I have finally found time to update, it took a bit longer than usual. But I have been really busy revising, and the internet was down, and the email is still not working, but anyway please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Own no one.

" Um…Shadow, Why is the fridge empty?" Amy called to her boyfriend, closing the fridge door puzzled. The couple had arrived at the ebony hedgehog's house and Amy had volunteered to make them both lunch as it would give her practise of where to find things in the kitchen when she moves in, but she could not cook when there was no food to cook with.

" I don't really eat that often and I hate shopping, just cook with whatever you can find," Shadow replied from the lounge. Amy sighed; it looked like they were skipping lunch today. As she left the kitchen to join her boyfriend, the pink hedgehog decided that as soon as she was living in the house the fridge will be kept full.

As Amy strolled into the lounge, Shadow looked up at her and smiled. He wondered what she was making them for lunch, he never really eats that meal, but if Amy wanted to cook it for him, he could not refuse. Apparently, she was a good cook.

" What did you find then?" The ebony hedgehog asked cheerfully.

Amy scowled at him as she flopped down onto the sofa next to him.

" Nothing as you don't keep the house stocked Shadow, how can you live like this?" She moaned. Shadow laughed in reply, he could live like that easily. He leant over, kissed Amy lightly on her soft cheek, making her smile and relax her head on his shoulder for a second before removing it, and quickly leapt off the sofa.

" I need to go and see Tails!" The pink hedgehog exclaimed startling Shadow, " I better go now, I will see you later Shad!" she cried and turned towards the door, but the black hedgehog was faster. Shadow grabbed her hand stopping her from going anywhere. Amy groaned; she knew exactly what he was going to say next.

" You are not going out anywhere without me Amy," Shadow demanded, keeping his tight grip on his girlfriends hand, " I do not want you getting captured or hurt."

The pink hedgehog sighed. Shadow was always so overprotective towards her; he hated to have her out of his sight. She knew he was only trying to protect her, but it really got on her nerves sometimes. Occasionally she liked to go off some places by herself so she could think at get some space, its not too much to ask is it?

" Shad, its only to Tails' workshop. I will be perfectly fine by myself," the teenage hedgehog begged, fluttering her eyelashes alluringly, however her charms failed to change the older hedgehog's mind.

" Amy, I AM coming with you just in case," he finalised, ignoring all of Amy's continuing protests. Suddenly, he felt a sharp tug on his hand making him let go of Amy's and he looked down at the floor. Sitting cross-legged on the carpet was his girlfriend, her mouth in a frown, and her eyes glaring at him. Shadow sighed, he forget the pink hedgehog was still only fourteen, and can be immature at sometimes. This seemed to be one of those times. It seemed as though she would do anything to get her own way.

" Fine then, you get four hours, and that is until half five if you did not know. Then I am coming to find you Amy, I just don't want you getting hurt that's why," Shadow gave in, making a wide smile spread across the young female's face.

" Oh thanks Shad!" she cried, throwing her arms around him, and placing a small kiss on his lips, before waving as she ran out the front door.

The ebony hedgehog watched his girlfriend shoot down the road towards the Mystic Ruins, his mouth fixed in a frown. He hoped he was doing the right thing. Shadow knew he had to trust in people more, but he found that harder to do than others, ever since Maria died. However, he would be reunited with her soon and that was all thanks to Amy really. The least he could do was give her some space that he knew she needed. He loved her, and he loved him, but he had to allow her to breathe.

Amy finally arrived at Tails' workshop and banged on his door. It was a new door, obviously a replacement of the one that Amy knocked down. The pink hedgehog felt pangs of guilt as she remembered the state of Tails' home when she was finished with her hammer, but she tried to forget that. The yellow fox had probably forgiven her now, otherwise why would he still want to see her?

Suddenly the door swung open, and Amy was met with Tails. At first his expression was relaxed, but changed to angry when he saw who was at the door.

" Amy, I need a sharp word with you," the yellow fox stated somewhat calmly, holding the door open to the pink hedgehog, who stepped through the doorway feeling slightly worried about what the ten year old wanted to say.

When Amy walked into the lounge, she noticed that the room was back to the way it normally looked, if not better. Everything was immaculate and tidy, and she was carefully not to knock anything as she made her way to the new sofa and sat down. A minute later Tails joined the pink hedgehog in the room, but instead of sitting, stood up in front of her, his furious expression burning into her skull.

" Where is my Chaos Emerald Amy?" The fox interrogated, his voice sounding unnaturally deep. Amy gasped shocked, and slapped her forehead. She had completely forgotten that she had his Emerald, and more pangs of guilt kicked in. She stared into the fox's eyes and gulped. Amy knew he needed to know the truth.

" I took it Tails, I'm sorry. I promise to give it back when I am finished with it, promise," Amy cried. Tails nodded.

" Amy I knew you took it, but why, and why did you not just ask me for it," he continued.

The worried hedgehog sighed deeply. She really did not want to tell Tails the reason behind taking the Chaos Emerald, it could spoil her plans completely. The yellow fox, although young, was extremely clever; way clever then Amy could ever hope to be. He would know from the moment she told him what she was to use the Emeralds for, he would understand her plan, and worse, prevent her from carrying it out. However, the pink hedgehog was sure that Tails would not let her leave the workshop until she tells him, and he can see through her lies. Amy was left with no alternative.

" Tails don't flip, but I need the seven Chaos Emeralds and the legendary eighth, to help bring back Maria," Amy whispered, staring at the floor. Tails gasped, and immediately sat down next to the pink hedgehog.

" Amy, do you know what that ritual involves?" he asked her, his tone of voice changed completely. The teenage hedgehog nodded slowly. Tails shook his head shocked. He could not believe his friend wanted to do this.

" Ames, who is going to be the…you know what I mean. I just don't like saying it," Tails continued to enquire.

Amy felt her eyes starting to fill with tears, and ran a hand over them. She had not really done much thinking about this part of her plan; she just wanted to deal with it when she met it. However, talking to Tails now made her realise exactly what she was doing, and she was still prepared to go that far for Shadow. He needed Maria, she wanted to relieve him of all his pain and troubles.

" Me," the young female managed to say before bursting into tears. Tails leapt off the sofa in shock for two reasons. He had never been left alone in a room with a crying girl before, and he could not believe how far Amy would go for her boyfriend.

" Um, don't cry Amy," the fox said lamely, and of course the pink hedgehog continued to cry. Tails waited until she had finished before he started to question her again. " Does Shadow know?"

Amy shook her head again. Tails sat back down next to her on the sofa. He needed to talk some sense into the girl.

" Ames, wouldn't Shadow be heartbroken if you carry out the ritual? Won't you cause even more pain?" he asked.

" No," the teenager replied, " he would have Maria. She means more to him than anyone, and he needs her. Shadow would be happy, and that is all I want now, to see him happy."

" Is there anything at all I or anyone can do to change your mind?" Tails pleaded, staring into his friend's emerald eyes.

" No Tails," Amy said softly, " I accept and understand the conditions of the ritual. To bring back someone to life, you must give one in return. I am willing to do this for Shadow. He needs Maria."

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