Being Free
Written by Airo Smicktor
Me no own Sonic or Shadow, okay?
Chapter 7 - Confusion
"Turmoil -A violent disturbance"
Midnight. The silence was eerie, and almost unexplainable feeling. There were no cars in the streets, no people on the sidewalks, nothing. For perhaps one of the first times ever in the history of the world, people everywhere were lost in thought. And, what perhaps was even stranger, there were all thinking about the same subject – Shadow. The same Shadow that had tried so hard to destroy the world yet had changed at the last moment and given his life away so that others could live. But he had survived the fall from space? These were the questions on everyone's mind. All... except for one. One lone figure stood in a dark alleyway in Station Square. He was waiting for the sunlight, for then would come the chance he'd been waiting for, the opportunity of a lifetime, to put his mark down in history as one of the greatest ever.
"Tomorrow, when that sun comes up, everyone'll go running to the shadows..."
The Doctor woke early; for he knew today would be a day of action. If he were to lure Shadow back onto his side, he would have to convince him not to trust Sonic. This would be a challenge, he was not an idiot like Knuckles was. He would have to be convinced that Sonic would only destroy him, or find some other way... But that wasn't the only problem that was on Eggman's mind at that moment, something else was...
"Shadow seemed to remember everything about Sonic, Tails, the others... If Re-Birth was successful, then Shadow should have remembered nothing! Gerald, have you finally let me down? Oh yes, Re-Birth seems to have been successful, only without the amnesia you said could occur..."
Eggman cursed his luck. If only Shadow had lost his memory, then he could have made him into his willing slave to destroy Sonic. Eggman had been so sure; Gerald's entire collection of notes and documents indicated that all these effects would occur during the Re-Birth...
"Wait! There was something else... Another indication that the effect had worked... what was it?" Eggman picked up a large, black book, and quickly flicked through the pages. "... No... no, no, not here... AH-HA! Here it is: Signs of Re-Birth success:"
'After numerous failed experiments, I had almost given up hope on Re- Birth at all. I had already created life, and I had already found a way to prevent the aging process (i.e. Project Shadow only maturing in mind, not body). But the one thing that I want now is to prevent Shadow from being cast into a pit of despair. This whole Being Free project is not for me, but for...'
"GAH! Didn't anyone tell my grandfather that people could put their life- story into a diary! Where's the actual part about the... Here it is! Now let's see:"
'After a successful Re-Birth, the subject will be exposed to a complete loss of memory. By complete, I mean a loss of information such as name, identity, friends and family, locations, etc. What should remain is a basic knowledge of movement, agility (i.e. all necessary life skills that they have learnt). The subject will be able to understand that they have and can use those skills, but may not be able to apply them all instantly, this effect should wear off after a few hours/days. This of course could be dangerous, if another tells the subject the wrong information about their true self, but the person will have to make their own judgement in this situation. I have no intention of preventing this effect, as it will be the final reward for Shadow – the chance to live a second life.
'There is, however, a noticeable side effect of Re-Birth. Although it is less of an importance right now, it must be stated: The subject will occur an overall, although temporary, change of colour. This will include skin colour, hair/fur colour, eye colour, etc. This temporary colour change I intend to keep in until the near future because: A) It is only temporary – the effects disappear in around 2 days at the latest, then the subject will return to their natural skin colours; and B) It shows that the Re-Birth has been successful. Of course, as any scientist will know, a colour change is one of the easiest signs to recognise as the sign of a successful experiment.'
"THAT'S IT! If it worked, then Shadow must have changed colour! If it's been a few days, it explains why he looks normal. I must find out if he's been hiding this from me, but how... Hmm... I'll need some kind of bait... but Shadow didn't care about anyone except Maria..."
Eggman was now feeling annoyed. He wasn't going to let one minor detail get in the way of another master plan.
"...Unless... perhaps I can find someone that he did care for, even just a tiny bit for, and use that to my advantage... Maybe... YES! I know just the person, and I think I know WHY she'll agree to it as well!" Eggman smiled, as he walked over to a large machine with seven chambers in it, opened one, and pulled out a shining red Chaos Emerald.
"She'll come to me, and he'll come for her! Once again, even the great Doctor Robotnik impresses himself!"
Mid-day. The Mystic Ruins had never seen so much activity in a very long time, but everywhere, there were camera crews, news reporters, even the army had set up a barrier to prevent people getting near Tails' house. Tails could only peak out behind the curtains at wonder at the sight of all these people.
"This is crazy! Look at all those film crews!" Tails called over his shoulder
"I told you guys, it's me they want to speak to, I can still get you guys out of here with Chaos Control like I did with Cream and Cheese..."
"No way Shadow!" Sonic replied insantly."We're all staying put. Cream had to go back home, since her mother wasn't keen about her coming over her in the first place, but we're right with you. Besides, you haven't done anything wrong anyway!"
"I guess your right Sonic, but it's just those army trucks out there, what if the government want to take me and..."
"No way! They can't do that, and I won't let them!" Amy said, pulling out her Piko-Piko Hammer
"Amy! Calm down will ya?" Shadow said, grabbing her hammer"We don't know what they want, but this isn't going to be easy, that's for sure! Hey, you okay Shadow?"
Shadow himself was lost in thought over what had happened yesterday? Who was that echidna girl? What did she mean about knowing Maria? Did he visit some kind of afterlife? Was that related to the Chaos Emeralds? It just made no sense at all...
"It just about... yesterday... with the light..."
"What exactly happened?" Tails asked, turning away from the curtain.
"Well..." Shadow began explaining."I picked up the emerald, and then this strange floating ball appeared, floated around me, then there was all this white light, and then I was at this strange temple. There were all these Chao around, and..."
"WHOA! You mean you went to Tikal's place?" Sonic exclaimed.
"Wait... Yes! That was the name of that echidna girl!" Shadow replied thoughtfully.
"I remember Sonic!" Tails added."She was the one who kept transporting us during the Chaos incident! What did she talk to you about?"
"She mentioned something about speaking to Maria, and knowing all about me, and then all these Chao hugged me, and she wished me luck in my new life, then I came back here. It didn't make any sense!"
"Yeah, that seems to be Tikal's style – very cryptic, sort of like a puzzle. I think it's because she knows so much, she thinks we'll understand right..." Sonic sighed
"Wait, she mentioned something about... me understanding as I lead my new life..." Shadow said, frowning
"This could be important, the last time any of us saw Tikal, she was trying to tell us about Chaos, and he ended up destroying Station Square!" Sonic said
"You mean... it was like... a warning?"
"Maybe not. Tikal told me all about the legend of the Chaos Emeralds..." Tails pointed out.
"Yeah, I think Tails here kind of liked Tikal..."
"HUH? WHA?" This caught Tails very off guard; he himself had been almost totally put of the idea of 'love' since seeing the effects it's had on Amy over Sonic...
"Awww! Is little Tails growing up?" Amy was smiling at the now very red- faced fox. Shadow was still standing, looking very confused at the whole situation.
"Don't worry Tails, she only looks about the same age as you!" Sonic said, smirking."I think she's about a thousand or so years older than you anyway."
"Hmph, so what's so bad about looking young for your age then?" Shadow questioned, raising an eyebrow at Sonic.
Sonic smirked back. "Ah! Touché my friend!"
"Ah, guys, sorry to bring you back to reality, but I think something's going on... There's some kind of argument with... Oh no..."
"Huh? What is it Miles?" "Rouge is here... and so is Knuckles..."
"HEY! I have just as much right to be here as you, bat-girl! You think that just 'cuz you've got all those spies on your side, you can just fly in and..."
"You know DAMN WELL that it's NOT about me being an agent! You can't get over the fact that I tried to take you oversized gemstone once, can you?"
"WHAT? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE MASTER..."
Back in Station Square, people had gathered in crowds around TV shops, and looking up at giant billboard screens to watch this argument between the red echidna and the bat.
"Are they in love or something?"
"Maybe it's one of these new reality TV shows or something."
"Hey, the red guy's Knuckles! He's lives on that floating island, doesn't he?"
"I thought they were gonna show Shadow, where is he?"
It was hardly surprising that while everyone's attention was directed to the TV sets, that no one noticed a lone figure open a back door into the Central Reserve Bank, and quickly make their way to the main security vault. A few short presses of the buttons on the security keypad were all it took for the vault door to slowly open mechanically, and the entire laser, pressure pads and cameras to be switched off.
He stepped inside, pulled out a laser pistol from his side belt, and began shooting open deposit boxes. Round after round was fire accurately around him, as he slowly walked down the vault. Precious stones, money jewellery, treasures, all of the wealthiest people in the world stored their money here, so they could probably do without one less solid gold soupspoon.
"Heh, too darn easy these days. Folks just keep leavin' their vaults unprotected, even a pickpocket could... Well... Well I'll be damned! You never know what some moron is gonna leave lying around here for me..." There, sitting, encased in a small glass box at the very back of the vault, sat a shining, glowing gem. The blue Chaos Emerald. Smiling, he walked up to the case, smashed the glass with the edge of his gun and picked up the emerald.
"It's been far too long since I've held one of you..."
Dr. Eggman was already heading towards the Mystic Ruins. It was so easy having his Eggpods on autopilot. It allowed him to watch the newest comedy show on TV: the Knuckles and Rouge Show. Well, he had to watch something now that Friends was over!
"Heh, excellent, not only is she there, but she must have been the one who got the footage of Shadow! Now it'll be too easy to turn Shadow against them... OUCH! Oh no, no-no! You shouldn't have made that remark Knuckles! You're going to be guarding the Master Emerald in a note higher now..."
"...Can't... feel... groin... lost... ability... to... have children..."
"I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO FEEL! LET ME GO! I'LL KILL HIM!"
About 6 agents and army personnel were struggling to keep Rouge from completely tearing Knuckles apart, as Sonic, Tails and Shadow ran out after Amy, who was now just as enraged as Rouge was.
"AMY! HE DIDN'T MEAN IT!" "THE HELL HE DIDN'T! YOU NEVER COMMENT OF SOMEONE'S TASTE IN SHOES LIKE THAT!"
"Ummm... Miles, I thought Knuckles said..."
"SHHH!" Sonic quickly silenced the dark hedgehog."I know what he really meant, but Amy doesn't know that! Shadow, if you're gonna live with us, know this: Never, EVER, talk about what women SHOULD wear!"
By the time they'd reached Knuckles, he was still down, while Sonic was desperately trying to restrain Amy. Shadow saw the situation, and knew there was only one solution: time to take the focus off him, at Sonic's expense.
"WHY SONIC! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU CARED ABOUT AMY SO MUCH! BUT THAT'S SUCH A WEIRD HUG THAT YOU'RE GIVING TO HER!" Sonic froze. Almost instantly Amy grabbed onto him in a Deadly Amy Hug Of 'Love', completely unrelease-able and unstoppable.
"Iknewyoureallylovedmedidn'tyouSonicThat'ssosweetofyoutothinkofprotectingme
Andtothinkthatyoualwaysgoonabouthowyoudon'tlovemeAndsoonIjustknewinmyheartyou'dfinallyadmityourfeelingstome!SonicijustloveyousomuchandIknowthatwe'llbetogetherforeverandeverandeverandever!"
"FOR THE LOVE OF CHAOS GET HER OFF OF ME BEFORE I SUFFOCATE!"
Shadow and Tails meanwhile were laughing their heads off at seeing Sonic stuck like this, as the men who had held Rouge back now went over to Sonic and Amy to save the blue (but rapidly turning purple) hedgehog. Knuckles could very well be unconscious right now; no one was paying very much attention. Rouge though, was now walking over to the laughing fox and dark hedgehog.
"...Shadow?"
"HAHAHAHA! Oh, hey Rouge! Long time no see? You still going after jewels?"
"Umm...not exactly, but I kind of need to...talk to you Shadow"
Tails, who had up to this point saw Rouge's expression at this point, and he changed his as well. "Oh, right. I'll leave you guys alone then..."
"Huh? What do you mean Miles?"
"I think I'd better explain Shadow. You see, there's something important that I need to tell you, and I'm not quite sure how to really say it, so I won't cover it up anymore."
"Okay... what is it?"
"Well... it's kind of like... I guess... Shadow... I..."
"YOU'LL DO NOTHING OF THE SORT, BAT-GIRL! OH-HOHOHOHOHO!"
Everyone turned around and looked up, to see the familiar Eggpod from which the abominable laughter came from, the laugh that belonged to only one man.
"Eggman!" Tails shouted, pointing up at the Doctor
"Foolish fox! I am the great Doctor Ivo Robotnik! Soon to be ruler of this world!"
"You just don't give up do you Eggman?" Amy said, pulling out her hammer.
"What do you mean, Rose? I only came here to visit my good friend Shadow, and to discuss something with him!"
"Discuss what, Doctor?" Shadow said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Discuss the effects Re-Birth had on you!"
"...Re-What?"
I previously stated in my files that there will be no cure to counter- act the memory-loss that would occur after Re-Birth, and I had no real intention of ever finding such a cure for it, I have stumbled, partly by accident, a possible cure. This discovery now puts the whole Being Free project in jeopardy. For a very simple reason – if Shadow's memory was to return after Re-Birth had occurred, then I fear for his mental stability. A sudden input of memories into the mind could very easily cause very severe and quite possibly permanent psychological damage, to the extent that it could not be cured. This possibility scares me more than I have ever been afraid of before. Shadow was constructed as a part-weapon, so a weapon without anything to control it. I simply cannot put into words what fears I have...
What have I done? I only now have started to realise the drastic nature of what my research has done, I have tried to play God with my own hands, unaware of the consequences of my actions. I just cannot understand how I could be so blind, my finest creation could very well destroy itself, and Shadow would have no way of counter-acting it, and what is worse, he would not be to blame. I feel so ashamed of what I have done, all I wanted to create was a friend for Maria, but I went too far... again...
To whoever reads these files, I beg of you, as strange as the request I am about to make is, you must please carry it out. I know only too well that if you are reading this, that I am dead, so only these notes can protect Shadow. You must protect Shadow. Protect him from danger, from harm, from everything. While I am not suggesting that you place Shadow is solitary confinement, there must be some other way. Take him away to live on some far away desert island, change his ways so that he will be afraid of adventure or danger, and if all else fails, please attempt to use some kind of suspended animation machine to lock him away until such a time comes where peace reigns in the world...
Perhaps in the future mankind will have created means to preserve life forever, or that there is no war or danger, that I can only hope and pray for. I have seen how protective of Maria Shadow has become, and if something were to happen to her... I shudder at the possibilities of what could happen if he remembers her... I could only assume that upon Re-Birth, the end would be near...Not the end of Project Shadow, but of the world, mankind, civilisation as we know it, and I dare say... existence itself...
In simple terms: The end of Shadow could very well mean the end of the world.
Author NotesAnd that's another chapter up again, more to come of course, so keep a look out for the next updates and so on. Don't forget that if you like/love what you're reading, please review and give your opinions. If you don't like it, then ... um... review anyway! Constructive comments are always welcomed, but no flames. Remember - Flame is Lame! I NEED REVIEWS TO FUEL MY EGO AND CREATIVE MIND! That is all. I think.
Edited 25-03-05 for paragraphing