Chapter 1: The Experiment
In every story, there is a timeline of events. Theoreticals that could happen or have yet to happen. What if Sonic caught Shadow in their first meeting? What if Sonic failed saving Agatha? What if...? Today, we shall explore one of these possibilities...
Starring:
Maria Robotnik - Suffering from Illness
Shadow the Hedgehog - Distant but Friendly
Gerald Robotnik - Caring Grandfather
Space Colony ARK; Gerald's Lab
*Within a lab overlooked by an old, bushy mustached man, a creature is seen floating in a tube of green goo, as he watches on.*
Gerald: "Project Shadow Alpha is currently in the development phase. Its form has begun to take shape, seemingly as a Mobian hedgehog. This is according to murals I examined on the floating island and in Mystic Ruins..." *Adjusts his glasses.* "With our benefactor's DNA, this should become... The Ultimate Lifeform... The secrets of immortality should soon be seen..."
*In the monitor, a lizard almost the size of a Komodo dragon is seen in a pool far below the ARK, overwatched by several scientists.*
Gerald: "Project Shadow Beta, however, has not been as lucky. It has exhibited erratic behavior, lashing out at our staff and has injured at least one scientist. If this continues, I will have no choice but to cut off Beta's life support..."
*The door to his lab opens as a young blonde-haired girl in a blue dress enters, holding a plate of food.*
Maria: "Still working hard, Grandfather?"
Gerald: "Gh!?" *Quickly turns and sees Maria, sighing to calm himself.* "Ahem... Maria. What is it you need, my dear?"
Maria: "It's lunch time. And you mustn't forget to eat." *Holds up the plate. It had a simple dish of mashed potatoes, green beans, and a steak.*
Gerald: *Accepts the plate before smiling.* "Ah, so polite you are... Thinking of others before yourself."
*Maria turns to the creature floating in the tube, seeing it in its unfinished state.*
Maria: "Who is this, Grandpa?"
Gerald: "That is Project Shadow. He is going to be your salvation. The way to curing you..."
Maria: "Project...Shadow..." *Places a hand on the glass before smiling.* "Hello, Shadow. I'm Maria. I hope...we can be good friends."
*Gerald smiles to the side, patting Maria on the head before eating with Maria by his side.*
Some days pass...
*Maria stands on the side of bed as Gerald stands on the other, looking down at the now completed Shadow. The black hedgehog begins to slowly open his eyes, looking around the room before focusing his eyes on the girl.*
Maria: "Are you...okay?"
Shadow: "...Ma...ri...a..."
*Maria gasps before looking up at Gerald with a smile.*
Maria: "Grandpa! He said my name! He actually said it!"
Gerald: "Hehe. Yes, Maria... He certainly did... But give him a moment to adjust. This is his first time seeing the room."
Shadow: "...I am...Shadow..." *Lifts up a hand before clenching it. He then sits up before getting off the bed, landing on his knees.*
Maria: "Here... Let me help you..." *Supports Shadow before helping him walk.*
Gerald: "Project Shadow Alpha has awakened and has already taken his first steps in the living. I am so proud of him. But still, more tests need to be conducted... For now, I am quite content with...what is developing..." *Turns to Maria and Shadow, the latter now walking on his own as the former tags him.* "Uh! Not in the lab, you two!"
Three Weeks Later...
*Maria was in the observatory, alone, overlooking the Earth. She places a hand on the glass as she sighs. Shadow enters the room, looking to have taken a shower as he smelled rather clean. He soon notices Maria alone in her thoughts.*
Shadow: "...Maria? Something wrong?"
Maria: *Turns to Shadow, a bit startled.* "Oh! You're...done at the training range already?"
Shadow: "Hmph. A few Artificial Chaos is hardly a fight for me."
Maria: "I see... I'm...happy..." *She sighs before turning back to Earth.*
Shadow: "...Do you miss it? Earth, I mean."
Maria: "...I do..." *She lowers her head as she starts to cry.* "Ever since I contracted my condition... I was forced to leave Earth and live up here... While the scientists are all nice, I miss being able to walk on the streets to my school... I miss talking to people my age... And I miss Mom and Dad..."
Shadow: "...The professor is trying his best to help... He says I may be the cure to your illness..."
Maria: "I don't doubt him or his theory... But I... I just..."
*Shadow places a hand on Maria's, holding it softly.*
Shadow: "...Just be strong. At least...for a while longer..."
Maria: "Shadow..." *Hugs him, holding him tightly as she cries on his shoulder.* "...Thank you... Shadow...*
A Few Months Later...
*An alarm starts blaring throughout the facility, G.U.N. soldiers having raided the facility. Shadow and Maria are seen running through the halls, being chased by the soldiers.*
Shadow: "Come on! We're almost to the escape pods!"
Maria: "But what about Grandpa!?"
Shadow: "He'll be fine, I promise! Just come on!"
*As the two ran, Maria trips, causing Shadow to lose his grip on her, he turning to see her on the ground. The two see the soldiers catch up, weapons at the ready. Maria immediately tries to jump to save Shadow as a gun sound is heard...*
Maria: "Shadow!"
*There was an intense ringing in Maria's ears as Shadow collapsed onto the floor. Her condition began to kick in as her stress overcame her, she reaching out for Shadow...before she finally blacked out.*
Unknown Location; A Day after the Raid
*Professor Gerald is taken into an interrogation room, he being seated as he looked down, saddened and bitter. A commander, a man in his late sixties, walks in, sitting down on a chair just across the table from Gerald.*
Commander: "...You understand why you are here, don't you, professor?"
Gerald: "Where is Maria...?"
Commander: "You are in no position to-"
Gerald: "Where is my granddaughter, you heartless rogues!?" *Slams his fists on the table, glaring at the commander behind his glasses.*
Commander: *Pauses before nodding.* "Your granddaughter, assuming the one we brought in is the one wearing a light blue dress, is currently in stasis in the G.U.N. labs. When she was brought in, her condition became immediately critical... No... Rather...it was critical when she got here."
Gerald: "So she's alive... Oh thank Gaia..." *Calms down, tears in his eyes.* "I'm... I'm sorry for my outburst... I was...so worried for her..."
Commander: "Professor. We received a leak from an anonymous working on the ARK stating that you were conducting a very dangerous experiment. Labelled Project Shadow."
Gerald: "I was..."
Commander: "You admit to creating a weapon then?"
Gerald: "Not a weapon... But a cure..."
Commander: "Cure?"
Gerald: "...For Maria..."
Commander: "...I see. Unfortunately, as it stands, you will be under arrest for your crimes of conducting shady scientific experimentation without the consent of the government. Project Shadow and the ARK will be under our custody."
Gerald: "...And what about Maria?"
Commander: "She...might be a special case... As it stands, she may be unable to live much longer."
Gerald: "...May I make a request then... Just one... Supervised if that is what it takes..."
Commander: "Hm?"
Gerald: "Give me one chance...to save her... To save Maria... She...doesn't deserve to pay for my crimes... I promised her that she could see Earth for herself... That she could walk along the beach, enjoy carnivals, even visit our cities... I...don't want to break that promise..."
Commander: "...Sigh... Alright... On the condition that she forgets everything about Project Shadow and the ARK. If that is within your ability."
Gerald: "I'll see what I can do..."
Commander: "Then... You will have access to the lab, under close supervision. No funny business. Understand, professor?"
Gerald: "...Yes, sir..."
Audio Log: Project MARIA [REDACTED]
The commander has given me full access to the lab to do one final experiment. I mustn't fail... I must save Maria at all costs. Thankfully, he has given me as much time as I needed for this. A ruffian on the surface, he at least has a heart... After giving Maria a scan from her stasis tank, I could tell that her condition had indeed worsened... In fact, her body may have reached a point of no return... So if I can't save her body...
Audio Log: Project MARIA II [REDACTED]
The dates on these confounded recordings is as reliable as a can of tuna. Hmph... My frustrations aside, Project MARIA has been going smoothly. I had given my idea to the commander on constructing a new body for Maria for a mind transfer experiment. After explaining that her condition was to a point where she otherwise could not be saved, he relented. At least that is one issue out of the way. I was granted access to the base's Chaos Drives as a resource, though only thirty could be used. Good. I will only need thirty.
Audio Log: Body Construction [REDACTED]
Maria's new body has taken form. Reconstructing what little DNA I could from Project Shadow, I created this time a tenrec body. It lacks any kind of soul or mind so this the best I can do. The colors chosen are a light blue fur with the tips of her spikes being gold. Her overall design is taking shape so only time will tell how it will look... I've got proper wear and shoes ready as well. Maria... Forgive your grandfather for this...
Audio Log: Mind Transfer [REDACTED]
Proceedings are normal, Maria's mind is currently under going transfer at ninety nine percent. As per my condition, I have erased all traces of the ARK and Project Shadow in her memory after converting all of her memories to data. ...Yes, this includes her time with Shadow. I... I wish this was more in my control... If there is anything I can safely say to her... Is to always be kind to others... You are Maria... My family... ...Mind transfer complete.
Unknown Location; Hospital
Maria: "...Ugh... My...head... I feel very...itchy..." *Looks up to see bright lights shining down on her face. She lifts up a hand to block it, only to see her hand was different. With a slight panic, she falls out of bed, she landing on tile floor. She grabbed the bed before turning to the mirror, seeing...herself.* "What...? What...am I?"
*Maria trips on her way to the mirror, crashing into it though not breaking it as she examines herself. She was some kind of...hedgehog-like creature. Her hair-like fur was long, resembling a bit like her hair as a human, but now light blue and ending in gold blonde tips. Her skin - or rather fur - was also light blue all around her body except for her chest and arms, which were cream colored. She turns to the door, seeing a nurse walk in.*
Nurse: "Oh. You are awake, miss Maria. I'm so hap-"
Maria: "What's happened to me? Why am I...like this?"
Nurse: *Kneels down to Maria's eye level and pets her.* "Worry not. Your grandfather went to great lengths to make sure you would come out okay.'
Maria: "My...grandfather... That's right... I was tested for...something incurable... And he came and took me...somewhere... Did he take me here?"
Nurse: "Yes... Its been a few years, but the operation was a success..."
Maria: "A few...years..." *Looks to her hands before flexing them. She then smiled.* "Thank you,... Grandpa..."
Nurse: "Come on. The doctor would like to run some tests before you are free to go." *Holds onto Maria's hand as she escorts the girl out into the halls and into the doctor's office.*
Station Square; Present Day
After that day, life continued normally for me. My head still feels like a whirlwind at times, but I am at least free to explore the world. I tried going home to my parents, but... They rejected me because they didn't recognize me... But that's okay... Actually, the strangest thing is that... After a while, I sort of stopped aging... I don't know why. Maybe it was because of my new body. I don't fully know. All I know is that...a lot of Christmases have passed and I still feel like I'm in my late teens... Well... I now live in an apartment, have a nice little job entertaining kids, and generally have been able to do just fine on my own... But I can't help but feel like... I'm forgetting something...
*As Maria was walking with a bag full of groceries, a news broadcast begins to play in a TV store next to her. On it displayed a battle between Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Ivo Robotnik, in which Sonic had sunk the Death Egg and saved the planet from potential destruction.*
Maria: "Dr. Ivo Robotnik? ...Who...? ...Why does that 'Death Egg'...look familiar...?" *Drops her groceries as she starts to run.* "Maybe... Just maybe... This 'Ivo' will know something..."
To be continued in...
Maria the Tenrec: The Meeting
Author's Note:
Maria the Tenrec? Not hedgehog? Well, yes. Hedgehogs tend to be overused a lot and I figured mixing it up a bit by having her as a tenrec would be better since they aren't used as often. So this story was an idea I had for a few months now. I figured I'd try my hand at a potential 'What If'. Unlike my main story, this one is going to follow closer to the games' canon rather than my own version of canon. So no Manik, Sonia, Agatha, Thread, or even Freedom Fighters. Sorry. But hey, I hope you enjoyed this little chapter. Next one should be out within a week. And don't worry about Sonic the Hedgehog Book II, it'll get updated weekly.