Chapter 9: My Fooled Friends

Before we even went outside, Shadow tended to my wounds and asked that I focus on convincing the others to retreat rather than participate in battle. Even with him by my side I was frightened beyond reason.

"I'll call in Rouge to let her know we're coming." He pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Come in Rouge do you hear me?"

"Where are you two? Eggman still hasn't drawn his army back in and the others can't take much more!"

"We had a small setback but we're on our way. And try not to get them to notice you've turned against Eggman, he still doesn't know-"

"I got it, Shadow. Over and out."

Trying to meet his glance I staggered up to him with a feint grin.

"Will you be able to make it?"

"I'll manage until we get there." I was lying through my teeth.

In the city many buildings were leveled and locals were running for their lives. I could see the terror in their faces as they fled, most were shedding tears of depression. Too much did I take in…

"Amy! Over there, it's Espio!" Shadow cried out while pointing to a mob of androids. He sped over to aid Sally the Squirrel, yet another victim of Eggman's wrath.

Lamely I made my way to the chameleon, but with blind aim since my injuries were slowing me down. He kept waving his hands around to get someone's attention and as I attempted to answer his pleas I was easily assaulted. There were about 20 of them and I feared the worst…

"BONZAI!" a voice from above?

A green figure cast on top of the androids; I had no idea who it was until it came crashing down destroying anything it could get a hold of. Someone else was pulling me to safety.

"I gotcha Amy!" an adorable little bumble bee was carrying me! I was so surprised!

Once I was safe I was able to witness my savior's fighting prowess. A crocodile about the same girth as Knuckles was bashing heads and enjoying himself all the more. When it was done I'd smiled my appreciation.

"Hey Amy, don't you remember us?" the crocodile asked.

"Uh…" I tried to recall but to no avail. "Sorry I don't."

"It's me Vector! And that's Charmy; we met back on Earth during the war against Eggman."

"That just makes it even harder! We've fought him like a zillion times!"

"Guys, we still have to get Espio…" Charmy pointed out.

"Oh, crud! He's gonna bite both our heads off if we don't save him!"

By the time Vector even turned around Shadow had both Espio and Sally on his shoulders and giving the croc a cold stare.

"A little late there reptile." He said with heavy tone.

"Shadow! You've got some nerve showing your face here! Sonic will-"

"Do nothing." I interrupted. "Shadow's on are side and he always has been so no fighting ok?"

I could hear the resentment in Vector's approval but I chose not to let it bother me. At least he was nice enough to show concern for my feelings.

"Listen everyone. We need to fall back and wait out this war. Eggman had this plot that involved my master's machine but it won't work and I'm the reason for why it won't."

"Huh? I thought you said it wasn't operational because the professor hadn't finished yet." I was confused.

He didn't respond. "Shadow…what's going on why don't you say something?"

"I think it's time that we-all of us discuss this somewhere else."

We found a cave on the outskirts of the city. It was dank and pungent so much to the point where you'd throw up but I could think of nothing else but Shadow. When he rescued me he collapsed and shook his head, like he had a migraine or something. Now I was sure that it was something more that just that, something he's been hiding from me this entire time. Espio and Sally had come to but didn't feel like talking much, so they sat in a corner and rested. The Chaotix gang and I were curious about Shadow.

"My dear Amy, I'm sorry I haven't been completely honest with you all this time."

He seemed really down and I only wished it was not a big deal, but I couldn't predict Shadow in the way I used to predict Sonic.

"Just tell me what's wrong and I'm sure I'll understand." I reassured.

"I doubt that highly, Amy." Interjected Vector. "And where's Sonic? No way would he just pair up with Shadow after all he's put him through."

I ignored his question. All anyone could think of was that blue prick! It painstakingly reminded me of myself when I was infantile and obsessive.

"The machine is an updated version of one of ARK's cannons. While I was in stasis back on Earth and Maria was still alive, Professor Robotnik did some experiments with it that involved me serving a purpose. Yet everything changed when our enemies attacked and killed Maria and others, making the Professor mad with rage. He later programmed me to destroy humanity, which I obviously didn't accomplish mainly because Maria asked that I make people happy. Unknown to even myself until now, the Professor had built a failsafe inside my body to prevent his enemies from using me against his heir - Eggman."

I understood every word clear as a bell, right down to the failsafe portion. Vector and Charmy hadn't a clue what was going on.

"And just what does all that gibberish have to do with this war?"

"I was trying to use Eggman so that I may find an answer to this situation. The 'war' you've been fighting is all a lie! I can't manage on this planet because I was created on Earth! I was made to destroy Earth! I was made to keep the people of Earth happy! But now that I've been transported to this world, it is unknown how long I can maintain this body. I'm going to face…termination."

Already I was on my knees, tears flushing out like waterfalls onto the cold, rocky soil beneath me. I was also pissed off at Shadow. How could he try to get involved with me knowing his life was being timed?

"Amy I'm sorry. I know it looks bad but-"

"No…you shouldn't be sorry. It was out of your hands and there's only so much you can do. But even so…why didn't you tell me this sooner? Or more importantly…why do you love me?"

He heaved a sigh and did not look in my direction. "Whatever time I told you wouldn't make a difference Amy. And I didn't want to go through this alone so I turned to you."

Charmy and Vector pulled out at that moment. Blood rushed into my veins as I chuckled ludicrously at his comment. "Are you serious? Is that the only reason you bothered to bring me into all this, because you didn't want to be alone? I can't believe this! You just used me to satisfy yourself until you choked!"

"That's not true! I could never do such a thing and it's because Maria-"

"I think you're using me to replace Maria!" that was definitely the wrong thing to say.

My words hit Shadow in the face so brutally he didn't even snap back at me. He just mumbled, "NO ONE can ever replace Maria."

The cracking of my heart finally broke complete and I bawled while running out of the cave. He meant what he said! I could never compare to the human who befriended him back on Earth. Nor could I win his heart by being supportive. I was so confused, frustrated and depressed that there wasn't an incident in the universe that could faze me. Shadow…Sonic…why did they have to be in my life? There had to be a reason…

As I continued to shed tears, a pitter patter of footsteps came in my direction. Too consumed in thought was I to notice who it was, but I didn't have to see because when he talked I already knew.

"Hey there Amy. Still think you're useless?"

I resisted the temptation to lift my head off the ground. The blue hedgehog I now loathed was in front of me for certain, yet for some reason I was relieved. Out of sheer impulse I rose up on my knees and hugged his legs. I could feel him struggle for balance and in my mind I was thinking I'd lost it. I was supposed to be with Shadow, but before that I declared Sonic my boyfriend. Agh! Utter confusion! I was skipping back and forth between suitors, and I couldn't control myself. What's a girl to do?

Note: Yes, a cliffhanger but I do it to create chaos in the story. Some people like SonAmy, others ShadAmy. I'll answer to either one since I still don't have the ending in mind and this fanfic will drag on for quite a while. Now that Shadow's secret is out, Amy is beside herself and is even turning back to Sonic. Meanwhile Eggman is creating a new plot against Shadow, one that'll put his life to an end even quicker! Knuckles and Rouge will also make their appearance. R and R!