Chapter 11: Long Lost Memory
Shadow and Elle stared at the creature in the room. It was confident…and, for some odd reason, was alone. The creature sat on the chair with a file in his hand…obviously of Maria. The creature didn't mix well with the contents of the room. The room had pink walls, lots of pictures (mostly of the Professor and Maria together), and lots of toys on the ground, the most noticeable was a toy hedgehog…blue in color…
Elle looked around, "It seems he's the only one here besides us".
"You could be right", Shadow said to Elle.
Black Shadow opened the file and looked at it for a moment…he closed it and looked up at Shadow and Elle.
"You would be surprised at the history and mystery of Maria…", Black Shadow calmly said.
Shadow took a step forward, but stopped. He wasn't sure if he, Elle, and his freak of a brother were the only ones in the building. He didn't want to take that chance right now…
"Give…me the file", Shadow calmly ordered, he didn't want to start a fight right now, "It may be what he wants…", Shadow thought.
"…Alright", Black Shadow said.
He got up and tossed the file toward Shadow. It fell at his feet, Shadow then bent down to pick it up. Elle, curious, walked up to her dark friend and got on her toes to see the file as well. Shadow turned his head toward her and smiled, he then opened the file to find out anything about his fallen friend…
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Fifty years ago…The day the Ark was invaded…
"Maria…I have some strange feeling something horrible is going to happen today", said the dark little hedgehog.
Maria looked at her friend. She has never seen her friend like this, she too was concerned that something will happen today. She kneeled down and hugged her friend, "Nothing bad is going to happen…don't worry Shadow", she said, though she felt like she was lying. After all, she still remembers what her family's maid said to her Grandfather…
"Don't create the Ultimate Life Form, it will just cause problems later…"
Shadow looked up at his friend and smiled, she smiled back. At that moment, a researcher appeared and told Shadow to get ready for his usual exercise. He nodded and proceeded out of the room. Maria looked up at the researcher and suddenly asked, "Is Shadow…a threat?".
The researcher looked at Maria for a moment, completely shocked at what Maria just asked him. He finally snapped out of it and said, "Shadow…is thought to be a weapon…the people, the media, and a large percentage of the military don't know what Shadow really is or why he was created for…"
Maria tilted her head in confusion, "I don't even know why he was created"
The researcher smiled, "It's okay…anyways, could you go and play with Ivan?"
"Your son?", Maria asked smiling.
"…Yes"
"Okay…"
Maria left the room and turned to her right. She walked down the hall, but she kept on staring at the windows, right at the Earth. She remembered what she and Shadow spoke about yesterday…
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"Shadow, what do you think it's like on Earth?", Maria asked her little friend awhile smiling, she knew what it was like on Earth…she wanted to hear her little friend's "serious" answer.
"The professor said his life is dedicated to all those who live down there. He once told me that the reason for his existence was, to make people happy through the power of science", Shadow answered with a serious look on his face like Maria knew he would, though she noticed something different about Shadow's voice when he answered.
"Shadow…", Maria whispered with a look of concern on her face.
"Maria…I just don't know anything anymore…I often wonder why I was created; what my purpose is for being here. Maybe if I go down there, I…I will find my answer…maybe…Maria…", Shadow said to his human friend.
"Shadow…", Maria began to say as she turned to him, with him doing the same for her with a tear in his eye, "I don't want you to say that…"
"Why?", Shadow asked, he sounded sad, he didn't like Maria to get angry or saddened because of him.
"Shadow…I have been to Earth, I just wanted to hear your answer, but you seem confused about your creation…", Maria said to her friend, right now she expected him to get angry at her and stop talking to her…like he was when he first met her, but he wasn't, instead he walked up to his friend and hugged her. She did the same and they both knew that the other smiled.
"Shadow, I can't give you a answer because I don't know why either", Maria said to Shadow as the two separated, "but I want you to know, that someday you will find out, understand?"
Shadow wiped his eyes dry and smiled, "Alright then".
Shadow noticed something hanging from Maria's neck. He looked at it for a moment and asked, "What's that?".
Maria went on to explain the necklace around her neck…
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Maria continued toward little Ivan's room. The hall was quiet as usual, "The researchers must still be working", Maria thought. She went toward the door that had a drawing on it. The drawing was about two children, one girl and the other boy. When Maria went up to the door, she remembered her cousin, Ivo…
"I hope you are doing okay on Earth, Ivo…"
She opened the door and went inside, it was unusually dark in the room, she turned on the lights and saw Ivan look out the window with his different colored eyes and with a angry expression. He turned to Maria and asked, "Are you done playing with that abomination?", he was young, but his vocabulary was impressive. Maria was shocked at what Ivan just asked, she walked forward with a hurt look on her face and asked, "Abomination? I hope you don't mean Shadow". Ivan walked forward and said, "…I do mean Shadow"
"Why do you hate him?", Maria asked.
"He's nothing more than a weapon, I know the truth…", Ivan said.
"He's sweet…", Maria said closing her eyes and ignoring what Ivan said about Shadow being a weapon, "…if you take-"
"He was created by an alien monster…and your Grandfather", Ivan immediately interrupted.
"What?"
"A week ago, when we were LAST playing tag, I saw your Grandfather with this alien creature. I think it said its name was "Black Doom", anyways I saw them create Shadow…a hedgehog with evil alien blood, he's a monster…"
Maria stepped backwards, "I don't believe you…"
Ivan's eyes widened, "…What? Why?"
Maria was at the door, "My Grandfather would have already told me this…he wouldn't keep something like Shadow's creation from me…and Shadow is good…"
"Maria…stay-", Ivan began to say before Maria went up to him and slapped him.
"Shut up! I won't listen to this!", Maria yelled and ran out the door. Ivan stood there with tears in his eyes, he couldn't believe that his friend would do that…but perhaps he did deserve it…
Maria ran back down the hall, she ran past several Ark researchers with them calling to her, "Maria!", but she kept on running…she wanted to know what her Grandfather had to say. She continued toward her Grandfather's room, she found it all the way opposite from Ivan's room. She stopped at the door and bent down to cough in a uncontrollable way. "Need to speak with Grandfather", she thought.
She opened the door and saw her Grandfather speaking with Shadow. Shadow turned to Maria and immediately ran up to her to help her into the room, "I knew you were good", Maria thought. Her Grandfather got up and said, "Maria, please restrain yourself from too much activity". Maria's heavy breathing slowed down and she looked up at her Grandfather, "I need to know…no…Shadow and I need to know". "Know what?", Gerald asked but before Maria could answer, a researcher burst into the room in a panic…
"Gerald! G.U.N forces have invaded the Ark!", yelled the researcher.
"Gun?", Shadow said confused, he obviously didn't know what this "Gun" was.
Gerald looked out the window and finally said, "We need to keep them away from Shadow…"
Shadow turned to his creator, "Why?"
"It's best…Shadow take Maria and escape", Gerald said to the hedgehog, "You are the only hope for humanity".
Shadow was confused, but he smiled and nodded. Maria smiled as well and grabbed Shadow's hand and turned toward the door. Gerald and his fellow researcher followed, but separated to keep G.U.N's attention away from Shadow and Maria. It somewhat worked as the soldiers chased after Gerald and the researcher at first, but a soldier soon spotted the two…
"Hold it!", the soldier ordered.
Shadow and Maria disobeyed and continued to run away from the soldier. They continued down the many halls and rooms, even going face to face with one of the Artificial Chaos.
"Shadow…watch out!", Maria yelled.
At that moment the creature attacked Shadow, but he blocked the attack easily and rushed the creature. He kicked it in the head, but it recovered quickly and tried to attack Shadow again, but once again Shadow easily blocked the attack. Shadow landed in front of Maria…
"This creature is tough…", he said turning his head toward his friend.
"Shadow…we need to somehow get past it".
The creature was floating in front of the two friend's exit, they weren't sure how to get by, but Shadow finally thought of something.
"The Chaos Spear!", Shadow finally remembered.
Shadow walked forward and turned to Maria, "As soon as the creature is hit run for it, alright?"
Maria was confused, but nodded and Shadow turned to the Artificial Chaos. He wasn't sure if he can pull the attack off, he could do Chaos Control, but he had a difficult time using it since it took more Chaos energy to use compared to Chaos Spear, or that's what Gerald has told him. Shadow raised his hand and yelled with his eyes closed, "CHAOS…SPEAR!". A bright light formed in Shadow's palm and finally rushed toward the creature. It immediately split into many smaller creatures, but this was Maria's chance to run.
Maria ran forward and grabbed Shadow's hand, he held hers tightly. The two continued to run down the hall, they noticed on the wall a sign that said, "Escape Pods". Shadow and Maria smiled at each other and ran into the room. Shadow turned to the controls and said, "The pod can hold us both, but it will be quite small". Maria cough and said, "That's good", but she felt she couldn't go any further.
Shadow started the countdown and went to the spot where the pod will eject them. He turned to Maria and offered his hand and said, "Come on". Maria stared and then turned to the controls, just then G.U.N soldiers rushed into the room and ordered for the two to stop. Maria then turned to the controls and pressed for the pod to close. She turned to see the pod lock Shadow in for launch…
"Maria!", Shadow yelled.
"I'm so sorry, Shadow", Maria said.
A soldier walked forward and yelled, "Stop!", and raised his gun at Maria. He ordered her to stop the pod, but she refused. Frustrated, he ordered her again, but got the same response.
"Maria! Do as they say!", Shadow pleaded.
"Shadow…", Maria said.
Maria ran in front of Shadow's escape pod and raised her arms to her side to protect the pod. The soldier with his gun raised was in a rage…and finally pulled the trigger. Bang…the girl fell and turned her body. "MARIA!", Shadow yelled for his friend. The G.U.N soldiers were in disbelieve at what has just happened, even the soldier who pulled the trigger was in disbelieve…did the "weapon" really care for the girl?
Shadow put his hands to the glass, "MARIA! Hold on please!", he began to plead.
"Don't cry…Shadow", Maria calmly said, "Everything's going to be alright…because you are going to bring hope to all of humanity…even your race…"
"Maria!", Shadow repeated. At that moment, Maria raised her hand toward the glass, trying to get her hand to touch it. "Shadow, the world now…depends on…you…promise me…you will give the people of the Earth a chance…to be…happy…please…"
Shadow closed his eyes for a moment and then said, "I promise…"
Maria smiled and then said, "Sayonara, Shadow The Hedgehog"
Shadow was then ejected from the Ark, but not before hearing another shot. He looked out into space and began to cry. As he looked out into space, he saw a ship, and he could barely see a child look at him…with anger in his eyes…
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Present Day…
Shadow handed the file to Elle and turned toward the window, completely ignoring his brother. Black Shadow just sat there, he was sure Shadow just relived a memory again. Elle looked at the file, the information on Maria was so odd…even stranger was what happened to Maria's body…
The day of the Ark raid was full of frustrating for the soldiers, especially the captain of the raid. One of the problems was Professor Gerald's granddaughter, Maria. The girl not only released the Ultimate Life Form from the Ark, causing the military to search for the creature, but was also shot dead when the creature was ejected from the Ark. The situation became ridiculous when it was reported that her body had gone missing from the room it was placed in after the raid. The girl's body became a prime target as all forces searched for the girl, but found nothing…something that enraged Gerald even more and soon led to his trial…
Elle stopped reading and looked up to Shadow. "Did you read the last part?", Elle asked her friend.
Shadow at first did not answer, but he soon nodded. Elle put the file on the bed that wasn't to far from her and walked over to Shadow. She tapped his shoulder with her finger, which caused Shadow to turn around and face the girl. "Shadow…don't feel bad, okay?", Elle said to Shadow. He didn't say anything to Elle, but he turned to Black Shadow…
"It seems you realize it was the humans who caused your pain. Perhaps-"
"Enough!", Shadow yelled, "The humans were just afraid, it was a different age where people feared the somewhat growing strength of the animals, the different experiments, and even the military. You can't blame them for not trusting what they don't really understand".
Elle was in a state of shock, even Black Shadow. Black Shadow raised his head from his hand, "…You are still foolish…it's too bad I have to waste my father's blood…"
Just then, Black Shadow stood up and pulled out his staff, spinning it several times. Shadow closed his eyes and smiled. Elle stood there in shock, for some reason…she can feel Shadow's power growing, she couldn't when he was angry awhile he fought Sonic, but now she can feel it…and it's much more powerful than it was in the Mystic Ruins. It wasn't even anger that fueled his power this time. Elle went toward the door to back away, though that was the last time she would be seeing Shadow for awhile…
Black Shadow rushed toward Shadow and swung his staff at him, but he easily blocked it with his wrist and then ran forward, jumped up and then kicked Black Shadow in the face. Black Shadow flew toward the wall and slammed into it, he shook his head and looked up at his brother, who stood there with a smile on his face. Black Shadow got up and yelled, "Chaos Spear!", and fired energy at Shadow, but Shadow just stood there with his hands crossed till the attack got near him that he swiped it away toward the wall, where it made a small explosion. Black Shadow got up and said, "…You can't be stronger than ME".
"I don't care if I'm stronger…", Shadow responded, "…I just don't understand why you have to keep fighting with me and why you won't leave Elle the HELL alone".
"I don't need to tell you anything…"
"This WILL be painful"
Before Black Shadow could respond, Shadow immediately ran forward and elbowed his brother in the gut. Awhile Black Shadow reacted to the pain, Shadow charged his fist and punched Black Shadow in the face, and with his right hand, Shadow charged his Chaos Spear and let his brother have it. Black Shadow was forced into the wall again, but this time he went through it, right into the yard. Shadow walked toward the hole in the wall and looked for Black Shadow. He saw him lying on the yard motionless, Shadow turned and called out to Elle…
"Come on kid, we need to join Sonic and the others at the Glyphic Canyon".
No response…
"Elle?", Shadow said walking into the hallway. He looked out the door of Maria's room and noticed claw marks on the floor and walls. He looked around and then noticed Maria's necklace on the floor, he picked it up. He turned around to the room again and walked back inside, he had some questions for Black Shadow. As he got inside the room, a arrow slammed into the wall and stuck in position, Shadow took the letter from it…
Dear Shadow…
"You have once again proved your skills to me. Well done…Son.", Shadow became angry, "You may have noticed that your little friend is no longer with you. Don't worry, she won't be harmed because I wish to face you again. You know where you have to go to try and stop the Black Arms, so you won't have to think to much. I would like to say a few words before you set out…don't bother trying to find the Chaos Emeralds, the gems have been destroyed. Also think more carefully about your little friend…she is more than just some little girl…she is more…
Your Father…Black Doom…
Shadow dropped the letter to the floor. He couldn't believe that Black Doom had survived…and that he has Elle. Shadow turned toward the hole in the wall and looked to check on his brother…or a Black Arm shape-shifter. "Damn them…they did this quite well…but why did they let me see Maria's file? And how did they get to Elle without making to much noise?", Shadow asked himself. He shook his head then looked out toward the city. He knew what he had to do.
He raised his hand and yelled, "Chaos Control!". He started to glow and then disappeared. He began his ride toward the Glyphic Canyon with hope to find and rescue his friend, Elle…
"I'm coming…Elle"
That's it for Chapter 11. Maybe not enough action as I thought, but some good backstory. The next one will begin the fight with the Black Arms…for the last time. Oh and I'm sure most of you already guessed it was Black Doom who was calling the shots. As usual, HAVE A NICE DAY!