Maria Robotnik, with glistening blue eyes, stared with some curiosity at Shadow the Hedgehog. He had been in the same spot in front of the window for some time. She approached him, unafraid of the dark figure. He was, after all, her friend.
"Are you still standing there, Shadow?" she asked playfully. Shadow smiled at the sound of her voice, not looking away from the planet Earth.
"When have I stopped? I enjoy looking at the surface."
"Oh, I do too," Maria giggled, "I wish we could travel down there instead of being stuck up here all the time . . ."
"That would be ideal, wouldn't it?"
"Ah, yes . . . seeing the beautiful sky and the grass . . . feeling the warm sun on your back . . . watching the trees gently sway in the wind . . . it all sounds lovely." Shadow stroked his chin, puzzled.
"Trees? Grass? Sky? It all sounds like a fantasy."
"Doesn't it, though? It's real, though. And we'll get to see it one day." Maria responded with a dreamy sigh. Shadow chuckled.
"I long for such a day to come."
"Hm . . . so do I." There was a slight pause, and to break the silence, Maria gave Shadow a playful push.
"Hey!"
"Hee hee . . . Lighten up, Shadow!"
"Only for you, Maria. Only for you . . ." Another pause followed. Maria broke the silence again, but this time with a serious question.
"Shadow?"
"Hmm?"
"When we finally do get to the surface, there will be others like me. You realize this, right?" Shadow closed his eyes, contemplating this concept.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask?" Maria fiddled with her thumbs, almost feeling nervous.
"Well . . . I'm just asking that you are polite to them."
"Hmm . . . I thought it would be only you and me. I wasn't expecting to . . . speak to other humans." Maria smiled understandingly, knowing the mannerisms of the Ultimate Life Form all too well.
"There may come a day when you must, Shadow. We need to show kindness to others, no matter what they're like. My grandfather . . . well, he did create you with a heart, after all." Shadow turned to her in an ominous way.
"What difference does that make?"
"The heart is a shelter for feelings," explained the girl, "the more hatred one harbors in their heart, the less room they'll have for what matters—love."
". . . Love, you say?" It was as though Shadow hesitated to say the word.
"Yes."
". . . What is it?" Maria sighed.
"Oh, dear, it's hard to explain. Showing love to another . . . it's like a kind deed. Start with something simple, like helping to carry a heavy package."
"Does everyone carry boxes around on the surface all the time?"
"No, silly!" Maria giggled once again, "I'm only saying to help them in any way you find possible. Even if it means . . . something bigger."
"Such as . . ?"
"I'm not sure, Shadow. We'll just have to become conscious of who needs an act of kindness in their lives."
"Hmm . . . " Shadow reflected upon her words. Maria shook her head.
"Oh, Shadow. You'll do just fine on the surface, I know it."
"I hope so."
Another brief minute or so passed before Shadow was the first to insinuate a concern of his.
"Maria?"
"Yes, Shadow?"
"Do you think I am capable of kindness? After all, I am the Ultimate Life Form." Maria looked down at the planet's vast surface.
". . . Even Ultimate Life Forms must know the difference between love and hate. It all depends on which they choose. You were given a heart, Shadow. The heart should be primarily used for love."
"I will do as you say, Maria. I promise . . ." Maria smiled brightly and pulled Shadow into a friendly embrace.
"You're the best, Shadow!" she exclaimed happily. Shadow smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
"As are you, Maria. As are you . . ."