Disclaimer: This is the start of the finale. Some spoilers are in here so I'm asking you to not spoil anything for the next few chapters should you review. That doesn't mean I don't want you saying anything, just nothing that would tip people off to any big surprises I have in store. Thank You
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Maria had just gotten out of school, running home excited as her parents were around. It seemed like they had been around more often nowadays, or did the days just go by faster? It didn't matter her one way or the other. She got home, bursting through the doors as she set her bag down. She head out into the back yard, finding her parents as they having a barbecue with her dads...less than stellar cooking. He'd burnt the shish-ka-bobs to a crisp, but nobody had the heart to tell him he was a bad cook.
"Hey everyone!" Nelson stated to get everyone's attention. "My Shish-ka-bobs are done so get ready! They're gonna knock you out!" He said with a chuckle.
Chuck walked up to Maria, Tails, and Amy. "I just hope the medics will be able to revive us." he muttered as the three laughed.
Maria looked around, a confused look about her. "Where's Shadow?"
"He's out for a run." Tails answered. "Somethings been bugging him lately, but he wouldn't tell me what."
Amy nodded. "He just needs to clear his head is all. I'm sure he's fine." Maria nodded at that answer, hoping Shadow can come to terms with whatever's on his mind.
Mr. Tanaka came out, whispering something in Chuck's ear. Chuck went inside, leaving everyone else behind as he picked up the phone.
"Chuck here. You what? Project homebound? Now? Well, I'll need some time to prepare. Not to mention we only have fi- oh, six now I guess. But I'll still need time. Yes Sir, I understand. Thanks for the notice." Chuck said solemnly. He set the phone down and put his head in his hands, holding back a few tears as he shook his head and went out to enjoy the party, deciding it best to talk with Tails when "they" got here.
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Up on the highway at night, Sam had been chasing a speeding driver down. Sam warned him several time to pull over, but the driver just kept going.
"WATCH OUT!" Sam warned as the driver realized his mistake and drove off the highway falling to the water below. Sam got out of his car, looking over the edge when a gust of wind flew past him, smashing through the window of the falling car a flash of blue appeared just before the car hit the ground and exploded. Sm turned around to see Shadow.
"Hmph. Weren't fast enough to catch this guy? You're loosing your touch Sam." Shadow taunted.
"Oh yeah?" Sam took the challenge, heading for his car and speeding off. Shadow looked at the person he saved, telling him to start walking before speeding off after Sam and matching speeds. "Ok Shadow, let me show you the new top speed." Sam stated as he pulled a lever and his car shot forward with incredible speed. However, Shadow was next to him in an instant and then he was gone, blasting past Sam as he made a jump off the highway, similar to the day the two met.
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Maria sat in her bedroom, thinking about the day she had. She figured life was going good, her parents were around, she had friends, everything just felt...right. Even if Shadow was a no show tonight, but he probably has a lot on his mind. She heard a splash outside, looking through her window and running down the stairs. "How did Shadow manage to land in the pool again?" She thought to herself and laughed a little. But when she got outside, she looked down to see a wet kitten shaking itself off and walking away. Maria turned her back when she noticed a light coming from a nearby room, as well as hearing voices both familiar and unfamiliar to her.
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Nelson, Lindsey, Tails, and Chuck were gathered in the room listening as a scientist had explained the grave situation they were in.
Nelso stood up at the revelation. "But how can time stop? That's impossible!" He stated.
Chuck shook his head. "I'm afraid it is possible."
The scientist continued her story. "Somewhere in the distant past, or possibly the far future, our world and Shadow's were one and the same. Then a catastrophic event caused the two to split apart with it's own timeline and everything. Our best guess is that our world and Shadow's are mirror images of each other in different dimensions, and thanks to Chaos Control happening that barrier has weakened. The dimensional barrier is falling apart and if the two timelines of our worlds cross, time will forever stand still."
"Ok, so how do we stop this from happening?" Nelson asked.
"I've made some calculations. What's pulling the timelines together is all the Mobian species on this world." The scientist stated. "If we send them all back, we have a chance to prevent that from happening. And I hear you might need this." She stated, handing Tails the Cyan Blue Chaos Emerald.
Tails's eyes widened. "You guys want to cause a Chaos Control!?"
Chuck nodded. "our only hope to save both worlds is to send you, Shadow, and the others back home. Anything organic, and it would probably be best for your advanced technology to leave this planet to." He explained.
"No..." Maria thought as a vase fell, shattering on the ground. Everyone turned, a nervous look as they saw her. "No...that can't be. You can't send Shadow away..." She said, a distance in her voice. "Shadow...Shadow helps people when they need it." She said, remembering when she was in a wheelchair stuck in the mud. "He saved Station Square from Chaos! Don't you remember any of that?" She asked desperately. "Or is this all some ploy so the government can get rid of Shadow?" Everyone had a look on their faces, not sure what to think as tears welled up in Maria's eyes. "ANSWER ME DAMMIT!" She screamed as the tears started to pour down.
Chuck got up, walking to his grand daughter and put a warm hand on her shoulder. "Maria, I'm sorry. But all of us are in danger. It's nobody's fault, but Shadow needs to get back home now. It's the only way."
Maria looked at him in shock, moving his hand off her shoulder as she backed up. "Y-you're with them...Of all the people, you chose their side..." She said in a half whisper before she clenched her eyes shut and ran out the door. "I HATE YOU!" She screamed as she ran away.
"Maria!" Nelson called out but Chuck put his arm up.
"Let her go son. She didn't mean it." Chuck said as he went over to the remains of the vase. Tails went over, helping him pick up the pieces. "She's just afraid is all." He said to Tails, putting the pieces in his hands. "I'm upset about this to. If time were to stop, I wouldn't grow older. I'd have forever to do my research and build."
Tails nodded as he helped. "That does sound nice, but if time stopped then what would be the point of progress? Everyday would be the exact same as the day before. The future wouldn't exist and the past wouldn't matter." Tails finished.
The two looked at each other and mist formed in Chucks eye's. "I'll miss you...my friend."
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Maria was running as hard as she could. "No, it has to be some kind of trick! It just isn't fair!" She thought to herself. "Robotnik has to be behind this. That's the only explanation. I'll force him to confess, and everything will be fine!" The only problem was she had no real way of seeing Robotnik. She didn't know where he was. Then, a shadow passed overhead and Maria looked up to see Rouge having a nice flight. "Rouge!" She yelled, getting the bats attention as Rouge landed. "Rouge, take me to Robotnik, please!" She begged.
"Why? What do you need from him?" Rouge asked curious. Why anyone would want to see that madman was beyond her.
Maria came up, putting her hands on Rouge's shoulders. "Please! I need answers only he has! They want to send all of you away!" Maria begged and Rouge knew exactly what she meant. Shrugging, Rouge picked Maria up, carrying her several miles away to see Robotnik sitting in his cell, the left sleeve empty and tied in a knot.
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At the Thorndyke Mansion, Tanaka came back inside and explained he couldn't find Maria anywhere.
"It's ok, Tanaka." Nelson stated. "We should've been more understanding with her."
Lindsey grabbed her husbands arm. "What can we do? Where did she go?"
"I have a pretty good guess." Chuck stated, getting everyone's attention. "I'm willing to be Maria left to find Robotnik." Everyone gasped. "I say we let her. She needs answers that nobody else can provide. Facing Robotnik might help her accept the truth about all of this." Chuck explained.
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"You!" Maria said venomously as she got to the bars. "What have you done?"
Robotnik turned around. "What are you talking about girl? I've been in here ever since Shadow destroyed GUN base."
"No! You're behind all this! You're the one forcing time to stop! You're doing this so that they'd send Shadow away!" Maria accused.
Robotnik raised an eyebrow, then started laughing madly. "How would I manage to pull it off? I want to RULE the world, not freeze it in time. If I did that, there would be no future in it! If time really is coming to a stop then I'm just as doomed as the rest of you." He stated, then gave Maria a once over. "They're going to send us all back, aren't they? Well, in that case it's a blessing that We'll never see each other again."
"Y-you're lying...that can't be true..." Maria said.
"Why not? Because you don't want it to be true? Face it kid, our time on this planet is done. As is that so called "friendship" of yours with Shadow. You're days of adventure are now over, and your life will go back to the way it always used to be." Robotnik taunted.
Maria grabbed the bars of his cell. "FIX IT! You brought everyone here! YOU ruined Shadows life! It's all YOUR FAULT!"
"HA! Ruined is a harsh word." Robotnik stated as he walked up. "He never told you, did he? Well, let me set the record straight kid." Robotnik stated, getting in Maria's face.
"I MADE Shadow."
Maria's eyes widened in horror. "No...that's not true..."
Robotnik nodded. "You think one is BORN with those abilities? Shadow was made to be my ultimate weapon against those fuzzy friends of his, but he rebelled against me and has been a thorn in my side ever since. As were you."
Maria backed up and her face paled. "No...I don't believe you...IT CAN'T BE TRUE!" Maria screamed as she ran out. Rouge followed her out, making sure Maria wasn't arrested for being on government property. Rouge followed till Maria was in the city, and left the kid to her own devices.
Maria sat in an alley, her back propped against the wall as she sobbed her sorrows away. When she was done, she came to terms with it all. The story was done. It's over, her adventures had finished. She hated the idea, it wasn't fair. But she was used to it.
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Nelson paced around, getting impatient. " can't stand it! I'll hire a team of Comandos to go and find her!"
Chuck scoffed at the idea. "That's absurd." He scolded when the door suddenly opened as Maria walked in, everyone crowding around her. She hugged Chuck, apologizing for what she said earlier. "It's ok Maria. You were angry, and it was a lot to take in."
Nelson came up. "Right. Now, wipe those tears away and get your chin up Maria. I promise, everything will be ok." Nelson stated and Maria faltered, but put a plastic smile on her face, but her parents bought it.
Maria left for her room, staring at the moon. "Shadow..." She muttered.
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Elsewhere, Shadow was hoping along pillars when he turned around. "Maria?" He asked, but saw nothing. "Guess I should head back if I'm already this tired." He muttered, then something felt like it was drawing his attention. He looked over and in one of the rocks, he saw a pearly Silver light inside one of the rocks. A smirk formed on Shadows face.