Chapter 10 A New Threat
Mavok entered the main chamber within the Black Tower of Northank. Agumar was there, standing in front of the Northank stone that radiated dark energy throughout the room.
"Ah! Mavok! Have you come here to explain why you helped Shadow and Maria steal my Chaos Emeralds? I certainly hope so." Agumar said smiling.
The iron doors behind Mavok were sealed shut and four Barrow Lords surrounded him. The Barrow Lords were the most elite wights of Agumar's army.
"I would suggest that you be more hospitable toward me, Agumar. Arawn is dead thanks to my cunning genius. I gave the Emeralds to them so that they could slay Arawn." Mavok laughed.
"Brilliant, Mavok! Now that Arawn is out of the way, I can take Nathelien and reclaim the southern part of Northank that the Chao took from us." Agumar said, motioning for the wights to back off of Mavok.
"My brother and I gave them that land long ago. They never took anything." Mavok said annoyed.
"Yes, but that is history, Mavok and Northank is under my rule. We will wage war upon the Chao and the humans since we don't have to worry about them forming an alliance. Each is unaware of the other's existence, and my armies are far greater than both of theirs combined. Even if the remnants of the Lost should try and stop us, it would make no difference." Agumar laughed as he observed the Northank Stone. It showed a vision of Nathelien, the capital of the Lost. It was well defended, but no where near its usual protection.
Agumar then turned to one of the Barrow Lords.
"Summon the hordes. We must take Nathelien before Arawn's host returns. I want all of Northank emptied, but leave the older wights to defend the gate to Earth. We cannot let them discover us. I will also be preparing my personal horde to invade the humans." Agumar said impatiently.
"And what of the North Hearth Forest just below the Bulwark Mountains?" The wight asked. His voice was empty and hollow as if it were an echo.
"Burn it to the ground! Let the Chao know that we are to be feared!" Agumar yelled madly.
"Yes, Warden!" He said as he bowed and left the chamber with the other Barrow Lords.
Already, Mavok could feel the dead of Northank beginning to stir.
"It would not be wise to attack the humans, Agumar." Mavok advised him.
"And why is that? Do you still have feelings for your people, Mavok?" Agumar laughed.
"They are not my people and I hate them, for they are cruel and selfish! However, Shadow and Maria are the guardians of that world. There are others like them, but they are not concerned with our affairs. Maria will kill you if you threaten them. She is Dyrnwyn's Chosen. She killed Arawn, a deed that kings before her could not do." Mavok said angrily.
"Of course Arawn would be killed by one of his own servants. What would you have me do about the humans then? Let them live?" Agumar laughed.
"I would not go that far, Agumar. I will go there and plant the seeds of their downfall. There are means by which I may corrupt their planet. It would distract them from Northank and it would be a great deal of fun for me." Mavok said smiling.
"So be it, but make sure that you do not reveal Northank's location." Agumar said sternly.
"Of course!" Mavok laughed and walked out of the chamber.
Back on the Ark, Shadow had just awakened. Maria looked up at him and smiled.
"Did you sleep any, Maria?" Shadow yawned.
"Some. I think you slept for nearly an entire day. I enjoyed watching you. It brought me more peace than if I had been sleeping myself." Maria sighed pleasantly.
"Well, that's good. What do you want to do now, Maria?" Shadow asked smiling.
"Why are you asking me, Shadow? I will do whatever you want." Maria said as she held his hand.
"Well, why don't we just lay here for a while and talk. After all, we are getting married soon. We have to decide where the wedding will be and who will be members of our court. We even have to discuss having children and where we will raise them." Shadow said wearily.
"Yes, I know, Shadow, but I don't know if we can even have children. I mean, can Lost followers and normal Mobians have children, and if we can then would they be healthy and happy? This really does scare me, Shadow. I know you want to have children, and I would be honored to bear them for you, but what if they become like me, Shadow?" Maria asked as she began to cry.
"Maria, if our children turn out like you then they will be the most wonderful children in the world." Shadow said smiling.
"Oh, Shadow, I don't understand. You want to marry me even when we're not certain if we can have healthy children. I want to raise a family with you more than anything, Shadow, but I don't want our children to suffer because of me! Curse this vile blood of mine and Arawn for giving it me!" Maria cried into his shoulder.
"I wouldn't be complaining about your Lost blood, Maria. It saved our lives several times, and if we cannot have children then I will be perfectly fine with it, Maria. As long as you are with me I am happy. Besides, if we don't have any children, then I'll have you all to myself." Shadow laughed.
"Shadow, I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have earned your love. I still don't understand how I did though..." Maria sighed.
"No, Maria, I'm the lucky one, lucky to have you in my life. I was so lonely before Arawn created you. I wish that I could have thanked him before you ended his life." Shadow said as he held her hand.
"Well, I'm happy that I could bring joy into your life, Shadow. Do you need anything?" Maria asked concerned.
"Maria, you aren't my servant..." Shadow said embarrassed.
"And why not? I deserve no less and I pledged myself to serve you! It would be my honor, Shadow. I was created to serve a master and who else would make a better master for me than you, Shadow?" Maria said smiling.
"I want you to be my wife, Maria, not my slave. You do know that I owe you my life. Arawn would have killed me if it hadn't been for you." Shadow said laughing.
"I know, Shadow, but I'm sure that you wanted to die after taking my life. Besides, you had no choice. I was too stubborn to listen to you. I deserved death after I tried to deceive you. I can't imagine what it would have been like if it had been the other way around. If I had killed you, Shadow, then I... I don't even want to think about it." Maria said shakily.
"It's in the past, Maria. Just forget about it and focus on how happy we are going to be together." Shadow whispered in her ear as he stroked her back.
"Oh, Shadow... Let's just get married right here on the Ark so we can fully express our love. If our children are anything like me then they will love you so much. I can't believe that I was so worried about it." Maria sighed and laid her head on Shadow's chest.
"I think that our children will be very happy, Maria; especially since they have you for a mother." Shadow assured her.
"Thank you, Shadow. I really appreciate it." Maria sighed.
She kissed Shadow and he began to run his fingers through her hair. The door suddenly opened and Rouge walked into the room. She looked at them and blinked several times.
"You have got to be kidding me. Silver and I have been looking for you two all day! We thought that something terrible had happened! I-I was so worried! Shadow, could you, just for once, not disappear after a huge battle? I mean, you couldn't even have come and told us that you were alright before running off with Maria?" Rouge yelled furiously.
"Um... I'm sorry..." Shadow said embarrassed.
"Rouge, is Silver still here? Shadow and I need someone to marry us." Maria asked happily.
"What? You're getting married right now? Well, he's here. That Neo guy showed up too. Oh, and here are your rings Shadow." Rouge said as she dropped the four rings on to the ground with a resounding thud.
"Get dressed and come to the observation deck. We'll have it there, I guess, but I'm not being your flower girl." Rouge laughed as she walked out of the room.
Maria jumped out of the bed and walked over to a nearby dresser.
"Do you think there would be any dresses in here that would fit me?" She asked nervously.
"I think you looked great in your armor, Maria. I suppose it's a dress, only, made of metal." Shadow laughed, sliding the inhibitor rings over his wrists and ankles.
"Really? Alright, Shadow, I'll wear it for you." Maria said smiling.
She put on her armor and sheathed Dyrnwyn.
"What are you going to do with that, Maria?" Shadow asked concerned.
"Oh, the sword? I suppose I'll keep it. It... It makes me feel at peace, Shadow. I can't really explain it..." Maria sighed.
"Well, that's fine. Let's go." Shadow said as he took her hand.
They walked to the observation deck where Rouge, Silver, and Neo were waiting for them.
Neo immediately ran to Maria.
"This is a surprise, is it not? I must congratulate you, Maria, or shall I say, my Queen. Since you have slain Arawn, you now have the right to usurp his throne. I bow to thee with honor." Neo said and bowed before Maria.
"Um... I don't want to be your queen. Shadow and I are getting married. Besides, isn't that Agumar guy his successor?" Maria said uncomfortably.
"You... You what? Maria, Arawn's spirit is not going to haunt you if you do not fulfill your service. Besides, the Lost has already agreed to look over the Necromancer and have chosen you, for we believe that you rightfully deserve it." Neo explained.
"And if I don't accept it, then who will rule the Lost?" Maria asked.
"The throne would go to his sister, Avari, but she is locked in Nathelien, still unaware of her brother's death. Though, I urge you to reconsider. This is a dangerous time for the Lost. If you marry Shadow then you cannot be queen until we return to Nathelien and decide if we can take him as our new king. I do not know how popular he will be. I know that you will both try to make peace with the Chao. I doubt that would please most of the Lost. Though, after a millennium of war, I imagine most of us are ready to retire. Even our strength has its limits, and specifically, the women lose their desire to fight after having children. He would be popular among them, however, we men still crave battle, and unless he can find war for us somewhere else, he will not be our king. That is plain to me." Neo sighed.
"What's this? I do not want to be a king. All I want is to live a happy life with Maria. She and our future children are all that matter to me now." Shadow said sternly.
"So be it. I understand your decision, but it disappoints me nonetheless. Well, I will officially wed you both if you are firmly decided." Neo sighed.
"We are certainly ready, except we do not have wedding bands to share..." Maria said frowning.
"Isn't that a shame?" Mavok laughed as he walked onto the observation deck.
"Mavok, I thought you had left?" Silver asked confused.
"I did, briefly, and I made these for the occasion." Mavok said, bearing two solid gold rings.
"Why are you interfering in our affairs, Mavok? Are you not content with the evil acts you have already committed?" Neo said annoyed.
"Maria is alive and Arawn is dead because I interfered in your affairs. I would not be so quick to judge if I were you." Mavok laughed as he tossed the rings to Shadow.
"I must praise your work, Mavok. It is... astounding!" Shadow said, observing the rings.
"Yes, I do take pride in my craftsmanship. I have forged many rings throughout the past centuries, some containing great power, even deadly." Mavok said haughtily.
"And what don't you take pride in?" Neo murmured.
"Yes, these are very beautiful, Mavok! Thank you, and I thank you for saving my life as well." Maria said happily.
"You are most welcome, Maria. At least someone in the Lost is grateful." He said smiling.
"Silver, would you be our best man?" Shadow asked, holding out the rings.
"Yes, of course, Shadow. I would be honored." Silver said nodding.
He took the rings and stepped back.
"Are you both ready?" Neo asked smiling.
Shadow and Maria nodded in unison. Silver then handed them each a ring and they slid it onto the other's finger. Mavok carefully observed the rings as they exchanged them. Once they were both wearing them he smiled with satisfaction.
"Do you, Shadow the Hedgehog, take Maria to be your-"
"Yes!" Shadow said, cutting him off.
Maria laughed at him and blushed.
"Alright then, do you, Maria..."
"Robotnik." Shadow murmured.
"Yes. Do you, Maria Robotnik, take Shadow to be your loftily wedded husband?"
"I-I do." Maria said shakily.
"You may... Why am I here?" Neo sighed as Shadow went ahead and kissed her without his permission.
Rouge laughed and clapped for them.
"So what happened to the objections?" Mavok whispered behind her.
"Excuse me?" Rouge asked annoyed.
"Come now, don't play the good girl with me. You feel cheated don't you? You've worked so hard to help and protect Shadow just to see him married off to a girl that tried to kill him, a girl that shouldn't even be alive." Mavok whispered to her.
"Listen, Mavok, I don't want to hear any more about Maria getting between Shadow and me! Arawn tried to tell me the same thing and unless you want to end up like him, I suggest you forget about it and never speak of it again." Rouge whispered harshly.
"You do not want to hear it because you know it is true. You cannot stand seeing him so happy with another girl. I can read your heart, Rouge, and it is written with the ink of jealousy and the quill of greed. Shadow is like any other jewel to you." Mavok laughed.
"Maria is a wonderful person, Mavok..." Rouge said trembling.
"Yes, but is she good enough for Shadow?" Mavok asked smiling.
"No, she's not, but I'm not either. How could any girl be deserving of him." Rouge sighed.
"Manipulation is a simple thing, Rouge. I could make you worthy of him. I could make Shadow love you." Mavok said as he kneeled down to be on eye-level with her.
"You... You could?" Rouge asked inquisitively.
"Mavok, what are you still doing here? Stop harassing that young lady!" Neo said annoyed.
"I know where I am welcome and it is not here. Farewell." Mavok said crossing his arms.
He left the observation deck and looked back over his shoulder at Rouge.
"Meet me in Northank. You'll be heading there soon." He said and winked at her.
Mavok then vanished in a flash of light.
"What an idiot..." Rouge murmured.
She returned her attention to Shadow and Maria.
"I would advise you both to be cautious of those rings. Mavok is a twisted man. He derives fun from causing others pain and misery." Neo said sternly.
"We'll be careful, Neo." Maria laughed.
"Be sure that you are. Unfortunately, I must leave. The humans are taking action after our theft of the Emeralds. We must prepare to return to Nathelien." Neo sighed.
He began to leave, but Shadow stopped him.
"Will we ever see you again, Neo?" Shadow asked.
"No, it is likely that we will not. It has been an honor. Farewell, brother and sister." He said sadly.
"Thank you for taking care of Maria... brother. I appreciate what you did." Shadow said smiling.
"And look at what I got her into! It never ceases to amaze me how such evil can be used to create such good." Neo said happily.
He bowed to them and left. Maria sighed and Shadow embraced her.
"Let's dance, Maria." He whispered to her.
"Okay, Shadow!" She said excitedly.
They began to dance about the room together, laughing cheerfully.
"Wow! I've never seen Shadow so happy." Silver said in shock.
"Yeah, I know." Rouge said smiling.
Silver looked over at Rouge. Her gaze seemed to be far away and distant.
"Rouge, are you alright?" He asked concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine. We should give them some privacy." Rouge said, returning to reality.
Silver nodded and they left the room.
"So, did you return the Chaos Emeralds to G.U.N.?" Silver asked.
"Yes, I did. I doubted that we would need them anymore and it wasn't safe to have them up here on the Ark. I know that they weren't much safer at the headquarters, but I don't think that the Lost is going to steal the Emeralds after Arawn's death." Rouge explained.
"Better to be safe than sorry, I suppose. We wouldn't want someone getting hold of them here and using the cannon." He sighed.
Neo suddenly ran around a corner and almost hit them.
"Well, you came back even sooner than I thought." Rouge laughed.
"Yeah, Rouge, I just couldn't stay away from you. Where are Shadow and Maria? I have dire news." Neo said sternly.
"They're still on the observation deck. How dire is it? We've left them alone for a while. I doubt that they would want to see you right now." Silver asked laughing.
"The fate of the world depends upon them. That is how dire it is." Neo said as he ran off.
He entered the observation deck where he found Shadow and Maria staring down at the planet together.
"Neo, you're back! What happened?" Maria asked confused.
"We are all clinging to the edge over the gaping maw of Hell! Northank has been unleashed and Agumar is preparing to attack Nathelien! Once he has reclaimed Northank, he will conquest over this world! Please, you have to stop him!" Neo said hastily.
"Whoa! Slow down! Now, what's going on exactly?" Maria asked laughing.
"Several centuries ago, Mavok and his brother, Marech, gave a group of Chao from Mobius a part of Northank on which they could settle and live. Northank, you see, is connected to many dimensions, one being the home world of our species: Mobius. Well, a few centuries after the Chao arrived, Arawn wandered into Northank with his sister and he started a war against the Chao to take their land. Now, Agumar is going to reclaim that part of Northank and create an army of the dead, so vast that even the humans of this world will not be able to stop it. That is why we must stop Agumar now before he becomes too powerful." Neo explained.
"So we just got married, and now you want us to go into a world we know nothing about to fight a necromancer and his army of the dead?" Shadow asked in disbelief.
"I know it sounds quite overwhelming when you put it that way, but I thought that it would be the perfect honeymoon for the two of you." Neo said hopefully.
Rouge and Silver then entered the room.
"What's going on, Shadow?" Silver asked concerned.
"It sounds like we haven't saved the world yet. Neo wants us to go fight a necromancer in Northank." Shadow sighed.
"He's going to attack the Chao. They are a valiant and decent people. We have to help the Chao. I can take you through Northank once we are on the planet." Neo said sternly.
"Hold up, Neo! You can't do this to Shadow and Maria! They have struggled so much to stop Arawn from destroying the world. Maria even died! Now you want them to go and clean up the mess that you all created with this war of yours? If the Lost is so powerful, then why don't you rally them to stop this necromancer? All you have to do is kill him and then his army will return to rest." Rouge said angrily.
"And all he must do is kill Arawn's sister and the Lost is finished." Neo said crossing his arms.
"It's... It's fine, Rouge. The Lost are my people and this will ultimately lead to the destruction of this planet as well. We have to stop Agumar." Maria sighed.
"But Maria, it isn't fair. You and Shadow have to go right back to war on your wedding night. I mean, what couple would do that?" Rouge said sadly.
"I was created to fight and kill, Rouge. I suppose Shadow was, in a way, created for the same purpose, and like I said, these are my people and I have to help them." Maria said smiling.
"Well I'm coming with you. No way am I letting this mad man destroy the world!" Silver said nodding.
"Are you in, Rouge?" Shadow asked.
"Of course! No way am I letting you run off and get yourself hurt, Shadow." Rouge laughed.
"Thanks." He said smiling.
"Let's go then. Shadow, take us down to the surface and I will guide you all to Northank. From there we must head south over the mountains. That is where the territory of the Chao begins." Neo explained.
Shadow nodded and they disappeared.