Chapter 2: Red Blossoms

… But how can I go at it alone?

While the humans partied over success that they may or may not have taken part in, I brooded near the window of the control room, glaring at the brilliant blue planet that spun in lazy rotation below me.

"What's wrong, Shadow? You made it through!" Maria called to me as she stumbled up to my side.

"Nothing." I unconvincingly mumbled a lie, feeling tears begin to well up in my eyes. I quickly blinked them away and turned my back to her, praying she didn't see the single drop that rolled down my cheek. I coughed and rubbed my eyes in an attempt to convince her it really was nothing.

"Why do you worry on a day like this?" She cocked her head at me in a curious manner, as though trying to observe my movements like a bug under a microscope.

"Because I'm a pessimist." I chuckled lightly. She gave me a confused look, so I explained, "Because I'm always looking for some way everything can go wrong so I can be prepared for it when it happens."

"Oh." She sighed emptily.

Well, that was the sugar-coated version of pessimism…

"What am I then?" She puffed out her chest and looked down at me powerfully. I merely laughed.

"You're an optimist." I said knowingly.

"What does that-? Wait! Don't tell me. I like surprises." She grinned slyly, a grin I recognized was a reflection of her grandfather.

"Are you inferring something?" I said jokingly.

"Huh?" She asked.

"Oh, never mind. Let's go find your grandpa." I shrugged and began to walk into the crowd of people.

"Wait for me, Shadow!" She whined and tried to hurry towards me. I stopped walking obligingly and allowed her to catch up. "Thanks." She breathed, panting slightly from the short strain on her lungs. Though I enjoyed this strain, I knew it was dangerous for my best friend.

"Do you have your inhaler?" I asked as her breath started to come in short, quick bursts. She shook her head vigorously and started coughing. "Where is it?" I swallowed my fear.

"My room." She coughed. Then, I saw a small drop of red rolling down her chin.

Oh God no!

I swept her into my arms quickly and began to run.

"HELP! SOMEBODY, PLEASE, HELP!!" I screamed as I burst out of the control room running at high speed. "Where's Gerald Robotonik?" I yelped at the scientists scrambling to get out of my way. Several pointed to the hallway to my left, so I made a sharp turn and practically flew down the hallway. Maria gave a hard cough and spit up more blood, which I felt start to drip down my arm. Then, I slammed on my imaginary brakes, digging my heels into the metal floor, struggling to stop right in front of the first door. Maria's body jerked back with another cough and I felt something sharp dig into my arm. I glanced down for a second, watching the ebony fur become tinted with liquid rubies, the silver point of the blade rip my skin. A blossom of pain erupted from the wound and shot up my left arm into my brain, driving me to action once more. Mentally blocking another flare of pain, I rammed through the door instead of taking precious seconds away from Maria while waiting for the door to open.

"Please… hurry… Sh-shadow…" Maria coughed weakly.

"PROFESSOR!!" I yelled into the darkness.

"What is it, my boy?" The Professor's thickly accented voice rose from the depths of the emptiness.

"MARIA'S DYING!!" I screamed the truth, refusing to believe the very words I spoke.

"Come on then, Shadow. Hurry." The Professor urged me to leave the light of the hallway. As soon as I had left the light completely, a white-yellow orb appeared about 10 feet from me, illuminating the Professor's heavy-set form. "Oh, dear…"

"Oh dear" is a freakin' understatement…

"Set her down on the table here. Quickly now, Shadow." I obliged and gently placed Maria's heaving body on the metal table just to my right. "On her stomach." I quickly and gently rolled her onto her stomach, following orders. "Step back now, Shadow." The Professor drew a syringe with a rather large needle from one coat pocket. I warily narrowed my eyes at the needle, fearing for my friend's life no matter how much I trusted the Professor. Feeling instinct start to take over, I struggled to keep my body still, keep my fists clenched at my sides, keep my feet on the ground. I must have let out a growl, because the Professor turned back to face me.

"Will she-?" I began through gritted teeth.

"She'll be fine once I give her the injection in her back. You don't have to worry about it." He turned his back to me once more. I watched closely, waiting for any excuse to crack some heads open. Showing no emotion as Maria let out a groan upon injection and I took her hand in mine, trying to comfort her as her tears began to flow.

The drug worked its miracle, her coughing ceased and she breathed with ease once more. Finally, the obviously painful needle was removed from Maria's back and she was able to sit up on the table. She tiredly spread her arms and I came to her and allowed her to embrace me.

"What were you doing with a knife?" I whispered into her ear.

"I… umm… I…" She struggled to find the words to save her skin.

"You don't really know, do you? Trying to look tough, is my guess…" I took a guess at what she was really thinking, trying to pick the lock to her mind.

"You're right." She sighed.

"Be more careful with sharp objects next time." I sighed the caution, knowing she probably wouldn't listen to a word I said.

"Yes, Shadow. I'm sorry I hurt you." She apologized in that way that made me unable to stay angry at her actions.

"It's okay."

"Shadow, what's on your arm?" The Professor had finally noticed that something was amiss with me.

"Blood." I mumbled as I pulled away from Maria's grasp and lifted my left arm to show him the damage.

"It's pretty deep, but not wide." He said after staring at it for a few seconds.

"It doesn't hurt… much." I shrugged as I thought about the pain from when the blade had sliced my skin.

"Well, we'll want to keep infection out, now won't we?" He asked rhetorically as he dug around in his coat pockets for something else.

"I suppose so." I answered, even though I knew the question did not require an answer.

"I'll fix you up right now." He pulled an Ace bandage from his lab coat. I held my arm out again and watched him with slight interest as he wrapped my arm in the bandage. A moment later, he finished the job by pinning the bandage tight. "There, all done." I tested his workmanship, clenching my fists, relaxing my hands, pulling on the fabric of the bandage. When I was sure all was well, I began to tap my foot impatiently on the floor.

"Well, what happened to what you told me this morning?" I asked, slightly annoyed and hoping he wouldn't forget something as important as a surprise, the ultimate reason Maria had even tried to follow me in the first place.

"Nothing, I was just waiting for your cue." He gave me that same signature clever grin.

"Mm-hm… For some strange reason, I find that hard to believe." I fake-glared at him.

"It's true; I forgot a bit, but how about we go for it now." He rubbed the back of his head in slight embarrassment.

"Yeah!" I yelped excitedly. "Let's go!"

"I'm ready." Maria's voice wavered slightly from the attack and her face was still a touch too pale.

"No, Maria, you have to stay-" She cut the Professor off.

"I want to be there for this huge moment in Shadow's life." She refused to be budged on the issue.

"Fine…" The Professor sighed and helped her up off the table. "Be careful, though, and don't push yourself."

"I won't, Grandpa." She replied cheerily.

"Well then, Come ON!" I groaned, pre-teen impatience shining through again. With that, the three of us left the dark room and returned to the hallway once more.