Chapter 6: Surprise

Amy came back to her apartment at 9 am. She saw Shadow watching television. I hope he is not angry with me again while I was gone. He thought I was with Sonic again. "Uhh…Shadow? Are you…angry at me?" She was scared that he might say ''yes'' in anger. However, Shadow answered calmly, "No, I am not angry. Please, don't be afraid of me." He stood up and turned toward Amy. "I am taking you to a restaurant for today." Amy was surprised. He's taking me out for breakfast? How weird. He never took me out for a date.

Shadow took her to Pancakes R' Us for breakfast. Shadow ordered three pancakes, and Amy ordered two pancakes. After they ordered, Amy stared at Shadow with amazement. "Shadow, this might be bizarre, but why did you take me out for breakfast?" Shadow was sweating and was speechless until he found the courage to talk. "I took you out for breakfast because…I want to go with you somewhere so you… won't be sad." What? Did I say sad? Crud, I spoiled the plan. Amy was confused by the word he said.

After breakfast, they walked into the park. Amy stopped and asked him. "Shadow, I wrote to that I walked around the park, didn't I?"

"Err…yeah. You did, but I want to go with you."

"I thought you like to go by yourself."

"That's different. That's when I get sad and everything."

"Oh, okay." Amy smiled a little. Shadow looked at his watch. It was 10:30 am.

"Amy, may you wait here? I forgot something at home."

"Oh, okay." Amy frowned and looked at the floor.

"Don't worry. I'll be back for you." Amy gave a little smile.

Shadow skated down to Gifts You Need. The locket was still there at the window. "Hello, sir. We got your gift here. You want it in a box or in a present?" The owner asked while Shadow came in. "Yeah. Err… put it in a present." The owner wrapped it in a present and gave him the present. "So, who are you giving the present?" Shadow blushed with embarrassment. "Umm…for my fiancée, Amy Rose." Shadow turned around and saw a silver hedgehog with yellow eyes. "So you are Amy's fiancé. Follow me." Shadow was curious why he wanted to follow, but he followed him.

"John Rose. Brother of Amy Rose. Son of Jak and Fianna. You are trying to find Eggman to avenge your family." John turned around to Shadow, furiously. "How did you know?"

"Email. I think you emailed me with that information."

"I didn't email anyone. Besides, I don't know your email address."

What? He didn't? I thought he…

"Yeah, you did."

"No, I didn't."

"Listen, your sister was crying for you and your family to come back. If you come back to her, she would be really happy."

John looked down to his feet and the present he has. "Yeah, I'll go." Shadow took the lead. "I must ask you one last question."

"What?"

"Why did you leave Amy behind? You should have stayed and took care of her."

John punched Shadow on the back of the neck. "Ouch, what was that for?"

"Stay out of this. You should not be curious out of these."

Shadow got up to his feet and grabbed John on the neck, but he didn't fight back. Shadow let go of him and continued to go to his home. "Let's go, but I'll find out why."

Everybody was waiting for Shadow until he came in with a friend. "Umm…Shadow? Who is this guy?" Tails asked. "This is John. Amy's elder brother." Everyone was shocked. "Is the rumor true? John Rose?" Rouge asked. "Yep, that's me." John spoke. Everyone talked to John about his journeys and battles. They also talked about the Chaos Emeralds. "I need the Chaos Emerald to practice my technique, but I'm not telling." So, poor John got tortured by the boys, and Rouge and Tails laughed at John while he got tickled by Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles and chased by Shadow and Sonic. "Oh shoot, I let her wait too long. I'm going back. See you guys." Shadow took out the green Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control!" Shadow disappeared in John's sight. He learns Chaos Control also?

It was noon, and Amy looked the sky under a tree. She leaned against the tree. So beautiful. This is a perfect place to…I wonder where is Shadow. Shadow appeared using Chaos Control in front of Amy. "Hi, Shadow." Amy walked to Shadow. Shadow blushed and apologized to Amy. "Sorry, Amy. I overslept." Amy was confused. "What do you mean overslept? You have a lot of energy." Shadow has to make an excuse so she won't suspect him. "I was trying to find my Chaos Emerald, and my room's a mess." She was curious about him. "You're acting weird, Shadow." Shadow blushed and turned red. "No, I'm telling the truth."

"Oh, okay. I believe you. Shadow, what do you want for lunch?"

"Err…chili dogs."

"Okay, let's go."

After they went to a chilidog stand, they sat on a bench. Shadow got brain freeze while drinking coke too fast. Amy laughed and tried to warm Shadow's head. "Shadow, do you want to go home?" Shadow looked everywhere and saw Twinkle Park. "No, Amy. Do you want to go to Twinkle Park?" Amy nodded and smiled. She grabbed Shadow's hand and dragged him to the park. They had lots of fun. Amy and Shadow enjoyed the roller coaster, Shadow bumped into mirrors in a mirror maze, drove bumper cars, and had a little snack. They had a lot of fun until 5:30 pm.

They were going back to Amy's apartment. Shadow stopped and asked. "Amy, wait here." Shadow entered the dark room and checked. "Okay, you can come in." Shadow walked in the room. Amy entered and could not see a thing. "Why is the room so dark, Shadow? Shadow?" She was scared and wonders what is going on. She turns on the light switch. "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY ROSE!" She was happy and crying. Amy thought everyone forgot her birthday. Shadow walked to Amy, and she look up. Shadow held out a small gift. "Happy Birthday, Amy. I hope you feel better." Amy gave Shadow a hug and cried. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Shadow hugged her back and smiled. It was the first time Shadow hugged her and smiled. Shadow looked around for John, but he was not there.

At the party, they had cake first. Amy made a wish and blew out the candles. The boys were playing a racing game. Rouge whispered to Amy Rose. "So, whatcha wish for?" Amy smiled and giggled. "If I tell you, it wouldn't come true."

"C'mon. Tell me."

"Fine, but keep it a secret." Rouge nodded.

"I just wished that everyone has a good time." Suddenly, Amy frowned and looked down to her hands. "I also wished that my brother is here." Amy was about to cry, but a familiar voice called out. "Yo, sis. Miss me?" Everyone turned around behind the couch. "John!" She jumped and hugged him. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you, too, sis. I'm sorry I left you alone for four years."

She shook her head. "It's okay. I am glad that you are safe."

John and Amy talked to each other about their life. At 7:30 pm, it was time for Amy to open the presents. First was Shadow's gift, and she opened the present. It was a golden locket with the words "Shadow + Amy 4ever". She opened the locket, and Shadow was there with the skating style. Amy hugged Shadow and kissed him on the cheek. Next was John's gift. "Is that what it is?" Amy looked at the gift. His was a sparkling red hair band. She wore it with the Warrior's Feather. The Warrior's Feather fitted perfectly with the new hair band. "That's what you wanted a long time ago, right?"

"It's perfect. Thank you, John."

After the party, everybody left, and John promised Amy that he will visit again. Amy and Shadow cleaned up the place. Shadow stared at Amy and thought of her. "Is something wrong Shadow?" Amy looked at Shadow with curiosity. Shadow was snapped out of the stared and turned around with embarrassment. "No, nothing."

After they cleaned up and put away every decoration, they were dressed up for bed. Amy kissed Shadow on the forehead. "Good night, Shadow. Thank you for remembering my birthday." She turned around and was about to exit his room. "Wait, Amy." Shadow got out of his bed and ran behind Amy. "Yes?" She found herself being hugged. "Amy, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone, and we still celebrate your birthday." Was he following me all this time? "You are not in the way. You helped us when we were in trouble by that Metal Amy." I guess he was. Amy putted her head against his shoulder. "Thank you, Shadow."