Chapter 3

Shadow opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. At first what he saw confused him. He was laying on a futon in a room with several shelves of video games. Shadow sat up and remembered the previous day's events. I wonder if Tails' machine will actually work. I could get my memory back, all of it. Shadow's train of thought was derailed as his stomach growled. The growling intensified as a delicious smell wafted into the room. It smelled of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Shadow left the room to find the source of the appetizing aroma.

Meanwhile, Sonic was at the stove scrambling another batch of eggs while Knuckles set the table. "Hey Knux, don't forget to set a place for Shadow." reminded Sonic.

Knuckles grumbled, "Why is he living with us again?"

Sonic flipped the cooked eggs onto a plate, "Relax, it's only temporary. Shadow is only here to help Tails with his project. When it's done, Shadow leaves. I'm guessing he doesn't like being here anymore than we like him here."

Knuckles slammed down a plate, "Then why the heck did he agree?!"

Sonic turned and shouted, "I don't know! Just try and be civil ok?"

"Fine."

Tails came up from his lab in the basement and sat down at the table. "Sonic, is it just me or are you getting really good in the kitchen? I can smell that food all the way in the basement!"

Sonic smiled, "Whatever man! I'm just glad I didn't burn it!"

Knuckles replied, "Yes, thank God for that. Now let's eat!"

Tails protested, "Shouldn't we wait for Shadow?"

At that moment Shadow walked into the kitchen. "Speak of the devil." mumbled Knuckles who was quickly elbowed by Sonic.

There was an awkward moment of silence until Tails spoke up, "Morning Shadow."

Shadow cleared his throat and replied, "Good Morning."

An uncomfortable quiet settled once more until Sonic said, "Well, uh, breakfast is done so, bring your plates and help yourselves." Shadow hung back until everyone else had gotten food.

When he had made his plate he said, "If you don't mind, I'm going to eat in the other room."

Tails gestured to an extra chair at the table, "Are you sure? You're welcome to eat with us."

Shadow shook his head, "No thank you. I'd rather eat alone." Tails' ears drooped slightly as Shadow exited the kitchen.

Sonic sat down in his chair, "Don't feel too bad Tails. Shadows just being Shadow."

Tails sighed, "I know."

Later that day, Shadow emerged from what was now his room and went toward the front door. He was putting on his shoes when Tails came up from the basement, "Wait a minute Shadow! I need your help with something."

Shadow replied, "I can't right now. I have an errand to run."

"Please Shadow? This will only take a second, I promise!" Shadow turned around to deliver a heated answer and saw Tails looking at him with pleading sky blue eyes.

Shadow groaned as he approached the basement door, "Fine. But make it quick and stop looking at me like that!" Tails led Shadow to the corner of his basement lab that he had reserved for the project. The two connected walls were plastered with blueprints, designs, lists, and calculations. Various tools and parts were spread out on the floor. Shadow looked around, "Jeez, when was the last time you picked this dump up?"

Ignoring the insult, Tails said, "When I work, I like to have everything spread out where I can easily spot and grab it. But I always clean up when I take breaks or when I finish. Anyways I need your help over here." Tails took Shadow to a desk with two chairs and a mess of monitors, wires and electronics. "Have a seat."

Shadow plopped into the chair and crossed his arms, "Can we speed this up a little?"

Tails chuckled, "Careful Shadow, you're starting to sound like Sonic!"

Shadow growled, "Listen, I have places to be and things to do. So if you don't get this thing moving, I'm leaving." T

ails went over to Shadow, "Ok, ok, hold still. I need to attach these sensors to the sides of your head."

Shadow eyed Tails suspiciously, "What is the purpose of these sensors?"

Tails attached the sensors to Shadow's head, "These sensors are going to measure the frequency of your brain waves."Shadow appeared confused so Tails went on to explain, "I need to measure the frequency of your brain waves in order to program the machine. It's really complex." Tails then switched on the monitors. He grabbed a clipboard and sat down facing the monitors. "In order to properly program the machine, I need to measure your brain waves when they are highest so the machine doesn't short out, and when they are lowest so it can still detect them. I've recorded a base for your brain waves while I was explaining this so we can move ahead. Alright Shadow, I need you to relax as much as possible. Think calm, serene thoughts." Shadow took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He thought of his special thinking place that only he knew about.

It was in the middle of the wilderness. The sky was always blue, untainted by the smog of the city. There were no cars, crowds of people, or buildings. There was only waving grass, fluffy clouds, and a lone oak tree on a hill. This was the only place Shadow could be truly alone. This place made Shadow happy. Or did it? That hill was in the middle of nowhere, miles from anyone and nobody knew it was even there. Shadow went there often and sometimes, the hill felt empty. It was almost like something was missing. Shadow had always assumed it was Maria. But now, he was starting to think otherwise.

Shadow quickly opened his eyes as Tails called his name, "Shadow, I'm done recording."

"Oh, sorry." Shadow replied distractedly, "Did it work?"

Tails looked over his notes and the monitors, "Hmmm… It looks like towards the end your brain waves climbed a little but that's not a problem. I have what I need. Now, this next part might suck a little. I need you think of something that upsets you or makes you angry." Shadow gave Tails a doubting look before shutting his eyes once more. Shadow went straight to the one of the most upsetting memories he possessed.

The G.U.N. soldiers were closing in as the two wound their way through the maze-like halls of Space Colony ARK. They rounded several corners until it looked like they had lost the soldiers. "Wait… *pant pant* I need… a rest… Please Shadow…" gasped Maria as she let go of Shadow's hand and stopped to catch her breath.

Shadow went to her side, "Maria, we can't stop here. The soldiers are still looking for us. We have to keep moving."

"I know but I must rest." replied Maria.

"Maria, we have to-" Shadow was cut off by the heavy boot steps of the G.U.N. soldiers.

Maria grabbed Shadow's hand and pulled him down another hallway, "This way Shadow!" The two ran until they reached an open room with escape pods. Shadow slammed and locked the door as Maria dashed to one of the computers.

Shadow went to Maria, "What are you doing? Why are we here with the escape pods?" Maria knelt and hugged Shadow who froze in her embrace. Her long blonde hair brushed his face and her arms squeezed him tightly. Shadow stammered, "Ma-Maria? Whats-whats going on?" Suddenly, a bang sounded as the G.U.N soldiers burst through the door. Maria shoved Shadow into a capsule which snapped closed immediately. Shadow tried to open it from the inside but it wouldn't budge.

A G.U.N. soldier pointed his pistol at Maria, "Freeze! One move and I'll shoot!" Shadow watched helplessly from behind the glass. Without warning, Maria darted to the control panel and slammed a button. At that moment the G.U.N. soldier opened fire and a bullet hit Maria in her gut area.

She toppled to the ground, her face turned toward Shadow who shouted, "MARIA!"

Maria looked at Shadow, tears streaming down her face and blood trickling from her mouth, "Shadow… please help the people of Earth… they need you… promise me…. Shadow…"

"I will Maria, I promise! Please Maria, you can't die!" At that moment, the escape pod launched. "NO! MARIA! NOOOO!"

Shadow was jerked back to reality by a gentle shake from Tails. Tails looked at him with concern, "Are you ok Shadow?"

Shadow cleared his throat, "Yeah. I'm fine. Please tell me you got what you needed."

Tails quickly nodded, "I got plenty of data. We don't have to do that again anytime soon."

"Thank God. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm leaving." Before Tails could say anything else, Shadow was up the basement steps.

Sonic was in the hallway when Shadow came up from the basement and made for the front door, "Hey Shadow. Where ya go-" SLAM! "In."

Knuckles came up behind Sonic, "Dammit Sonic why do you have to always slam the door?! People are trying to nap!"

Sonic replied, "That was Shadow, not me."

Tails peeped his head out of the basement, "Where did Shadow go?"

Sonic shrugged, "Out the door and off to God knows where."

Shadow collapsed onto the grass beneath the oak panting. Why did I run all the way here? I could have used Chaos Control. What the Hell is wrong with me? Shadow laid there trying to answer his own question but quickly gave up. As he looked up through the dappled light of the oak tree, Shadow attempted to calm his racing mind and rapidly pounding heart. He sat up and looked around. Alone as usual. Except this time it didn't feel nice. It felt empty and lonely.

Author's Note: Hello! I know it's been awhile but I have not disappeared off the face of the Earth. I got really busy with the last few days of school and stuff. I barely had time for brushing my teeth let alone typing! But all I can say is that it's good to be back and now that summer vacation is here, I plan to get a lot of work done. So keep a look out for new chapters on this story and The Demonic Angel. Thanks for reading and sorry for the wait. Happy Summer everyone!