Shadow stood motionless, staring at the cracked wall where he'd nearly executed Scourge. Blood stained the concrete in dark patches, a testament to how close he'd come to crossing that line. Behind him, the sounds of GUN's efficient operation filled the corridor - boots on metal, radios crackling, equipment being moved.
Two medics supported Rouge between them as they guided her toward the exit. Her white fur was matted with dirt and blood, but she managed a weak smile in Shadow's direction before they whisked her away.
The distinct sound of a body bag's zipper cut through the noise. Shadow flinched, his shoulders tensing as GUN personnel carefully lifted Fiona's lifeless form. Her red fur peeked through the black plastic before they sealed it completely. The image burned into his mind - another death, another failure to protect someone, even if she had been an enemy.
Sonic's hand landed on Shadow's shoulder, warm and steady. The gesture should have been unwelcome, but Shadow found himself unable to shake it off. The familiar weight grounded him, pulling him back from the edge of darker thoughts.
"You did the right thing," Sonic's voice was quiet, meant only for Shadow's ears.
Shadow's fists clenched at his sides. "Did I?"
"Yeah. You chose justice over vengeance. That's not weakness - it's strength."
The body bag disappeared around a corner, and Shadow closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression had settled back into its usual mask of indifference, though something haunted lingered in his gaze.
Through the dim corridor, GUN agents worked to free Dr. Magnus from his cell. The scientist's white lab coat was stained and torn, his glasses cracked from the rough handling during his capture.
"Thank goodness you're here. This has all been a terrible misunderstanding," Magnus adjusted his collar with shaking hands. "I demand immediate transport to a secure facility-"
The sharp click of boots on concrete cut him off. Blaze emerged from the shadows, her golden eyes burning with controlled fury. Shadow watched as she positioned herself between Magnus and the exit.
"Dr. Magnus is wanted for crimes against both mobians and Soleans." Her voice carried the weight of royal authority. "Multiple counts of illegal experimentation leading to death and suffering."
Magnus's face paled. "Princess Blaze, surely you understand - everything I did was to advance our understanding of power inheritance. Your abilities are proof of my success!"
"Success?" Blaze's fur bristled, small flames dancing along her shoulders. "You tortured innocent people. Destroyed families. The fact that my powers came from your research doesn't make your actions right."
The scientist wilted under her steady gaze. Two GUN agents stepped forward, cuffs ready.
"Take him into custody," Blaze commanded. "He'll face trial for his crimes in both dimensions."
As they led Magnus away, his protests echoing down the corridor, Shadow studied Blaze's profile. Her stance remained rigid, regal, but her eyes held a deep sadness. When she finally turned to meet his gaze, Shadow's expression softened with unmistakable pride.
Sonic turned toward Blaze, his emerald eyes warm with understanding. "You did the right thing back there. Both of you did."
Blaze's smile wavered, a mix of gratitude and lingering sadness in her expression. The flames along her shoulders had died down, leaving only the faintest whisper of heat in the air around her.
"Thank you, Sonic." Her voice carried the weight of everything left unsaid. "You're a good friend. Not just for bringing GUN when we needed them..." She glanced at Shadow, who remained stoic but attentive. "But for stopping Shadow from crossing that line. For helping us both stay true to who we are."
Sonic scratched his ear, a casual gesture that belied the gravity of the moment. "Hey, what are friends for? Besides, someone's gotta keep this grump in check." He nudged Shadow with his elbow, earning a half-hearted glare from the black hedgehog.
The distant sound of GUN vehicles starting up echoed through the facility. Magnus's voice had long since faded, leaving behind only the quiet hum of emergency lights and the occasional crackle of radio chatter from the remaining agents.
—-
Shadow blinked, his crimson eyes finally focusing on his surroundings instead of the haunting memories of the last hour. The fog of violence and rage lifted from his mind as he took in the state of his companions.
Blaze leaned against the wall, her lavender fur matted with dried blood. Despite her earlier display of power, exhaustion painted her features. The bullet wounds had reopened during the fight, staining her clothes with fresh crimson patches.
Sonic wasn't much better. His right arm hung at an awkward angle, clearly broken from Scourge's chaos blast. Though he maintained his usual grin, pain lines creased around his eyes.
"You both need medical attention." Shadow's voice cut through the silence, flat and brooking no argument.
Before either could protest, Shadow scooped Blaze into his arms. She let out a small gasp of surprise but didn't resist, her head falling naturally against his chest.
"Hey, what about me?" Sonic's ears drooped in mock offense.
Shadow's lips curved into a slight smirk. "You have two working legs. Use them."
"Cold, Shadow. Real cold." Sonic shook his head with a chuckle, wincing as the movement jostled his injured arm.
Heat crept up Blaze's neck as she hooked her arms around Shadow's shoulders, trying to steady herself in his grip. Her fingers brushed against his dark quills, softer than she'd remembered.
"Could we..." She cleared her throat. "Could we go to the same hospital as Rouge? I need to thank her properly. She pushed me to keep fighting when I was ready to give up."
Shadow's crimson eyes met hers. "Of course."
Blaze shifted in his arms, her face warming further. "You know, I can probably walk on my own."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Shadow's mouth. "I know." His arms tightened ever so slightly around her, pulling her closer to his chest.
Behind them, Sonic let out an exaggerated groan. "Look, I may have a broken arm, but my ears work just fine. Could you two save the mushy stuff for when I'm not around?"
Shadow's ears flicked back. "Perhaps if you focused more on walking and less on commentary, we'd reach the hospital faster."
"Oh sure, take the high road. You're just mad I caught you being soft." Sonic huffed, his footsteps dragging dramatically on the concrete. "The Ultimate Lifeform, reduced to playing nurse."
"At least I can still use both arms."
Blaze couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. The sound surprised even her - after everything they'd been through, laughter felt foreign yet welcome. Shadow's chest rumbled with what might have been a suppressed chuckle of his own.
"Great, now you've got her laughing at me too." Sonic kicked a pebble down the hallway. "Some friend you are, Princess."
"I wasn't laughing at you, Sonic." Blaze's voice carried warmth despite her exhaustion. "You showed incredible courage today. Not many could take a direct chaos blast and still walk away making jokes."
A hint of pink crept across Sonic's muzzle. He rubbed the back of his neck with his good hand. "Aw, come on Princess. You're gonna make me blush."
"Too late for that," Shadow muttered, adjusting his hold on Blaze.
The movement brought her face level with his. Their eyes met - crimson depths against golden flame. Blaze's breath caught in her throat as she found herself unable to look away. His gaze held something she hadn't seen before - a softness that made her heart perform acrobatics in her chest.
The intensity became too much. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she buried her face into the white fur of his chest, breathing in his scent of pine and leather. If Shadow noticed her reaction, he didn't comment on it.
"Hospital's just around the corner," Sonic called out, mercifully breaking the moment. "Race you there?"
"With a broken arm?" Shadow scoffed.
"Hey, I've won races with worse."
They continued down the street, their banter fading into comfortable silence as the hospital's lights came into view.