Before the Vision
Chapter 11: Shadow the Hero
It was after lunchtime somewhere in the 1 o'clock hour when the Robotnik family finally arrived at their small town destination. They drove down the main street of the town at an easy pace. Shadow looked out of his window at the drastically different setting and was quite amazed at how different the small town was compared to the mediocre city. Simple shops were neatly lined up along the streets and people walked about greeting each other as they went off to their destination. The pace of the town felt slower than that of the city and already Shadow could tell that he was going to like it here.
"Oh look!" Maria shouted excitedly. "There's the ice cream store just the way that I remembered it."
Shadow observed the ice cream store as they drove by. It was crowded with teenagers outside who looked to be somewhere near Maria's age.
"Their ice cream was the best I ever tasted Shadow." Maria commented. "Maybe I'll take you there once we're finished unpacking."
"Perhaps you could show him around town a bit Maria." the professor added. "It's still the early afternoon and I can unpack your luggage for you."
"Oh thank you grandfather! That means more time for us right Shadow?"
The black hedgehog looked at Maria and smiled lightly with a nod. Once again he was feeling eager to be with Maria with no distractions or worries. Calmly he lounged back in the seat sighing with ease as the soothing atmosphere overcame him. Finally Shadow was at peace and had a new start in a place where he could renew his spirits. Since the family was going to stay there for the entire summer, hopefully the residents the in the underground compound at home would forget about the hedgehog or his attacks. Or perhaps the family would be able to stay in the small town forever. Quite a dream for the hedgehog…
Gerald turned off of the main road and into the housing area of the town. But they only passed by as the car continued on towards a small forest area. As Gerald turned onto a dirt road, Shadow could make out the rooftop of a large old house among the trees. The dirt road slowly winded towards the front of the house where a large metal gate stood closed up. Gerald pressed a button on the remote clipped to the sun visor over his head and the gates slowly opened inward. The car pulled into the yard of the large Victorian house and parked in a dirt area off to the side.
"This is it Shadow." Maria announced. "Our summer house. It's been in the family for a couple of generations."
Shadow somehow completely ignored what Maria had said and climbed out of the car awestruck. His neck tilted up as he gazed at the house from the ground to its roof. The gray color was slightly faded and the wood was chipped in a few places here and there but the house stood strong with its sturdy foundation. The luggage was being unloaded from the car as the hedgehog continued to gape at the behemoth structure. Maria and Gerald laughed under their breath silently at Shadow's innate curiosity.
"Shadow," Gerald called out gently. "Could you help us carry the luggage inside?"
"Certainly professor." Shadow replied and he picked up a few suitcases and headed towards the porch with Maria
The young girl opened up the front door and stepped into the house with Shadow trailing behind. A strange and yet calming smell hit Shadow's face like a cool breeze. The furnishings and wooden floor looked brand new and clean. A few boards in the floor creaked as the luggage was set down. Maria herself slowly danced around the foyer, her face glowing with excitement and a small giggle coming from her.
"This place brings back so many memories for me…" Maria said to no one in particular. "When I fell down the steps here… when grandfather would read books to me over here in the living room… when we almost started a fire in the kitchen down the hall. I would even bring a few kids from the neighborhood here as well."
Although Shadow didn't quite understand what Maria was talking about, he respectfully smiled at her and followed Maria up the stairs. The upstairs hallway divided off into three ways: off to their left, a short hallway ahead of them, and off to their right. Maria turned left and entered into the first door on her left, followed closely by Shadow. It just so happened to be her bedroom colored with white and peach furnishings all over, although it was slightly dark because of the closed curtains on the window. Her canopy bed was off to the side of the room next to wall and facing the single window in Maria's room. A small desk was off to the left of the window and against the adjacent wall was her dresser and a round mirror perched on top of it. A white circular carpet was spread out between the dresser and the bed, and in the corner off to the window's right was a healthy floor plant. Most of the furnishing were white with a few peach colorings here and there, but the walls were entirely peach and blended in beautifully with the rest of the room.
Maria toss her handbag onto the bed and dropped her suitcase in front of it. Shadow stood silently at the door still taking in the gorgeous colors of the room.
"Doesn't this place make you want to relax Shadow?" Maria asked stretching her arms.
"It is… soothing." Shadow replied slowly stepping into the room.
Maria let out a small giggle as Shadow placed the rest of Maria's luggage near her bed. The young girl looked around the room and then at her window gasping as if she had remembered something.
"Oh you must see the view Shadow!" Maria rushed over to the window. "There may be a lot of trees outside but it's beautiful in the morning."
She flew back the curtains letting in the intense daylight but suddenly heard a loud, disturbing hiss come from behind her. Maria spun around to see Shadow stumbling into the closet doors near the bedroom door. He covered his eyes with one arm and turned away from the window crouching into the corner. Remembering Shadow's condition, Maria quickly closed up the curtains and rushed to Shadow's side.
"I'm so sorry about that. I almost forgot how sensitive you were to light." Maria placed her hands on the hedgehog's shoulder.
"It's ok." Shadow answered rubbing his eyes. "It was just a mistake."
"Oh… but you were fine on the way here and outside. What happened?"
"…Well… it's been going in and out lately… the whole light sensitivity." Shadow finally opened his eyes to the soothing darkness. "Sometimes it bothers me and other times it doesn't. But I'm not sure about it at all."
"Hmm… maybe I can get one of grandfather's friends in town to make you some special glasses to wear outside."
Shadow's hands fell to the floor and his eyes did as well. Once again he was becoming a burden to his family by accident and felt uneasy about Maria's request. He wasn't sure how to turn down Maria's request… or if he wanted to at all. His only reply to Maria was a silent departure from her room leaving the girl baffled at his silence.
The black hedgehog walked to the top of the stairs but immediately covered his eyes once again. The front door had been left open and Shadow could barely see down into the foyer. Footsteps were heard coming into the house and then some loud thuds as suitcases were being dropped to the floor. The front door was finally closed and Shadow opened his eyes to see Prof. Gerald at the bottom of the staircase.
"So what do you think Shadow?" Gerald asked kindly.
Too deep into his shameful emotions, Shadow replied again with silence and walked down the steps passing by Gerald and heading down the narrow hallway leading to the kitchen. Gerald was just stumped by Shadow's somewhat depressed attitude and was about to go after the hedgehog. Just then Maria appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Maria…?" Gerald asked his granddaughter.
She knew what the old scientist was questioning.
"It's his powers grandfather." Maria answered. "He's extremely sensitive to light now… he may be feeling upset about it."
Maria slowly descended the stairs while Gerald contemplated a solution.
"He may need special glasses to protect his eyes…" Gerald suggested.
"But I already asked him. He didn't seem too happy with it." Maria said.
"Well I'm going have some made for him whether he likes it or not. Under no circumstances will I allow Shadow to hold himself back from doing anything because of his handicap. He has to learn that even physical disabilities shouldn't keep someone from living a fulfilling life."
The fair-skinned girl beamed at her grandfather for his willpower.
"Where did you get an idea like that?" she asked out of curiosity.
"Why from you of course." Gerald replied with his gentle smile. "Now, help me get these suitcases to my room. Then I'll go into town and speak with the optometrist."
As the two carried the rest of the luggage upstairs, Shadow had overheard the entire conversation from around the corner of the narrow hallway. As the footsteps faded upstairs, the hedgehog sighed bowing his head in dismay.
"Why…?" he silently asked.
The rest of the day was remotely quiet in the summer house. Shadow had found himself a comfortable chair in the darkest corner of the living room where he spent hours reading a novel from the book shelf. Gerald had made his promised trip into town for an hour or so. As for Maria, she made dinner that night for herself and Gerald with Shadow still reading the novel by then.
The next day, Maria woke up late in the morning only to find her grandfather had gone out.
"He must have gone into town to get Shadow's glasses." she thought.
With her night robe on, she quietly walked downstairs and into the living where Shadow had stayed all night. Maria approached the large armchair the hedgehog was in and peeked around it but immediately became frightened at what she saw. Shadow sat in the chair slouched with his head lazily tilted to his left. His eyes stared blankly into nothing almost as if he was dead. Gently the girl shook Shadow to see if he was ok.
"Sh-Shadow?" Maria asked with a quivered voice. "Are you—?
"I'm fine." the hedgehog answered firmly startling the girl.
"Oh… You gave me a scare there for a second." Maria knelt down breathing in relief.
Shadow turned his head toward Maria and stared her down with his emotionless eyes. Maria was a bit confused and was about to ask a question but the hedgehog finally spoke.
"You didn't have to…" Shadow said bitterly.
Maria was lost for a second but suddenly realized what he was talking about.
"I know but grandfather said that he didn't want you to be handicapped by your… changes. You know how stubborn he can get sometimes."
Shadow merely scoffed turning away and focused on the wall in front of him.
"Shadow, I think you should be a little more generous and accepting that grandfather's gone out of his way to do this for you! I know it's not the first time!"
"Of course it isn't!" Shadow retorted. "I know I should be more accepting of the professor's generosity but… but… I didn't want to be reminded of… you know…"
The hedgehog closed his eyes and hung his head as he sat up strait in the chair. Maria placed her hand on his yet he pulled it away gently.
"I wanted to come here in hopes of getting away from everything… but I keep forgetting that I am everything I want to forget. Then it all comes back when a new power is discovered and… it all goes downhill from there." the stressed hedgehog buried his face in his hands and Maria patted him gently on his back.
"…There are some things we have to learn how to live with. Unfortunately you can't adjust to anything that happens to you because you're changing almost every second." Maria stood up. "It… it may seem out of control but you do have control over one thing…"
Shadow looked up at Maria with hope in his eyes for some revealing answer.
"You can control how you react to those changes." she finally answered.
"How I… react?" the hedgehog wasn't too clear on the answer.
"You can be positive and accept it as a blessing or be negative and accept it as a curse."
Then teenager sighed lightly and looked towards the two large windows at the other end of the living room. The birds could be heard chirping outside from the tree in the front yard. The morning sun's rays showered through the leaves in scattered pieces, slowly creeping upon the front side of the house. Maria herself could feel the summer's gentle atmosphere within her and took a few steps towards the center of the living room. It was mornings like this that Maria used as fuel for her kind spirit. Even with her terminal illness, she never saw it as a burden on her life but as a tool to help inspire others including Shadow. All she need were the words that would change his self-image… words that would open up his mind… words that would speak to him… a short silence fell upon the room…
"A long time ago… when I learned about my illness as a child, I didn't quite understand it. Yet I didn't let that stop me from being who I was… a kind, gentle person. Even when grandfather told me that I would die from my illness, that couldn't stop me at all." Maria turned to Shadow. "You see, I never saw the illness as a burden, but as my tool to help others understand the blessings of a handicap… no matter what it does to your body physically. That's what you need to understand Shadow; that your changes and powers don't have to be curses but blessings to others in need. I don't know how you'll use them… but it's your decision to use them as a blessing or see them as a curse."
…The air had gone still. The birds chirping had stop and the morning sun's rays began to creep into the living room as the sun rose higher. Shadow had sat back into his chair, his hands clasped together and his head resting on them. There was some truth to what Maria said… but was it the truth that Shadow was looking for? The truth that would brighten his murky vision of the world? His powers as a blessing… his powers as a curse… The hedgehog closed his eyes and began to make mental connections of everything that had happened to him. His transformations, the freak accident. They all added up to something but what?
…Perhaps it wasn't all of the terrible times… maybe it was what he learned from each incident. They could be clues that added up to some relevant truth that Shadow had to figure out. Clues that weren't clues… but tests. Yes! Challenges that would test his will, his confidence, and his own self-image or how he saw himself. Yes, that was it! The first transformation tested his will… yet it was weak and he failed to control his emotions, so his will grew. The second transformation tested Shadow's confidence that he could trust himself to keep a promise to Maria. It was a struggle but it grew from that struggle. Shadow's final test, his accident with the vampire bat chemicals, tested his self-image… yet he failed for he saw himself as a true monster and burden upon his family.
Now that the challenges are over, the real challenge was the path Shadow had before him. A path to a brighter future and a path back into the shadows of his self-pity. He wanted a change to happen in his life, he was ready for it. And now that the defining moment had arrived, Shadow had to make a choice: becoming a blessing or curse his own abilities.
…A breeze flowed by outside.
Maria and her hedgehog 'brother' stood together, hand in hand, with beaming smiles on their faces.
"Ready to make some changes?" Maria asked.
"I'm ready… I'm ready to start over again and do things right this time." Shadow answered.
The two left the living room and entered into the kitchen where they proceeded to make breakfast for Maria until Gerald returned. Most of the day had gone by when Gerald returned around noon . The front door opened and closed with its loud creaking noise. Laughter came from the game room that was across the hall from the living room and Gerald looked in to see Shadow and Maria playing a game of checkers.
"Ha! King me!" Maria shouted slamming her red piece down on Shadow's end.
The hedgehog gracefully placed another red chip on top of Maria's but scoffed lightly.
"You'll never beat me with that anyways." Shadow said holding his nose up. "I have four kings on the board!"
Maria just smirked and then made her move. In four consecutive jumps, she had overpowered all of Shadow's kings that were coincidentally lined up in the perfect position for Maria. The hedgehog's jaw dropped open as Maria took his last pieces off the board with her familiar smile.
"…Well… I… good game." Shadow said turning away in embarrassment.
"Oh it's ok Shadow." Maria said with sympathy. "I'm sure you'll get me next time."
"Oh there will be a next time."
Just then Gerald cleared his throat and stood at the doorway to the game room. The two players looked up from the board in Gerald's direction.
"You're back!" Maria shouted standing up. "What took you so long?"
"Well I had to make a few errands here and there before I got the glasses but… here they are." Gerald said taking out a box he had in his bag.
Shadow took the box and sat back at the game table to open it up. The hedgehog tore away at the tape and packaging and inside were a pair of black shades made specifically for Shadow. He tried them on and they were a perfect fit for him. Not too tight, not too big, and provided excellent protection from the bright light outside.
"Let's test them outside." Shadow said hopping out of his chair.
Quickly the hedgehog rushed past Maria and Gerald and opened up the front door. The blinding afternoon light shone into foyer of the house as Shadow stood staring outside with his shades on. He shut his eyes as the light touched his face but slowly opened them realizing that the light did not hurt him at all. He could clearly see outside, though through foggy glasses, and took in every piece of scenery that was before him. Slowly the short creature stepped out onto the shaded veranda and gazed around the front yard. Gerald and Maria stood at the front door with big smiles over Shadow's newfound confidence in himself. It was clear to Maria that Shadow was ready to start his new life and wouldn't allow anyone or anything to get in his way.
The hedgehog turned back towards his family. An expression of adventure was on his face.
"Let's go into town Maria." Shadow said to his 'sister'.
"Now? Well… ok!" Maria answered happily. "May we grandfather?"
Gerald nodded silently and immediately the two were off running across the front yard towards the entrance gates. They exited through a small side gate that was off to the right of the larger gates and the two only quickened their pace down the dirt road. Gerald laughed quietly to himself before going back into the house.
"Follow me Shadow!" Maria shouted pulling ahead of the hedgehog. "We can take a shortcut into town!"
She ran off into a small narrow path that ran through the forest and came out near the residential area they had passed by yesterday. Slowly Maria began to slow down almost out of breath and she and Shadow walked the rest of the way towards the main street of the town. Moments later the two were walking down the busy street of the small town. Many of the residents were hustling about going in and out of stores, talking to each other, or just taking a stroll on the hot summer day. Most of them seemed to have noticed Shadow for they stared at him as they passed by. Even people across the street couldn't help but notice, but the hedgehog had enough willpower to not worry about what the people thought of him. Maria also noticed Shadow's attitude towards the stares and remained silent feeling proud for his behavior.
The local ice cream shop soon came into view and a plethora of teenagers and kids were hanging around outside of it. A videogame arcade was next to the ice cream shop which also drew a number of young people to it as well.
"Hey! Let's go to the ice cream shop. Maybe we'll see someone I know." Maria proposed.
"Um…" Shadow swallowed hard feeling a bit scared of the sudden confrontation.
"Don't worry Shadow. I'll be right here next to you so you won't feel alone ok?"
Slowly but nervously the hedgehog nodded his head. Before he knew it, they were crossing the street and walking towards the group of teenagers. Shadow could feel small beads of sweat running down the side of his face. It would be his first personal encounter with other humans ever since they left the institute. As the two approach the small group, a few of the teenagers noticed Shadow and pointed towards him whispering comments to each other. Shadow's pace immediately dropped to a slower rate but Maria grabbed onto his hand towing the hedgehog with her.
Some of the girls recognized Maria and waved a friendly 'hello' to her. Maria returned the greeting and approached the group with Shadow hiding behind her.
"Hey Maria!" a brunette haired girl said hugging Maria. "It's been so long since I last saw you. What happened?"
"Well grandfather spent that last few years working on an experiment, Carol." Maria replied.
"Is that it behind you?" a tall red haired boy asked pointing to Shadow.
Maria looked down behind her and slowly pulled Shadow to her side despite his silent protests.
"Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Shadow." Maria said happily to the teenagers. "He's the results of grandfather's research."
Almost immediately everyone crowded around the two to get a better look at the hedgehog. Some of the kids reached out to touch the hedgehog while others were left in awe.
"He's so cool!"
"Can he speak?"
"What does he like to eat?"
So many questions were asked almost embarrassing the hedgehog as he turned red in the face. Maria just smiled and knelt down to Shadow's level to whisper into his ear.
"Just say 'hi' to them." she whispered into his ear.
As Maria moved away from Shadow, she hushed the others and they fell silent. The spotlight was finally on Shadow. His heart pounded within his chest as he tried to calm himself down. So many bright faces stared at him eagerly but what could he say? As Shadow gazed around at the young faces, he finally saw Maria's face and felt a sudden boost of confidence in him. He was determined to make a new start in the small town and decided that it was now or never.
"…H-hello…" Shadow said quietly to the group.
A burst of excitement and awe came from the teenagers as they made comments about Shadow and reached out to shake his hand. Feeling better about the positive response, Shadow shook a few hands with the teenagers as more questions were asked of him. Maria simply smiled as her friends accepted the hedgehog and felt a hand fall onto her shoulder. Maria turned to see that it was Carol.
"Your friend looks pretty cool." she commented. "Can he do anything special?"
Maria opened up her mouth to speak but a sudden and loud boom came from across the street immediately grabbing everyone's attention. An auto shop was across the street and from the looks of it, the lift a car was on had gave way and the car fell onto one of the employees. There was a sudden shock and fear from spectators all around as people began to shout 'Help him!' and other urgent phrases. But Shadow saw a sudden opportunity to use his powers for a better cause.
…The hedgehog was gone in a burst of speed.
In the blink of an eye Shadow had took off across the street, cars screeching to a halt almost hitting the hedgehog. He then skidded to a stop near the accident and ordered away the men who were trying to lift the car.
"Move! Now!!" he shouted.
The other men backed away frightened of the hedgehog as he grabbed onto the bumper and, with all of his strength, attempted to lift the heavy car. Across the street at the ice cream shop, Maria had made her way to the front of the group and saw Shadow.
"What are you doing?" her mind asked.
More and more people began to stop and look on as the hedgehog slowly began to lift the car off of its rear tires.
"Hey look!" a guy shouted. "He's really lifting the car!"
"Shouldn't someone help?" woman asked.
More and more comments of shock and awe came from the people all around as Shadow slowly lifted the car inch by inch. Soon the comments turned into cheers as the car was lifted higher and higher. Sweat trickled down the Shadow's face as he fought against gravity to save the injured human. He almost lost his grip on the car creating shouts of worry from the people, but the hedgehog felt the car become light as other men moved in to help. In one heave, they lifted up the car as high as they could and some other men pulled the employee from under the car. The vehicle was immediately dropped and a wave of cheers and applauds came from the large crowd of people that had formed around the auto shop. Shadow was catching his breath when suddenly the group of men that had helped lifted him into the air.
"Here's the real hero!" one man shouted and the crowd went into a frenzy.
Suddenly people began to crowd around trying to reach up to shake Shadow's hand. The hedgehog only felt joy within his heart as he saw all the smiles and heard all of the positive comments the people made. Across the street at the ice cream shop, the teenagers had rushed over into the crowd leaving Maria by herself. Tears fell down her face but they were tears of joy as she saw her 'brother' finally being accepted after so much turmoil in the past.
"This is what you wanted Shadow." Maria paused to wipe a few tears away. "This is what you've always wanted… and I know you're happy that you finally found it."