Chapter 4: Trouble of Exposed Past
Walking around in the ancient ruins of Sandopolis, Shadow is constantly searching for here Maria could he taken. Sonic and the others are searching too, but are also trying their best to keep up with Shadow. Shadow is on a mission now.
Charmy sighs, "We've been looking for hours now, we're not going to find this lab."
"That's because you all are looking around in the wrong places. We need to head to that pyramid, and make sure Finitevus and the Destructix don't have any idea that we're here," Knuckles says.
"I'm worried about Shadow. He's been like this for a while now," Vector says.
Sonic sighs, "I hate to say it, but I think it's because Maria is being held prisoner by the enemy."
"It's more than just that, Shadow also doesn't want to have the repeat to what happened at the ARK. What happened fifty years ago really upset him that he wanted to destroy the world on Maria's behalf," Espio says.
"I never knew how much Maria means to him. After what you told us, I felt really sorry for them both. They were good friends, and ended up with a horrible separation. It makes me feel really sad," Saffron says.
"I have to agree. I know how hard it was when I was separated from my sister and thought she died. I also thought the same way about you Ray," Mighty says.
"I-I remember. I w-w-was t-trapped between z-z-zones," Ray replies.
"And I'm glad that you're back with us now. I'm sure Shadow felt the same way when Maria came back," Mighty says.
Shadow walks towards the others and look at them. What they haven't known is that Shadow has been hearing the conversation.
Shadow sighs, "I'm… I'm sorry for how I'm acting. I'm just."
"It's okay Shadow. We know how much you're worried about Maria. Don't worry, we're going to get her back. We'll get them all back," Knuckles says.
"Yeah. We're going to teach Scourge and those creeps a lesson they'll never forget," Sonic says.
Shadow shows a smirk on his face, "Right."
"So where do we go now?" Charmy asks.
Knuckles looks at the pyramid that is close by, "We need to head there. That is where mostly likely that Finitevus and the Destructix are at."
"Then let's go find them, and rescue our friends," Sonic says.
Shadow cracks his knuckles, "And we'll teach these creeps a lesson they'll never forget."
Still trapped in the cell, Julie-Su, Maria, Tails, and Cream are getting tired having to sit in the room without anything to do. They all sigh sadly and wish there is something they can do in the hope of escape.
"Alright, we need to find a way to get out of here. I know that Knuckles and the others are trying to find us, but we need to get out ourselves," Julie-Su says.
"You're right. We can't just sit here and do nothing," Tails says.
Maria asks, "What we need to do?"
"I wish I knew what to do about this. I'm getting hungry," Cream says.
"Don't worry Cream, I'm sure we'll figure something out. Although, I don't know what we can do," Maria says, scratching her chin.
Just then, the four hear something getting unlocked and the door of their cell open. Before they can react, a green arm grabs Maria by her arm and pulls her out of the cell. Then the door closes and it locks from the outside. Julie-Su, Tails, and Cream look dumbfounded about it.
"Uh, what just happened?" Tails asks.
"No idea," Julie-Su answers.
"Um, what that the frog just now?" Cream asks.
Both Julie-Su and Tails groan, "Oh no!"
In one of the room, Scourge and the Destructix are bored and doing their own thing. They are still waiting for Dr. Finitevus to give them their next order of business.
Scourge annoyedly says, "Urgh! This is so boring! I was hoping to crush Sonic and his doppy friends to the ground, not sit around doing nothing."
"Now babe, you agree that we work on Finitevus for one last job that is needed to be taken care of. Plus, you'll be able to beat Sonic and his friends soon enough. As long as they arrive here," Fiona says, stretching her arms.
"We just need to be patient, and keep up our strength and ability for battle," Simion says.
Scourge groans, "Fine. I'll wait."
"Hmm, have anyone know where Flying is?" Lighting wonders.
Predator says, "Yeah. He didn't came back with us, so where could that freak gone off to?"
"I think I hear him coming," Lightining says.
Just then, the door is kicked open with Flying's foot up. Then walks into the room with Maria in his arms.
"Hello guys, I bought yourself a little guest with us. I brought sweet Teddy to hang out with us," Flying happily says. Then snuggles her like a teddy bear.
"Um, excuse me, but my name is Maria," Maria shyly speaks up.
"Why you bring her here?! She supposed to be in the cell with the other prisoners!" Scourge demands.
"But Scourge, she is so cutie cutie patootie," Flying says, and has Maria close to Scourge's have.
"Flying. She's not a doll for you to dress up. Plus, Finitevus will not be pleased when he finds out you took one of the prisoners out of the cell," Fiona says.
"It's not like she can get away that easily," Flying says.
"He actually has a point, the place is surrounded by security and traps, it's no like this girl has any chance of escaping," Predator says.
Fiona sighs, "I know, but still we should at least be careful with this girl. And you better not let Shadow catch you with her, or you'll be in hot water."
"Why you think that? It's not like she's special to him," Scourge asks.
"Actually, she's more special to him than we think, especially for how ballistic he got when he saw us with her," Fiona says.
"I remember it, you know anything about her?" Simion asks.
"You could say that. Turns out that some of the rumors are true. This girl name is Maria Robotnik that is supposed to be dead before her grandfather perform an experiment that saved her life and turned her into a hedgehog. Turns now, she means a lot to Shadow and gets violent when she's endanger. That is why we tried to fight us because he wants to protect her," Fiona says.
"Well,who have thunk it. Shadz has a girlfriend," Scourge says with a smirk.
Lighting looks at Maria, "Robotnik? By any chance are you related to Dr. Eggman."
"That's what everyone been telling me, but it's true. Although, I barely knew him, I lived in the ARK my whole life so I don't know about any relatives until I met Eggman," Maria shyly says.
"How a girl like you is related to Eggman, I'll never know," Scourge says to himself.
"I must say, that surely is an interesting information," A sister voice says.
Maria and the Destructix look to see Finitevus has enter the room.
"Who would have that that a young girl like you can be related to the man that is trying to take over this planet," Finitevus says.
"Um, well, it's uh not like I know so much about it. I'm still not entirely sure about why he wants to take over the planet. Other then what the others told me," Maris nervously says.
"Yeah. So Doc, why you decided to come here" Scourge questions.
"I have a little job for you. Turns out that the Guardian and his friends have came here to rescue their friends. Istill have some research to work on. I need you to take care of them until I'm finish," Finitevus says.
Scourge smirks, "Sounds good to me. I'll be able to crash that hedgehog and his friends."
"Alright Flying, it's time for Maria to be returned to her friends," Fiona says.
"Not quite," Finitevus says.
Fiona turns to the Echidna with a confused look, "Okay? Why?"
"Well hearing her story, I'm quite curious as to how this grandfather of hers is able to turn a human into this form. Besides, I can sense Chaos Energy within her. I like to do a few 'experiments' on her," Finitevus says.
"Experiment? He wants to perform an experiment on me," Maria asks in though.
Maria gulps in reply, and worried on how he is planning on doing it.
Outside the pyramid, Knuckles and the others are able to make it there, and look to see there is no way in. Knuckles bangs on the entrance of the pyramid, and falls forward.
"Alright, let's get inside and save the others before those goons try something," Sonic says.
"Let's get moving. The sooner we find them, the sooner I can get Maria out of this place," Shadow says, walking ahead of the group.
"Shadow, wait for us!" Charmy says.
Everyone hurry to catch up with Shadow as they walk through the pyramid. They look around to see the ancient and yet, kind of advance structure inside. Shadow stops to hear something swooping towards them. Before Shadow can sense the attack, Lighting appears punches him, and sends him back. Shadow manages to get up and punches him back. Lightning jumps up and lands on the ground. Now Lighting is joined by the Destructix.
"Hello chumps, glad that you decides to come by. I was hoping we can finish what we started, "Scourge says. Then maniacally laughs.