Last Chapter:
"Maria?" Rouge asked.
"Yes, Rouge?" Maria replied.
"That other hedgehog was.was Shadow wasn't it?" Rouge softly asked.
Everyone looked to Maria who suddenly collapsed on the sidewalk. "Y- Yes." Maria said, her voice soft and distant. Everyone looked down at his or her feet.
"But what would she know about Shadow?" Tails asked. "I did a background check while I went out to eat with Knuckles. Maria knows almost everything about him. Isn't that right." Rouge said, "Maria Robotnik Hedgehog?"
Chapter 2 Discovery and then.
"Grandpa! Shadow ran away again! I can't find him at all!" Shouted Maria, running into the lab. She strained to breathe, her breath coming in and out quick and shallow.
Her Grandfather looked up from his work and sighed, "Maria, go look for him in Lab 10. He always hides there when he doesn't want to get tested on."
"Okay!" Maria replied. She left the testing room and into the hallway. The Lab 10 room has always been forbidden to her, not because it was dangerous, but because it was so far away from the sector she is supposed to be at. The sector where Lab 10 is has old guard robots running about. They are so old that there are times when they attack anyone who crosses their paths. It's very rare to see them but it's important to always look out.
She left her sector and when into the next one, eyeing the doors for the number and also looking for robots. "Lab 8, 9, 10! Here it is!" She quietly opened the door and looked in. There was Shadow, standing in front of one of the big glass windows. "Shadow."
Shadow turned around and smiled at Maria, "Ah, you're here! Maria you have to see this view!" He went over and took her hand, slightly pulling on her so she would move forward.
"Shadow, you are supposed to be getting your check-up, not star glazing. You can do that after- " Maria stopped mid-sentence because of the sight she saw. It was Earth, and the view was beautiful! She could see the Earth closer than in any other window. "Oh Shadow, it's beautiful!"
"I knew you would like it." Shadow grinned. "Grandfather doesn't even know the reason why I come to this lab. If he knew it was because of Earth, he would get worried that I would want to go there. Well, I do but whatever he wants me to do, I'll do first."
"This can be our secret place, okay?" Maria said.
Shadow replied, stubbornly, " Okay, just so long as you never come here alone, Maria. I have to be here to protect you."
Maria laughed, ruffling Shadow's quills. "It's a deal," She said, "I wouldn't have to any other way."
@---------
"Maria? Did you here what I said?" Rouge asked, waving a hand in front of Maria the Hedgehog's face.
After the dilemma on the street, the gang went to Rouge's house. They were all sitting in Rouges living room on her black leather couches, sipping cocoa to calm themselves while waiting for Maria to explain to them.
"Oh! Sorry. I kind of spaced out for a second. What was it you asked?" Maria murmured. Looked into her lap where her cocoa rested; she gently swirled it around in her cup.
"I asked; how did you come to find out about Shadow's death?"
"Well, I found out on the message board."
"Did you know that the board was found deep within G.U.N.'s top secret files?"
"Yes."
"Then how did you get in?"
"I used the password."
"Normal people can't get the password. It was given to me because I was a spy; I needed the information. How were you able to obtain it?"
"I told you on the board, I got it from my Grandfather Gerald Robotnik who used to work on ARK."
Tails jumped into the conversation, " But how is that possible!? Anyone who worked on ARK has already been dead for fifty years. No survived to live up until now!"
"Was Robotnik, Gerald Robotnik, your ancestor or something? Are you the next generation of the Robotnik family?" Amy asked.
"I'm not genetically in the Robotnik family and I wasn't adopted." Maria replied.
"Then how-"
"I am the reincarnation of the late Maria Robotnik. When I was born, I had memories that the late Maria experienced; I saw everything she remembered throughout her life. I told my parents when I was really young, and they were able to find out whose memories I had. They changed my middle name to Robotnik too."
"So, you got the password by remembering when the late Maria got it." Rouge said.
"Yes, Dr. Gerald told Maria the password."
"How do you know you are the reincarnation of Maria?" Knuckles asked.
Maria said sheepishly, "It's really hard to explain, you know? I just know I am."
Sonic said, "I remember I went to ARK afterwards because I wanted to know more about Shadow. I was able to find out about the late Maria. Your personality doesn't match hers at all."
Tails sighed, "I can answer that one. So she was reincarnated - she still can't have the same personality, as before, it's impossible! She was raised in a different time and place and different circumstances. Your personality is made up of the hardships you went through, the time, the place, and your victories. This Maria can't go through the same things."
"Good point, Tails." Amy said.
"So, then why did you come here, if Shadow is dead?" Sonic asked, looking down at his cup.
Maria blushed slightly and said, "I-I still don't believe he is dead.I can't prove it or anything but I knew he and everyone he dealt with was here, in Station Square. I thought, 'Maybe if I move to Station Square, he'll miraculously appear and I'll get to see him.for the first time.in this life."
"We all still wish in our hearts we could see him again.alive. He saved the Earth, all for 'you.'" Rouge said.
Maria placed her cup on the table and quietly cried into her lap. Amy sat next to her and rubbed her back, trying to make her feel better. Rouge got up and went into another room while the boys just sat there quietly, not saying anything. Rouge came back holding something in her hands.
She kneeled in front of Maria and softly said, "Maria, I think you should be the one to keep this, not me." Rouge took Maria's hands and gently dropped something metal into them. Maria stopped her crying but she still couldn't see what it was because her eyes were blurred from the tears. When she settled down, she saw, resting in her hands, a metal circlet that seemed to fit on a wrist.
"It belonged to Shadow, the only thing I was able to bring back of him." Sonic said.
"T-Thank you Rouge." Maria said. She gently cradled it in her hands. "I remember when S-Shadow f-first got these.*sniff*.he complained they cut off the circulation in his hands." Maria said, between laughing and crying.
"We're really sorry this is so hard for you." Tails said.
Maria wiped her eyes and said, "No, it's okay. I was supposed to tell you in the first place."
"Hey, how 'bout we turn in for the night? I'm sure Rouge won't mind us staying here." Sonic said, grinning.
"Not at all." Rouge said, sarcastically.
Sonic then turned to Maria and said, "I'll take you around town tomorrow, okay? Station Square is just as beautiful during the daytime."
"Okay!" Maria said.
"I'll help her unpack, so guys get some sleep." Rouge said.
"Alright! Thank you Rouge!" Tails and Amy said at the same time.
"Oh, and Knuckles?" Rouge asked.
"Yeah"
"Wait for me in my room." Rouge said, grinning widely.
Knuckles smiled nervously and nodded, leaving the other two girls alone.
Maria asked, "What are you going to do to him?" She seemed worried.
"Oh, don't worry!" Rouge said, smiling "I just love to scare him, that's all."
"You have a pretty strange sense of humor, Rouge." Maria said.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Lets get you unpacked now."
@-------
Sonic came to Maria's room just as the first glint of sunlight peaked through the window shades. Maria's room was painted a light salmon color and the carpet was gray. It was a big guest room with a small balcony attached to it. Maria was sleeping soundly in her bed; all snuggled up in the sheets and gently hugging Shadow's wrist circlet. Sonic smiled at the scene. 'She must have Shadow on her brain 24-7, it must be eating her up inside that she never got the chance to see him this lifetime.' He wondered how she would react if they met and how Shadow would too. Sonic thought, that Shadow wouldn't believe Maria as fast as the gang did. It would probably be hard for the both of them.
Sonic went over to her bed gently shook her. As peaceful as she looked, Maria would have to get up now in order to beat the crowd. "Five more minutes." Maria muttered turning over.
"No, you have to get up now." Sonic said. All at once he yanked the sheets off the bed and went to open the blinds.
"Hey!" Maria said, sleepily. "You could have told me you were going to do that." She lazily slid off the bed and headed toward her closet. "So.where are you taking me today?"
"Well, I won't always be around so I was thinking I'd show you all the places you need to go." Sonic said, watching her take out the same-looking cloths she was wearing yesterday. He saw she had spears in the back of the closet. She also pulled out her jacket. "You're not going to wear that jacket, are you? It's not going to be cold until this afternoon."
"Yeah, but what if we're still out by then. Plus, I never go anywhere without it." Maria said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get dressed now."
"Okay sure." Sonic said, leaving her room. He went down the hallway and down the stairs to the kitchen area. Everyone was already up and eating except Amy, she must be getting dressed.
"Yo Sonic! Rouge got us all donuts!" Knuckles said, pointing to a big box lying on the kitchen counter.
"Great!" Sonic said, running up to the box and taking out six. He stuffed one in his mouth even before sitting down.
"You're such a pig Sonic!" Amy said, entering the kitchen. She face was in mock anger with quickly turned to happy, "But that's why I love you."
"The first thing she said." Chimed Knuckles, Rouge and Tails all together. Sonic just made a face.
"I'm going in to see my boss today, so I don't know when I'll be back. Maybe around 'four if I'm lucky." Rouge said.
"What does The President want?" Tails asked.
Rouge replied, "Something that had to do with a recent crime. It's concerning him very much."
"A crime?" Sonic asked.
"Yes, but it's so out of our reach, there's no reason for us to get involved."
"From where?" Maria said, walking into the kitchen, just barely hearing what Rouge had just said. Amy patted her a seat and she sat down.
After Maria grabbed a glazed donut, Rouge continued, "It's all the way in Egypt, far away from the United States as we all know. (I made up my mind; they live in the U.S. After all, Rouge serves The President of the U.S.) Crypt robbers found a new burial place, unknown to any archeologists so far."
"How did they discover it?" Tails asked.
"They fell in the hole the led into it. A few civilians saw the happening and called in for police. They all waited outside the hole for the robbers to come out. A few hours later, two mysterious black swirls of gas erupted from the hole, heading west. Those gases haven't been found since then, but if it did head this way so we might be in danger. The robbers were found dead near the entrance, obviously trying to escape from whatever it was. The police tracked down the footprints and found out they had barely made any progress as far as finding treasure. They didn't find nor touch a thing and yet they were killed because of that thing." Rouge said.
"So if those gases hit here, any villain who could obtain it's power would use it against us. That's why there is a major threat to us." Knuckles concluded.
"Well," Sonic sighed, "It's looks like we might be getting another adventure."
@-------
There's the flower shop over there, the grocery store is around the corner and to the left, you can't miss it." Tails said, pointing in every direction while Maria tried to keep up.
"This is boring!" Sonic said.
Tails groaned and said, "Your are the one who was supposed to show Maria everything, not me. You shouldn't be complaining."
Maria laughed. She could never get sick of their bickering. The city was so big to her, and yet every place Tails pointed out, she remembered instantly. 'Maybe it's my brain capacity at work.'
"Hey, I know. Let's have a race!" Sonic said, "It's been a long time since had one, challenge or not."
"But Sonic, Maria can't keep up and we can't leave her behind." Tails wined.
"It's okay, guys. I'll race with you!" Maria said.
"What?" Tails asked.
"I can keep up, I haven't ran in a long time though, if you call the last time I ran two days ago." Maria said.
"So, you can run?" Sonic asked, bewildered. She didn't look like she could; she looked a little frail to him.
"Oh yeah, I practice all the time. I was on the track team and cross- country teams where I used to live." Maria said.
"This is a lot more different than running in-" Tails started, but was cut off by Sonic.
"Okay then, it's a race! To the park and back." The park was two blocks down from where they were standing; it was going to be a short race.
"Fine then, you two race." Tails sighed. "Get into position."
Maria and Sonic both bend down in starting position. There hands slightly rested on the cement as well as their feet. Sonic wore his usual grin while Maria smiled with excitement.
"Ready.three...two.one...GO!"
The two of them shot off like bullets, leaving Tails behind with a huge gust of wind. Maria was just barely behind Sonic, her legs pumping furiously while sweat dripped down her face. Sonic was surprised she was almost as fast as him! She was a hedgehog but.wow. With a burst of energy, Maria ended up right beside Sonic. Tails, who was watching from the sky, was completely speechless.
"You're good." Sonic said between breaths. He was really putting his all into this race. Maria smiled at the compliment; if she talked, she would lose her breath and falter back. Sonic pushed himself harder and ran ahead of her. Sonic almost skidded as he turned around to finish the lap, causing him to slow down a bit more.
It was Maria who put in the most effort; she was using everything she had just to stay behind him. She also felt that Sonic was not using his all. That was smart though, since it was a small race. Using too much power would cause him to lose control.
Sonic's back became smaller and smaller as she felt a pain in her chest, slowing her body down. 'This is not the time! I have to fight it!' Maria thought. She squeezed her eyes shut and prodded her body to keep moving. It didn't listen; instead it stopped altogether, making Maria fall and skid across the sidewalk.
Sonic heard her fall and immediately stopped. Tails saw it and landed right next to her fallen body. "Maria! Are you alright?" Tails asked, flipping her over so he could see her face.
"I-I'm alright." Maria said. Tails tried to help her up but her legs were wobbly. When Sonic came over, Tails leaned her on him.
"What happened? Did you lose control?" Sonic asked, clearly worried.
Maria said, "No, I just don't have.good endurance.yeah.I got too tired and couldn't stop."
"Sorry for pushing you too hard, kid." Sonic said.
Maria leaned off of him and stood on her own. "No, it was fun. I was just trying to hard, that's all."
"Yeah, but you scared us half to death!" Tails cried.
"I'm sorry!" Maria said. She placed her hand on her chest again, the dull pain lightly throbbing still. "Tails, could you show me where a doctor's office is. I'd like to check in."
"Are you hurt?" Sonic asked.
Maria said, "I'm fine, but I need to check in with a doctor. I'm sure you get best treatment right away from a hospital but normal people have to go to doctors."
"Okay, but we'll head right back home afterwards." Tails said.
@------
"That's all the reports say, Rouge. We'll have more in soon though." The President said, looking over his documents. "Would it be alright if I phone you on updates about the current situation?"
"Yes, sir. That's fine. I'm always with the Sonic the Hedgehog and his allies, so if anything comes up, we'll be happy to help." Rouge said. She turned on her cell phone while she was talking to emphasize on what she was saying.
"Are you sure you don't want any money or jewels for the job." The President asked.
Rouge shook her head, "Ever since my last mission, I have realized that it is now my duty along with the others, to protect this planet."
"Very well, then. I think we have gone over enough for today. You can go home now." He said.
"Do you have a meeting?" Rouge asked.
"With Mexico and Canada, yes."
Rouge said "Good luck then." She left with a wave of her hand.
The President went into his file cabinet and pulled out an email that was sent to him. He carefully read the email, while the guards took watch over him. Before he could finish, one of his employee's stepped into his office, "Mr. President, Mexico and Canada are here to see you."
"Hold on a second." He said. He skimmed through the rest of the email hurriedly. He picked up his phone while he read, typing in Rouge's cell phone number as he neared the end.
"Sir." Prodded the Employee, "This is no time to make a phone call."
The President was about to ignore what she said; whatever was in the email was important for Rouge to know. He got down to the 'P.S' part of the letter and hung up the phone. It said:
'P.S. Unless Rouge and the others are desperately looking for me; please do not tell them about anything in this letter. I'll make it to them if I chose to or not.
Signed,
S-'
"MR. President, they are WAITING!"
"Yes, Rouge?" Maria replied.
"That other hedgehog was.was Shadow wasn't it?" Rouge softly asked.
Everyone looked to Maria who suddenly collapsed on the sidewalk. "Y- Yes." Maria said, her voice soft and distant. Everyone looked down at his or her feet.
"But what would she know about Shadow?" Tails asked. "I did a background check while I went out to eat with Knuckles. Maria knows almost everything about him. Isn't that right." Rouge said, "Maria Robotnik Hedgehog?"
Chapter 2 Discovery and then.
"Grandpa! Shadow ran away again! I can't find him at all!" Shouted Maria, running into the lab. She strained to breathe, her breath coming in and out quick and shallow.
Her Grandfather looked up from his work and sighed, "Maria, go look for him in Lab 10. He always hides there when he doesn't want to get tested on."
"Okay!" Maria replied. She left the testing room and into the hallway. The Lab 10 room has always been forbidden to her, not because it was dangerous, but because it was so far away from the sector she is supposed to be at. The sector where Lab 10 is has old guard robots running about. They are so old that there are times when they attack anyone who crosses their paths. It's very rare to see them but it's important to always look out.
She left her sector and when into the next one, eyeing the doors for the number and also looking for robots. "Lab 8, 9, 10! Here it is!" She quietly opened the door and looked in. There was Shadow, standing in front of one of the big glass windows. "Shadow."
Shadow turned around and smiled at Maria, "Ah, you're here! Maria you have to see this view!" He went over and took her hand, slightly pulling on her so she would move forward.
"Shadow, you are supposed to be getting your check-up, not star glazing. You can do that after- " Maria stopped mid-sentence because of the sight she saw. It was Earth, and the view was beautiful! She could see the Earth closer than in any other window. "Oh Shadow, it's beautiful!"
"I knew you would like it." Shadow grinned. "Grandfather doesn't even know the reason why I come to this lab. If he knew it was because of Earth, he would get worried that I would want to go there. Well, I do but whatever he wants me to do, I'll do first."
"This can be our secret place, okay?" Maria said.
Shadow replied, stubbornly, " Okay, just so long as you never come here alone, Maria. I have to be here to protect you."
Maria laughed, ruffling Shadow's quills. "It's a deal," She said, "I wouldn't have to any other way."
@---------
"Maria? Did you here what I said?" Rouge asked, waving a hand in front of Maria the Hedgehog's face.
After the dilemma on the street, the gang went to Rouge's house. They were all sitting in Rouges living room on her black leather couches, sipping cocoa to calm themselves while waiting for Maria to explain to them.
"Oh! Sorry. I kind of spaced out for a second. What was it you asked?" Maria murmured. Looked into her lap where her cocoa rested; she gently swirled it around in her cup.
"I asked; how did you come to find out about Shadow's death?"
"Well, I found out on the message board."
"Did you know that the board was found deep within G.U.N.'s top secret files?"
"Yes."
"Then how did you get in?"
"I used the password."
"Normal people can't get the password. It was given to me because I was a spy; I needed the information. How were you able to obtain it?"
"I told you on the board, I got it from my Grandfather Gerald Robotnik who used to work on ARK."
Tails jumped into the conversation, " But how is that possible!? Anyone who worked on ARK has already been dead for fifty years. No survived to live up until now!"
"Was Robotnik, Gerald Robotnik, your ancestor or something? Are you the next generation of the Robotnik family?" Amy asked.
"I'm not genetically in the Robotnik family and I wasn't adopted." Maria replied.
"Then how-"
"I am the reincarnation of the late Maria Robotnik. When I was born, I had memories that the late Maria experienced; I saw everything she remembered throughout her life. I told my parents when I was really young, and they were able to find out whose memories I had. They changed my middle name to Robotnik too."
"So, you got the password by remembering when the late Maria got it." Rouge said.
"Yes, Dr. Gerald told Maria the password."
"How do you know you are the reincarnation of Maria?" Knuckles asked.
Maria said sheepishly, "It's really hard to explain, you know? I just know I am."
Sonic said, "I remember I went to ARK afterwards because I wanted to know more about Shadow. I was able to find out about the late Maria. Your personality doesn't match hers at all."
Tails sighed, "I can answer that one. So she was reincarnated - she still can't have the same personality, as before, it's impossible! She was raised in a different time and place and different circumstances. Your personality is made up of the hardships you went through, the time, the place, and your victories. This Maria can't go through the same things."
"Good point, Tails." Amy said.
"So, then why did you come here, if Shadow is dead?" Sonic asked, looking down at his cup.
Maria blushed slightly and said, "I-I still don't believe he is dead.I can't prove it or anything but I knew he and everyone he dealt with was here, in Station Square. I thought, 'Maybe if I move to Station Square, he'll miraculously appear and I'll get to see him.for the first time.in this life."
"We all still wish in our hearts we could see him again.alive. He saved the Earth, all for 'you.'" Rouge said.
Maria placed her cup on the table and quietly cried into her lap. Amy sat next to her and rubbed her back, trying to make her feel better. Rouge got up and went into another room while the boys just sat there quietly, not saying anything. Rouge came back holding something in her hands.
She kneeled in front of Maria and softly said, "Maria, I think you should be the one to keep this, not me." Rouge took Maria's hands and gently dropped something metal into them. Maria stopped her crying but she still couldn't see what it was because her eyes were blurred from the tears. When she settled down, she saw, resting in her hands, a metal circlet that seemed to fit on a wrist.
"It belonged to Shadow, the only thing I was able to bring back of him." Sonic said.
"T-Thank you Rouge." Maria said. She gently cradled it in her hands. "I remember when S-Shadow f-first got these.*sniff*.he complained they cut off the circulation in his hands." Maria said, between laughing and crying.
"We're really sorry this is so hard for you." Tails said.
Maria wiped her eyes and said, "No, it's okay. I was supposed to tell you in the first place."
"Hey, how 'bout we turn in for the night? I'm sure Rouge won't mind us staying here." Sonic said, grinning.
"Not at all." Rouge said, sarcastically.
Sonic then turned to Maria and said, "I'll take you around town tomorrow, okay? Station Square is just as beautiful during the daytime."
"Okay!" Maria said.
"I'll help her unpack, so guys get some sleep." Rouge said.
"Alright! Thank you Rouge!" Tails and Amy said at the same time.
"Oh, and Knuckles?" Rouge asked.
"Yeah"
"Wait for me in my room." Rouge said, grinning widely.
Knuckles smiled nervously and nodded, leaving the other two girls alone.
Maria asked, "What are you going to do to him?" She seemed worried.
"Oh, don't worry!" Rouge said, smiling "I just love to scare him, that's all."
"You have a pretty strange sense of humor, Rouge." Maria said.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Lets get you unpacked now."
@-------
Sonic came to Maria's room just as the first glint of sunlight peaked through the window shades. Maria's room was painted a light salmon color and the carpet was gray. It was a big guest room with a small balcony attached to it. Maria was sleeping soundly in her bed; all snuggled up in the sheets and gently hugging Shadow's wrist circlet. Sonic smiled at the scene. 'She must have Shadow on her brain 24-7, it must be eating her up inside that she never got the chance to see him this lifetime.' He wondered how she would react if they met and how Shadow would too. Sonic thought, that Shadow wouldn't believe Maria as fast as the gang did. It would probably be hard for the both of them.
Sonic went over to her bed gently shook her. As peaceful as she looked, Maria would have to get up now in order to beat the crowd. "Five more minutes." Maria muttered turning over.
"No, you have to get up now." Sonic said. All at once he yanked the sheets off the bed and went to open the blinds.
"Hey!" Maria said, sleepily. "You could have told me you were going to do that." She lazily slid off the bed and headed toward her closet. "So.where are you taking me today?"
"Well, I won't always be around so I was thinking I'd show you all the places you need to go." Sonic said, watching her take out the same-looking cloths she was wearing yesterday. He saw she had spears in the back of the closet. She also pulled out her jacket. "You're not going to wear that jacket, are you? It's not going to be cold until this afternoon."
"Yeah, but what if we're still out by then. Plus, I never go anywhere without it." Maria said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get dressed now."
"Okay sure." Sonic said, leaving her room. He went down the hallway and down the stairs to the kitchen area. Everyone was already up and eating except Amy, she must be getting dressed.
"Yo Sonic! Rouge got us all donuts!" Knuckles said, pointing to a big box lying on the kitchen counter.
"Great!" Sonic said, running up to the box and taking out six. He stuffed one in his mouth even before sitting down.
"You're such a pig Sonic!" Amy said, entering the kitchen. She face was in mock anger with quickly turned to happy, "But that's why I love you."
"The first thing she said." Chimed Knuckles, Rouge and Tails all together. Sonic just made a face.
"I'm going in to see my boss today, so I don't know when I'll be back. Maybe around 'four if I'm lucky." Rouge said.
"What does The President want?" Tails asked.
Rouge replied, "Something that had to do with a recent crime. It's concerning him very much."
"A crime?" Sonic asked.
"Yes, but it's so out of our reach, there's no reason for us to get involved."
"From where?" Maria said, walking into the kitchen, just barely hearing what Rouge had just said. Amy patted her a seat and she sat down.
After Maria grabbed a glazed donut, Rouge continued, "It's all the way in Egypt, far away from the United States as we all know. (I made up my mind; they live in the U.S. After all, Rouge serves The President of the U.S.) Crypt robbers found a new burial place, unknown to any archeologists so far."
"How did they discover it?" Tails asked.
"They fell in the hole the led into it. A few civilians saw the happening and called in for police. They all waited outside the hole for the robbers to come out. A few hours later, two mysterious black swirls of gas erupted from the hole, heading west. Those gases haven't been found since then, but if it did head this way so we might be in danger. The robbers were found dead near the entrance, obviously trying to escape from whatever it was. The police tracked down the footprints and found out they had barely made any progress as far as finding treasure. They didn't find nor touch a thing and yet they were killed because of that thing." Rouge said.
"So if those gases hit here, any villain who could obtain it's power would use it against us. That's why there is a major threat to us." Knuckles concluded.
"Well," Sonic sighed, "It's looks like we might be getting another adventure."
@-------
There's the flower shop over there, the grocery store is around the corner and to the left, you can't miss it." Tails said, pointing in every direction while Maria tried to keep up.
"This is boring!" Sonic said.
Tails groaned and said, "Your are the one who was supposed to show Maria everything, not me. You shouldn't be complaining."
Maria laughed. She could never get sick of their bickering. The city was so big to her, and yet every place Tails pointed out, she remembered instantly. 'Maybe it's my brain capacity at work.'
"Hey, I know. Let's have a race!" Sonic said, "It's been a long time since had one, challenge or not."
"But Sonic, Maria can't keep up and we can't leave her behind." Tails wined.
"It's okay, guys. I'll race with you!" Maria said.
"What?" Tails asked.
"I can keep up, I haven't ran in a long time though, if you call the last time I ran two days ago." Maria said.
"So, you can run?" Sonic asked, bewildered. She didn't look like she could; she looked a little frail to him.
"Oh yeah, I practice all the time. I was on the track team and cross- country teams where I used to live." Maria said.
"This is a lot more different than running in-" Tails started, but was cut off by Sonic.
"Okay then, it's a race! To the park and back." The park was two blocks down from where they were standing; it was going to be a short race.
"Fine then, you two race." Tails sighed. "Get into position."
Maria and Sonic both bend down in starting position. There hands slightly rested on the cement as well as their feet. Sonic wore his usual grin while Maria smiled with excitement.
"Ready.three...two.one...GO!"
The two of them shot off like bullets, leaving Tails behind with a huge gust of wind. Maria was just barely behind Sonic, her legs pumping furiously while sweat dripped down her face. Sonic was surprised she was almost as fast as him! She was a hedgehog but.wow. With a burst of energy, Maria ended up right beside Sonic. Tails, who was watching from the sky, was completely speechless.
"You're good." Sonic said between breaths. He was really putting his all into this race. Maria smiled at the compliment; if she talked, she would lose her breath and falter back. Sonic pushed himself harder and ran ahead of her. Sonic almost skidded as he turned around to finish the lap, causing him to slow down a bit more.
It was Maria who put in the most effort; she was using everything she had just to stay behind him. She also felt that Sonic was not using his all. That was smart though, since it was a small race. Using too much power would cause him to lose control.
Sonic's back became smaller and smaller as she felt a pain in her chest, slowing her body down. 'This is not the time! I have to fight it!' Maria thought. She squeezed her eyes shut and prodded her body to keep moving. It didn't listen; instead it stopped altogether, making Maria fall and skid across the sidewalk.
Sonic heard her fall and immediately stopped. Tails saw it and landed right next to her fallen body. "Maria! Are you alright?" Tails asked, flipping her over so he could see her face.
"I-I'm alright." Maria said. Tails tried to help her up but her legs were wobbly. When Sonic came over, Tails leaned her on him.
"What happened? Did you lose control?" Sonic asked, clearly worried.
Maria said, "No, I just don't have.good endurance.yeah.I got too tired and couldn't stop."
"Sorry for pushing you too hard, kid." Sonic said.
Maria leaned off of him and stood on her own. "No, it was fun. I was just trying to hard, that's all."
"Yeah, but you scared us half to death!" Tails cried.
"I'm sorry!" Maria said. She placed her hand on her chest again, the dull pain lightly throbbing still. "Tails, could you show me where a doctor's office is. I'd like to check in."
"Are you hurt?" Sonic asked.
Maria said, "I'm fine, but I need to check in with a doctor. I'm sure you get best treatment right away from a hospital but normal people have to go to doctors."
"Okay, but we'll head right back home afterwards." Tails said.
@------
"That's all the reports say, Rouge. We'll have more in soon though." The President said, looking over his documents. "Would it be alright if I phone you on updates about the current situation?"
"Yes, sir. That's fine. I'm always with the Sonic the Hedgehog and his allies, so if anything comes up, we'll be happy to help." Rouge said. She turned on her cell phone while she was talking to emphasize on what she was saying.
"Are you sure you don't want any money or jewels for the job." The President asked.
Rouge shook her head, "Ever since my last mission, I have realized that it is now my duty along with the others, to protect this planet."
"Very well, then. I think we have gone over enough for today. You can go home now." He said.
"Do you have a meeting?" Rouge asked.
"With Mexico and Canada, yes."
Rouge said "Good luck then." She left with a wave of her hand.
The President went into his file cabinet and pulled out an email that was sent to him. He carefully read the email, while the guards took watch over him. Before he could finish, one of his employee's stepped into his office, "Mr. President, Mexico and Canada are here to see you."
"Hold on a second." He said. He skimmed through the rest of the email hurriedly. He picked up his phone while he read, typing in Rouge's cell phone number as he neared the end.
"Sir." Prodded the Employee, "This is no time to make a phone call."
The President was about to ignore what she said; whatever was in the email was important for Rouge to know. He got down to the 'P.S' part of the letter and hung up the phone. It said:
'P.S. Unless Rouge and the others are desperately looking for me; please do not tell them about anything in this letter. I'll make it to them if I chose to or not.
Signed,
S-'
"MR. President, they are WAITING!"