The closing of the door interrupted the room's only occupant from what he had been doing at his desk. He turned around seeing the two of them and couldn't help but smile, even if the situation caused it to be a little less warm than what it could have been.
"Professor," Shadow said as he walked over to him, seeing that he was cuffed and chained to his desk, "We need to get out of here."
Shadow looked around the room for a way to free the Professor when suddenly, he just took the chains off.
"How did you?" Shadow asked but the Professor just smile.
"I actually learned some time ago how to pick a lock," The professor admitted, "Not a skill I use too often."
Shadow believed it was a useful skill but, now was not the time to be thinking about that. He glanced back at Maria, who was still standing there looking towards the door. This caused Shadow to frown. He hoped Emerl was doing ok. But, now was the time to figure out an escape plan so he turned back to the Professor.
"So, what do we do Professor?" Shadow asked, "This isn't exactly the same as the Artificial Chaos incident."
Professor Gerald nodded.
"You're right," The professor said, "We really only have one course of action... and that's to get off the ark and go back down to Earth."
This, finally got the attention of Maria as she turned around.
"Back to Earth?" Maria said, "But Grandfather, I'm still no well. You said I can't go back until I'm better."
"There is a way," The Professor said, "Once we get back, I can cryogenically freeze you until we can get past this whole affair and I'm able to continue my research."
Maria didn't seem to care about the idea. After all, the thought of being frozen until who knew when wasn't ideal for Maria. After all, she could wake up to find all the people she knew, to be gone. Yet, Shadow walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll find the cure," Shadow told Maria, "And I'll be right there when you get back out."
This, actually calmed Maria for a bit. She knew it would still be scary but, knowing that Shadow would be by her side.
"Alright, I'll do it," Maria said. And the professor nodded.
"Very well," He said, "Now, GUN has blocked off the shuttle bay, so we only have one other option. We need to make it to the escape pod room."
This peaked Shadow's interest. He had only visited that room once before and was told that it was to only be used in an absolute emergency. Yet, that's when he realized something. To get to the room, they had to cross a rather long hallway with no cover during any part of it. It wouldn't be easy if they were spotted.
"However, we'll need to split up," The Professor said.
"Split up?" Shadow pondered causing the Professor to nod.
"Yes," He said, "You see, I have something I must do before I can leave."
"But, Grandfather," Maria protested, "What could be so important?"
The Professor glanced away. Not wanting to look his granddaughter in the eye at the moment. Maria was unable to tell what was going through his mind.
"Grandfather?"
The Professor finally, could only sigh, his shoulders drooping real low.
"This... is all my fault."
"Professor?"
This time it was Shadow's turn to try and understand. What was he talking about? What was his fault? Yet the Professor didn't bother to turn back around as he took another deep breath.
"When I created you, Shadow," The Professor said, "I had a little help. This... thing that came by was a vile creature. His goal was nothing more than to completely enslave all of mankind to feast on their fears and insecurities and hatred in their hearts. But, in order for him to do that... he needs the 7 Chaos Emeralds."
"The Chaos Emeralds?"
"Yes," The Professor said, "For using them, he'll be able to transport his ship, the black comet, through the earth's atmosphere. If he's able to do that, then the gases inside of it will flood the earth causing the worse side of everyone to be exposed for him to feed on. So, in exchange for helping me create you... I agreed to help him collect the 7 Chaos Emeralds when he returns 50 years from now."
This was a lot to take in. So the Professor agreed to help some alien in return to help give Shadow life? He wasn't sure what to think. But it was Maria who managed to ask the very question on both of their minds.
"But, Grandfather, why?"
That's when he turned around, tears flowing down his face.
"To save you, Maria," The Professor said, "I was coming up nowhere in my research. I couldn't proceed any farther with finding your cure without his help. I... still feel ashamed at what I did. But, it was all to protect you, Maria."
Seemed the Professor was trying to plead for his granddaughter to forgive him. Maria still couldn't believe that he would do something like that. Yet, Shadow had another question.
"But, what does any of that have to do with why Gun's here now?"
The Professor took a moment to answer as he was waiting for a response from Maria. However, perhaps this would help.
"I realized my mistake," The Professor said, "So, I developed a weapon. One that would be able to harness the power of the 7 Chaos Emeralds and destroy that black comet in one strike. I called it... the Eclipse Cannon."
"The Eclipse Cannon?"
"Yes," The Professor said, "In its central control room, you merely need to place the 7 chaos emeralds into the control pillar. Then you'll be able to fire a beam of concentrated Chaos Energy, strong enough to blow up half the moon. Not that I'd advise testing that theory."
The Professor tried to make a small joke but one look at the others told him it wasn't the time.
"The reason GUN is here is I had to make a few arrangements with them in order to have the license to create the weapon in the first place," The Professor said, "This included giving them you, and the Gizord. But, it seems they believe I broke that contract when I inserted Emerl's brain into the Gizord, among other things, so they said they're done with me as they'll only be keeping me around to force me to tell them how everything works, including the Eclipse Cannon. I need to get to it and lock it down before they're able to harness its power."
Shadow nodded as he understood. If GUN managed to get ahold of something that powerful, well, they already witnessed what they were willing to do just to obtain it.
"Very well Professor," Shadow said, "We'll split up. I'll take Maria to Earth and we'll meet you there. If GUN captures you, I'll make sure to rescue you."
The Professor nods.
"Protect Maria Shadow," The Professor said, "She's the most important thing to me and I'm intrusting her care to you, the Ultimate Lifeform."
Again, Shadow nods as he looks to Maria. Maria was still stunned shocked but finally, she quickly came in and gave him a big hug.
"Come back to us," She said, "And if you can, bring Emerl."
The Professor returned the hug.
"I will," He said, "Take care."
With that, the three of them left the office and made off in different directions. Their path leads them straight to where Emerl was fighting the group of GUn Soldiers. Seemed the GUN soldiers were now surrounding the robot as he too was laying down on the ground. He didn't look in too good of shape.
"Emerl..." Maria said walking up to him. The robot barely poked his head up.
"Did, I do good?"
The robot's voice was crackling which brought tears to Maria's eyes.
"Yes," Maria said, "You stopped them. You did very well."
"I protected Maria?"
"Yes," Maria said, "You protected me... Thank you. Now please rest, Grandfather will repair you. I promise. Then, we'll play together. Whatever game you want."
Maria's tears were flowing freely as she spoke to Emerl. Emerl could only smile weakly.
"I, like, to play with Maria and Shadow."
"That's right," Maria said, "We'll play when you're all better. Now rest."
"I will rest... and... thank you... for being my family."
With that, the robot shut down. Maria could only stand there and look at him. She only wished she could have done something, but, her grandfather could fix him... he just had too. Finally, she turned to Shadow with a nod.
"Let's go," Maria said to Shadow as Shadow gave her a nod and the two were off.
Shadow and Maria moved through the ark as quietly as possible. Countless times, they had to stop and hide in order to keep a few GUN soldiers from spotting them. Shadow would have preferred to just knock them out, but he knew there was a good chance one of them would radio in their whereabouts and come to determine where their destination lied. And the worse part was yet to come. For the last leg of their journey would be a long hall, with no cover from start to finish. Once they started down that hall, they would need to clear it before any of the GUN soldiers spotted them.
So they continued on until finally, they reached it. The long hall. Maria looked to Shadow who glanced back at her. This would take them awhile.
"Found you!"
Maria and Shadow glanced back to see about half a dozen GUN soldiers coming upon them. This was it, now or never! So Shadow did what he knew and grabbed ahold of Maria's hand and quickly dashed off, with Maria keeping suit, barely able to keep up. The sounds of footsteps could be heard as they made their way down the hall, running as fast as they could. This wouldn't be easy, but Shadow knew they'd be able to get there in time. The two ran and ran knowing it would be only a matter of time before the GUN soldiers rounded the corner and began to fire at them.
Just a little more! Shadow told himself as the two ran, Maria just about out of breath, but she had ahold of Shadow's hand and was not letting go. Finally, they reached it. The door to the emergency space Capsule. Shadow quickly reached out a hand towards the door. As he tried to turn it, it wouldn't budge. Shadow Swore.
"I'll have to kick it down," Shadow said as he took a few steps back, "Stand clear."
Maria listened as she stood to the side. She was positively freaking out.
"Hurry!"
Shadow then dashed forward and kicked hitting the door as it flew inward on its hinge. Shadow quickly turned back around as he saw Maria reaching out to grab his hand again... Then Shadow would hear the sound that would haunt him forever.
"Maria!"
