Shadow's not all bad
The breeze blew soft over the lake, wisping through the hedgehog's spikes as he stood gazing at the sky.
"Why are you out here, Sonic?" a soft voice asked.
"I'm not Sonic," the hedgehog replied rather bitterly.
"I'm sorry." the stranger gasped. "Oh, you're Shadow," she said.
"Yea, I am. Bet you've heard alot of bad stuff about me, huh?" His tone changed only slightly.
"Uh huh, but I don't believe it," she replied.
Shadow's eyes widened. "You don't? But-"
"Well, I know you did all that stuff," the stranger explained. "But I don't think you're really bad. By the way, my name's Helen."
Shadow turned to face the stranger. Her blond hair and blue eyes made him step back in surprise. Maria...
"Are you ok?" She asked, wheeling over to him.
He stepped back again then shook his head. "I'm fine," he said. "You've just reminded me of a friend I had a long time ago."
"Oh," she said. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you out here?" Shadow asked absently.
"I just love to come here and look at the lake. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yes...it is." Shadow stared at the water then back at the girl in the wheelchair.
Flashback
"Oh Shadow, isn't that planet beautiful?" Maria asked.
"Yes..." Shadow replied. "It is."
"I can't wait to explore it with you someday." Maria twirled and smiled at the black and red hedgehog.
"Yeah..." Shadow turned and gave a little smile of his own.
"What's wrong, Shadow?" Helen's voice pulled Shadow from his thoughts.
"Oh, nothing," Shadow said. "What do you out here?"
"Nothing really," she replied. "I just hang out around here and enjoy how pretty everything is."
"Don't you ever get bored just sitting here?" Shadow asked, looking back at her.
Helen's bright smile told him otherwise. "I used to be bitter about it," she said, staring out over the sparkling lake. "But then I learned to make the best of it. I have friends who play with me and my parents try to give me everything I need." She turned and wheeled herself beside Shadow. "Do you have any friends now, Shadow?"
Shadow stared straight ahead. "No."
Helen frowned, then lit up a smile. "You have one now." She reached out and slipped her hand into his.
The dark hedgehog gave a sharp gasp. His frown eased as he looked at the girl's radiant face.
She's so much like Maria...he thought.
"Do you come out here often?" Helen asked.
"No..." Shadow answered slowly. He looked at the little hand that stayed locked with his. It was so warm and inviting, so genuine. Maybe now, since he was no longer a weapon of destruction, he could open up again. It would be better to have a friend and lose her, like he did Maria, than never have one again. Helen was perfect for the job.
"When can I see youu again?" Helen asked gently.
'Tomorrow," Shadow's low voice held a new emotion in it. He was almost...happy. "I'd like to see you again tomorrow. Would that be ok?"
Helen smile; her eyes sparkled. "Sure! I'll be waiting for you." She turned to leave.
Shadow looked at a patch of wild daisies. Before he could register what he was doing, he grabbed a handful of the biggest daisies and jogged behind her. "Helen, wait!"
Helen stopped. "What is it Shadow?"
Shadow handed her the daisies. "I wanted you to have these."
Her face lit up. "Oh, thank you, Shadow! That's so sweet!"
Shadow smiled then jumped as Helen surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. His eyes widened and a blush almost as red as his spikes filled his cheeks. "I'll...see you tomorrow," he said as he rushed off.
Helen giggled. "I knew he wasn't all bad," she said as she sniffed the daisies.