A tale that has been told and can be retold all over again… this legendary story began far out in space, where one small sound could heard by no one, where gravity has no limit, and where peace has always been given to others, if they ever wished to live in such a dark quiet world… in fact, a few people did live in this part of the galaxy, living in a large piece of machinery: the Space Colony ARK. A rather rare place for those to stay where they feel at home, in the silence of Outer Space. But at least it was peaceful enough… to a man of science… to a young girl who always hoped the best… and a hedgehog, who was about to receive a very special gift…

"You're it!"

"Wait, don't run!"

The sounds of giggles and laughs echoed through the hallways, as two shadows are coming into view; first appeared a young hedgehog creature with red marking and eyes like rubies. He turned to the person chasing him, a little girl with hair the color of golden sunlight and eyes the shade of baby blue.

"Shadow, Grandfather said no running." Maria called, still on her friend's trail.

"Can't help it!" Shadow kept up his pace, as he passed a doorway… but then he stopped, curiously as he noticed the old man with a long white moustache and he looked busy. In fact, he was always busy. He hardly had any time to play with Maria or Shadow.

Maria finally caught up and stood next to her hedgehog companion, "Aw, Shadow. You've nearly spoiled your surprise."

"What surprise?"

The old professor, Gerald, turned to them slowly holding a bundle, "Please keep quiet, children. You don't want to awaken her now, do you?"

"Who?" Shadow became full of questions. A surprise? Her? This sounded better then the previous game of tag which became lost in their thoughts now.

The golden-haired girl knelt down to him, "Shadow, do you remember what your true birthday wish was?"

"I thought we weren't supposed to tell wishes."

She giggled, "I know, but do you remember?"

The ebony hedgehog thought deep until he reached the one thing he was looking for and smiled, "A sister or brother?"

"That's right." Maria nodded, "And here she is now, Shadow… your little baby sister…"

Gerald carefully lifted a part of the cloth as Shadow stood on tip-toe to get a good look but then the old man knelt down to him instead as he revealed the small figure inside the bundle. It looked like a young kitten, with ginger-brown fur, tan muzzle and brown-green eyes. The kitten stirred a little at the brightness and looked curious at the people around her.

"My… little sister?" Shadow finally asked softly.

"I know she's not a Hedgehog like you are, Shadow. But I know you will do your best to take good care of her, Maria will be glad to help you." Gerald nodded at Maria, who smiled in return.

The baby kitten blinked, "Mew?"

"Would you like to hold her?" The Professor held the bundle to the young hedgehog, "But be careful with her."

Shadow, nervously, took the little creature in his own arms and stared at her. The kitten looked back at him and with a tiny giggle; she licked his nose in return.

"She likes you already, Shadow." Maria then asked in question, "But does she have a name, Grandfather?"

"That was the rather hard part." Gerald then cleared his throat, "I would've given her the name of 'Creation-Machinery-Ark-Radiant-Artificial.' But I knew that was too long, so…"

The kitten mewed again and Shadow thought, "Maybe she does like it." He held her gently, "But instead of that, we can make it as initials and name her… Cmara?"

"Cmara…" Maria nodded, "I like it."

"As do I," said Gerald, "Just the letter C with the word Mara, it's perfect." He stared out his window at the planet Earth as Shadow and Maria looked with him, "Someday when we can be allowed to visit such a beautiful world such as Earth, we can make big changes and create a new vision to those who inhabit it."

"Do you hear that, Shadow?" Maria spoke, as the kitten, Cmara, fell asleep in Shadow's arms, "You and your sister will be working together to bring good changes to the world."

"We promise Maria… it's a promise we will keep, the both of us…" Shadow cuddled with his sister once again.

Cmara smiled in return, within the embrace of her new big brother, Shadow the Hedgehog.