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Before the Vision
By: Iris Sweetheart
Chapter 1: A Shadow is Born
Deep inside the underground compound was a cold metal room full of computers, scientific materials, and a large capsule in the middle of the room. A small group of scientists were busily at work talking amongst themselves of the project they were working on.
"It's grown quickly over the past few months Professor Gerald." A young scientist said to an older one. "Do you think it's ready to be awakened?"
The old professor with a bald head and a large gray mustache silently approached the capsule. He placed a hand on the glass and breathed out heavily.
"No it's not ready yet." Professor Gerald said turning around. "It still needs more time to develop."
The younger scientist nodded his head and walked away. Gerald turned back towards the capsule and looked at the curled up figure floating inside. It was a small hedgehog with his spikes under developed. It floated silently in the yellow liquid making small movements every now and then. There were wires attached to the small hedgehog all over his body to monitor his growth and other body functions. Prof. Gerald thought back to when he first began on this project. It was only a few years ago. He remembered the colleagues he had started working with when the idea came into his head.
"I have an idea…an idea to create a living, breathing creature that's intelligent and ageless."
Those were the words Gerald remembered that started this whole project. After countless numbers of tests that failed, one after another, he finally did it. He was able to create his living creature that he dreamt of so much. But there was just one factor he did not count on. The creature had an enormous amount of energy that was not in the original plans. Gerald's colleagues wanted him to start over but the old man refused to. He was growing weary every day and wanted to live to see his project come to life.
"To turn back now would be useless. I'm old and I don't have much time left before I go."
Despite the energy problem, Gerald was determined to get around it if it created any problems. To see his creation walk and talk was one of his last dreams that he held onto and would not let go of no matter what. So his colleagues toiled day and night on a solution while he and Maria were away on a break. They were able to create a smaller version of the creature, a hedgehog, where the energy did not roam freely throughout his body. Gerald remembered upon his return how pleased he was with the outcome. He also remembered his granddaughter saying how cute the hedgehog looked. The project was a success and it was almost ready to be awakened.
Just then the entrance to the lab opened up and a young teenage girl walked in. Her blonde hair was at shoulder length and she had soft blue eyes. The girl wore a sea green dress and matching shoes and waved at a few scientists as she walked in. She approached Gerald and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. The old man turned around and smiled.
"Ah Maria." Gerald said happily. "What brings you down here at this late hour?"
"I was just curious to see if your project was finished grandfather." Maria said looking at the capsule.
"It needs more time to develop my dear, but it is coming along nicely."
Maria gazed at the hedgehog inside the capsule with awe. She was excited that the project was almost finished and couldn't wait to see what the hedgehog would do once it was awakened.
"Is it a boy or a girl? I'd love for it to be a girl. It'll be just like having a little sister." Maria said happily.
"We believe that it's a boy. Are you disappointed?"
Maria shook her head with a smile.
"No. I'll love it in the same way."
Gerald chuckled lightly and turned back towards the capsule. He sighed happily imagining what life would be like once the hedgehog woke up.
A month's time had passed and the hedgehog grew quickly inside the capsule. There was an air of excitement throughout the underground compound as the scientists and their small families talked about the awakening of Professor Gerald's project. Gerald himself was full of joy as well and moved about with the energy of a child. Everything in the lab was being prepared for when the creature awakened. There were cameras set up in the lab so that the other residents could watch from within their living quarters.
The area around the capsule was cleared away and the wires connected to the hedgehog had been removed. As the final touches were being made, Gerald observed the hedgehog floating inside the capsule as it made small movements. He decided that Maria would name the hedgehog once she was brought down to the lab. Other than that he gazed at the creature in awe. The hedgehog was quite small and black. His distinct features were his quills that pointed up and the red markings on his body. Gerald smiled at the hedgehog imaging what he would do when it woke up.
"Professor, everything is ready." a scientist said to Gerald.
"Very well. Turn on the cameras so everyone can see this groundbreaking event." Gerald ordered.
The old man walked back behind a computer console a few other scientists stood behind. The lights were dimmed in the room and the capsule machine was started up in order to wake the hedgehog. As the machine warmed up residents throughout the compound watched on with excitement as bubbles filled the capsule. The small hedgehog inside began to moved around more, slowly stretching himself out of his fetal position. All of the scientists in the room looked on astonished at the slow movements of the hedgehog. The residents were excited as well as the hedgehog began to upright himself within the yellow liquid. He opened his eyes and murmurs filled the room as scientists began to talk amongst themselves. Gerald gave the signal to drain the capsule and slowly the liquid was let out.
When the capsule was completely empty a few of the scientists stepped forward, along with Gerald, towards the capsule. As the glass opened up, the black and red hedgehog looked around at them curiously with his fur dripping of the liquid. Gerald stepped forward and held out his hand towards the hedgehog. The black hedgehog looked at Gerald's hand and took it slowly as the professor helped him off of the capsule platform.
"Go and get Maria will you." Gerald said quietly to one of his colleagues.
The old man then turned back to the hedgehog and smiled.
"Hello there." Gerald said gently. "My name is Professor Gerald Robotnik."
The hedgehog looked at Gerald and then around at the other scientist. He then turned back to the professor and pointed at the others. Gerald and few of the others chuckled.
"Why they are my colleagues, people with whom I work with." Gerald explained to the hedgehog.
The black hedgehog then pointed to the capsule behind him.
"That is a capsule. You were held inside of it for quite a long time. It was sort of like your home but now this place is your new home."
The hedgehog stared at the professor silently unable to speak. Just then a scientist approached the hedgehog holding out a pair of red, white, and gray shoes. The hedgehog looked at the shoes tilting his head.
"Those are yours my friend." Gerald said grabbing the hedgehog's attention.
Gerald picked up one of the shoes and turned it over to show it's sole. Three jet holes were revealed on the bottom and the hedgehog touched them with a finger.
"You put these on your feet to walk around in. Those jets allow you to hover as well. I'm sure you will be able to learn how to use them." Gerald explained happily.
The hedgehog took up the shoes quietly and put them on. He stomped the ground with them enjoying their comfortable feel and suddenly the jets turned on. He hovered into the air unable to control himself and fell onto Gerald. A few scientists laughed lightly murmuring to each other. Gerald helped the hedgehog back onto his feet patting him on his back. The scientists then handed the hedgehog a pair of white gloves and Gerald instructed him to put them on his hands. Suddenly the door to the lab opened up and Maria rushed into the room through the small group of scientists. When she reached the center her face glowed with excitement.
"Wow…" she said breathlessly.
The hedgehog looked at Maria curiously and then, imitating Gerald, held out his hand. Maria took the hedgehog's hand and shook it lightly.
"My name is Maria. Can you say Maria?" the girl said with her warm smile.
"Ma…" the hedgehog uttered.
Gerald and the other scientists immediately looked at the hedgehog as dead silence fell upon the room.
"Ma… Ma…ri…a." the hedgehog managed to say.
There was a sudden clamor of conversation among the scientists frightening the hedgehog a bit. He hung onto Maria looked around frightened. Gerald calmed his colleagues down and averted his attention back to Maria.
"What about a name Maria? Have you thought of one yet?" Gerald asked.
"Hmm…how about Shadow." Maria replied. "His black color reminds me of a hedgehog's shadow.
"Yes, Shadow is very appropriate for him. So I guess that's your new name my little friend."
"Sha…dow?" the hedgehog asked.
"Yes." said Maria. "Shadow the Hedgehog."
"Shadow…the…hedgehog." Shadow repeated.
There was a light applause coming from the other scientists and Shadow looked around. He could see smiles upon their face and felt a warm feeling in his heart. He too smiled as well and Maria hugged him tightly.
"I have a feeling that we're going to be best friends." Maria said to Shadow.