By
Sakura Courage Solo
Chapter 4
"Search And Rescue : Return Of An Old Friend "
Shadow's head pounded as he found himself returning to conciousness, a bright light shining right in his face as he opened his ruby red eyes. He started to put a hand up to shield said eyes from the light, but found himself restrained pretty tightly to the table he was laying on.
"What the...? "
He yelped in sudden panic, starting to struggle against his restraints. They held fast though, Shadow finally sighing and settling down as he tried to figure out where he was.
Around him were the makings of a lab; Medical Instruments, Observation Tanks, Examination Tables and the like all creating an all too familiar atmosphere for the pregnant Hedgehog, making him just want to Chaos Control out of here...
In fact, he did try to Chaos Control, but he suddenly got an unexpectedshock from his own power as he did so. There was a sudden chuckle from the darkest corner of the room, and a man with blonde hair pulled back into a shoulder length ponytail, huge glasses on his face and a white lab coat on his body suddenly emerged. Shadow's eyes widened with a sudden fear, and he could feel Maria shivering in a terrified manner within him.
"Kendo... "
He managed to whisper through his shock, the doctor giving another chuckle as he stopped next to Shadow.
"So, you remember me Shadow. "
"Kendo... how can you still be alive! And why'd you capture me like this! "
"It's really quite simple, Shadow. After my Brother evicted me from his lab, I put myself in cold sleep in my old lab, knowing that eventually you'd start your Automatic Reproduction Process. EVENTUALLY, amingst why I went into cold sleep. I knew it would take a good while. Anyway, I had my Cold Sleep Chamber set to awaken me as soon as the process started, so I could see my little 'creation'. "
Shadow snarled.
"I got news for you Kendo! Maria's NOT your experiment, and I won't let you harm her in any way! "
"My my my, seems you've become rather protective of the little one... strange turn of events. I would've thought you'd be glad to get her out of you as soon as possible. "
"You don't know me as well as you think, Kendo. Now let me go or... "
"Or what? You won't be doing much with that Titanium Collar on. You see, after doing a bit of research, I found out Titanium deflects your Chaos Powers. I trust you already found this out when trying to Chaos Control earlier, yes? "
"Kendo... you are one SICK individual! "
"Why thank you. Now then, you just rest there while I run some scans on you two, all right Shadow? "
Shadow growled, not wanting to comply, but seeing no other way out of this at the moment, he did for Maria's sake.
"We have to find him! Who knows who will do what to Shadow! "
Amy said in panic after she and the others had done a full scale search of the City for the pregnant Hedgehog, which turned up nothing. Sonic put his hands on the Pink Hedgehog's shoulders and said,
"Amy, calm down! We'll find Shadow, just cool it! "
"R-right... sorry, Sonic... it's just... I mean, I know Shadow could probably defend himself, but... "
"I know, he's not in any condition to be fighting it out with someone. Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine Amy."
"If you say so, Sonic... "
Sonic nodded a yes to her, then turning to Tails, who had his laptop out.
"Tails, you got a lock on Shadow's Chaos Energy Readings yet? "
He asked, the Fox looking frustrated as he replied,
"Not a single trace! It's like Shadow just totally disappeared off the face of the planet! "
"Man... are you sure your software isn't just on the fritz, Tails? "
"I'm positive! You know I always keep my stuff in tip top shape! "
"But then why isn't he showing up? We know he's out there... he has to be somewhere! He didn't just disappear into thin air! "
Cream drew up a little at the yelling going on around her, wishing she could do something to help.
That's when an idea hit her, and she started to try and get everyone's attention. Unfortunately, the shouting was a little too loud and drowned out the small Rabbit's voice. She finally growled, getting prettyfrustrated herself as she screamed,
"QUIET! "
Everyone suddenly shut up, rather surprised that Cream had suddenly become so upset as to scream.
The Bunny breathed heavily a moment before finally sighing and speaking,
"I have an idea about how we can find Shadow. "
Rouge quirked an eyebrow, a little skeptical of any ideas Cream might have as she asked,
"You sure about that, Cream? I mean, if Tails' scanners can't pick him up... "
"We don't need scanners! "
Cream retorted.
"All we need is Cheese! "
The said Chao blinked a time or two in surprise, his Bunny partner then continuing,
"Chao have a really great sense of smell, and I'm sure Cheese would have no trouble picking up Shadow's scent! "
"Cream, you might just have something there! "
Sonic exclaimed.
"Let's try it! Come on Cheese, we're counting on you to help us find Shadow! "
The tiny blue creature chirped it's species name and nodded, starting to try and get the Black Hedgehog's scent.
In the meantime, Kendo had done his scans and Shadow had found himself in an observation vessel, surrounded by the cylindrical transparasteel prison as he sat there on the cold, metal floor. He'd tried to punch his way out when Kendo left, but the transparasteel was too tough even for the Ultimate Life Form to break.
He sighed exasperatedly as he sat there now, softly rubbing his stomach in a soothing motion as he felt Maria continue to shiver.
"Come on Maria, please stop shivering. It's gonna be okay, I promise... "
All though Shadow wasn't quite sure of which himself, continuously pondering how he was going to get out of here, if ever. Still, nothing came to him, and he was forced to just sit back and wait for whatever fate would be dealt to him and his unborn child.
Maria finally stopped her shivering after a while, Shadow assuming she'd finally fallen asleep. He yawned, wanting to sleep himself, but he'd much rather get out of this prison of a laboratory first.
He sat there for a good while, fighting sleep as he stewed over these thoughts, until he finally couldn't struggle to stay awake any longer and fell asleep.
"Shadow... "
A familiar voice echoed throughout the dark void, the Hedgehog blinking and looking around.
"Where... am I? And that voice... M-Maria! "
"Yes Shadow, it's me. "
That's when a ray of light suddenly shone before him in the darkness, and the blonde, blue eyed girl stepped into it. Shadow felt like he might pass out, overjoyed and shocked at the same time to see his friend again.
"Maria... I can't believe it's you... it's been so long...but, I thought you were... "
Maria put a finger to his lips, silencing him.
"I never left you, Shadow. I've always been deep down within you, as long as you remembered me. "
She smiled softly, bringing the Hedgehog into a hug. Shadow smiled widely, feeling joyful tears sting his eyes as he hugged her back.
Maria soon pulled back from the hug and brushed back one of his red highlighted quills, still smiling warmly as she said,
"I see you're having a little one Shadow... "
Shadow almost sweatdropped, but managed to say,
"Yes... I'm calling her Maria, after you. "
Maria let out a giggle, softly placing her hand on Shadow's pregnant belly, where the child slept peacefully.
"You want to know something special about this child, Shadow? "
The Hedgehog blinked, wondering what Maria could mean as he nodded a yes to her. She looked into Shadow's ruby eyes and replied,
"I did die that day back on the ARK Shadow, but... as I said, I've always been with you since, and this child is how I'll become even closer to you. "
"What do you mean, Maria? I'm... not sure I understand... "
"Your naming her after me isn't just coincidence, Shadow. You see, this will be my second chance. "
Shadow's eyes widened as he realized what the blonde girl before him was saying, her smile growing a bit wider as she said,
"Yes Shadow, you've figured it out. I'm getting a second chance and getting closer to you... by reincarnation. Shadow, I am the child you are carrying inside of you right now. "
He wasn't sure what to say or do, very much in shock from the realization that Maria was reincarnated into the child he was carrying. Now, he was rather glad that Kendo had infused him the the Automatic Reproduction Process. Through this, he was going to have Maria back.
Maria smiled once more to Shadow, softly hugging him again as she said,
"You'll be seeing me soon, Shadow. Take care of yourself until then, all right? "
That's when everything around Shadow suddenly brightened, and Shadow once more found himself in his transparasteel prison.
"Maria... "
He whispered to himself, a soft smile tugging his lips.
"She's... coming back..."
He softly reached down to his pregnant belly to rub it, hoping to feel this reincarnated form of his best friend make some movement.
That's when he realized though that his stomach was considerably larger, making him sweatdrop. He looked down at himself, nearly passing out when he saw that his stomach had grown to it's full extent. The child had had one heck of a growth spurt.
"What the...? But...how? I--I'm not supposed to be having her for another two months! "
That's when Shadow remembered a couple of shots that Kendo had given him, then growling.
"Kendo... he sped up the process somehow. Blasted idiot probably couldn't wait... well, at least it means I get to see Maria sooner... "
Shadow's ears then twitched as he heard someone on the other side of the observation room door, tapping in the password on the keypad. The Hedgehog snarled, figuring it was Kendo.
The door slid open... and a Chao with a red bow tie came waddling in. Shadow blinked a time or two and sweatdropped.
"Cheese! "
He asked in surprise, the Chao turning to him and singing happily when he saw him. It was then that Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream and Rouge all poured into the room, Shadow sighing with relief as he saw this.
"You guys came! "
Sonic smirked and said,
"Of course we did, Shadow! What, didja think we were just gonna leave you and Maria here? "
Rouge smirked slightly as well, then noticing Shadow's now larger belly. She face faulted.
"Shadow, what happened? You look ready to pop! "
"I know, I know... "
The pregnant Hedgehog grumbled.
"Kendo sped up the process somehow. Guess he's impatient. "
"Don't worry, Shadow! We'll have you outta here in no time! "
Tails immediately went to the control panel that operated the cell, starting to tap away at it.
"We'd best take Shadow to the hospital as soon as we get him out of here. If Kendo did speed up the process, then Shadow won't be long going into labour. "
Amy commented, Sonic nodding in agreement.
That's when the transparasteel suddenly lifted up off the floor and into the ceiling, Tails having unlocked it by now. Shadow slowly but surely started to stand, finding it wasn't easy with all the extra weight he'd put on. Sonic, Amy and Cream immediately went to help him up, all of them grunting.
"Man Shadow, that kid's growth spurt really put the pounds on you! "
"... I'll mallet you for the comment AFTER we get out of here, Sonic. "
Shadow told him, sighing with relief when he was finally standing.
"Hurry, let's get out of here! "
Cream exclaimed, no one able to argue with that as they headed for the door... only to find several nasty, indescribable creatures blocking their way. Cream screamed.
"What ARE those things? "
She asked in alarm, Shadow grunting.
"A load of Kendo's genetic experiments, apparently! He did create some really nasty creatures! "
Sonic smirked.
"You guys take Shadow on ahead! I'll take care of these guys! "
"You can't take all those on by yourself, Sonic. "
Rouge told him, stepping up next to him.
"I'll help you fight them. Amy, Tails, Cream! You get Shadow out of here as soon as we clear the way! "
The three who had just been given their order nodded, Sonic and Rouge then moving forward in a quick and swift motion, taking down creature after creature. Once the way was clear, Amy, Tails and Cream immediately helped Shadow through.
The group turned quite a few hallways as they made their way through the insanely huge laboratory, Cheese following the scents to get them back out of the building.
Then, just as they were making their way to the exit, Kendo suddenly leapt forward, blocking their path.
"And just where do you think you're all going? "
He seethed, Tails not hesitating to leap forward at him.
"Out of here, that's where! "
The Fox yelled, spinning in mid air and knocking Kendo aside with his tails, Cream, Amy and Shadow not hesitating to make their way out the door in escape, Tails soon following after them.
"Phew, that was close... "
Cream commented after they had all made it back into the city, said group currently making their way to the hospital to get Shadow checked out.
"Tell me about it... hard to believe that Kendo guy made all those freaky creatures! "
Amy added, Tails smiling a little.
"Well, we accomplished our mission and got Shadow out, and I'm sure Sonic and Rouge oughtta be coming back soon! "
He said, everyone nodding a little in agreement.
"Well, let's keep moving on to the hospital. "
Amy said as she helped Shadow continue along. The Black Hedgehog smiled a little and said,
"Hey guys, thanks for coming after m---... "
Shadow suddenly stopped mid-word, his eyes widened a little. Cream blinked and asked,
"Shadow? What's wrong? Are you okay? "
The Black Hedgehog opened his mouth to answer, but all that came out was a yelp of pain as he suddenly dropped to his knees, both hands on his bulging stomach.
"Shadow! Shadow, what's wrong? "
Amy cried in worry, Shadow cringing and finally managing to yell through the pain,
"It's Maria! Maria's coming! "
End Chapter 4
Hey people, hope you all enjoyed chapter 4 here. Thanks for all the great reviews you've all been giving me!
To Shadow Chaos Hedga,
Hehe, yup! Women's intuition! Thanks for the review, so glad you like the story! Yesh, Maria's secret has finally been revealed! Hope I didn't have you TOO worried. Heh. Thanks again for the great review, and hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reviewing my other story too!
To RyukoVulpix,
Thanks for showing me the document. It actually explained a few things to me! Anyway, glad you find my story so funny and original, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for the great review!
So, until next chapter, see ya people!