to the workshop and get some food in you."

            Tails smiled at the idea and ran off, heading back for the hill. Shadow didn't even motion to go back.

            " Are you sure that you're alright?"

            A sharp nod and Shadow stepped forward. Sonic watched him for a moment and slowly followed him, mentally cursing the rocks that stung his bare feet. Shadow, on the other hand, had been trying to make sense of what he saw. Was that a memory of what happened to me after falling from ARK? He touched his head, rubbing his temple with two fingers. The crimson stripped hedgehog had no idea what had happened after his descent. Most of his memory was patchy and the fragments were scattered around like puzzle pieces ready for assembly. Perhaps I will remember more in time... Sonic had matched his pace, falling as silent as death. Neither hedgehog spoke as they mounted the stairs and headed for the workshop.

Legal Stuffies: Sonic, Shadow and crew are © SEGA!

Still likies? Should I keep going? :D