Shadow X

What are friends for?

At the White House, the President's Aid was ecstatic. The elections would be coming up soon, and it was his job to get his boss re-elected. However, the President deflated him by showing the news. Every station had Shadow on the news, showing him protecting people from thugs, or Tails making a new machine. He watched as the news replayed Tail's fancy flying with Shadow during the attack on Robotnik not long ago.

"GAH!" The Aid yelled in a panic. "Ok, don't worry. We'll just have to, uh...to....." He said thinking before snapping his fingers. "We'll throw a PARTY!"

"A party?" The president asked.

"Yes, of course! And we'll get Shadow here, and you two can shake hands. Once everyone sees that you two are allies, your ratings will go through the roof!" The Aid said excitedly. The President shrugged, not being able to argue with that logic. Little did they know that Rouge had been listening in, and she had a concerned look on her face.

.

It had been roughly 2 days since the attack on Robotnik's base. Along that time, Maria had been using  crutch to get around in the house and a wheelchair when out in public. Shadow saw the cast every time and had a pit of guilt form in his stomach, but he'd quickly stash it away and keep a more neutral face. But today wasn't one of those days. He needed to get out and run somewhere. Everyone else was out doing something, and he had an uneasy feeling. He dashed out the door, running along a ridge line. He kept his speed just around 200 mph to keep from damaging anyone or anything. As he was running along, he passed something in the sand along the ridge and backed up, noticing Maria had her wheelchair stuck and was trying to get out of the pit.

"Come on, come on." Maria said to herself as she fiddled with the joy stick that controlled her movement. But no matter what she did, the tires would just spin in the sand. She just about gave up and called someone until she felt pressure on her handles, turning to see Shadow pushing the chair.

"Thanks Shadow." She said with a smile. Shadow nodded a little bit as he pushed, finding a nice spot on the coast. The two had a silent moment until Shadow noticed Maria had a longing stare off into the distance, along with what looked like tear streaks.

"Maria?" Shadow asked to get her attention. She jumped a little when he snapped his fingers. "Are you ok?" 

"I'm fine, Shadow. Was just...thinking." Maria stated. Shadow asked what about and Maria pointed to an island not to far off. "I've heard stories about that island there. I wanted to go some day."

"Why not now?" Shadow questioned.

"My parents were supposed to take me yesterday, but...." Maria said, looking down at her leg. "I doesn't matter. They called saying they'd be to busy. That's when they learned of this." Maria explained, putting her head boredly in her hands.

Shadow thought for a few minutes before making up his mind. "Ok." Shadow simply stated.

"Ok?" Maria asked confused.

"I'll get us there, Thursday. We don't have the supplies right now, but we will later." Shadow explained. Maria smiled a bit and Shadow shook her hand, saying they should get back home. They hailed a cab as if Shadow ran, the wheelchair might've broken apart. The driver gave Shadow a weird look before shrugging. This was Station Square, so why not?

.

Getting into the door to the mansion, Shadow walked Maria in and was greeted by Chuck.

"Did you guys hear!?" Chuck asked. Shadow and Maria looked at each other and shrugged. "The President is throwing a party, and we're all invited!"

"When is this party?" Shadow asked.

"Uh, the invitation says Thursday." Chuck explained, looking at the card.