And now, to answer the questions my fellow readers have posed. Hope you enjoy!

Part Three: Desperation

When Shadow had agreed to look for Amy, he did not know entirely what to expect. If the task had been to bring down a giant Eggman robot or obliterate another Black Comet, then he would've had no problem. Destruction was the ultimate life-form's specialty. This was a different kind of challenge all together, calling on skills he had really never needed before. Shadow the Hedgehog, reduced to a damm therapist…the irony is blinding.

And even those wonderfully prepared tools in social diplomacy did nothing to prepare the ebony warrior for the sight at his feet. It was like walking into a subtle, poetic nightmare. This young pink flower, the only other person in existence to have seen Shadow shed a tear, a sweet little soul once so full of infective cheer and paralyzing goodwill, now lay drowning in her own blood. Scanning the room, he searched for the struggle or the broken window that the intruder created. Any sign of someone else's foul hand. Nothing seemed misplaced or shattered to his eyes, so Shadow focused on Amy instead.

Carefully, he pulled her to his chest, the crimson staining the fur that didn't already bear the same color

"Amy…Amy! What the hell happened?! Who did this to you?!" Quickly tearing a nearby blanket into strips, he tied the simple dressings to Amy's wounds in a desperate attempt to stop the tide of life from washing away.

Her breath was slow and shallow, jade eyes almost completely lifeless. Even the rosy color in her quills had started to fade out. Her breath still smelled of the wine earlier consumed. It wasn't until Shadow noticed something shiny half buried in blood and satin that two and two came together. And of all the people he could think of, alive and slain, young Rose was the absolute last he would ever suspect to fall this far. Why Rose?! Why you?

But this was not a time for deep reflection. Right now the ebony hedgehog needed to run, as fast as his shoes would propel him. Scooping the broken flower into his arms like a bride, Shadow took off back through the doorway into the winds of the night. Though the howling currents had ceased, the cold in his veins would not dissipate. Jetting effortlessly from street to street as quickly as possible, the warrior found himself feverishly wishing he had a Chaos Emerald with him…

Not to mention the actual location of the nearby hospital.

Regardless, he ran with all haste towards the more populated downtown. If there was aid to be had, he deduced it would be there. "It's alright, Rose. We're almost there, just hang on!" he said. And if Shadow didn't know better, he would swear Amy's grasp around his neck strengthened ever so slightly.

But that renewed strength did not last long, and without warning, Amy's chest ceased its repetitions and her grip around her savior's collar slackened almost entirely.

"No, Amy! Not yet! Dammit, Rose not yet!!" he yelled over the rushing noise of the air they were dashing through. At this rate, the midnight hedgehog had the distinct feeling that if he didn't find emergency care soon, it wouldn't matter.

But then, there it was, a shining beacon of hope. Barely catching his eye, Shadow noticed the crimson cross marking the landmark he was looking for on a neatly created billboard. Doubling back, he made quick note of the location the sign stated and felt the pressure jump drastically. Turns out they had barely made a dent in the distance left to cover.

"THAT'S where the hospital is?! Shit!" he growled. Even at his extreme speed, there had to be a way to shave away time he didn't have to spare. Guess there's no other choice, Dammit! I hate having to do this.

Situating Amy upwards onto his shoulder, Shadow cast off the golden bracelets from his wrists and ankles. Not just a shiny, fashionable accessory he wore, very few knew their power. Or, more accurately, their secret. They were his Power Restrictors, keeping Shadow's unique Chaos energies in constant check. Without them, he became a walking emerald, but only with grave cost.

And they were off again, racing at speeds well beyond sound, even scaling the buildings themselves at sharper intersections. The feeling of power coursing through his skin was heavenly to Shadow, but it was deadlocked with the demanding nature of his mission.

After a few unbearably long minutes there it was, the shining tower of medicine they sought. This was very fortunate for them, because there was one factor the speeding midnight blur had not considered. Thanks to the sheer velocities they were traveling at, the small amount of blood left in Amy's veins hadn't been able to clot. The simple wrappings around her arms were completely soaked now, along with his collar, shoulders and chest. Her eyes had closed and her strength had faded completely.

Time it seems, had worked against him. Now there was no other choice. Summoning up every last bit of energy and strength he could, his howl echoed through the streets and buildings.

"Chaos…CONTROL!"

It had been a last-ditch effort, to teleport himself and a near-death passenger towards such a distant fortress with only a vague idea when to halt and reappear. There was no way to determine success or failure until the blinding lights and stark white walls of a building's interior surrounded him. Then came the sounds and smells. People moaning in agony, the over-powering bleach…

Doctors being paged. He had triumphed, and not a second too soon.

The aide behind the nearest counter, a young wide-eyed magenta vixen, looked horrified at the sight "Oh my god! What happened to her?!"

"She's … injured…! Get help…now!!" Shadow growled, already feeling the exhaustion overcoming him.

She nodded, and a stretcher arrived instantly "Get her to Trauma Four! Page Doctor Caimen and let him know! Come on, move it!" the orders came quickly and professionally. Amy was quickly loaded on the bed and the breathing mask was secured, trying to force life back into her lungs.

The crimson-stained hedgehog could feel his own world succumbing, but strangely enough, it didn't bother him that much. So that's what helping someone feels like. Humph. Maybe faker's on to something…

The nurse's voice was the last thing to register in his thoughts "Excuse me sir, are you alright…"

No time for an answer, there was only void as Shadow collapsed onto the cold of the tile floor.

Well, he did it... didnt he? Has Shadow saved Amy, and at what cost to himself?

Reviews are welcome as always. And I should probably take this opportunity to thank shadowamypunk, she's been instrumental helping me bring this to you all.