AN: I wrote this sometime in 2012 as part of my own version of ShTH. I may post a sequel to this, but it's more likely that I'll end up rewriting this.

AGAINST

This is it. I've really done it this time. I can't move a muscle.

These were the thoughts of the blue hedgehog as he laid on the ground, helplessly pinned beneath a burning bus. The sun had just begun to sink in the late October sky, closing the curtain on a day of fighting. That morning, a strange alien race had invaded the city of Westopolis and set out on a rampage, destroying absolutely everything in their path. He, having heard of the carnage just as he sat down to eat breakfast, had raced into the city, ready and willing to help in any way that he could. Things had been going well; for a minute or two he had been positive that he and G.U.N. were going to win the fight. Everything had looked good... until, in an attempt to escape the fireballs being shot at him, he had tried to slide under a bus just as it came crashing down on top of him. He was strong, but not nearly strong enough to lift an entire bus while lying down. Such a feat was impossible to a creature as small in size as he.

Ah, well. At least I'll die trying to help everyone. Those poor people... I wish I could have-

His thoughts were sent scattering into the farthest corners of his mind the moment he sensed an absence of weight on top of him. Suddenly, his arms and legs were free, and he could move again. He was about to run off into the dying city, shouting words of thanks to his savior, when he was thrown over what he assumed to be someone's shoulder. Instead of running, he felt as if he were flying.

"Keep your eyes closed!" a familiar voice hollered to him. "The smoke in this area is far too intense! It'll blind you!"

At last, he was able to put a name to that voice.

Shadow.

"Put me down! I can move, you know!"

"Not until we're on safe ground!" The other coughed, and he began to panic.

"Come on! I need to get back in there! Would you just let me go?!"

"Chaos – CONTROL!"

Behind his closed eyelids, he could see a bright flash of brilliant blue light. Resting his head on Shadow's quills, he tried not to move at all until he was sure that it was safe for him to do so. That time came when Shadow set him down on his feet.

"You can open your eyes now." His voice was firm, almost authoritative in nature, and he thought it best to do as he said. Sure enough, there stood Shadow, dirty and bleeding in some places. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked him over with a quick nod. "You're good to go." He coughed again, this time a bit louder than he had before. "Thanks to you, I've used up quite a bit of my energy and time. I need to get back to work as soon as possible."

"Why did you- why did you-" He couldn't speak. His mind was buzzing with confusion and uncertainty. Shadow glared at him and gave a soft huff of frustration.

"Look. I'm not here to save you." He came closer and firmly planted one of his hands on his shoulder. "I have a job to do, you know."

"Then why did you save me, huh? If you're not here to-"

"We'll have time for that later. Now-" He could have sworn his voice cracked right at that moment. "-go do what I can't. Hurry, Sonic. They need you. All those people are depending on you."

Although he was still riddled with questions, he understood what Shadow was trying to say. This city needed a hero, and that hero was him.

"Oh- um- okay." He cleared his throat and turned back towards the fiery buildings in the distance. "I guess I'll see you whenever."

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other in the near future." Shadow's voice was quiet, almost sad, in tone. "Now go."

There was no more time to waste. "Got it. Later!"

And, with that said, he took off running at top speed, preparing to save other lives in danger.

~End~