And now, the moment you've been waiting for... well, one of them anyway. Teeheehee!

Part Four: Recompense

Quiet. It was so wonderful, this absence of noise and distraction. Granted, it was not the first time he lay in such a deep slumber, but this instance was different. Shadow had not been restrained or hunted into captivity, nor had he taken a knockout blow in battle. His energy drained and his body exhausted, even the hedgehog's thoughts were swirling about in a much calmer fashion.

Next time, I think I'd take the babysitting he mused. Still, I really hope Rose is alright.

The loud clicking of footsteps brought him closer to reality. Someone else was here, and they were close. Hovering around him with curiosity. Then a voice, or at least bits of one.

"…condition is improving…" Definitely male, somewhat gravely. Sounds like Knuckles with a hangover

"When…regain consciousness" A second entity? Had to be. This voice was smoother, even feminine.

"Soon…took a lot of energy… needs rest…keep an eye…"

More footsteps as someone left the room. That just left one other. Shadow knew this other voice had to be near, but he couldn't tell how close until the feel of soothing breath graced his quills and forehead. Not quite what he had expected.

Still, it was just the shock his system needed to restart. One by one, the warmth of feeling returned to his fingers and toes, spreading up through his arms and legs. It took a moment to let his mind prepare, then Shadow the Hedgehog opened his eyes once more. The light above him was harsh and made him squint until well enough adjusted.

He was in a bed like the one Amy had been carted away on. His body was well tucked in and the pillow was surprisingly soft. Various monitors were close by, beeping and pinging as they kept track of his heartbeats and breath. His fur, once stained with innocent blood was cleaner than before, but parts of it still carried a deep, unnerving matte look to them. And as his gaze cleared to allow his mind to do the same, the sounds from these devices increased. The other occupant in the room quickly spun around to investigate, revealing it to be the same sweet nurse he scared the living daylights out of not too long ago.

"Oh my! You're awake already? I guess they weren't kidding about your capabilities. How do you feel?"

He raised himself upright and shook the remaining cobwebs away "I'll survive. What about Amy?"

"Amy? Oh, you mean the young lady you brought in. Perhaps I should page Doctor Caimen so he can explain" her smile faltering as she summoned the physician.

Not quite the answer Shadow was looking for "Explain what? What the hell are you talking about, don't you know?!" Without realizing it, the hedgehog was on his feet, ruby orbs locked with the nurse's gaze, causing her a small amount of panic.

"Please calm down sir. You're body's been through quite a trauma, the best thing for you would be to"

"I didn't ask about myself did I?" he growled.

"Calm yourself, Mr. Shadow" Dr. Caimen said as he entered, a well-built grey wolf. "Looks like you have recovered quite well from your condition, though you should probably be taking it easy."

His crimson eyes flashed with annoyance "Except that's not what I was asking. Now, where's Amy?"

The doctor's expression grew equally serious "She lost a lot of blood and the damage to her arms was very extensive. The lack of circulation also temporarily shut down vital parts of her brain and nervous system, causing additional trauma to her body."

Shadow's eyes widened with a feeling the ultimate life-form never felt, a raw mix of anger, apprehension, even anxiety "Are you telling me she's…gone?"

Caimen shook his head "No, we have her stabilized for now in intensive care, but it will be a few days until we will know if or when she will recover. But I promise you, we will do everything in our power to make sure your lady is safe."

'My lady?' This guy has a weird sense of humor. Still… "When can I see her?"

"I can arrange for a few moments visitation tomorrow afternoon, if that's satisfactory. I'd say around three, three-thirty. It won't be much, mind you, but I suppose it beats the alternative."

Shadow nodded and headed for the door. His trench coat was waiting, folded neatly on the chair as he left. The nurse moved to impede him but Caimen stopped him "It's alright Lucy, let him be."

The cool morning air welcomed him as Shadow stepped back into the world Humph, guess I was out for longer than I thought. Wonder if anyone missed me he smirked. And then it dawned on him, he was still missing something. Well, three things actually. First, he had a long way to go back towards his own familiar territory and only a general idea which direction to head. Granted, it hadn't exactly been the first thing on his mind a little while ago, but now the point seemed a bit more important.

Second were his restrictors. Granted, without them, the reverse journey would be quick. However, he now ran the risk of running himself ragged far too easily. Unacceptable in his mind to have such a flaw.

Luckily for him, search for his bracelets coupled with the extended voyage back allowed him to ponder the third thing missing right now. The object that was the source of all the excitement in the past day, the suspected deliverer of that invitation to the party, the person whose life he may very well have saved for reasons not entirely clear yet. He knew that in good conscience he could not leave her to die like how he found her, struggling and lost in tormented confusion. Even Mephiles or Black Doom himself deserved the fights they gave and received in his eyes.

But that still didn't answer why Amy had chosen such an out of character measure in the first place. Shadow deduced that his best guess would be to ask that damm faker what he knew, since Sonic seemed like the only candidate who could induce such a feeling in Amy. But there was still one stop to make even before that. Because if there was one thing that could really get under Shadow's skin in the middle of all this, it was a bitchy bat. And since she was the one who sent him on this glorious misadventure in the first place, he guessed she was probably wondering what was keeping him Guess I better let Rouge know what happened. Who knows, maybe even she will have a clue to this whole mess.

Ask and ye shall recieve! And now the pieces begin to fall into place...

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