At the White House, the President's Aid was ecstatic. The elections would be coming up soon, and it was his job to get his boss re-elected. However, the President deflated him by showing the news. Every station had Shadow on the news, showing him protecting people from thugs, or Tails making a new machine. He watched as the news replayed Tail's fancy flying with Shadow during the attack on Robotnik not long ago.
"GAH!" The Aid yelled in a panic. "Ok, don't worry. We'll just have to, uh...to..." He said thinking before snapping his fingers. "We'll throw a PARTY!"
"A party?" The president asked.
"Yes, of course! And we'll get Shadow here, and you two can shake hands. Once everyone sees that you two are allies, your ratings will go through the roof!" The Aid said excitedly. The President shrugged, not being able to argue with that logic. Little did they know that Rouge had been listening in, and she had a concerned look on her face.
.
It had been roughly 2 days since the attack on Robotnik's base. Along that time, Maria had been using crutch to get around in the house and a wheelchair when out in public. Shadow saw the cast every time and had a pit of guilt form in his stomach, but he'd quickly stash it away and keep a more neutral face. But today wasn't one of those days. He needed to get out and run somewhere. Everyone else was out doing something, and he had an uneasy feeling. He dashed out the door, running along a ridge line. He kept his speed just around 200 mph to keep from damaging anyone or anything. As he was running along, he passed something in the sand along the ridge and backed up, noticing Maria had her wheelchair stuck and was trying to get out of the pit.
"Come on, come on." Maria said to herself as she fiddled with the joy stick that controlled her movement. But no matter what she did, the tires would just spin in the sand. She just about gave up and called someone until she felt pressure on her handles, turning to see Shadow pushing the chair.
"Thanks Shadow." She said with a smile. Shadow nodded a little bit as he pushed, finding a nice spot on the coast. The two had a silent moment until Shadow noticed Maria had a longing stare off into the distance, along with what looked like tear streaks.
"Maria?" Shadow asked to get her attention. She jumped a little when he snapped his fingers. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, Shadow. Was just...thinking." Maria stated. Shadow asked what about and Maria pointed to an island not to far off. "I've heard stories about that island there. I wanted to go some day."
"Why not now?" Shadow questioned.
"My parents were supposed to take me yesterday, but..." Maria said, looking down at her leg. "I doesn't matter. They called saying they'd be to busy. That's when they learned of this." Maria explained, putting her head boredly in her hands.
Shadow thought for a few minutes before making up his mind. "Ok." Shadow simply stated.
"Ok?" Maria asked confused.
"I'll get us there, Thursday. We don't have the supplies right now, but we will later." Shadow explained. Maria smiled a bit and Shadow shook her hand, saying they should get back home. They hailed a cab as if Shadow ran, the wheelchair might've broken apart. The driver gave Shadow a weird look before shrugging. This was Station Square, so why not?
.
Getting into the door to the mansion, Shadow walked Maria in and was greeted by Chuck.
"Did you guys hear!?" Chuck asked. Shadow and Maria looked at each other and shrugged. "The President is throwing a party, and we're all invited!"
"When is this party?" Shadow asked.
"Uh, the invitation says Thursday." Chuck explained, looking at the card.
"What?" Maria said a little deflated.
"Can't make it." Shadow quickly followed.
"WHAT!?" Chuck asked.
"Shadow, this is supposed to be a big party, full of important people." Tails explained.
"Then I guess they won't notice that I'm elsewhere." Shadow responded, looking at Maria. "I already have plans anyway." Then, Shadow looked at Tails before thinking things over. "I guess you're going to have to be there for me." Tails nodded as Shadow wheeled Maria off.
"Shadow, are you sure about this? We can just go some other time..." Maria offered.
"I'm not one for big parties. To many people with to big an ego." Shadow responded, handing Maria her crutch before walking off.
.
The next day as the Thorndyke limo drove up, The President's Aid came out to greet everyone. But when everybody stepped out, Shadow wasn't among them. Neither was the girl.
"Wh-where's Shadow?" He asked.
"Not coming. Said he had other plans." Chuck stated.
"NOT COMING!?" Now the Aid started freaking out as everyone rushed passed him. The news reporters started to leave, but the Aid stopped them. He promised them Shadow the Hedgehog, and it was going to happen by any means.
.
"Wait here." Shadow told Maria on the coast. Maria nodded as Shadow took off back to the mansion. He looked up and saw all the planes, wondering what was happening. As he dashed into the mansion, Shadow missed the black van parked outside.
"Shadow, hold on." Ella called out. Shadow turned around. "Some big shots were here not to long ago looking for you. You better watch your back."
"Understood, thanks for the heads up." Shadow responded with his nod before walking out, holding the boat over his head. He looked up and saw a helicopter fire a missile at him. Jumping, he kicked the missile back at the helicopter, entangling it in a net before blowing away for Maria, getting there as fast as he could.
"Let's go." Shadow stated as he put the boat in the water. Maria could tell something was off however, but when questioning Shadow, he said it was nothing. He wouldn't let this trip be cancelled.
Shadow rowed the boat, looking around to see the sun starting to set.
"Thank you...Shadow." Maria said and Shadow nodded. He turned and saw the island, but also heard more helicopters up above. He looked up to see three helicopters descending on them, rocking the boat.
"Wait, don't-!" Shadow yelled. He wouldn't be able to fight all three of them on the boat with Maria. Suddenly, a hook was shot through the boat and dragged them away from the island. "Maria, do you trust me?"
"Of course." Maria confirmed nodding.
Shadow nodded before grabbing Maria's wheelchair, bolting across the water and hoping the chair would't fall apart. He shot up the hill and into the forest on the island before checking on Maria.
"Maria, are you-?" Shadow asked before he heard something odd. Maria was laughing.
"Sorry...I just...I wasn't in for an adventure today. Things are never dull around you Shadow." Maria said calming herself down.
"Alright then." Shadow said with a smirk. "Let's keep moving. We'll just have to be careful." Shadow took off into the forest, certain they wouldn't be able to be found if they moved fast enough and were quiet.
Unfortunately, humans are a persistent bunch. Shadow looked around as more people went after them on weird hover plates. Maneuvering around trees, making tight turns, Shadow caused a few of them to crash before he shot up another mountain, looking down to see they weren't followed. Maria's gasp caught his attention as he turned and saw the flowers Maria had mentioned.
"It's better than I thought." Maria said a little star struck. Shadow went to grab one But Maria stopped him. "These aren't meant to be picked, Shadow." She said chuckling a little. Shadow rolled his eyes. They were flowers, what difference would it make? Course he'd never say that around Cream. She'd give him an earful over it. Just then, Maria's cell phone rang. She answered it and had a stunned look on her face before handing it to Shadow.
"Who is this?" Shadow asked.
"That's no way to answer the phone, broody." A voice responded.
"Rouge."
"Bingo." Rouge confirmed. "Listen, I know you have people on you. I want you to know, this isn't the Presidents doing. His Aid is starting to loose it."
"Tell me how to make them stop."
"I don't think you can. Not with the girl you have with you that is." Rouge answered, knowing Shadow would be reluctant to shed blood around Maria. "Listen, if you get to this party they should back off. I can't put the President's Aid down, but I know you don't like being hunted. Just show up and shake a hand."
"Why should I trust you?" Shadow asked, knowing full well Rouge was a thief and liar above all else.
"I didn't have to call you, did I?" She had a point there. Just then, two grapple hooks hit the edge behind Shadow and Maria and people were coming up.
"Maria, hope you like big parties." Shadow stated as he dashed off with Maria. "HEY!" Shadow yelled to get everyone's attention. When the two people climbing to get them looked over, Shadow waved at them before dashing off into the forest. Soon enough however, Shadow had run out of room when he was at the edge of a cliff. He turned as four humans were there before a helicopter appeared from the edge.
"Shadow, we're bringing you to the President." One of them stated.
Shadow wheeled Maria out of the way. "Take your best shot." Shadow challenged as the all fired their grapple guns at him. Shadow dodged out of the way and grabbed Maria out of her chair, bolting into the helicopter and throwing the pilot out. He left again but was back in a second with the wheelchair.
"Can you fly this thing? Maria asked concerned.
"Well, Tails has taught me more than a few of his tricks." Shadow responded, releasing the grapple and flying away for the White House.
"Shadow, are you ok?" Maria asked.
"I'm fine. I just wish today had gone better." Shadow answered.
"I had fun regardless, Shadow. Thank you." Maria nodded as they flew away.
.
"Nonono! Shadow, where are you?" The President's Aid asked into the night. This night was a wreck for him, not how he imagined. Shadow would rather spend time with some person rather than meet the President? What kind of person was he? That's when he heard the helicopter outside. He burst to the front door and saw Shadow with Maria just outside.
Shadow walked up, a calm and neutral look to anyone else but Tails was a little worried. Shadow was hiding something.
Shadow looked around and saw Rouge just behind a corner. She nodded to the President and Shadow shook his hand.
"AH! THERE IT IS! QUICK, THE PICTURES!" The Aid yelled, but all the reporters had nodded off. Shadow scowled a little at the man. He was the one responsible for this. But making a scene, here and now, that would just look to bad for anybody else watching. The party went on for a little longer before Shadow and the others decided to pack it in. As they were leaving, Shadow turned and glared at the Aid, who flinched just a little. As Shadow walked off, the Aid decided it best to get out of Shadows way...for now...
On the ride home, Maria had a big smile on her face. She felt more alive with these guys around than when her own...family was. She pushed that thought away, deciding to come to terms with it later.