*Chapter 3: The Feeling of Love*

Maria sat on the chair as Shadow stood in front of her, telling her a story about his life and about his world. The Land of Mobius is a world of where mobians like Shadow live in, and Shadow is a ruler. Until his "brother" came down to his world to take over with the aliens called the Black Arms. The darkling, Eclipse, is the King of the Black Arms, and overthrown Shadow to rule Mobius.

"That's the last thing I remember. I was cursed for I don't know how long." Shadow told Maria who listens to every word.

"So, that's how you turn into a nutcracker. But, my grandfather found you in a shop on Earth. You are my gift." Maria said. "Since the spell is broken, you will fight the aliens and save your people."

"I could, but...I don't know how to get to the Land of Mobius." Shadow said crossing his arms. "Tell me, where am I?"

"Oh. You're in the Space Colony ARK, Shadow." Maria said. Shadow raised his brow at her. He's in space.

"Hm. There must be a way for me to get to my world." He said looking around the hall. "But, I must ask. Why are you here in this place? Shouldn't you be in a most decent place?" Maria lowered her head a bit.

"I...I can't go down to Earth. You see, I have a rare disease, and it could get people on that planet sick as well. So, I have to stay here. I was...raised here by my grandfather." She said. Shadow listened to her in silent. "My parents died since I was born, and...I don't know much about them. I have family up here that is from my father's side. My grandfather, my uncle, and the worst ones of all...my aunt and cousins." The black hedgehog stares at her in pity. He never thought families can hate each other. What did Maria ever do to them? She's so kind and would never hurt someone.

"Do they...not like you at all?" Shadow asked. Maria shook her head. "Who wouldn't like a beautiful girl like you?" Shadow lifted her chin to see her face. Maria blushed a bit. "I don't see why they don't like you, but to me, you are perfect. You broke a spell that was cast on me, and I thank you for that."

"But I didn't know you were cursed, Shadow. Still, you're welcome." Maria replied. Shadow smiled at her. It's so strange, Maria felt so safer with him. They just met and everything, but...there is a spark between them. Maria took Shadow's hand. "You're not like the others, Shadow. You're so kind and...gentle. I have two friends who are close to me, but...they got nothing on you. You're just...different." She said.

"Is that a bad thing?" Shadow asked, forming a smirk.

"No." Maria replied, giggling.

"I know this is so...sudden and strange to you, but...I never met a girl like you." Shadow said, brushing the strands away from Maria's face, looking at her blue eyes. "So sweet and so innocent."

"Thank you..." Maria said, feeling her face growing hot. She wanted to say something nice about him, but...this is weird. She's a human, and Shadow is a hedgehog. It wouldn't be right for their own rights. But, does it matter? If Maria was dreaming, then this is okay. But, this is real. Shadow is right here, holding her hands. Now the black hedgehog walked over to the recorder and play the music for him and Maria. He made a bow to her.

"Miss Maria, may I have this dance?" He asked. Maria smiled at him. She made a curtsy to him and took his hand. They both held hands and move around the hall. The song began to play.

If you could hear me now,
If I could only get through,
I'd open my heart, whisper my dreams,
Share all my secrets with you.

Shadow twirled Maria around him, and see her blonde hair flying around, and her nightdress flowing. He doesn't want to be away from this girl who broke a spell. He doesn't care if he's a hedgehog or if Maria is human, he feels his love for her. It feels like a fairy tale. They both made a bridge for each other to go under. Maria felt Shadow's hands on her waist. He gave her a wink.

"Hang on."

If you could see me now,
Waiting for someone to hold,
Someone so brave who's never afraid,
Someone who's strong like the knights of old.

By catching Maria by surprise, Shadow lifts her up to spin her around. Maria let out a gasp and see the smile on Shadow's face. He's so strong. As he lowers her to the floor, he moves her around the tree, continue to dance with her. Snowflakes appear around them, making forms like they are dancing with Shadow and Maria who watched in awe. The snowflakes are flying are them and went around the Christmas tree brighten the room a bit.

"Wow..." Maria whispered. "Snow. This is the first time I've seen the snow." Shadow smiled a bit at her. Poor thing had never discover things down in Earth.

I save this dance for you,
I hope it lasts forever.
So let one star shine through,
I make my wish come true.

Shadow then dramatically dip her a bit. Maria looks up at him to see his ruby eyes sparkle. Sapphire and ruby have met once more. Shadow slowly brings Maria back up and kneel on the floor as Maria sat down. He felt her hand on his white chest fur that is revealed from his vest and jacket, feeling a soft fluff.

"So soft..." Maria says with a giggle. Shadow blushed a bit. He lets her pet his chest. The snow falls on them, making them smile and feel the cold on their faces. Maria had her hands up and spin around a little, smiling. "It's like magic..." She said. Shadow smiled at the snow that is falling from those snowflakes. "I've never touch snow before." Maria said. "Is this your doing, Shadow?"

"Maria, anything is possible. As long as I'm around, I can make anything possible." The black hedgehog said, crossing his arms. Maria came towards him and see that he is taking out a red rose from his jacket. Maria smiled and took the rose.

If you could hear this song,
This dance would last forever,
I'd carry us along,
To a place where we belong...

But then, a little pink glow flies around them, catching them both alarmed. Shadow recognizes this. A friend from his world. The light turns into a female pink hedgehog, wearing a pink dress, holding a wand, and have pink wings. Maria stares in surprise. The pink hedgehog brushes down the dress and look up at the black hedgehog and Maria. She gasped.

"Oooh! I have found you at last, Prince Shadow!" The hedgehog spoke. "And I see that the spell has been broken. Who's your lovely friend?" Shadow smiled a bit at the fairy.

"Amy, how did you find this place?" He asked.

"I have ways to travel everywhere, my prince." Amy said. She turned to Maria who stares at her in awe. "And you are?"

"Oh. I'm sorry." Maria said, realizing she was only staring. "I'm Maria."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Maria. I'm Amy Rose. I'm a Sugar Plum Fairy of the Land of Mobius." The pink hedgehog said, bowing her head. "Thank you for freeing the prince from the awful spell that Eclipse has him."

"You're...welcome." Maria said. Amy turned to Shadow with a worried look.

"You have to return to the Land of Mobius, Prince Shadow! Everyone wasn't around since you were gone for so long. And Eclipse has been slaving a few friends of ours who were found." She said. "I will take us there." Before she could wave her wand, Shadow stopped her.

"Wait a second, Amy." He said. He turned to Maria. "Maria, come with us."

"Huh?" Maria asked.

"Come with us to defeat Eclipse and his army of the Black Arms." Shadow said, smiling at her. Maria stares at him in silent. Go to the Land of Mobius? Should she go? But, her sickness will be worse if she leaves, would it? She'll never know. But, it's a different world. It wouldn't be like Earth. There will be mobians in Shadow's world.

"I...I don't know if I could. I'm sick, remember?" Maria says. Amy then waves her wand, and glitter appears around Maria. "Huh? What did you-"

"I put a spell on that disease of yours on halt when we travel to our world. You have nothing to worry about." Amy said. "I didn't say I cured your rare condition, but I can stop it from getting you sick." Maria looks at her hands, trying to feel something, but didn't. She didn't feel any different in her body. Shadow sticks his hand out for Maria to take.

"Please say that you will come." He said, almost with a pleading tone. Maria smiled at him and took his hand. Amy waved her wand around, and they all disappear in a flash of light. Maria shields her eyes with her arm to block the bright light. Shadow grips on her hand tight, not wanting to lose her.