After everything that happened, it felt weird to just shake hands with the commander. Commander Abraham Tower, the leader of the highest authority in G.U.N., the same organization that caused so much trouble for him - for as long as he could remember. They both felt uncomfortable around each other.
"Gentlemen, It's good you two have reunited with me," the president said. He had a strong sight, confident of what he was going to say. "After everything that happened, I wished to finally meet you, Shadow."
Shadow said nothing, merely nodding. The commander did the same, as he sat on a chair. The hedgehog preferred to stand, as the president remained on his desk, smiling.
"We have caused you so much trouble, Shadow. Yet, you have saved us three times now. I feel we must reward you."
"We're ready to invite you to join G.U.N.," the commander said, with his military voice. "Together, we can make a difference and help the world become a better place."
Shadow remained quiet. The president looked disappointed, as he felt Shadow's rejection to the offer. The hedgehog finally spoke.
"I work alone," Shadow said. "I'm sure Rouge can handle herself."
"I'm sure she can," the president said with an honest smile. "But I beg you to reconsider. Robotnik has been a menace to the world constantly, and with your help, we could stop him once and for all."
"You're telling me you don't trust Sonic the hedgehog?"
Silence. The commander coughed, while the president grabbed his tie.
"I do trust him. He has saved the world countless times - but he doesn't have the strength to finish Robotnik. The doctor is dangerous for us, and even if Sonic stops him, he just escapes. We need to prepare counter measures just to protect our citizens, or from other places in the world."
"Never liked that hedgehog", the commander said. "For a loose cannon, he's too soft."
"Hmph."
The president stood, and walked around the presidential office. How ironic that Shadow had the order to capture the man for Black Doom, and now he was rewarded for heroism. Well, after everything that happened, it was better to pretend it didn't happen. The man grabbed something from his bookshelf: a red book, with the symbol of a flower on its cover.
"I accept your rejection, but I still feel I must reward you. Take this."
Shadow grabbed the book, and took a glance at its pages. They were ancient and yellow, with part of the text illegible. The thing was filled with directions of locations around Central City. This confused Shadow, but before he could ask, the president continued.
"It took me a week to look for it. You see, the president back then made sure to honor them, even if they are nameless. Go to the direction of page 25, line 6. You, too, should go, commander Abraham."
The president stayed in the office, but allowed a limousine to escort them to the location. It were 20 minutes of silence, as neither individual felt like speaking to one another. Shadow remained in his thoughts, while commander Tower kept his professional attitude. Once the vehicle stopped, the driver got out of the car and opened the door for them.
"Please, follow me" he said, somewhat afraid of both individuals and their brooding presence. "The president gave me the order to deliver you to the place."
The place was filled with multiple stone monuments of small size. He knew what the place was, he has been in places like it - even if they were imitations due to the doctor's sick sense of humor. Not to mention, he only heard of this place in space, but never saw a real one: a graveyard. He looked at the commander, who held a calm, if saddened look. The driver walked among the many tombs, and pointed at the one: a very old tomb, still clean.
MARIA ROBOTNIK,
LOVING GIRL WHO IS WATCHING OVER US
His eyes opened wide, as he felt many emotions go through his head. He didn't know how to react to this. The commander, who held his hands behind his back, remained composed.
"I did not know of this place," he said. He stumbled a bit. "Maria...she was here all along."
He crouched, touching the stone. He first touched it with his glove, before quickly taking it off.
"Maria...my dear Maria." The commander tried to remain the most professional, but Shadow could see it in his eyes: he was devastated. "I'm sorry for everything that happened."
"At least she was real," Shadow said, bluntly and to the point.
"Of course she was. What do you mean by that?"
"It's nothing. This is my first time seeing a real tomb."
The commander stood up, and looked inside his pocket, finding nothing. "Tsk," he annoyingly said. "I don't have anything to give to her."
"Your presence is more than enough," Shadow said, looking at the place. Calm and desolate, full of tranquility. It was everything she needed. Everything he required.
The commander stood still, looking at the tomb once more. For a moment, there was nothing but silence between the two.
"Everything is my fault."
Shadow kept quiet, looking at the old man.
"When I saw professor Gerald working with that black creature, I... I snitched the information towards the government. Everything that happened back then, it's all my fault."
The wind blew, as Shadow looked at the old man. He should be angry hearing this new information, but the honest truth: he felt apathy. The commander kept talking.
"Then, the government decided to silence everything about Project Shadow, including the lives of many. I felt I did a good thing, and that's why for many years, I blamed you for Maria's death. I joined G.U.N. just to make sure to unite the world, but Gerald's family still kept haunting us to the bitter end."
"Whatever happened, happened. There's no point in dwelling in the past for long," Shadow said, making sure to remain composed. "But I'm curious about something, commander. Even if you didn't tell the government, I wonder if I could have saved Maria from her condition."
"What do you mean?"
"Professor Gerald created me for the purpose of finding a way to obtain immortality, and succeeded. I am the ultimate life form...but can I help cure a sick girl?"
The commander grabbed the hedgehog by the shoulder. He had to crouch a little. "We could find out. Maria's illness still exists, even if it's rare. The top scientists in G.U.N. can help uncover Gerald's intentions within you - but only if you accept to join us. I won't force you."
Shadow looked at the tomb once more - there was nothing below but the remains of the little girl he once knew. Could she have grown to be a woman? Or would have the professor's attempts being in vain, and she was fated to die?
Fate...that's something humans believe about. They think their lives are predestined, and accept their eventual demise by leaving behind a legacy. Maria didn't leave that. Or maybe she did, by releasing him in order to bring hope to humanity.
Hope to humanity... an inmortal being, Shadow thought, doesn't have to fear fate. A mere human knows they will die, and no amount of power will change that. But he is the ultimate life form - he is not bound by those limitations.
He lowered the commander's arm, and shook it again.
"Let's make a truce - and show me I can save a sick girl, commander."
