Clues to the Past
Note #1: I found like to thank Brian4life for giving me this idea for the story.
Note #2: I added more to the last chapter.
(Ayla's POV)
We all stepped outside a ring portal that lead to the base where the accident happened 50 years ago. Eggman was now back in his usual clothes, which were made from Stone's clothes*
Sonic: Okay, we don't like you and you don't like us. Let's get this over with quickly.
Eggman pushed past us*
Dr. Robotnik: Out of the way, Dorkupines.
Ayla: Dorkupines? Oh, real original.
Stone, Knuckles, & Tails came out behind us. Stone was wearing a spare suit he had. We made our way up to a big metal door with the G.U.N. logo on it. Eggman tapped on the door*
Dr. Robotnik: This door is 6 inch thick solid steel and a pressurized latch. I'll need a moment to calculate the molecular density and invert the venting mechanics.
Suddenly, Knuckles punched the doors & then fell right off their hinges*
Knuckles: I unlocked it.
Dr. Robotnik: Subtle as always, Fist for brains.
We headed into the base*
Agent Stone: Whoa. What is this place?
Sonic: Looks like a military base. But nobody's been here for years. I wonder if it's haunted.
Knuckles: Haunted? Nobody said anything about being haunted.
Agent Stone: What's the matter? Are you afraid of g-g-g-ghosts?
Knuckles: Nothing scares an Echidna warrior.
Ayla: Uh, need I remind you what happened last movie night?
A few weeks ago, we were watching the movie "Casper" & Knuckles screamed at the scene where Casper & Kat Harvey meet for the first time, screaming at each other. He started crushing Sonic & Tails' hands. I had to cover his eyes until the scene was over to calm him down*
Knuckles: There's no such thing as a friendly ghost.
Soon, we came to three different passageways*
Sonic: So, which way do we go?
Dr. Robotnik: I know. We should split up. Everyone with hideous brightly colored fur take the left and the middle, Stone and I will go right.
Ayla: Oh, no, no, no. We're not letting you out of our sight.
Sonic: Yeah. Tails, you and Stone go left. Ayla and Knuckles, you take the middle. Eggman, you and me go right.
Dr. Robotnik: By all means. We could use some time together. To work on your trust issues.
Sonic: You know what, you're right. I should be more trusting. I mean, you've only tried to kill me and my sister twice!
We all went out separate ways, but not before I handed everyone a flashlight*
(Third-Person POV)
Tails & Stone searched down their hallwayz
Agent Stone: Look, I'm just gonna come right out and say it. You're adorable.
Tails: Um, thanks.
Agent Stone: So, what's it like being Sonic's assistant? Have a daily routine? Playoff time? Benefits?
Tails: Oh, I'm not Sonic's assistant. We're teammates. He's the leader, Ayla's the strategist, Knuckles is the muscle, and I'm the gadget guy. We all have a role to play. That's what makes the team so special. That, and the fact we're best friends.
That took Stone by surprise*
Agent Stone: You are?
Tails: Yeah, just like you and Eggman, right?
Stone looked unsure, but decided to play along*
Agent Stone: Oh, ye - Of course. Yes. Me and the Doctor. Best of friends. That's definitely what we are.
Just then, they heard movement. They turned their flashlights to see a ran scurrying by. But we're so distracted, they didn't see Shadow floating down behind them, his eyes glowing. They turned around & screamed when they saw him*
In another part of the base, Sonic arrived in a room with a broken glass tube in the middle*
Sonic: Whoa. This is where you grew up, Shadow? No wonder you're mad. This place could really use a beanbag chair and some comic books. *he put his hand on the broken glass* What happened here?
Suddenly, Shadow appeared behind him & immediately grabbed the back of his head, slamming him against the glass*
Shadow: I'm tired of giving you warnings!
He threw Sonic to a broken console & zoomed in for a punch, making Sonic*
At one point, with realizing it, I got separated from Knuckles. As I explored the base, I couldn't help but feel like I've been here before*
Ayla*in her mind* Why do I feel like I've been here before?
Soon, I found myself in what looked like a bedroom. I looked around, again feeling a sense of deja vu. Just then, I saw what looked like a half-open secret compartment. I opened the compartment & found a book inside. I picked it up, brushed off the dust & read the writing on the cover*
Maria's Dairy
Keep out
That means you, Shadow
I giggled at the writing. I opened the book & read the first page*
Dear Diary
Today I moved into my Grandpa's new lab. I was so sure it was going to be like all the others he's worked in. Clean, boring, and no kids my age to play with. Little did I know was that I was going to make a new friend, who was just as thrilled to be here as I was . . .
(Flashback - 50 years ago - Third-Person POV)
*A girl with long blonde hair, blue eyes, peach skin, & wearing a blue headband, a light blue shirt, a dark blue skirt, white socks, & light blue roller skates. She had a bag slung over her shoulder & was carrying a box that said "Maria's Stuff". She turned a corner when one of two soldiers guarding the entrance stopped her*
Soldier: Hey! This is a restricted area.
*A younger Commander Walters stopped him*
Young Commander Walters: It's okay. This is the Professor's Granddaughter. He takes her everywhere. *he leaned down to her level* Welcome to the lab, Maria. I'm Captain Walters.
Maria: Do you know where my room is?
Young Commander Walters: Yeah. Down the hall to the right. Make yourself at home. But, uh . . . Let's lose the skates. Okay, kiddo.
Maria: Okay.
(Maria Meets Shadow Scene SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (2024) Movie CLIP HD by JoBlo Animated Videos on YouTube)
*She went down the hallway. Halfway down, she took off her skates & walked the rest of the way. Just then, she stopped at a room that was glowing green. She went inside & saw Shad floating in a tank. She set down her box of stuff & stepped up to the tank. She put her hand to the tank & Shadow turned to her with a glare. She flinched, but stayed where she was. Then she got out a black marker & started drawing on the glass. Shadow watched her curiously. She drew a bunny face over his. She giggled. Shadow looked at the drawing & back at her. Then Maria placed her hand on the glass. Shadow stared at her for a moment & then slowly put his hand where hers was & smiled back at her*
(Present Time - Ayla's POV)
I smiled at bit as I read. Such a sweet moment. The beginning of a beautiful friendship. I turned a page*
(Flashback - 50 years ago - Third-Person POV)
Note: This is my favorite part of the movie.
*Maria was now wearing a striped shirt, jeans, & white socks as she turned on her record player & started dancing around Shadow, who looked confused*
*Shadow sat on a table, with wires poked into him. He looked every annoyed with this. Just then the door opened. He looked to the side & Maria's head poked up. She wiggled her eyebrows at him. When the scientists turned around, they saw a teddy bear in Shadow's place. Later, Shadow was in the hallway. He crouched down in a running position. Behind him, Maria was wearing a baseball cap, black goggles, & her skates. A rope was tied around Shadow's waist & she held on to the other end. She gave him a thumbs up & he took off running down the hallway. Maria screamed with joy as went around a corner*
*Maria took Shadow's hands as she continued to dance*
*Maria's skates were smoking as she & Shadow flew down the hallway*
*Maria held Shadow's hand as she did a wave. Shadow followed stiffly along*
*Scientists dodged Shadow as he skated down the hall with Maria behind him. Just then, cart carrying food was wheeled out in front of them*
Maria: Look out!
*They crashed into the cart, food spilling everywhere. Maria just laughed & made a snow angel with the spilled food. Shadow followed her lead*
*Later, they were in a fort Maria had made, watching a movie. She threw a piece of popcorn at him, but acted innocent when he looked at her. Just then, the movie title appeared on the screen. "Beware the Alien Freak." Shadow looked uncomfortable at this. Maria noticed & looked away*
(Present Time - Ayla's POV)
"I giggled as I kept as I reading. This Maria sounded like a lot of fun. Shadow was really lucky to have a friend like her in this dreary place. Every day was full of smiles & laughter. Then I turned another page*
(Flashback - 50 years ago - Third-Person POV)
*Maria was now wearing a blue short-sleeved dress as she took a sleeping scientist's key card. She used it to activate an elevator that took them outside the lab. Then they lay in a grassy field & looked up at the night sky*
Maria: Wow. Look at all those stars. They're like diamonds. My Grandfather says they can take hundreds of years for the light of a star to reach Earth. And by the time we see it, the star might not even exist anymore. Isn't that crazy?
Shadow: The light shines even though the star's gone.
Maria: Yeah. It does. I wonder which one you came from, Shadow.
Shadow: I don't know. I don't know anything about my home.
Maria: This is your home, Shadow. Earth.
*Shadow was quiet for a moment & then sat up*
Shadow: Maria . . . Do you think I'm . . . Dangerous?
*Maria sat up*
Maria: What are you talking about?
Shadow: The way the scientists look at me. I can tell they're afraid. Like I'm the horrible thing from the movie we watched. I don't know what I am.
Maria: You're my friend, and you can do or be anything you want. Not because of your powers, but because of who you are in here.
*She pointed to Shadow's heart*
(Present Time - Ayla's POV)
My slightly went wide. That was similar to what Tom said to me & Sonic*
(Flashback - 50 years ago - Third-Person POV)
*Shadow softly smiled at Maria*
Shadow: I don't know what I'd do without you, Maria.
*The two of them held hands as they watched the night sky together*
(Present Time - Ayla's POV)
I turned the page, only to find the rest of the diary blank. That was the last entry. Before . . . She . . . I couldn't finish that sentence as I felt tears in my eyes*
Ayla: I'm sorry, Shadow . . .
I put the diary in my backpack & decided to look around a bit more. I examined the rest of the room, hopefully to find more clues. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck & then everything went black*
(Third-Person POV)
Ayla fell backwards, only to be caught by Shadow, who knocked her out with a Karate Chop to the neck*
Shadow: It seems you have the same habit of not listening, just like your brother.
(Third-Person POV)
In a big room in the base, Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles were tied up to a pole with a chain. Stone sat next to them, also tied up. Sonic woke up to see Eggman & a man who looked just like him, but he was older, had a white mustache, & was wearing a white lab coat over a red turtleneck, tan pants, & brown shoes, coming towards them*
Sonic: Oh no . . . Someone tell me this some kind of Concussion induced nightmare. There's two Eggman now!?
Dr. Robotnik: Double your villains. Double your fun.
Professor Gerald: Two Robotniks are worse than one.
Dr. Robotnik: Chest bump? *Gerald didn't comply* No. *he saw Stone tied up* Stone, why are you tied up? Do that on your own time. You sicken me.
Just then, Sonic realized something*
Sonic: Wait? Where's Ayla? Where's my sister!?
Professor Gerald: Ah, yes. The girl hedgehog. The one who hates G.U.N. as much as we do. Don't worry. She's safe. Oh, Shadow!
Suddenly, Shadow appeared next to the Professor, his left hand gripping a handcuffed Ayla's upper arm*
(Ayla's POV)
Sonic: Ayla!
Ayla: Sorry, Sonic. He got me before I could react.
Shadow looked up at Eggman*
Shadow: You must be the long lost Grandson?
Dr. Robotnik: And you must be another stinking hedgehog!
Sonic: So you're the one behind all this? The Shadow breakout?
Tails: The attack on Walters?
Knuckles: That musty old man smell?
Ayla: Really, Knuckles?
Knuckles: What? He really does smell bad.
Professor Gerald: How dare you insult me with your insulin exposition! Shadow, get the key.
Shadow nodded & kept his grip on my arm as he went up to the boys. I tried to drag my feet to stop him, but he was too strong. He held out his hand to Sonic*
Shadow: Where is it?
Sonic: Ha! Good one, Hot Topic. Do you really think we'd be that stupid to bring the key right to you? *Shadow reached into Tails' backpack & took out the key* Yep. We're that stupid.
Ayla*in her mind* I knew we should have dropped it off at the house first.
Shadow: G.U.N. took everything from us. And we're going to take everything from them.
Professor Gerald: With this. *he showed a red holographic image of a machine that looked like a giant spider* My masterpiece of malevolence. The Eclipse Cannon. In exchange for my freedom, I gave G.U.N. the most powerful weapon mankind has ever seen. Capable of delivering a precision strike anywhere on Earth. Our first target. G.U.N. headquarters.
My eyes went wide in horror. I looked at Shades, hoping he was wasn't serious. But I could see he was dead serious*
Sonic: But firing a weapon that powerful could threaten millions of innocent lives!
Shadow handed the Professor the key*
Professor Gerald: Yeah, terabyte me! *Eggman chuckled* This is one of two keys required to launch the Eclipse Cannon. The other is locked inside G.U.N. headquarters. Once we have them both, I will take rightful control of my weapon.
Dr. Robotnik: I'm in.
Ayla: No! *I struggled, but Shadow still kept a tight grip on me* I'm sorry for what happened, but you can't blame people who had nothing to do with what happened all those years ago! Seeking revenge will only cause more pain and suffering!
Professor Gerald: I know, but I really don't care. And I didn't think you would care about what happens to them after what they've put you through. *I didn't know what to say after that. I didn't really have a reason to trust G.U.N., but I didn't really hate them either. I knew that all the people there had loved ones they were just trying to protect. just then, the Mecha Crab came in through an opening in the ceiling* Holy crab!
Dr. Robotnik: spacious and crustaceous. *he turned back to Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles* Thank you so much for inspiring this little adventure. It really worked out for me.
Sonic: And you wonder why I have trust issues! *they started to get into the Crab* Wait. Why are you taking my sister with you?
Dr. Robotnik: Yes, I'm curious about that myself, GrandPop.
Professor Gerald: Well, since she seems to have a hatred against G.U.N., same as us, I thought I'd give her a front row seat to the show. Plus, she reminds me of my Granddaughter in a way.
Shadow looked at me with that same recognition*
Dr. Robotnik: Really? *he leaned in really close to my face* I don't see it.
My eyes started to water as I smelled his breath, which smelled like burrito sauce way past the expiration date. Since I couldn't use my hands, I kicked him in the nose*
Ayla: Invade my personal space again, and I will personally shove those goggles down your throat!
Mostly everyone got a chuckle out that, especially my brother*
Sonic: Nice one, sis.
Ayla: Thank you.
Shadow just gave me a smirk*
Professor Gerald: She's even got that same feistiness Maria had!
Dr. Robotnik*holding his bruised nose* That I can believe. Ow.
Suddenly, Shadow teleported us to the top of a high platform in the middle of the room as the two Robotniks & Stove got into the Crab*
Sonic: Shadow, wait! Don't do this! I know you're hitting, but don't let that change who you are inside.
Shadow: I've spent 50 years reliving what they did to her. *he pulled out a small white marble & gripped it in his hand, using his Chaos Energy to turn it on* This is who I am inside.
I tried one more time to get out of his grip before he teleported us out of the base*
We appeared in the Crab. I watched the monitor as the mountain was sucked into a mini black hole. But I wasn't worried. Sonic & the boys were survivors. They'll be okay*
Dr. Robotnik: I've spent years trying to cleanse the cosmos of spiny blue speed freak. And you did it in one afternoon.
Professor Gerald: There's nothing we can't destroy together, my boy.
Agent Stone: Charting route to . Headquarters in London, sirs. ETA, 4 hours as the Crab flies.
Professor Gerald: By all accounts, we're ahead of schedule. We should take this time to get to know each other.
Dr. Robotnik: Wow. What? You mean . . . Spend some qua - qua - quality time?
Professor Gerald: You've waited for this your whole life. How would you choose to spend one perfect with your new Grandpa? *Eggman started staring off into space with the Professor joining him. Stone tried to join in too, but Eggman just elbowed him in the stomach* Shadow, keep an eye on our guest and make sure she's comfortable.
Shadow nodded, took my arm, led me to another room, & sat me down on an old armchair, while we left the Doctors & Stone alone to do their thing*
Ayla: Don't underestimate my brother and my team. They'll find a way to escape and when they do, you're going to be sorry you ever messed with us.
Shadow: Even if your weakling brother and your foolish friends are alive, they won't be able to stop me. I am the Ultimate Lifeform and therefore, undefeatable. They don't stand a chance. But I will take care of you and protect you. As long as you promise to behave. *I didn't answer & just turned away in a huff. he seemed to get the hint & turned away* Just think about it.
Ayla: Wait. *he stopped* Why are you always so nice to me?
He went quiet for a moment*
Shadow: I don't really know myself.
He left me alone, sitting where I was. Once I made sure he was out of earshot, I held up my watch*
Ayla*whispering* Psst. Synergy. Please tell me you've got a reading on the guys.
I had placed trackers in the watches in case we ever got separated*
Synergy*whispering* Yes, Ayla. I have a reading. Your brother and friends are alive.
I sighed in relief. Now I just have to find way to get away from these three clowns & that dark, hand - . My face turned red as I realized what I was about to think & shook my head*
Ayla*in her mind* Get a grip! This is no time to be drooling!