SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG
Shadow sat on top of an undamaged building in Westopolis. It had become night, it was very dark, but thanks to the city's illumination from the lights in some buildings, Shadow could see everything. He clutched onto the green Chaos Emerald he had recently acquired.
He had time to think about what was going on. Shadow knew that he didn't know anything about his past. He had no clue what his purpose here on Earth is or why he was created.
Shadow figured that if he had the ability to do something, he was more than likely meant to do just that. And that would be to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds. What he still never found out was what to do with the Chaos Emeralds.
Sonic's question really got Shadow to think about just that.
"Shadow, do you have any idea why the Black Arms need the Chaos Emeralds?"
The answer was no. Shadow did not know what the Black Arms would do with the Chaos Emeralds. Would they use them for good… or for evil?
The Black Arms were fighting the humans for possession of the Chaos Emeralds. Shadow guessed that whatever they were using the Chaos Emeralds for would be anything but to benefit the world.
Shadow thought about what he was doing. Was he going to help the Black Arms to do whatever they were planning on doing? Would that make Shadow wrong, also?
But I was created for collecting the emeralds… maybe it doesn't matter whether I used the emeralds for good or evil, Shadow thought to himself.
Shadow was so confused. He looked over at the Chaos Emerald he clutched in his hand. "What should I do with you?" he asked the emerald in frustration.
The beautiful, green emerald shimmered in the moonlight.
Shadow closed his eyes, held the emerald to his chest, and thought back. As far back in time as he possibly could.
There he saw a little girl. Her hair was the color of cornflower, and her face looked so innocent. She looked deep into Shadow's eyes. Shadow noticed her eyes were light blue. How beautiful. She was leaning on some sort of machine, supporting herself.
Her chest was drenched in blood… it soaked the brilliant blue dress she was wearing. The dripping, red blood was all over the machine she was leaning on. The girl looked weak and weary.
"Give them… a chance…" She said to Shadow weakly. Shadow watched her in horror. This gruesome image was completely terrifying. Shadow reached for her to help her, but was prevented by an invisible force in front of him.
Shadow saw himself closing his eyes and holding the emerald. He heard himself shout in an echo in his own mind, "Maria!"
A name unknown to Shadow. A name forgotten long, long ago. A name to haunt him in his dreams.
Maria.