Shadow the Hedgehog

Zamy stepped back and let Melody have her moment.

"I can see how you'd think that way. But think of it as a new lease of life, like an organ transplant. You're still you. You didn't die twice."

"Oh dear... Melody are you OK?" tentatively asked Zamy as she approached.

Zamy sighed. "That doesn't surprise me, we're magnets for mishaps. But it's ok, her body looks fine and seems to function well. It could be a lot worse."

Zamy nodded amd teleported them to the Master Emerald. Zamy raised an eyebrow when she saw the fox. "What's happened now?" she asked.

Zamy laughed. "Best to be on the safe side. Ready when you are."

Zamy tilted her head up to look down her nose then immediately gave up with a grin. "I couldn't keep my neck like that for 5 minutes let alone a week," she joked.

"Well I have to project a certain image you know, laughed Zamy.

"Good point. I can also use Melody to invite them all over. Doing it myself would be far too strenuous," joked Zamy with a mock upper class accent.

"Ah but there in lies the difference. Crowley is nice more openly, with a darker, more concealed inside, whereas Hadow, and I suppose Shadow as well, are the reverse: seemingly unsociable on the outside with a few exceptions, but with a hidden more gentle side. Maybe I'll ask Rpuge, she must know him quite well."

"I know. Maybe I should get to know Shadow and apply his interests to Zhadow," joked Zamy.

Zamy couldn't help but laugh. "I know, but he's more talkative when he's not on the job."

Zamy chuckled. "Figures. But I've never actually met him believe it or not, so I'm not swooning for him yet. If I'd go for a Zone Cop it'd probably be Zhadow. He is a good friend, though I'm not sure romance is in his vocabulary."

Zamy shook her head. "No I'm afraid not. Guess I'll keep on searching, I've still got plenty of opportunities."

"I'm glad you found someone to be there for you."

"Oh yeah. You do seem happy together."

"Heh when you see it you'll want to too," joked Zamy.

"That's a good idea actually. I think I'll do that. It'll make it feel more like a home," said Zamy.

"Well the own place is more of an indulgence. You should see it when you can, it's very nice. But I appreciate your concern if I am martyring myself I haven't realised yet, and it's not my intention to. I'd rather we both benefit."

"I'm not, and I know if it gets too much I've got you to back me up."

"I hope so too. It'd help a lot," said Zamy. ---- The older Crowley bent down when he saw something in the gound. "Footprints in the grass? Either he's sloppy or it's a trap, most likely the latter, but we have little chouce." They both then followed the trail. ---- "Wait a second, I think I've got something: coordinates. Ruins apparently. This can only be bad news," said Shadow.

"I don't see him around here," said the younger one. "Relax Shadow, if he's here he'll make himself known soon enough," reassured Crowley.

"I'm sure he will get them back, I just don't know how long it'll take," said Zamy. ---- The two Shadow's had reached the last settlement, the others having been totally deserted. "If he isn't hear, then things get much more difficult. But be on your guard, apparently he is a master of illusion," said Crowley. "Indeed. No wonder it looks so simple and bare then," remarked his younger self.

"I know. And I can't get any answers as we sent Crowley off to hunt his uncle down and eliminate him. I doubt I could contact them now. Maybe his death will at least bring some closure, if not much."

"You're not yet luckily," she joked before getting serious. "But yes, his nightmare was Scourge and his Uncle forcing him to... kill his mother. I doubt that happened exactly like that, but it could be they did it, and his nightmare is a manifestation of guilt at not having saved her. It's a wild theory I know."