"What do you mean I can't go with you?"
Shadow, Maria, and Professor Robotnik were still in the Professor's lab as they were discussing about their next plan of action. The Professor had just recommended that Maria stay there with him while Shadow takes care of the rest Artificial Chaos.
"It's safer for you here, Maria," The Professor said, "If anything were to happen to you..."
His voice trailed off.
"But I'll have Shadow to protect me," Maria protested, "Right Shadow?"
Shadow looked to Maria. Fact is, he had this feeling towards her that he just couldn't place. And he actually wanted her to be happy and let her have what she wanted but he also wanted her to be safe.
"... I'm sorry Maria," Shadow said, "But it is safer for you here."
Maria frowned but she nodded.
"Alright I'll stay here," She said.
Shadow nodded then looked to the Professor.
"How many are there total?" He asked.
"35," He replied.
Shadow thought this over a moment before he spoke again, "I've already taken out 19," Shadow said and Maria was actually curious.
"19?" Maria asked.
Shadow nodded.
"I took out the one in the panic room," Shadow said, "One outside of it. Then the two before we got on the Gun lift, and 15 with the Gun lift."
Maria was impressed.
"How'd you keep count on the Gun lift?" Maria asked.
Shadow only shrugged and the Professor chuckled.
"He is the Ultimate Lifeform," He said, "So counting should be easy for him."
Maria giggled too and Shadow wondered why it was a joke. But he chuckled too, after all laughter was contagious.
"So," Shadow said as he held up his hand, "Don't suppose I can borrow a weapon? The one I had is gone."
"I'm sure one of the GUN Soldiers will let you have one," Maria suggested as she glanced to one just outside the door.
Shadow nodded and was about to turn around when...
"Actually, I may have something," Professor Gerald said. This caused both Maria and Shadow to look towards the Professor.
"You have a weapon?" Maria asked in shock. Shadow was just as curious. The Professor nodded as he walked over to a wall that seemed barren. He then pressed his hand up to it as suddenly a panel slid back revealing a touch screen. Professor Gerald pressed in a code before another larger panel opened up next to it revealing a hidden safe. Maria was surprised, she hadn't known about that before. Shadow was just interested in what the weapon was. The Professor reached into the safe and pulled out a black looking rifle with red tipped markings on it. Maria's jaw dropped.
"I created this thing before you Shadow," The Professor remarked as he brought it over, "It's not one of my most proudest creations but it's a laser weapon with 20 available shots. And capable of killing anything with only 1 hit."
Shadow nodded as the Professor handed the black rifle to him.
"I'm entrusting it to you Shadow," The Professor said, "Just be careful with it."
Shadow nodded as he gripped the gun. It just felt right to him.
"Does it have a name?" Shadow asked.
"A name?" The Professor mused, "No, it doesn't...Never got around to naming it. It's just been sitting with my stuff until I thought of a way to dispose of it."
"What about the Shadow Rifle?" Maria finally chipped in. She was shocked that her grandfather had developed such a dangerous weapon but just seeing it in Shadow's hands, just made her feel safer, plus the design matched Shadow so well.
"I like it," Shadow said.
"Then it's settled," The professor replied, "This one of a kind Weapon is now named the Shadow Rifle. And it's all yours, Shadow."
"Thank you Professor," Shadow said with a nod.
The Professor nodded and Shadow looked at the rifle again.
"With this," Shadow said, "I can take care of the Artificial Chaos quickly."
The Professor nodded and thus Shadow turned around and headed out of the door. After the two of them heard Shadow skate off with his air shoes Maria looked to her grandfather.
"... Grandfather," Maria said a little apprehensive.
"Yes Maria?" The Professor asked as he looked towards her.
"Is it...wrong for me to have...? Maria said as her cheeks began to gain a red hue, "... Feelings towards Shadow?"
That actually surprised Professor Gerald.
"You like him?" He said though seeing Maria's face blush more he smiled, "It would seem you do."
Maria nodded as she couldn't look her grandfather in the eye at the moment.
"The more I get to know him, the more I like him..." Maria said, "He's fun and sweet, and he wants to protect me."
"Well when this is all over, he'll have protected you from something else too," The Professor said. This made Maria nod.
"I... I know," Maria said, "To think that he'll cure me of this... thing I have. Then I can finally go back home. Grandfather I just can't wait to see momma and papa again!"
Maria smiled as she gave her grandfather a hug. The professor smiled as he returned the hug.
"Me too Maria, Me too."
Maria ended the hug when she then thought of something.
"... Why 35?" she asked.
"Hmm?" The Professor asked back.
"Why 35?" Maria said but added further, "Why did you make 35 Artificial Chaos'. If you only need 1?"
The Professor paused as he rubbed his head. This was a tricky subject for him.
"They re all failed experiments," The Professor finally said, "None of them have the ability to fix the Chaos Emeralds and they can't fix the fake one we developed too. But we've kept them around to study them to see where things went wrong... once we finally made the right one, we were going to get rid of the failures."
Maria couldn't believe what she just heard.
"You were going to get rid of them?" Maria said, "For doing nothing but not be perfect? They're living creatures! No wonder they're all so sad!"
Maria then bolted for the door as The Professor tried to stop her but was too late.
"Maria!" The Professor called out as Maria was already out the door and out of sight. She had only one thing on her mind:
I have to stop Shadow.