Chapter 18: Where am I?

Shadow's POV:

Cradling the blonde hedgehog in my arms as we race out of the building, Sonic runs beside me. I can tell by his concerned expression that he's worried for the pink hedgehog, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't too.

I've never needed people to fight my own battles, seeing as I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. But as I glance to the delicate outline of her face in the early morning rays, the sound of her growl echoing around the room replays in my mind. In all of my years working for G.U.N I've heard plenty of angry and frustrated people.

What I haven't heard, was the silent threat behind her voice. The bite behind her words. The crazed look in her eyes.

She was genuinely concerned for me, and because of it she was electrocuted and is now unconscious.

Why?

Why am I worth her selflessness?

Being pulled from my thoughts as I feel Maria twitch, I look down to see her baby blue eyes groggily blinking awake. I feel conflicted, looking down at the stranger. I'm aware that she has all of Maria's memories, but...

Is she really Maria?

Feeling a pang of sadness as I hear her voice for the first time in 11 years, I also feel something I haven't felt in a very long time.

Hope.

"Shadow?...."

My gaze softens as I look down at her. I would recognize those beautiful eyes in any form, whether they're human or Mobian....

Sonic's POV:

Brushing her soft pink hair away from her face, I sit impatiently as I wait for Amy to wake up. I had Tails run a diagnostic, and according to his scans everything internally is working as it should.

So why isn't she waking up?

Hearing footsteps walk down the hallway to our base, my ears twitch as Shadow turns the corner. I can't help but feel some sort of resentment towards him. It's his fault she's laying on the couch unconscious right now.

"How is she?" I avoid the black hedgehogs gaze. For Amy's sake, I shouldn't pick a fight right now. "Still unconscious."

He nods, and looks over to Amy. There's something about the way he looks at her that makes my fur bristle. Whether it's out of jealousy or the urge to protect her from him, I can't tell.

"Let me take her home, I feel she will be the most comfortable there."

He has a point, but I don't want him anywhere near her.

"Tails needs to run a few more tests."

"The two tailed fox told me she cleared all of her medical exams."

Dammit Tails.

"Oh, um...Okay. Just keep me updated yeah?"

"Will do."

Watching him scoop Amy into his arms, I'm surprised that he's capable of being so gentle. All I've ever seen him do is destroy everything he touches. But with Amy, he acts as if he may break her with the slightest touch. He most likely had to learn how to be gentle when he played with Maria, seeing as she was a just a kid.

That's right, Maria.

"Hey Shadow. What are you gonna do with Maria?"

If he's conflicted about her revival, he doesn't show it.

"She's currently resting at my house."

I hand him a bag of Amy's things and her favorite soup. "I mean now that she's back."

Shadow opens the door to the base, the chilly air ruffling my fur as it blows into the room.

"I don't know."

...

The next evening, Shadow's POV:

I've been checking back and forth between Maria and Amy, and even as the ultimate life form I've found myself shivering in between the trips. The air has a bite to it that I've never felt in Mobius, and I've enjoyed the warmth of my hand knitted ear muffs, coat, and mittens from Amy.

To everyone's concern, she still hasn't woken up.

And as for Maria we both decided it's best that she stays out of sight for the time being. Although I've kept the thoughts to myself, I can't help but wonder if Maria would have wanted to be brought back to life. If it was her choice, instead of Robotnik's decision.

"....Shadow?"

My ears perk up at the sound of her voice, and I look over to see tired emerald green eyes staring back at me.

"About time Rose."

Her eyes fall to the ground, avoiding my gaze. Whether she's uncomfortable or angry with me, it's hard to tell. Tilting her head upwards, I'm surprised as her ears droop down.

"I was only kidding, everyone has been very worried about you."

"....They were?"

"Of course they were Amelia."

A smile tugs at her lips but doesn't reach her eyes, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt after remembering how cold I was to her before our mission. As soon as I saw those emerald eyes open, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. And with it every doubt I had about her motives washed away. Her sadness makes my chest ache, so I place my hands underneath her ears and push them back up into their usual perky position.

"I believe there's something outside that will brighten your mood."

She looks curiously at me before getting up and walking to the window, and I can't help but smile as she gasps audibly when I pull the curtains back.

The gentle slopes of hillside surrounding her house are glistening in the moonlight as the harsh winds send flurries of snowflakes crashing to the ground. Her eyes are wide and sparkling as she marvels at the landscape. The snow caps look as if they've been dusted in glitter, reflecting in her emerald green eyes.

"It's... Beautiful."

I find my eyes drifting over the outline of her delicate features basked in the moonlight.

"Indeed it is."

There's always been something so captivating about Amy, however I've never been able to quite find out what it is. Perhaps it's the way she's kind to everyone she meets, but won't hesitate to cut ties if she feels threatened. She's bold with her words but can also find the proper ones to comfort those who need it. In all honesty, I've always admired her. She's selfless to no bounds, which I've experienced first hand.

It takes a special kind of person to be a hero, and she has every attribute.

"Rose, there's something I should tell you."

...

Amy's POV:

"Maria is....Alive?"

I could do nothing but sit in shock as Shadow filled in the bits and pieces of the fight that I was unconscious for. It's hard to believe that Eggman would be crazy enough to not only bring her back to life, but bring her back as a Mobian. Eggman hates Mobians. So why would he bring his cousin back as the one thing he hates?

"Yes. She's confused, and in all honesty I don't know how to handle the situation."

"What do you mean?"

"I...I'm not sure if Maria would even want to be brought back. She lived a happy life, albeit was short. Is it really right to keep her here if she was happy in the afterlife?"

I don't really know how to answer that. I don't even know if there is an afterlife.

But Shadow has a point. Maria died so many years ago that it's going to be difficult to adjust now, not to mention being in a different body on top of all of that.

"Can I be honest?"

"Of course."

"I didn't know Maria personally, so it's hard for me to say what she would or wouldn't have wanted. Despite not knowing, I think that Eggman crossed a line bringing her back to life. You can't cheat death when that's the only thing everyone has to lose. Take away that, and life won't matter anymore if you know you can just get a re-do. But...I think that Maria is the only one who can decide whether she wants that re-do or not."

Shadow's eyes are pensive before he places his hand on my shoulder. "That was very insightful, thank you Rose."

Noticing the genuine smile on his face, I'm suddenly aware of how warm my cheeks feel.

"Oh...you're welcome."

"Now, for my real question."

Holding out his hand, for some reason my heart seems to skip a beat. "Do you want to have a snowball fight?"