Two days have passed since I came back from the Ark Incident and rescued the life of Maria Robotnik and my progression of finding a solution for Maria's NIDS is finally solved. While not being a real and expert in Genetics, I will admit that Gerard's research is a page-turner and it keeps your interest stay on chart as you read on his journal. Then again, Gerard's a scientist hired by the Government and funded his project due to his reputation, this is expected from him no less.

My frustration was building when I still desired for a solution. I think my care for Maria's life have been driving me out of my character, I don't know why but I guess it's just sympathy for the poor Ultimate Life Form in his life. It was not me to care a life but somehow I have the drive to save those who I considered…worthy of my soft side, if I may call it like that which number could be only counted with my two hands.

Finally, I had my solution for Maria but it can be quiet major for someone like her.

Fuck this, I think I've been too soft for this past week and I've been too occupied with all this research stuff. Geez, I need to shoot something, I hunger some adrenaline in my veins. I kept the holopad in my table's drawer and stood from hover chair. I went for the door and left the room. I walked through the grey-metal walls of my ship as I intend to reach the Combat Training Facility. Moments later, I finally reached the said facility.

If observed, the facility was enormous, maybe approximately more or less 80 square meters. Divided into four sections, one was rows of armory-lockers filled with assortment of Chaos-energy weapons, the second is a firing range, the third had multiple podiums which are rip-off boxing rings with inactive Frame-Trainer Gaiadroids sitting in the sidelines and the fourth section is an artificial obstacle course for acrobatic training and with a small looping running course. In the sides were wall-mounted benches with some an assortment of refreshments and a viewport that showed the void of space and the lush and colorful Earth.

I saw Maria sitting in one of the benches and Shadow apparently was in one of the training podiums, surrounded by four Frame-Trainers. Frame-Trainers, as the name says, Gaiadroid Frame for training purposes powered by a single Chaos Drive, armed with a rifle that fires rubber bullets and a wooden training sword attach to one arm. This should be a good one. I walked up to the side of the stage and observe the battle taking place. Shadow seems to notice my presence and inspection so he visibly smirked, probably planning to show off.

Suddenly, one of the Warriors charged at Shadow. Activating its back thrusters and advancing with great speed and its training sword ready to swing at the Ebony hedgehog. Shadow saw this and simply sidesteps the slash and jump-kicked the droid, knocking it back to its original position. The other droids draw their rifles fired hails of rubber bullets at the Hedgehog.

Reacting quickly, he dodges the projectiles with ease and spin-dashes the first droid but it didn't flinch as it simply thrusts to the side dodging his attack but Shadow is slippery and a maneuverable one as he drifts to his side and hits the droid in the second attempt knocking it off the stage. He turns to the remaining three droids and teleports (Chaos Control) to one of them from behind kicks the unlucky droid off the stage. Using the momentum, he instantly rolls and spin-jumps the other two in multiple consecutive hits before knocking them off stage. Dramatically, he lands back to the stage with a shit-eating grin. Four Frame-Warrior Trainers in less than 10 seconds, not bad at all.

"That was excellent performance Shadow." Maria complimented with enthusiasm, standing from the bench and clapping quietly.

"Hmph. Piece of cake." Shadow smirked and I just gave an approving nod.

"Nice one, it seems my Gaiadroids really isn't that invulnerable." I said, kneeling down at the deactivated Training robot and observing the damages.

"Hm, what do you mean Pixelite?" Maria asks.

"I built every Gaiadroid frame with Titanium composite plating along with other strong metals, wanting them to be resilient to almost every conventional weapon. But it seems a Hedgehog's spin attack can never be repelled no matter what I do." I explained.

"That is not necessarily true; I've noticed the Frame-Guardians have energy shields. They held off my spin attacks so I had to flank them, they're an annoyance in groups and more if in Legions."

True, Frame-Guardians have wrist mounted oval-shaped violet-transparent energy shields that covers their entire front that can even block a Maximized Charged Spin Attack, essentially giving them the roll of a walking tank and armed with a energy spear with a machine gun mounted tip. Kind of like the Adeptus Custodian Bolter-Spear from Warhammer 40k. They stand in 2.1m, definitely taller than Frame-Warriors, and very slow without their rocket boosters behind them.

Explanation aside, I turned my attention back to Maria and Shadow.

"They are merely the bulk of my robot army, expendables. That aside, I hope the ship have been treating you two well."

"Yes, I had a lot of fun when we first toured around your ship. It's so big that I might even get lost if I'm alone. Don't you think so too Shadow?"

"…Hmph, I've never been in any ship before…but I guess it has its marks."

"Oh…is that a compliment from the Ultimate Life Form." I said with a shit-eating grin and Maria merely giggled. This annoyed Shadow as he glared at and I heard a low growl come shake from his throat.

"Shut up. How about a spar, let's see how can you fair against me." Shadow challenged with a smirk. I quirked an eyebrow at his proposal.

"Bah! Don't take me for a fool you shithead. I won't last a second in a fist fight against you." I retorted. Shadow widened his eyes, clearly not expecting me admitting my defeat in a possible spar with him and it confused him somehow.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you've noticed in the Ark. I am not a fighter and probably never will. My Martial Arts skills are lacking and it's the reason why I rather carry a gun then Run and Gun and prefer to my tactical prowess."

"Run and Gun?" Maria asked.

"It's a combination of firearms and acrobatics. Running while gunning your opponents. Dodge and weave while shooting."

"I see, by that you mean you always keep your distance against an opponent while relentless being in the offensive."

"Precisely. With Shadow's great skill in close combat and his Chaos Control, a great combination I may add, Shadow is a Gary Stu to be reckoned with." I explained.

"Gary Stu?" Shadow asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing, just a term I learned a long time ago. It means a powerful person if you're asking."

"Hmph. I am the Ultimate Life Form, of course I'll-"

"Ugh, spare me the bullshit Shadow. I heard you say that many times now."

"Shadow, Pixelite, need you two have to be so rude with each other." Maria said.

"Ordinarily, I would expect you to scold me for my uncivil manner but why also Shadow?"

"I am beginning to share your opinion about his…antics." That again made a wide-eyed Shadow, freezing him in place along with me as I just eyed the blonde human and contemplated what she just said. A moment later, I burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! You heard that Shadow. Hahaha! Maria, your girlfriend, getting tired of your self-praise. Hahaha!" I laughed more for a few seconds. I noticed Maria's face flushed at my words.

"Are you done yet? I fail to see why you see it funny." Shadow growled in annoyance while rubbing his temples. Of course, you don't. You don't know your future self dumbass so it won't be funny.

"Haha…well, never mind that."

"S-so what brings you here Pixelite?" Maria stuttered out, not wanting to continue on a certain subject.

"Originally, I was just gonna take a break and shoot something then give you the good news later. But seeing you're here, I might as well tell you now."

"Good news?" Maria and Shadow asked unison. Perfection Synchronization! This two are goddamn cute! Shadaria for the win!

"I've found an alternative solution for your problem with NIDS." I said as I earned a look of surprise then gladness from Maria and Shadow.

"You have found a cure for my disease." Maria asked with a smile as she went besides Shadow.

"Yes but it's not exactly a cure."

"How can you help Maria then?"

"By using your grandfather's Transgenic-mutation formula."

"Transgenic-mutation?" Again, they asked in unison. I really hook up this two.

"A mutated life-form made up of genes that came from two or more species."

"Like Shadow?"

"Yes like Shadow. After the first prototype and the second attempt who is Shadow, It is proven safe and successful. Shadow's gene basically makes him invulnerable against any type of disease and minor physical harm."

"And by using the same genes I have to Maria, she can inherit a strong immune system that I have, technically curing her and even giving her some strength."

"Nice Shadow, you're quick to follow…but there is a price." I said now with a cold tone. A dramatic pause and silence hung before being broken by Maria's question.

"…What is it Pixelite?"

"Shadow, for the sake of saving Maria. Will you do anything to achieve that goal?" I asked.

I know already what his answer is going to be, I just wanted to see him do it. We all know that Shadow can be noble spite his anti-hero status; he will do anything to achieve his goals.

"Of course." He looks at me with strong piercing eyes and said it with a firm tone. I merely nodded in his answer.

"Good, then Maria, are you willing to give up your humanity and mortality."

"My humanity…mortality?" She said in confusion.

"The genes will be coming from Shadow and I'll take some blood from him. Not only will you inherit his immune system but also his immortality, strength and…species." I explained, it only took about five seconds to realize what I meant. It also hit Shadow.

"…You mean, I'll to transform into a hedgehog."

"Mutate in my term, a rather fair bargain in my opinion. The reason is, to maintain a stable alien gene and immune system from being you-don't-wanna-know. Chaos Energy must be present in your body. Obviously, you're human and you don't have the ability to control nor contain Chaos Energy."

"I'll do it." She instantly said with her usual determined eyes. I noticed Maria's hand hold Shadow's.

"That was fast." I said surprised at her fast answer. That's it, no doubts and questions asked?

"I already said it, no matter what happens, as long Shadow is in my side." Maria said.

"If Maria is fine with this, then I have to respect and accept it." Shadow said.

"Don't worry she'll be fine, I may be psychopath and murderer, but I'm no oath-broker." I reassured though with an uncomfortable grin in my face.

"That's…not reassuring at all."

"Not in the most. I'll prepare the materials needed, I'll call you two when where ready to begin." They nodded and I left the premise giving the two times of privacy for themselves, probably going to discuss related to their new life this timeline once we get back to the surface.

"Master Emerald, speak."

"Yes, my Guardian?" The voice in my head said.

"When you infuse Maria with Chaos Energy, send in only the good stuff."

"Define 'Good Stuff'."

"Positive Chaos Energy of course you idiot, what do you think? My semen?"

"My assumptions are deficient my Guardian."

/

AN: I'm sorry for the late update. That's all. Thank you for making it this far and I hope you enjoyed reading. Have a nice day ma'ams and sirs.