Mini Adventures

A daring fight against their foe and three of our (one being kinda an anti) heroes fell trapped in a cave hidden deep underground. Amy, quickly coming out of being slammed into a rock wall, hand rubbing against her temple, gasped at the sight and immediately began running. Hammer in hand as she used it to hold back a large boulder from hitting both Sonic and Shadow. Pushing them out of the way, whilst letting go of the handle. The entrance collapsed with them trapped inside.

Amy groaned, finding herself somewhat between them both. Feeling all sorts of pain but slowly getting up on her knees. It was dark and a small flashlight kept in her pocket didn’t do much but it was enough to illuminate the small area they resided in. Trying to take in a deep breath, coughed at the dust still settling and making her throat feel more hoarse.

“A-Amy? Amy!” Sonic who slowly came too pushed himself up and moved closer to her side. Hand upon her back as she continued to cough a bit. Desperately trying to stop as her face contorted into a look that said ‘not to worry’ and ‘I’ll be fine’. A gentle and firm pat on her upper backside finally helped her breathing become regular.

“T-thanks” She smiled before instantly fading into a shocked and worried expression.

“Shadow!” Turning his direction, relief washed over her to see him awake. Though she could tell he was badly bruised up all over. Reaching out to place a hand over his, met his frustrated gaze with her more compassionately concerned one. Making him soften a bit towards her. After all she did help him regain memories and was there for him in a way no one else could. Reminded him of Maria, even up until now.

“I’m fine Amy. You?”

“Slightly aching but nothing I can’t handle.” With a wink he nearly gave a partial smile. Until feeling him being carefully stood up.

“What are you doing Faker?”

“Geeze, Shads. Just trying to help.” Sonic teased before getting him on his feet, trying to hold one arm over his own shoulder before Shadow pushed him away.

“I can walk!”

“Then show me” Having taken barely a step before swaying a bit more, was instantly put back into the former position begrudgingly so.

“You’re welcome” Sonic spoke as Shadow groaned and Amy sighed. Glancing all around the cave. Only to realize the way out was going further in, following the air and water flow. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself from being trapped in a cave. Needing to focus on the task at hand.

“There is a path up ahead that I’m hearing sounds of running water coming from. If we find that, then a steady flow of air, we’ll be out of here in no time.” Her voice was calm and determined, but her eyes and shook hands spoke volumes of her uneasiness.

“Ames?” Sonic asked as she turned with her eyes shut and smiled wide. Both Shadow and Sonic exchanged a look of mutual agreement.

“Rose, you’re shaking.”

“I’ll be fine Shadow, we’ll be out of this cave and- we’ll get you some medical attention.”

“Amy, wait. I want us to get out of here too, but-”

“I know! It’s my fault we’re trapped here and I’m sorry!” Her swift turn of her heel and the look of glazed over eyes, a couple tears streaming down her cheeks. She glanced between Sonic’s scrapes, Shadows deep bruises and them all being trapped, she felt awful. If only she used her hammer to swing them out of range, leaving her the only one behind in this cave. Two hedgehogs’ she cared so deeply for were stuck because of her careless actions.

“The sooner we go, the sooner we can-” Inhaling sharply, instantly reached out for the wall as her hand went over her abdomen. Glancing down she realized there was a slight cut across her stomach, thankfully not deep and her knees scraped up and bleeding down her legs.

“Amy you’re hurt!”

“I-I’m f-”

“Don’t!” Flinching a bit at the tone Shadow used, was surprised to see him standing beside her so close. Examining her injuries before reaching up and gently wiping the tear from her cheek.

“Thank you for saving us Amy.” Biting her lip at his kindness as Sonic walked over in front of her, taking her hand in his.

“We’ll find a way out of here Ames. But we need to take care of you first. A few scratches and bruises are one thing, but you’re bleeding. Let’s bandage you up and go from there.”

“W-with what though?” Gesturing to the obvious rock formation around them.

“Finding a water source is where we need to start. I can wash out then patch up the wound with mud temporarily until we find a way to better bandage and disinfect it.” Shadow glanced around before closing his eyes and focusing on where a nearby cave stream could be.

“Let’s get going.” Wishing he had the chaos emerald to just vanish them all out of there.

“Wait Shadow” Sonic thought briefly before gingerly lifting Amy in his arms and leading Shadow’s arm across his shoulder again. Amy’s free hand crossed her shoulder to where Shadow’s was to keep balance. It was an odd way to walk but at least they could move. With his guidance of having her keep a hand over the wound as he held the flashlight. Sonic kept his balance and focused on reaching the end goal.

Eventually they came across a more alcove-esque room where it was filled with illuminated geos, crystals and the cooler colors brightened the area in a soft glow. Even the small stream of water that led in a crack by a much larger opening, gave hope they were in the right direction. Sonic drew them all closer to the water as Shadow slid off and inspected the stream. Amy sat down on a rock with a slight wince as Sonic leaned over, hand upon her shoulder.

“Easy Ames, just hang in there a bit longer.” She nodded, still a bit shook but immediately calmed down upon feeling his forehead press against hers. 

“We’ll get through this” He whispered, gently cupping her cheek, thumb caressing her skin absentmindedly.

“Here” Shadow called out, hands cupped with water as the other two pulled apart. Amy leaned back and allowed him to pour the water on her wound. Biting her lip against the pain, gripped Sonics’ hand as he rubbed her back soothingly.

“What the-” Both of them looked immediately at what Shadow was barely able to comprehend. This body of water seemed to have cleaned and healed any signs of her wound. Amy didn’t even feel any of the pain. Slowly took a few steps closer to the stream, dipping her hand and gently pouring more water on her knees. Gasping as it appeared to disappear right before her eyes.

“Woah” Sonic breathed as he carefully reached in and immediately felt the scratch marks disappear on his body. Before smirking and casually splashing Shadow, earning a glare and nearly a shoulder punch if Amy didn’t hold him back, pointing out he too was now cured. Laughter echoed all around as Shadow took another close look.

“Whatever this is, its healing properties are something else entirely.”

“If only we had something to carry this in so we can show Tails. I bet he could figure something out.” Sonic snapped his fingers, placing both hands on his hips rocking back and forth on his heels.

“Wait…that’s it!” Amy smiled so brightly, quickly digging into her deep pockets of her dress and pulling out a small empty water bottle. “Couldn’t find a recycling bin near so I held onto it.”

“It’s a good thing you did, Ames.”

“Nice work Amy.” Shadow smirked as Amy blushed as she went to kneel by the water, twisting off the cap and carefully filling the entire bottle before closing it. Putting it back in her pocket for safe keeping.

“I wonder if we would be able to come back here? This place seems so beautiful.”

“We could always try, I’m sure Rouge wouldn’t mind seeing all the gems here.”

“Of course she would.” Shadow mumbled before beginning to head towards the next part of the cave. The other two followed suit, however she paused mid step and glanced back at the area. The entire place felt peaceful and gave her a chance to think clearly. Still feeling guilt for their current situation.

“Ames?” Sonic asked, tilting his head, glancing over his shoulder. “You coming?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah.” She gave a half smile before slowly catching up. While a few steps ahead, Shadow could sense something was off and after her somewhat of a meltdown prior, knew why.

“Does this flashlight have a brighter setting?” He asked casually as Amy walked up closer, somewhat face palming herself along the way.

“Oh Duh! Yes, just twist the back end until it clicks. Should be a couple settings there.” Whilst reaching out to show him, he took the opportunity.

“It’s not your fault Amy.”

“Huh?”

“You weren’t the reason the front entrance was collapsing.” Amy sighed before pulling back to rub her arm slightly.

“Fair….but I could’ve pushed you both out of the entrance not further in.”

“What was on your mind?”

“I- what? Like in the moment?” He gave her a look as if to say both ‘yes’ and ‘duh’ as she glanced at the cave wall in thought.

“I mean…wanting to save you both. Keeping away from anything that could harm you two. I mean I know you both are fast and could’ve gotten out of the way without my interference, but I just-”

“You saw what needed to be done and executed what you had to do, in the heat of the moment. Keeping us safe is the main priority. The minor injuries we all suffered could’ve been more if you hadn’t stepped in. I’m…grateful you were there Amy.” She just looked at him somewhat surprised. Never had he been so talkative and positive towards anyone before. At least not what she had heard, apart from….one other.

“Shadow’s right, Ames!” Feeling his arms around each of their shoulders, Shadows slightly annoyed, eyes shut tight expression as Amy looked at the blue blur of positivity.

“Not to mention we never would’ve found that healing water back there. Plus the bottle you have now filled for us to take back, amazing! Besides, I can’t imagine anyone better to be stuck in a cave with right now.” He winked as she blushed and Shadow….was Shadow with more chao and feline energy. Though she could’ve sworn the bit of a pink hue on his cheeks. Very subtle but she could tell easily.

“Thank you…both of you.” Amy looked up ahead and could briefly see a small ray of sun that didn’t come from the flashlight they had.

“See? Almost home-” All at once, they fell through a small cavern in the middle of the path. Amy immediately pulled out her Hammer, which had just enough length to keep them from falling. Grasping Shadow’s hand as he held onto Sonic’s. Taking a moment to breathe, she winced and gripped the handle as tightly as she could.

“Do you think one of you could climb the wall?” She asked as Shadow used his free hand and pointed the flashlight across from him.

“Possibly, but this cavern is widening as it get’s deeper. We can’t reach it without momentum.”

“Momentum? Coming right up! Hang tight Ames!”

“Like I can do anything else!” She called out in slight annoyance. Shadow briefly smirked before realizing, even at her full strength, she couldn’t last forever. Seeing the worry on her expression only confirmed as much.

Feeling Sonic trying to swing back and forth but barely getting anything, Moved his arm in a similar motion to help. Amy began to do the same slightly. Sonic then got an idea and smirked. Upon gaining enough force, let go of Shadow and spin dashed all the way to the top. Shadow followed suit once Amy could use more force in her swing.

“Here!” Sonic called, holding out his arm as Amy’s grip was partially resting the other side of her hammer’s handle. Reaching up she could barely brush his fingertips before a shake in the cave made her slip towards the very end of handle. Letting out a small scream of terror before gripping onto all she had.

“Amy!”

“I-I can’t!”

“Yes you can!”

“No! I mean my hands are too sweaty! I don’t have enough grip to hoist myself up!” Amy exclaimed, fearing that any moment, one more cave earthquake and she would be lost in the pit of this cavern.

“Close your eyes!” Shadow called as both Sonic and Amy glanced up to see him holding a couple handfuls of dirt. Realizing what he was doing, shut her eyelids tight and listened as the sound of falling dirt landed on her head and on her hammer. Reaching up she felt a smaller bit of grip, but didn’t last long.

“I need more!”

“We gotcha Ames! Prepare to be covered in a dry mud bath!” Sonic called out before following Shadow and tossing more handfuls of dirt her way. Amy lifted her free hand to try and catch some to use as well. After thirty seconds, she was able to get a footing.

“You got it! Keep going!” Sonic called out, just as another quake began. Seeing her hammer’s head begin to slip. In an instant he reached out, nearly diving down to grasp her hand, now more in range, just as Shadow’s spin dashed towards him using momentum to get them all out of the way.

Right before a large rock crashed down right where they were. All three of them once more on the ground breathing heavily, calming down from the rush of adrenaline. Amy moved over to where her backside was against the ground. Lifting up her hand that held onto her hammer the most. Barely unable to stretch out her fingers from the gripped position.

“Here” Shadow spoke, sitting on his knees before gently massaging her palm. Sonic helped lift her up before aiding in brushing the dirt and grime out of her quills.

“That was a rush, but I don’t think we should do that again.” Sonic laughed as Amy giggled before gasping, her other hand patting the pocket where the bottle once was.

“Oh no! The bottle is-”

“Safe here” Holding up the bottle with a smirk and a wink as Amy sighed in relief.

“Thank you Sonic”

“How did you-?” Shadow, not finished up as Amy began to freely move her fingers and hand as before.

“Haven’t you learned how fast I am? Plus I had two hands.” Giving it back to Amy, scratched the back of his head.

“Though I owe you thanks too for that spin dash attack.”

“It…it was nothing that didn’t need to be done.” Amy giggled at both their semi bashful moment with each other.

“Shall we get out of here? I’m sure the back exit is back ahead.” With that the trio found themselves enjoying the last few rays of sunshine for the day. Heading back to find the rest of the group and telling them of their adventures. Whilst Tails was working on the specimen of water and where it came from, our trio went back to wash up and rest.

Laying on her couch, looking up at the ceiling and thinking of what happened. It wasn’t that deep but Amy couldn’t deny the moments where her heart palpitated so much in her chest for both of them and the way they held off fighting…somewhat. While it was them being stuck in a cave, the unplanned adventure was…nice.

“Lost in thought, Ames?” Turning to see a familiar face in her window, gesturing for him to come inside and join her. Instantly, not only at her side, but allowing her to sit in his lap, head against his shoulder.

“Just….glad to be home…and for the dirt to be gone.” She quickly added with a nervous giggle. “Though I do have to admit…part of it was a little bit fun- er scary but yeah, fun.”

“I had a feeling you would say that. But seriously though, are you still…shaken up and…blaming yourself?”

“Not as much…” She admitted with a sigh.

“That’s a good start at least.” Both turned their heads to see Shadow leaning against her front doorway. Arms folded and seemingly waiting for an invitation, which Amy quickly allowed as he sat next to them. Sonic’s arm resting on the backrest of the cough, slowly extended by an inch, elbow stretched out, to subtly include Shadow too.

“Thought you would be long gone by now.” The playful tune in his voice as Shadow deeply sighed.

“I rather wait for the results a certain fox friend of yours might discover in regards to that mystic water’s healing properties.”

“That could take all night Shadow, but you’re more than welcome to stay here.” Amy offered warmly.

“Glad to see you’re both doing alright.” He muttered calmly as Amy slowly offered her hand for his. Shadow, slowly accepted as they sat for a few moments in silence. Enjoying the peace and the strengthened bond a bit more from this little adventure they shared between them.