Chapter 1: A cybernetic afterlife.

"If there is any work in the afterlife, you must do it. Behold me whenever you are called. Be watchful at any moment to work there. Plough my fields, carry water and sand to the east and west. Behold me whenever you are called."

The fat egg-shaped scientist murmure solemnly as he carefully welded two titanium joints together, taking care not to damage any part of the special plastic around it.

It had always been part of his eccentric personality to quote random bits from old scriptures that he and he alone took an interest in. It was part of the reason he had become so alienated from society even as a starry-eyed young boy who'd not yet stepped on the path of evil.

The device he was currently working on was a unique type of robot called an android. Designed to look like a human. To feel like a human. And most importantly of all; to act like a human and be capable of the full range of emotions that one would associate with a living, breathing person capable of both rationality and quirkiness.

The metal joint he was welding together as delicately as was possible for a giant his size; was but one of many metal wires that would make up a "blood vessel" of the soon to be finished android.

A beautiful android whose surreal aura of beauty would have put billionare star actress Lindsey Thorndyke to tears of envious shame.

At first glance; the android looked to be a mechanical representation of a young Italian girl in her early pre-teen years. Her intended age was evident in her height which was meticulously designed to make her a giant compared to children, and a dwarf in comparison to the morbidly obese middle-aged doctor in the process of putting the finishing touches on her.

Her pretty face was crafted from a highly advanced plastic, which was pale pink in color and designed specifically to mimic the texture of human skin near perfectly. An extra layer of a different red plastic was placed below so that if a sheet of fake skin was torn from the android, it would still appear as if she had muscular tissue under her epidermis like any regular human being.

Her maker's PHD in Biochemistry was not just for show. It was one of the few college degrees he deemed fit to hang on his throne room wall, so he could constantly brag about it to his arch enemy Sonic's face when they faced each other years ago at Mobius Central Chemical plant.

His knowledge of chemistry was what allowed him to poison the entire plant, almost killing millions of innocent Mobian citizens. Only Sonic the hedgehog and his wonderful sidekick Tails the fox were able to end the catastrophe before it truly began.

"And I'd have gotten away with it too if it weren't for that meddling hedgehog and his smelly foxy friend." The fat scientist boasted to himself as he waved the air before him away. Each crushing defeat he'd suffered at the blue hedgehog hero's hands were a shame that he'd take to his grave.

He took care to constantly refer back to a photo album he kept on a nearby table as he worked. In this album were pictures of himself in his infancy, childhood and adolescence; when he was quite the looker partly because back then he actually spent two hours a day lifting weights before running ten kilometres as part of his daily workout routine.

Some of this strength followed him to this day, where he could still on occasion terrify his enemies by hoisting surprisingly large loads above his head effortlessly when the situation called for it. He could also sprint fast to avoid the authorities when they came to arrest him, and to scamper away from his losing battles with the fastest living thing alive like a frightened rat.

Which was pretty much every battle. Which made him incredibly sad.

There were also photographs of himself with his family and extended family. Most of whose faces he had taken the liberty of crossing out with black biro ink, now that they were no longer around to vex him constantly with their wanton abuse towards him.

Only one face besides his own was not crossed out with a big, black X on every frame. A face he was now using as a template for the magnificent android he had poured no less than three months of time into. The one relative who truly loved him.

The face of his elder first cousin; Maria Robotnik. The single person who he could not bring himself to hate, try as he might.

Especially since she was dead, and had been dead for five entire decades. Not a natural death via the inevitability of old age after a long and happy life, but an early death via taking a bullet to her soft and tender heart.

Maria Robotnik: Died age 12 years and 35 days.

Cause of death: A broken heart, both figuratively and literally.

Autopsy report: Large traces of damaged white blood cells found in victim's compromised immune system. Analysis of victim's lungs showed severe damage around air sacs. Three 5.56mm bullets belonging to an M16 rifle discovered upon closer inspection, in left arm, stomach and vena cava region of victim's heart.

Prognosis: Victim suffered from a severe case of an immuno-deficiency disease known as "Neuro immuno-deficiency disorder" (NIDS), which severely impacted her body's ability to withstand pathogens/diseases of any kind.

Victim required a strict diet and a special form of room ventilation for long-term survival.

Predicted remaining lifespan: 2 weeks and 3 days after factoring the difference between Earth's atmosphere and the carefully regulated and oxygen rich atmosphere of Space Colony ARK. Space Colony ARK was the victim's former home prior to the Colony's impounding at the hands of the peace-keeping organization known as the "guardian of united nations" (GUN).

Murderer: Cannot be named for legal reasons.

Possible motives for being murdered: Victim was known to have no history of violent or immoral behaviour. She was well liked by everyone close to her, ruling out any of her relatives and friends as suspects. It is known however; that GUN had a fierce rivalry with the head owner of space colony ARK who was also the grandfather of the victim.

Events before death: Victim was threatened at gunpoint by murderer to allow Experiment Shadow to be taken away for further examination by GUN. Victim vehemently refused and instead ejected Experiment Shadow in escape pod headed for Earth, where it was never found.

Three days prior to victim's untimely passing, she was put in charge of hosting a grand dinner for a troupe of GUN inspection officials touring ARK. Victim served Pasta with Puttanesca sauce to the group, but seregant in charge wanted Roast beef instead.

The following brief conversation was recorded via tape by an anonymous source:

Conversation begins

-Victim: "Ahem. Er. Sir. Dinner is served...Puttanesca."

-Seregant: "What did you call me?"

-Victim: "It's Pasta. Pasta Puttanesca."

-Seregant: "Where is the roast beef!?"

-Victim: "Um. Roast beef?"

-Seregant: "Beef. Yes. Roast beef. It's the Swedish term for beef that is roasted!.

-Victim: "B, but y, you didn't tell me you wanted roasted beef. I don't have any roast beef. I'm so sorry.

-Seregant: "NO ROAST BEEF!"

Conversation end.

The egg-shaped scientist finished welding the final joint of the android's left arm. He stood up briefly to allow his fatigued muscles a short reprieve and to flex over his almost finished project.

Though this android was much smaller than most of his other robots; his robot servants Decoe and Bocoe among them, it was still the largest project he'd ever attempted. Every part of her had to be completely flawless. One tiny mistake, one badly formed joint or a single screw loose and she'd just crash and burn the moment he switched her on.

Her shoulder length golden blonde hair was as smooth as silk. Most likely because it was actual silk. Made from real silk moths fed on the finest honeydew which Dr Eggman had his Robot servants raise from their birth to their harvest.

It wouldn't grow like real human hair, but that was a small price to pay when every other aspect of her was so perfect. Besides, less trips to the barber meant more time for her to spend with her maker, and her other friend that her maker really didn't like to think about.

As if the world heard his thoughts right then and there, the door to his underground laboratory were swung wide open with so much force that they nearly broke upon hitting the concrete wall.

A thin black anthropormorphic hedgehog strode in. He had four toes on each of his feet, which he kept hidden in his navy Nike sneakers. A result of his unique genes comprising of human DNA being mixed with the DNA of an African Pygmy hedgehog.

His red eyes blazed with a burning flame and the spines on his back seemed to grow sharper with each step forward he took.

"Have you finished?" He demaded in a throaty, gutteral growl which clearly demonstrated his lack of experience with the art of speaking, which in turn showcased his extreme introvertedness.

"Oh yes Shadow. I'm just finishing her up right now." The Egg-shaped ball of fat purred in the softest tone he could muster up, as he secretly clenched his fists behind his back.

"Take a look at her yourself." He suggested, when he saw that his attempt at clemency did nothing to ease the tension in the dark hedgehog's pained expression. "See how flawless I've made her in every way."

"Shadow" simply rolled his eyes and shook his head in disgust, clearly not at all impressed by the scientist's attempts to shill himself as a saint worthy of respect. He very reluctantly stepped forward, his beady eyes watching the angular scientist's every move.

It was readily apparent that neither one of them had any sort of trust towards the other. Such was the way it was and had been since their first meeting seven Earth years ago.

"If you're trying to trick me, just know that I'll burn you to a molten crisp the second you step out of line, Doctor." The black hedgehog sarcastically warned the man, as if chewing each word before he spat it out.

The doctor shook his head and held up both his hands in an exaggerated pantomine. "Shadow. While it is true that I have lied on many accounts in the past to both you and Sonic, this one time I am telling the truth. Perhaps this is the only time I ever will tell the truth."

"You had better be Doctor. Because this time I'm on to you and you won't be able to trick me ever again." Shadow murmured in reply, his voice hardly louder than a whisper.

With these final ominous words, Shadow stepped cautiously over to the bed on which the blonde android lay. The android that if all went according to the doctor's supposed calculations; would soon become the new vessel for his lost Lenore.

His one friend. His only friend. The only human he still had any inkling of respect for. The friend stolen from him five decades ago, during his third short year with her.

Three years and 35 days was all the time he had with her. Yet the bond they shared was closer than that of most couples who'd been married for a whole lifetime.

There were still many things he did not yet know about her, or the time he spent with her or the home they both lost when GUN came to trash it and massacre them in the process. But he did know with absolute certainty three unshakable facts.

Fact one: her name was Maria. Maria was a pure soul too good for the sinful Earth she showed such an interest towards.

Fact two: his name was Shadow. He was a superpowered mutant created by combining hedgehog and human DNA with powerful Chaos energy derived from a pure Chaos emerald. He was created as a Birthday present for Maria's 9th birthday and his objective was to entertain and safeguard Maria with his life. On both ARK and on Earth.

It was only thanks to the help of a brave young hero named Christopher that Shadow also now knew fact 3. The fact that convinced him not to destroy Earth even after being fed a phony message from Maria's broken grandfather during his last days rotting away in a prison built by GUN. A message which tried to convince him to go against his very nature.

Fact 3. His own happiness was equally important as Maria's. Her sacrifice was for his sake. Her way of thanking him for being such a good friend and surrogate brother to her during her stay on ARK. He deserved to live as much as she did, as much as any human being did.

Part of Shadow's happiness came from Earth's natural beauty. He could no longer deny this part of himself even if he wished to. Christopher had convinced him just to be himself and to not change for anyone because aside from Maria, only Christopher ever cared for his wellbeing.

Dr Eggman had no such respect towards such a vast and wonderful planet teeming with exciting cultures and species of life. Eggman saw it only as an object to hold in his hand, the same way a Roman Emperor viewed the legion of slaves under his command or a Goldsmith saw a shiny bar of gold.

To Eggman, the Earth was to be prized but not respected. To be owned but not looked after. To be treasured but not cherished. To be changed but not loved.

A single tear dripped from Shadow's eyes which he quickly wiped away. He remembered all the horrible atrocities he committed, sometimes acting alone and sometimes under Dr Eggman's vaguely benevolent orders. The Egg-Shaped Doctor really had played him for a sucker for far too long.

"Shadow. Look. Before you tear me to shreds, just hear me out." Dr Eggman solemnly requested, prompting Shadow's frown to soften ever so slightly.

"Well go on. I don't have all day. But one false move and you will be sorry you were ever born." The black hedgehog harrumphed as he kept his sight well trained on the backstabbing villain who'd double crossed him one time too many.

Shadow tapped his sneakers impatiently as Eggman once more raised both his hands to show he really didn't have any weapons for once. A motion that the doctor could not help but notice Shadow had learned from Sonic. The blue blur's mannerisms were certainly contagious.

It had been difficult for Eggman to come to terms with the fact that Shadow was now officially one of Sonic's disciples.

"I want her back as much as you do, hard as it may be for your pig-headed brain to believe." He growled, looking Shadow straight in the eyes to let him know that he was not lying. "Do you think I would be working my back off as I am now if I didn't want her back."

Shadow said nothing, but only shook his head in disgust.

"I'll have you know Shadow, that when I heard the news of my older cousin's death; I mourned her as bitterly as you did. I cried for three days and three nights. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep. I was on the verge of tying a noose in the attic, standing on the chair, putting the noose around my neck and then kicking the chair away."

The doctor's voice grew louder with each word of his monologue until it seemed as if he was making the room shake with his furious shrieks of anger.

"Forgive me if I do not believe you. You putrid liar." Shadow retorted quietly, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

"If you're not going to listen to what is going to be the only time I confess my backstory to anyone except myself, it's your loss Shadow and not mine." The doctor nonchalantly replied, his eyes surprisingly dry despite how agitated he was clearly becoming at the recollection of so many painful memories.

"Is that when you unleashed your stupid army on innocent people who did nothing to warrant your scorn?" Shadow asked with a hint of morbid curiousity. "I honestly don't know how you sleep at night sometimes knowing what you've done."

"Well you're no angel either, Shadow. You know that right?"

"What are you talking about? At least I don't try to take over the Earth on a daily basis for no good reason."

"Tell that to the hundreds families whose loved ones you've slaughtered in cold blood, Shadow. I'm sure your moral high over me will really endear you to them after you left them without food on their tables and you emotionally scarred their kids for life."

"The only people I've killed are GUN agents. Let me repeat that. GUN agents and only GUN agents. Senior GUN agents at that. They deserved to die. I was only passing judgement upon them. Any court of law with a passing semblence of fairness would have arrived at the same guilty verdict for them that I did. Their guilt for the unspeakable atrocities they've so brazenly committed was not in any doubt!"

At this perfectly logical attempt by Shadow to justify his own past mistakes, Eggman seemed to break out of all bounds as he stamped his foot while clenching his fists and gnashing his teeth with a gust of devilish fury.

"YOU ARE A TOY!" He bellowed, jabbing a shaking finger in Shadow's direction. "My grandfather didn't build you to be the next Terminator or Robocop. You're a tamed pet hedgehog given to my cousin for her ninth birthday. You are a child's plaything."

All of Shadow's will to fight seemed to drain from stifled a light yawn and waved Eggman's angry words aside with a weary hand covered in a white glove.

"You are a sad strange little man. And you have my pity." He weakly slurred, clearly setting aside the fact that he was at least three times smaller than the towering ball of fat that was Dr Eggman; his sworn enemy for the rest of eternity.

"I didn't come here to argue pointlessly with you. Are you finished or aren't you?" Shadow impatiently demanded, upon seeing that his final attempt at a roast went more or less unnoticed by the evil genius clearly too far gone to see the error of his own ways. "If you are finished, then hurry up and turn her on. If you're not, I smite you with lightning."

"Well Shadow, I'm not going to finish with you constantly disruping my attempt to focus. This is delicate work you know? And if I get one thing wrong, I might just end up unintentionally creating the next killing machine which blows up half of Station Square instead. You got that?"

Shadow nodded slowly, conceding the point.

"I will be right outside this door. I can still see you with my super vision. If you try to do anything else, I will come back here and tear you limb from limb." He threatened as he very slowly began to back away, only to be halted before he'd gone more than a few steps.

"Oh and Shadow?"

"What is now Eggman? Hurry up and finish."

Eggman turned away from the android and back to Shadow once more, transfixing him with a stone-cold gaze which seared through eye, skin and soul.

Never before had Eggman looked more threatening in his entire life, including the time he had all seven Chaos emeralds in his possesion and was using them to power his ultimate weapon capable of destroying entire galaxieson a whim.

"Shadow." He muttered in a monotonous and icy tone. "Even if the guilt of those you killed was not in doubt, you're still not a lawgiver. You're not Batman. You never were and you never will be. Surely Chris told you that?"

Shadow shivered slightly under the intensity of Eggman's most frightful expression yet. Even he had to admit that it was pretty impressive how deadly serious this bumbling buffoon of a doctor could get sometimes.

"He might have mentioned it." Shadow confessed quietly.

"Well you'd do well to remember it. Before you do something you'll really regret. Now go away and let me finish my work here." Eggman finished as he dismissed Shadow with a flick of his wrist.

...

Thank you for reading. Please review if you like this story.

While there are many stories where Shadow remembers Maria, I feel there should be more stories where Shadow actually gets to see Maria again and we get to see what she was like when she was alive.

I also feel that Eggman should have more interactions with his cousin, since they are relatives and their ideals clash with each other. There are rare instances where Eggman has shown compasion for others, and when he has done some good for others even if he sometimes had to be bribed to do the right thing.

I wanted to see if I could write a story where he didn't try to take over the world like usually does, and takes his cousin's ressurection seriously.
I will try my best to update soon and I hope you enjoy this fictional adventure I take you on.