Memory Lane

She gazed around the balcony room that he and she used to always sit in. Staring down upon Earth, sharing tales they heard of the planet, wondering if it was just a beautiful on it, as it was looking at it. Being twelve again, all those years of training were stricken from her. She no longer held the ability to hide her emotions, and she showed this by the tears rolling down her face. How long had it been since she cried? It seemed that ever since this whole mess had started, she was crying more and more. And it pained her.

"Do you remember this place?"

She gazed at Shadow, as he stood cross armed, in the middle of the room. She gazed down to the floors and walls, and nodded solemnly. The action didn't make Shadow smile, and only served to pain him more. He gazed to the ground, then back up to the ceiling, before his eyes fell upon one of the many blood splatters. He walked over to it, where he found a bullet casing on the ground. Though his hand reached forward to grab it, Maria grabbed it first. She raised the bronze casing up, and gazed upon it with the help of the lights.

"I shot them, didn't I?" she faced Shadow, "Didn't I?

He nodded, before gazing away in unhappiness. To his surprise, Maria chuckled, though it wasn't a happy one. It was ironic, absurd, even. She dropped the casing on the ground, as the tears continued to roll down her face.

"They came... and I shot them..." she whispered, "My first kill..."

"Kills..." Shadow reaffirmed, "Kills. More than one. You killed three people, I believe..."

She gazed upon the room, her eyes reading the individual faded blood splatters. It seemed G.U.N. only moved the bodies, and did little to clean the blood. She wasn't sure if that was right or not, but it served to remind her of the carnage she was in. Facing Shadow, she wondered why he appeared so sad. How did he know of the hell she went through? He was dead, after all.

Dead.

Dead.

She closed her eyes. Lights flashed in her head, fading away the life she was currently living. When she opened her blue orbs once more, she was there. Blue blouse and dress, painted red, as some blood lied upon her face and hair. Cold black gun in her hands, clenching it tightly. Her best friend, her cure, on the ground, blood pooling around his body. The sight of death everywhere. G.U.N. agents dead around her, not moving in the least bit. Stricken down by her cold, unrelenting, hate. And this man before her, with brown hair, and a soft face. The current G.U.N. Commander, and the man who ruined her life.

Colonel Samson Taylor.

She had been so close to killing him before, and she never did so. It seemed to be one of the many memories taken from her mind. If she had the same conscious as she did now, she would have surely fired one right into Samson's face. She would have killed him right here, and right now, to hell with what G.U.N. would have done to her afterward. But she didn't. She just stared up into his brown eyes, and listened to the soft words, like an animal being drawn to the slaughter. She didn't know that trusting him today, would lead into twelve years of lies.

Her eyes blinked. She was no longer in that day. She was here, now, in the modern time, once more. She gazed down to the blood stain that had been left over the years, and sighed in deeply. She was so pained by the flashback, it made her tear up.

"Why?" she asked, "Why?"

"I don't know why..." the hedgehog commented, walking up with his arms crossed, "But it happened."

He neared the door, then stopped. Turning around, he faced Maria with a smile. It was exactly what she needed to loosen the emotions she had swelled up inside. Walking forward to Shadow, she opened the sliding door, seeing a lively hall on the other end. Scientists were here and there, working on various things, running left and right, doing the actions they were paid to do. Maria's face brightened up at the sight, for she had rarely seen such a sight. The halls of the Ark were lively and new, not dark and dank, like they were when she was first walking through here.

Walking forward, Maria gazed in awe at the people. They would past her as they crossed her path, and some would even say hello. At this time, the Ark felt genuinely alive, as if it were always like this. Shadow walked beside her in a uniform motion, his arms crossed, as he eyed the many people passing them as well.

"Shadow," Maria called, giggling like a girl, "Isn't this fantastic?

It seemed as if she forgot where she was at this moment, as she just enjoyed the sight of the living. Then she blinked, and the hall were once again empty. Her jovial nature faltered, as she peered down the depressing silent halls. Suddenly, Shadow's hand slid across hers, grabbing it tightly. She peered over to the hedgehog, and he gazed back.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered.

These memories were hurting Maria's head, in all honesty. Would they forever plague her like this, in ways that are disjointed and confusion? Or would she one day figure out what it all meant? It seemed the hedgehog before her was the one that held all the answers. And she so desperately wanted to know.

The grip he held on her hand increased, bringing her down the halls. She didn't fight off in anyway, and just allowed him to take her wherever he pleased. The halls were so silent without anyone there to fill them, and the only sights to see other than metal, were the glimpses of space through the window. Was the space colony always like this? Silent, cold, indifferent? Or was this just the makings of her flashbacks, making her remember some of the more monotonous moments.

Shadow suddenly stopped, standing before a sliding door. He said nothing, and instead looked up to Maria. She found the door to be odd, seeing as it was just a random door. But it was calling out to her, this door was. She stepped forward, and laid her hand upon the cold metal. Glancing away, she saw Shadow staring at her, egging her to move one. So, gripping the door's handle, she slid the sliding door open. The room on the other end was dark, as expected, so she briefly looked for the light switch. Upon finding it near the door itself, she pressed it.

Light came to the area, allowing her to see it as it was. It made her gasp. This room, was her room. She could tell, despite the fact that it lacked many things. Her bed was still here, but the sheets were gone, so were the rugs and many other things. Clothing was thrown in many directions, as if someone had raided this place. But of course, someone did raid this place. Twelve years ago, in fact, by a certain malicious government agency. Still, it was her room. Her old room. The room she once called her own, when she was happy.

"Remember this place?" he asked, walking forward and gazing upon the bed.

"Yes, Shadow," she giggled as if his words were silly, "How could I not forget my old room?"

The hedgehog gained a smirk, as he chuckled inwardly. Gazing back to the bet, he walked up to it, and suddenly sat upon it. Maria walked up soon after, and sat down near the brooding hedgehog. He glanced over to her, then back down, as his arms found that usual crossed fashion they were known for.

"I remember when..." he glanced up, "Used to come in here, despite Father's wishes, and you'd read to me all throughout the night..." he looked over to her, "Do you remember the book we used to read?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Alice," she whispered, "Alice in Wonderland..."

He nodded, as his smirk grew into a genuine smile. Gazing away, he continued reminiscing.

"You used to paint the pictures so perfectly, Maria. I always enjoyed reading the books with you, because it was so easy to see them..."

"I remember," she commented, moving closer, "When you used to read to me. I enjoyed hearing the words coming from you mouth too, Shadow. I especially enjoyed it when you'd come a cross a word that confused you, and you'd get stuck for a minute or two..."

He chuckled.

"Yes," he whispered, "And you'd laugh and laugh at my mistakes when I finally said the word, but said it wrong..."

She started chuckling now, making her feel better.

"But it was so funny and cute!" she commented, hugging him.

The warm embrace of him in her arms, it was a feeling she had long since lacked. A feeling she actually enjoyed at one point in time, but one that had been taken from her. And he was real, it seemed, for she could feel life resonating from his body. It made her smile.

"But," she whispered, "I remember that issues you had, growing up." she eyed him closely, "Like how you really started to enjoy my company, a bit too much. For reasons that every growing boy goes through..."

His ruby eyes looked up to her, as a smile came to his lips. Suddenly, he broke free of Maria's grasp, and stood up in her room. Crossing his arms, he gave a flustered look, as a blush came about.

"Well," he whispered, "Father never said it was wrong of me to have these feelings so..."

"Father," she countered with a smile, "Didn't know his prized creation was growing into a young man."

Shadow let loose a low chuckle, as his feet brought him near the door. Crossing his arms, he once again waited for Maria to walk over. Eventually, the blonde left her bed, and walked over to the black and red hedgehog. Opening the door, the duo returned to the halls ahead. Shadow's indifferent face returned after a few moments, and Maria's usual face returned as well.

The hedgehog began walking after a while, traveling through the halls with Maria following closely. Where were they heading now? She was dying to know. Despite the fact that this place was slowly coming to mind, she still lacked many areas of her memories. Most of it was fragments, running this way, running that way, with scientists, with Shadow, and with Abraham.

Abraham Tower. Her brother. Was he ever going to appear in these memories? Was she going to see how he was like, before all the G.U.N. training? Before all the lies?

"Shadow?" she called, "What of Abraham?"

She gazed upon the hedgehog's face as he turned to her. He looked angry, as he eyed the blonde directly in her blue eyes. She could tell from the sight, that the hedgehog held animosity toward Abraham.

"Why does it matter?" he asked, "Is he not a liar on par with the rest of G.U.N.?"

She nodded, as she crossed her hands.

"Yes but," she stated, eyes closing, "He's still my brother, is he not?"

"No," Shadow stated, "He's not..."

He gazed away, showing that he no longer wanted to talk on the situation. It was just he and her now, and that's how he wanted it. That's how she wanted it to be.

The hedgehog ceased his movements. Before them, another door. Gazing at Maria he waited for her to open the door. She did so after a few seconds, revealing to them a room filled with machinery and great test tubes. Said test tubes were broken, with glass lying on the ground, while the machines were broken in various ways. Blood stained some, showing that not even this area was freed of G.U.N.'s wrath. It made Maria shutter.

Closing her eyes, she could feel the room come back to life, however. Her eyes opened a moment later, and she gazed upon a room filled with things beyond her dreams. Small creatures sat within these test tubes, as they floated about in shimmering green fluids. Maria laid her hand upon some of them, eying the beings inside. Most were incomplete, while others, not so much. But one was different from the rest.

In a great test tube, at the very end of the room, a black and red hedgehog. His eyes were closed, as he floated about in the deranged machine.

"Why are you showing me all of this, Shadow?" she asked, glancing at him,, "Are you enjoying this?"

The hedgehog looked visibly pained for a moment, before gazing away. He didn't want to head Maria's words, but he could never say no to her. He just needed a bit of coercing. So, she lifted her hand, and placed it on his back, rubbing it slowly. The hedgehog straightened up after a moment, before he gazed up to meet Maria's eyes.

"I'm not doing this because I enjoy it..." he whispered, "In fact, I'm not doing it at all..."

He sighed, and uncrossed his arms, taking a few steps forward to remove himself from her.

"I'm just..." he continued, "Here as a guide, Maria..." he looked to her, "In fact, I'm not even sure if I'm here..." his face looked so pained as he said this, "I think that, in all honesty, I am dead, the real me is dead. And the one you see before you, is just a figment of your imagination..." he looked away, "A figment you created in order to help you out with these things..."

"Help me with..." she closed her eyes, "My memories...?"

"Yes," he answered with a nod, "Help you with your memories..."

"Then why?" she asked, stepping forward and grabbing him, "Why have you been here ever since I stopped taking those pills? Why were you there when I killed the Iguana Agent, asking me to stop? Why... why didn't you want me to get revenge on G.U.N., if you're just me?"

He raised his arms in a shrugging manner.

"I don't know..." he whispered, "I only know as much as you do, Maria... I guess I'm the attachment you have to your childhood. I'm the being that reminds you of who you are... I guess I just needed to remind you..."

"Remind me of what?" she asked.

"Remind you of who you once were..." he stated.

"Is that why you didn't want me to kill people?" she asked, "Because I was losing myself?"

He nodded, though she could tell it was more than that.

"What are you hiding, Shadow?" she suddenly grabbed him by his shoulders, "What don't you want me to know?"

His burning red eyes peered long and hard into her aquatic blue ones. Then he closed his eyes.

"Because..." he said, so heartlessly, "You know that, deep down inside, you actually hated this place, Maria..."

She couldn't believe his words. Did he just say, she hated the Ark? It was her home! She loved the Ark, she loved it more than anyone could ever have. But that's not what Shadow was saying. He was saying the exact opposite.

"You told me all the time..." he continued, "How much you disliked the place. How much you longed to go to Earth, how you longed to live there, with its green forests, it blue oceans, its serene skies. How you detested the sight of darkness, with the glimpses of stars, and how you forever wanted to be free of them..." he looked up to her, "How I was your ticket out of here."

"I don't believe you..." she whispered.

"I didn't at first either, but I understood why..." he took in a deep breath, then exhaled, "It was because of your illness, Maria. The NIDS, that held you prisoner up here. You wanted to be free of here, and to be free of that which had your family scared." he shook his head, "And that's why I never understood your anger toward G.U.N. Did they not give you want you wanted? The adventure you craved for on the Earth."

"But it's not how I wanted it to be!" she cried, "They lied to me, took everything away from me!"

"But they gave you life, Maria! They gave you more of a life than I ever could..." he closed his eyes, and tears started coming out, "I failed you..."

"No Shadow..." Maria whispered, "You didn't..." her eyes turned red briefly, "You've always been with me... If it weren't for you, I'd be dead..."

"Then..." he whispered, "Why are you here? You have everything you wanted, Maria. To be cured of the NIDS, to be free on the Earth. Why are you here? Why must you seek revenge for a place you didn't care about?"

"I may not care for the place," she stated, "But I care for the people. I cared for all the scientists on the Ark, for my grandfather, and most importantly," she looked at him, "For you, Shadow..."

"So, you're going to carry out these feeling of revenge? I can't stop you? No one's going to stop you?"

She nodded, but her face was filled with hurt.

"I don't know what I want, really..." then her face grew hard as her eyes closed, "But I will have my revenge. I will, Shadow..."

"If you do, there's no going back..."

"Go back where?"

Her retort made him chuckle.

"I guess you have a point..." then the seriousness returned, "I'm sorry this all had to happen. I wish G.U.N. never came, and honestly, I wish you never learned of your past..." he closed his eyes, "You would have been happier that way..."

"Maybe..." she whispered, "Maybe not..."

The hedgehog's eyes opened, and Maria was once again an adult, wearing that space suit Ivo forced her into. And Shadow, he was once more an apparition, floating about like a ghost.

"Whether G.U.N. it's for revenge, or if it's for heroism, G.U.N. must be stopped Shadow..." she turned away, "And I'm going to make sure of it..."

"Well, whatever happens..." she looked at the hedgehog, only to see he was gone, "I hope you're happy Maria... That's all I ever wanted..."

She wasn't going to hear anymore from him, for she knew he wasn't going to answer. Maybe it would be the last time she saw the hedgehog. Maybe not. Whatever the case was, she remembered now. It seemed as if that brief trip down memory lane helped remind her of everything that happened in her life. Everything that ever happen. All her life.

"Goodbye Shadow..." she smiled, "And thanks..."

She clinched onto the Egg Rifle in her arms, as she glanced toward the room's entrance. Everything was as destroyed as it was when she first stepped in. It was time to go, she knew it.

"MARIA!" Ivo's annoying voice barked, "Where are you!?"

"I'm here, Ivo," she yelled back into the radio, "What's your problem!?"

"My problem, is that the entry way to Ark has not yet opened! Hurry up!"

She groaned in annoyance, before running out of the room.

…

It didn't take long for her to reach the docking bay. The entire E-100s were standing side by side, as she entered the room. She almost entirely ignored them, as she ran up to the command console. Since she remembered the Ark now, she could recall the time her grandfather taught her how to use the console. It was a boring day indeed, but now she was pleased that he did. Pressing buttons and pulling levers, eventually cased the heavy doors in space to open. Through a glass window, she watched as the Silver Fish entered the great metal docking bay. It made her smile, as she felt the end of her mission coming near.

But of course it would never be that easy.

She felt Gamma tap her on the shoulder. She gazed up to him, before turning her eyes to the window that gazed to space, and more specifically, the Earth. She cocked her head at first, as she saw gleaming objects shine across the planet. Getting closer to the window, she leaned closer, in order to see what was coming her way. After a minute or two of blind staring, she noticed the things heading her way.

Spaceships. An Armada of spaceships.

"G.U.N." she whispered.