Shadow the Hedgehog

"That late already? I suppose we could watch the films when everyone's back. I never even hit play."

"So what do you want to do now Melody?"

Hope, naturally uninterested, nodded her head nonetheless.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about though. These things happen."

"Everything's fine," replied Hope.

Hope took Melody's hand and led her out of the room, finding the mainroom relatively empty.

Hope gave a nervous laugh and headed back to Melody. "I think we've got the all clear. Do you want to head out then?"

Hope went over to Shadow who was applying first aid to himself. "Are you hurt?" she asked. "Just a few burns. I survived re-entry so this is nothing." "I'm sorry this happened, and so is Melody." "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll pay you both back," he said, his tone not indicating whether he was joking or serious.

"Will do. I better check on Shadow. He did grab me while I was on fire," said Hope as she went back into the bedroom.

"Yeah, it would be nice to catch up."

"I kinda know them, but it has been a while. I suppose that'd be our best bet."

"But won't they be full of rich people I don't know?"

Hope laughed. "I don't have party clothes. Probably because I've never really been to a party," she replied slightly mournful.

"No problem said Shadow as he left them to it. "No, but this is on the top in my wardrobe."

Shadow teleported to Melody's room, grabbed some clothes and teleported back, meanwhile Hope closed the shower curtain for some privacy and changed into her dry clothes, which were identical to the wet ones.

"Right." Shadow chaos controlled to HQ and returned a minute later with some of Hope's clothes which he handed to her. "Melody, which room here is yours again? Don't want you looking suspicious by wearing Hope's clothes."

"Glad to hear it. Is there anything I can do for you?" asked Shadow.

"I'm ok Melody," she replied, gripping Melody tightly. Shadow came back to the bathroom. "I won't tell anyone what happened here if you don't."

"Yeah, I ran them back to HQ to find some things they lost, they must've dropped them in the teleport. I'm sure they'll be back soon as they were only in the lab." Once he'd said this Shadow chaos controlled to the kitchen which was out of sight, grabbed the offending items then used chaos control again to return to his room. He took a sip of what was left in the jug before putting it on the bedside table. "I'm sure you'd like this," he whispered to Rouge.

"I see. I'll grab the evidence when I can," he whispered to Melody before standing up. "Yes Locke everything's fine," he said through the door. --- Crowley just smiled in return.

"Look. There's something in it that's made you act like this. Just tell me where it is so I can grab it before anyone else finds out."

"Milkshakes? What did you put in them?" asked Shadow, trying to remain quiet. --- "I like to be reminded from time to time," replied Crowley.

Hope hugged her back. "It's ok, it's not your fault." Rouge looked at the burns on Shadow's body. "Shadow you need to get some first aid." "I'll be fine. My healing will deal with this." "Please, just do it for me once you've checked on the girls." Shadow nodded and went back into the bathroom and crouched next to Melody amd Hope.

"Hit you? Do you think that low of me that I'd strike an innocent? It was an accident. Hope's physically unharmed but she's crying her eyes out. Can't say I blame her," replied Shadow as he slowly helped Melody to her feet before going to Rouge, who gave him a nod to show him she was fine.

Rouge was speechless and Shadow instinctively grabbed Hope and rushed her into the bathroom, trying not to focus on the fact he was being burned. He turned on the shower and put her in before frantically covering the flames with dampened towels. Once the flames were out he took the towels off of her; she was crying but unharmed, which was more than could be said for him. He rushed to Melody to see if she was alright. "You're not burned are you? Darn Moebians can't even have normal air to breathe."