I'm not gonna lie, that last chapter was hard to do. But I'm proud of it, just as the reviews say you all are too. And now, to make things interesting.

Part Six: Backtrack

A few hours later, dressed more appropriately for such a hunt and filled with a very satisfying breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, the three were on their way to the street where the billboard stood. Shadow took the lead, still keeping himself at pace with the others. Rouge easily cut through the air with a graceful silence, though sometimes the hedgehog wondered how her frame was that aerodynamic. Knuckles brought up the rear, showing off his own skills by climbing onto and leaping from each and every building possible from the club to the spot.

"Here" Shadow announced. "This is the spot where I took them off. I've looked everywhere within reach so far."

"Alright then. Let's split up. Shadow, you search that way, back down the alley. Knucklehead, you take the sidewalk and sewers, and I'll scout from the air" the huntress suggested.

"Why do I have to get stuck with the freakin sewers?! Every time someone loses something, I get stuck checking the plumbing work…." The echidna ranted on and on as he quickly punched through a manhole cover and submerged beneath the street.

Shadow smirked "How ever can you put up with him?"

Rouge smiled and shrugged "Guess I'm a sucker for strong guys in red with big jewels" And with that, she took back to the skies.

The hedgehog simply shook his head as he began to sift through the same old ground once more. Though only half his mind could focus on the task at hand. The other half hovered in silent contemplation above a hospital bed some ways away. I wonder what Rose is like when she's not wrapped up in that imbecile. Is she always so energetic, or will we spend more moments in silent admiration…

Above even the bat's gaze, high in the clouds, another specter kept its own eye locked on them, shifting back and forth in and almost mechanical repetition. It watched as the three searched high and low for something. What exactly that was, it cared not. But another viewer, locked in a different cavern far from them, was very intrigued by their progress.

"So Shadow, you did come back for them. And you brought the knucklehead and batgirl. How interesting" he said, sporting a trademark grin and rapping his long fingers together. "Maybe these little beauties will be more useful than I thought…"

The trio searched high and low, inside and outside, and everywhere in between for what seemed like forever until the tell-tale shadows of twilight began to descend on them. Between them, they had recovered a plethora of small shiny objects, a few dollars in loose change and some unusual attention. A small crowd had begun to gather, watching intently as Shadow searched. For many, it was their first look at another hedgehog apart from Sonic. 'Was he like that dammed imposter' they were wondering. 'What is he looking for?' 'Why wasn't he smiling and waving to them?'

The ultimate life-form had just about had his fill with these most infuriating stragglers, and then he received a most unwelcome message. A small boy, desperate for his attention, chucked a small rock at Shadow, hitting him square in the back of the head. That, as the proverb goes, was the straw that broke the camel's back. He turned to face the direction of the assailant, eyes alive in a violent crimson. Stalking towards the mass, he could feel his restraint starting to slip, chaos energies beginning to build and threatening to overpower him. His fur stood on end, starting to take on its own hue of nebula-like darkness. The crowd had also taken notice of this and began to scatter in a calamity of scared noise.

Then a hand on his shoulder, holding him still "Calm down hun. You don't need to go ballistic on them too" Rouge said, trying to calm her partner down. It took a few long moments of heavy breathing and growling, but Shadow regained his composure, locking those powers back down inside "Humph. Pathetic humans. Any luck?"

"Afraid not. Those little bracelets of yours must have sprouted legs and walked off."

All of a sudden, an eruption of concrete sounded behind them. Out of the urban volcano sprouted a grungy ruby echidna, muttering something resembling a rap melody to himself and really paying no attention to who was around him "…and I'm gonna take that sweet, sweet ass and I'm gonna…!"

"Gonna what, sugar?" Rouge asked, almost purring. She loved seeing her guardian so worked up.

Knuckles was quite startled by the sudden announcement of company. "DAAAAAAGGGH! Holy shit, batgirl! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to sneak up on an echidna in the middle of a thought?!"

"When you have a good one, let me know" she replied. "I don't suppose you had any luck."

He vented a sigh "Sorry. No bracelets."

Suddenly, a lightning bolt brightened the sky, its echoing thunder rattling brick and bone. And one by one, the drops came down. Soon enough, there was no force powerful enough to stop them.

"Ah, hell! This is just what we need! C'mon, let's head back!" Knuckles yelled over the pounding droplets. Rouge nodded and leapt into the air, keeping low to avoid being blown away. Taking one last dreary look at a wasted hunt, she was surprised to find that the last member of the trio hadn't budged. Not really sure what to make of this, Rouge doubled back "You comin' Shadow?"

No response. The hedgehog simply stood rooted in place, arms folded and eyes closed. The rain had already slicked his spines and pulled them downwards more like Sonic's.

"Shadow? You in there?" she asked again, standing at his side.

"I can't count how many of these storms I'd seen from the ARK. Back then, Maria and I used to imagine how amazing they were, how powerful they could be. But now, standing on this side of the glass, it just doesn't compare to the clash I feel deep down inside."

Rouge had no idea how, or even if, to reply. She had never seen her hedgehog comrade act like this. So mindful, even philosophical. Wonder what brought this on…could it be Amy?

"I've done some good things, Rouge" Shadow continued. "I did them for her, for a promise fifty years an echo. But I've also done terrible things, trying to find a place in the world I vowed to protect. So now, in the midst of a storm that seems so small, what does that make me?"

"Simple. It makes you, Shadow the Hedgehog, just as imperfect as the rest of us. But more than that, it makes you our friend" she answered. By now, both of them were completely saturated. But to these two, it didn't really matter.

"HEY! Y'all comin' or are you just gonna stand there like freakin scarecrows?!" the echidna called back, breaking the growing silence. Both Shadow and Rouge began chuckling "You must have a serious weak spot for that one" the hedgehog said.

"What can I say? He's a charmer. Come on Shads, let's head back. We don't want to catch a cold if we're gonna see Amy tomorrow."

"Agreed." Rouge nodded and took off once again, Shadow hot on her heels. There was still much to do before tomorrow. And, to his gratefulness, he accomplished another very important task. On the return journey to Rouge's pad was a small florist shop, and inside were the most vibrant flowers to ever cross the crimson midnight's path. Deviating for only a moment, Shadow took great care in picking only the most beautiful, most perfect red rose he could find. A rose for a Rose…how fitting indeed.

Someone's got their eye on you, Shadow...

Stay tuned for the next chapter, one you've all been waiting on!