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The air in the small cottage crackled with tension. Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside. Sonic, pale and bandaged, lay unconscious on the worn sofa. A thick dressing covered a deep gash on his head, staining the cushion beneath a worrying crimson.
Amy, her emerald eyes brimming with tears, wrung her hands. "We need to get him to Tails' lab! He needs proper medical attention, monitors, blood transfusions if necessary..." Her voice trembled.
Standing rigid by the fireplace, Shadow crossed his arms, his ruby gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "He needs rest. Constant monitoring will only agitate him. We need to allow his Chaos Healing to work. It's his best chance."
"Chaos Healing?" Amy scoffed, her voice rising an octave. "He's losing blood, Shadow! This isn't some scraped knee. That cut was horrific! He needs scientific intervention, not... magic!"
Shadow's jaw tightened. He hated being questioned, especially by her. "His powers are a part of him, Rose. They are a vital component to his recovery. Over-medicating him will only impede the process."
"And doing nothing is going to help him? You're being stubborn, Shadow! You always think you know best!" Amy's voice cracked. She couldn't stand the thought of losing Sonic. Not like this.
"And you're being hysterical, Rose! Your emotions are clouding your judgment! I lost Maria. I know what it feels like to lose someone. I won't let the same happen to him." Shadow's voice was low, dangerous.
Amy flinched, stung by his words. She knew his past was a raw wound, but how could he be so callous when Sonic was lying there, fighting for his life? "And you think I want to lose him?" she cried, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. "He's my friend! He's... he's everything!"
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Shadow remained unmoved. "Sentimentality will not save him, Rose. Practicality will. He needs quiet and rest."
"Quiet while he bleeds out?" Amy shrieked, losing all semblance of composure. She lunged forward, grabbing Shadow's arm. "We're going. Now. Help me get him to the Tornado."
Shadow ripped his arm away, his normally controlled anger finally erupting. "He nearly died fighting that monster because of his impulsive nature! He jumped in headfirst without thinking! And you want to rush him to some machine that will only make things worse?! He needs to learn to control himself, to rely on his own power, not technology!"
"Learn?" Amy spat. "He's unconscious! This isn't a lesson, Shadow! This is life or death! You're jealous! You always have been! Jealous that he's the hero, that everyone loves him, that he's... that he's everything you're not!"
The words, fueled by fear and desperation, were like a physical blow. Shadow recoiled, his expression hardening into an impenetrable mask. The truth in her accusation stung more than he cared to admit.
His voice, when he spoke, was ice cold. "Leave. If you truly believe I am hindering his recovery, then leave. Take him to your precious Tails. But I will not participate in what I believe is a detrimental course of action."
Amy stared at him, her heart shattering. This was it. The culmination of years of unspoken tensions, of conflicting ideologies, of underlying resentment. She couldn't believe he was being so... cold.
She wiped her tears, a new steel entering her eyes. "Fine," she said, her voice trembling but firm. "I will."
Gathering all her strength, she struggled to lift Sonic's limp arm over her shoulder. It was a herculean effort, but she managed to get him halfway upright. She looked back at Shadow, his face a mask of impassivity.
"You'll regret this, Shadow," she whispered, her voice filled with a pain that ran deeper than any physical wound. "You'll regret letting your pride get in the way."
With a final glare, she wrestled Sonic towards the door, the rain and wind welcoming her into the stormy night. As she stumbled out, supporting his weight, she didn't see the flicker of pain in Shadow's eyes, the silent battle raging within him. He remained standing by the fire, his silhouette a stark contrast against the inferno, the words echoing in his mind: "Jealous... everything you're not." He was left alone, with only the fire and the silence, to listen to the storm rage on, both outside and within.
