A Horrifying, Yet Miraculous, Absolution

Ch. 22

[×]

Work throughout the beginnings of the fall calendar consisted of genome tests for possible similar markers between Maria and Shadow. Medical facilities, gauze, and the smell of alcohol reigned over Robotnik's nostrils, but his biological department seemed, as always, immune. The initial trials were all the required things: data. Figures were the most important stuff to collect, for while the boy was visually the same being in the hedgehog aspect, the truth was different. Those wings were just a hint – a memory of his fragile child becoming dominated by their genetics underneath a red, jagged sky; yet another creature that abused him – of the deviations from Gerald's original design.

In the center of the room, a padded seating area for a short stature 'Mobian' existed – wide eyed questions on Guzman and even Eruba's face, as only Tower had been in close enough range to talk recently – that Shadow did not hesitate to place himself on.

The Ultimate Lifeform was aware of his primary purpose.

Wanted to help.

There was a side eye the boy gave when the dark-skinned physician offered a lollipop for being such 'a well-mannered and behaved good kid.' Gerald could tell that Shadow did not want to play along – and the scientist realized that even though the two had seen each other, they must not have communicated much. Yet, those white fingers took the sucker and popped it into his mouth at Dr. Eruba's stary-eyed expression. Everyone heard the sigh of submission. "Thank you."

The woman covered her face with her hands. "You're just… so cute~!"

Gerald observed Guzman and Tower pause and lifted eyes to their boss; their clipboards of paper getting taller each passing day; all the previous datum on Shadow collected in carefully guarded methods. 'Cute?' mouthed one female to her male counterpart, getting a shrug as a response.

Eruba wasn't high enough on the hierarchy to normally have known just how… unusual the boy was. She was originally hired for her knowledge on medicine with a specialization in NIDS, which made her a valuable asset nevertheless for Maria. Life certainly tied her in close – whatever Shadow accomplished when he first ran in here to help Gerald meant she was now an extra set of hands. Might as well use what he could for his granddaughter. However, that didn't mean she had to treat the hedgehog like a baby, but it was distinctly… unique. "Alrighty, why don't you let me know your name? And don't worry about this cloth! It'll feel cool to the touch – just a little thing to make sure your arm is squeaky clean."

The boy kept his facial expression as still as ever before he started his greeting. "I am Shadow the Ultimate Lifeform, Doctor."

A normal human might have crackled at that. Imagine: a deep voice was less threatening when there was a distinct shade of candy off towards the side of a mouth. Eruba, trying to keep the mood of the room light, and assuming Shadow was nervous or fearful, continued. "Oo~ The Ultimate Lifeform will not be scared of my wittle needle to get something to help Ma~ri~a, would he?"

Shadow moved in the seat. He was apparent in discomfort and had removed the sweet to maintain vocal clarity. The game was over. "Ma'am. I do not intend to come off as rude, but I am more advanced than I appear."

A medical woman blinked. "Oh."

Gerald's son returned Eruba's stare.

"Ah! I'm sorry! I had no idea you had a teen(?) mind inside! I've only really seen you drag Dr. Robotnik twice, and once with your… warping ability. That's all." A grimace. "Then I don't have to lie: the needle is going to be crazily sharp and thick, but it'll be quick."

"Noted," was all Shadow uttered as he pulled his fur covered arm before her.

The time limit to pierce into his form, to extract a true sample, was incredibly small. The advantage of a trained professional doing the task was not lost on the head scientist. Even then, the skin and muscle would sew itself back together in flawless faultlessness, leaving nothing but hurt memories. However, when said professional attempted, the needle hadn't gone through. The ebony skin refused it. Confused, Eruba tried a different angle. Then another. Eventually, she pulled back and gave the tip of the syringe a second glance.

It had dulled.

Much to Gerald's confusion.

The boy brought up his hand when the woman came back with another needle. "Give it to me. I know where to jab it at."

"Umm, but-"

The movement was too quick to stop her retreat as the hedgehog claimed his prize. The light glared off the glass tubing as Shadow rose the syringe high above him; muscles taunted in each centimeter of vertical height-

SLAM!

The speed and fury of which the needle was brought upon his other arm, right in the location where he had been rubbed with a sterilizer, made everyone flinch, including Gerald. "This winged shape is immune to bullets," the boy casually added, as if that was nothing insane or ridiculous. "Nothing can break through without an even greater force."

No one could say anything.

The Ultimate Lifeform, the onlookers, however, thought in awe. Even Gerald.

Shadow pulled the plunger and ensured to stay perfectly still as black fluid came out; a viscous liquid that sparked gold and red – the states of Chaos energy the boy produced, Gerald recognized- -that his child really was a glaive of pure, raw power.

Both the scientist and his creation ignored the curse the physician gasped in the background.

[x]

The metaphorical space between Shadow and Gerald was as large as it had ever been. He didn't know how to reach out to the boy anymore – a hand of comfort that would warp into disgusting determination? An exchange of soft words that would suddenly turn into terms of destruction? And then, there was the realization that Robotnik shouldn't reach out, because if he had, it would take the lance he had lodged in his son's heart and drive it deeper and deeper. A weapon like that had no exit point, just an entry wound. It was not the sort of incision that Shadow could heal up and move on from.

But they still worked together physically next to one another. Red eyes would try to avoid Gerald's own – because the boy knew direct contact sent those thoughts into the forefront. Loud. Ringing. Even despite the medication. That was just how powerful that atrocious side of him was. And why wouldn't it be? It was him, after Maria's death – one that would come back if he didn't cure her, if G.U.N. were allowed to capture their weapon; if they realized the deal he made with them.

"Professor. We're alone."

The coldness of the medical room, the bright fixtures on the ceiling, and the sterile smells reminded the scientist of that very well. "How could you-?" He inhaled and tried again. "Why did you lie to Maria?" Gerald wasn't even aware that Shadow had the potential to lie to his granddaughter. Avoid and deflect, certainly, but…

It seemed to be something that the boy did not enjoy thinking about, but was willing to talk. His fingers were gripped into fists, but hinted possible hostility was hidden if it had even existed at all. Their relationship was… now too complex. "You were about to tell her."

"She hates liars. I had no other opt-"

The red in his quills caught illumination as he turned his head in disagreement. "Do you want to transform her nightmares into waking hours?"

Of course not.

Shadow saw his physical response – the boy's ability to distinguish what that side of Gerald thought was… unnerving. "Then don't let her know for now. I need to… tell her about myself first. I have moved on." A steeled eye gaze that was not a glare, but not one of pity. It was an understanding. "You never got the chance."

Tell about himself? Moved ON?

Gerald rattled his mind. Searched those memories. He did not have to look far. "So… you… did it… With the Cannon."

"No." Shadow tsked. "I did not."

Relief invaded that was half-hearted. "Good," the scientist forced out. 'Good?' How in any way is that 'good?' Humanity must- -NOT be judged by things that had not yet passed [nor WILL], damn it! "That's… I'm glad… that you…"

Gerald despised the fact he couldn't finish.

So, when his son responded, it came out of left field. "To be honest and to be something relatable: I tried twice. It was manipulation from someone else, but that makes no difference."

… TWICE?

"Then, once more afterwards that one can argue I was successful with, although the world – and the others…" A shift in position. "It was already all over." The emotion in voice remained flat, but the expression was one of loss only just short of the face Shadow had when he was told of the official death of Maria in an underground lab. The boy's grip transferred onto those golden cuffs, and they groaned and creaked in the strain. He remained stilled and silent as his own horrors flashed in his mind. "Until I tell her of the first attempt, you'll say nothing. She wouldn't handle it." The Inhibitors continued to cry. "She needs to see you getting better. Need to know you won't relapse screaming about death. Has to be aware that you had been there all along and nothing has changed and you still care for her all the same…"

It was him.

He's the reason.

The reason they're all back in this time and place, isn't it?

How?

When?

What did you do, Shadow?

"I know a lot about medicine, Professor. You fashioned me that way." Eyes shut; a voice forcing itself in the knowledge of prevention. Gerald could TASTE the trauma; the boy didn't want to talk about this – he wanted to keep this locked up for eternity. Yet, the hedgehog was aware of how to address the insanity of grief. "What you're taking I can't allow for more than seven months. You got until then to try to learn how to control yourself – become the grandfather she knew again, or at least close enough. I know I make things worse, but-"

'Make things worse.'

His son saw himself a burden.

Knew his own creator saw him as a trigger of madness.

If left alone-!

Gerald gripped onto the boy and pulled those gloves off the golden bands around wrists. The scientist allowed himself to touch the body of a hedgehog; dared to embrace him; felt quills rise and then fall in internal conflict. "Shadow. Shadow. Look at me." His mind a whirlwind: he wanted to say so many things. Do others. To hurt – to save. "This isn't your fault. I'm the one who broke you." He wanted this sorrow gone from his child. "I don't care if you claim you destroyed the world-" In fact, that knowledge made him pleased because his flawless sword had done it, in the end. "-because I will never blame you-" He wouldn't. How could he? This was his son. He was created to be prefect. He obliterated the planet and then wielded time in his hands to save his granddaughter. How was that anything OTHER than perfect? [Oh, Gerald knew he was senseless right now…] "-for being in existence. Understand?" He brushed back on black fur. "You didn't kill Maria. You're here to save her. You've done well. I'm so proud." Couldn't Shadow see that the scientist-?

"… Professor. You should let go. This isn't good for you. The stronger medicine will only last three months, at best, if it doesn't straight out destroy you, and I can't-"

Had he ever said it?

He hadn't. The loss of Maria was too great, and he was not raised by his abusive mother to issue those words. How often did Gerald himself want them? How much did he tell them to his other children? Wasn't that part of the reason why it pained him so much that his Earthbound family had been scattered to the winds? Why he tried so hard to bring them back together and had only run into utter defeat and despair?

Only… Shadow had saved them both. All.

And Gerald never said anything. Not in these past months.

He would fix that. "I love you," he murmured.

Stillness.

A deep, silent one.

It eventually broke.

"Don't lie to me," hissed out a response. Disbelief. Unacceptance. "You said so yourself. As of right now, I am just a 'sword.'"

Did his child believe that Gerald did not care for him? That ONLY Maria mattered? That his words meant nothing? He needed to correct that. "Oh, Shadow. Did you think I abandoned you after your quest? Of course not. Only you were allowed to be spared: death wouldn't have arrived." He knew that any injury the boy would receive in the demise of the planet would regenerate – no matter how much or how little – especially with the legendary jewels at his side. G.U.N. had proved how much suffering his body could handle with them, didn't they? "The Chaos Emeralds would have been in your grasp after the Cannon was to fire. They'd be there for your form to take in and absorb – I theorized you might have not even felt anything with that much Energy. You might have been numbed to just bliss, instead, in fact." He noted how small those red irises were, shivering like a leaf in a harsh, early winter storm. The scientist brought their eyes to match, aware that Shadow was incapable of looking away. "The stars would've been open. I wanted to give you the chance to leave this place and do whatever it is you wanted in the cosmos. You would've survived and thrived as Maria's soul would exist eternally through you."

[This was wrong! Sick! It didn't matter if that side of him thought it was the truth! He had to stop talking! Shadow wasn't capable of turning away from this! Not after- Not after using the word 'LOVE' for the first time from Gerald's mouth! He KNEW that would encapsulate the child's will! WHY COULDN'T HE STOP!?]

Shadow tried to deny it. He opened his mouth to counter-

"I love you."

A struggle of resistance, of a rebuttal, died.

He brought his voice right besides his child's hearing source. Filled it with all the honesty and warmth he could muster. It was sickened sweet honey. "I love you, my prefect, precious son."

That's when Robotnik knew he had him.

Gerald continued those soft whispers: of love, affection, adoration, and being proud. It was like an ichor – an ooze that infiltrated the open wounds and filled them. His damaged child had to have those broken seams sewn closed; to no longer flinch when spoken to; to feel joy again. He could feel the strength in those carbon limbs flee like sunsets under storm-filled skies – Shadow accomplished nothing that indicated the boy wanted this moment to end. Rather, those ears twitched at every word; hung from every breath.

He drove that lance so deep into one's heart.

His child remained in his arms.

[x]

Medical supplies were thrown with enough strength they left dents in the metal walls. Rage filled crimson eyes as their fiery inferno attempted to consume the man before him. "YOU REPROGRAMMED ME!"

"S-Shadow, what are-?"

"YESTERDAY! You-! YOU-!" There was another movement of his hands, and a Chaos Spear cursed with black ink embedded itself into a steel tabletop. The angle indicated the inanimate object was the target all along. Just a method to indicate deep anger. Nevertheless, the afterimage remained clear and bright. "You entered my mind and-!"

Gerald stood and controlled his voice. He would NOT yell nor be in fear! He would NOT! That was just a reaction of someone hurt and whom felt deceived and- -it also didn't make sense! He had accomplished no such thing! "I hadn't done anything of that sort the day prior! I only- I only said the things you deserved to have heard!"

That fury was still there in response.

One confused scientist took in a deep breath. This commotion was certain to have been overheard, even if it were only muffled sounds. Shadow had never shown such aggression in front of others before, and he couldn't let it be SEEN- "Let me answer factually at first: you don't have a brain to operate on anymore." He left the words 'my son' strategically out. Especially since last afternoon, he had…

Well, disgustingly, a madman had given everything that the man once known as 'Gerald' had wanted to say. It was both tragic- -and liberating. Maria wasn't the only one he needed to protect from those outside the walls of the laboratory! He would make neither of them have to throw themselves towards the wolves and teeth of a psychopath and her organization!

[Be glad I didn't ask him to destroy again. Even I was aware that would have ruined all that necessary healing.]

That caught him off guard. "What?"

"Your body. You only have the shape of a Mobian. I can't reprogram you, even if I – will never again – wanted to."

The boy faltered. Emotions waned. Words of 'only the shape?' silently echoed before louder ones took over. The voice wasn't one of defeat, but submission. "Then why do I feel compelled to…?" He trailed off as the medical staff in the background started to knock on doors and asked if everything was alright.

"Just the boy getting another fluid sample," the head of Project: SHADOW yelled in a tone that indicated nothing special. With that accomplished, he changed back to the required. "If it's too much because of me, Maria will always be there for you," Gerald offered- -sadly, but with complete and utter understanding. His child wanted to rest after destroying the world – it was Robotnik's new job- -to prevent that from reoccurring by shielding them both. "Why don't you go ahead? We have enough samples for today."

[x]

Illusions of normalcy eventually fade.

His precious granddaughter got sick as forecasted, and that heralded a change from within. The cause was normal things: her desire to explore, prevent, assist, and see what life could offer outstretched her physical capabilities. She had been zooming behind the boy for too long – and he, nor Shadow, had stopped her [knowing they couldn't]. It had occurred at dinner: her collapse was expertly caught by those white-covered hands before she pounded into the pavement. Despite the warning and advance preparation, the shock never went away.

Her room was dark as she had become blind and immobile. Shadow sat by her side, reading a book to the girl about the various fauna and flora of Earth to pass the time. [How ironic! To discuss about a place Gerald wanted- -spared! To destroy it meant to deny her WISH!] A small, knowing smile rested on Maria's face – this was something both children knew so intricately.

He didn't see Shadow's expression. Rather, underneath his spectacles, Gerald only saw those golden rings.

"Fa- Professor?"

They were warm under his touch from a fire that wanted escape; human fingers traced the curves.

"Ssh… She fell asleep a few minutes ago," the scientist muttered.

"… You should get rest as well, then."

Curing Maria was not something Shadow could accomplish right now. So why was he grabbing onto the items that would remove her pain? Get her healthy? A shortcut, right? Underneath his fingers was that tantalizing hope.

Fingernails traced the clasp.

He wondered if his son knew.

If he was watching.

Waiting.

Expected betrayal.

If Gerald allowed Shadow fall into the horrific 'Nirvana'… Prevented him from ever leaving…

No. He WON'T. HE WAS MANY THINGS – INSANE, CRAZY, AND FILLED WITH HATRED FOR G.U.N. [HUMANITY] AS A WHOLE – EVEN ATTACHED WITH A VERSION OF HIMSELF THAT DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW FAR GERALD HAD TO PUSH – TO GO – TO SAVE THOSE HE CARED FOR – BUT NOT THAT!

HE WOULDN'T DO IT! NOT TO HIS CHILD! WHAT WAS THE POINT OF GIVING SHADOW A MOTIVE TO LIVE ON AFTER COLLAPSE IF HE TURNED AROUND AND DID BASICALLY THE SAME THING!? It would break ALL the trust he ever had. Yet, his perfect son would let him. He would to help Maria. He would DAMN HIMSELF to do it.

That was the line.

Gerald wouldn't cross. He couldn't.

He PROMISES the air! The space in between! To Maria! To whomever – WHATEVER – would listen!

[To think he agreed with the monster...]

He could feel those Alizarin Crimson eyes; could sense the boy not move – not dared to believe. "You don't look too healthy." That was when Gerald knew he passed the test. "She wouldn't want you to not rest. I don't need sleep; it'll be alright. You can trust her with me."

Fingers slowly let go of the Lifeform's hands.

There would be no judgement tonight.

"I'll leave her in your care." Robotnik leaned forwards and gave his granddaughter a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, Maria." A heel turn appeared and he did the same to Shadow. "Goodnight, my son."

There was an ever-startled look. "G-Goodnight."

He had held back.

It felt monumental.

[He would only hold back for them.]

[x]

He did not fall asleep immediately. Instead, he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Four thoughts:

1. Alone with Shadow truly did bring out the worst of Gerald – hate of all save the crazed love for his two children [as if he had no other sons upon the planet!] – but a cure often required their time together.

2. Alone with Maria, even when deranged, kept a lid on him because to let her down was something NOTHING of him wanted.

3. Emotional lows, or duress, would let that side of him take over no matter who he was with or how drugged up he was.

4. Even with chlorpromazine, it felt like the monster was winning, or equally as frightening, merging, more and more as days slipped away.

It's because he knows what to skip for the cure. There's only a year. If he has access to all of the past failures, why delay the chance for solution? The world moves on underneath the ARK: G.U.N. won't sit still behind the President forever. Isn't that why he wrote those glowing reports of medical solutions to other diseases he discovered, using his future knowledge? Because that made it seem the President was going to get what he wanted. The military moves men, but the head of state allows it in the first place. Remember!

It was the image of someone horrible.

His hand bled when he broke the glass.

[x]

October slipped into early November.

Maria, his precious granddaughter, was under the belief that Shadow's melancholy was because of the lab. The more time that passed, the more the girl hinted – weak, obvious, and not subtle at all – at various practices he had thought were the correct path- -knew that they were unsuccessful results upon her body. Gerald took her 'hints' in equal awkwardness. Shadow did his part to smooth the wrinkles over, as he still hasn't told.

Gerald had placed a veil on her. One that made her think he was fine. Normal. Alright.

It was wrong.

But his son was correct. She wouldn't handle it.

[x]

The gaggle of researchers, to not include the one head of them all, issued an appearance like they were watching a masterpiece. Funny, wasn't it, how they reverted to such unscientific theatrics. Yet, in this case… Gerald was going to find it rather difficult to persuade them otherwise.

"Immortal?" whispered Towers. "Legitimate immortality?"

Shadow nodded, as if it was common knowledge; as if he said, 'Wasn't that feature a goal of the Project in the first place?' "One could theoretically throw me off the ARK into the atmosphere with little to zero Chaos Energy running in my body, and I'll survive, even if I couldn't fly." A blink. "Although, it would hurt quite severely to have a body boil flesh and blood away into ash before reforming it. During reentry, it would theoretically loop in an endless cycle until hitting the ground at terminal velocity with the force of a small nuclear bomb. Theoretically, I would still be alive after all that."

[Gerald was highly unpleased by those… 'theoreticals.']

Pencils flew. "And… anything else?"

"I'm ageless."

Someone in the trio snapped the lead off their writing instrument.

"I can see in complete darkness. I can transform my very shape to certain extent. As you are aware, I can fly in the air. I can transverse over bodies of water at the same speed I can use my Air Shoes. Minor lasers and explosive blasts cannot affect me. I have an incredibly acute reaction response, smell, sight, and hearing. I can also… sense organics. Everyone. Everything natural." It's their mark left on me, Shadow seemed to wanted to say. "Those are my physical skills. Take that into consideration when looking at my genetic structure. I cannot say if my fluids won't lead into disaster."

So non-pulsed. So matter of fact.

He knew he created something not natural… but hearing the list – a partial one at that, for where were those Chaos Energy skills? – made Gerald ponder.

The previous time around, he had foolishly reported all the results from Project: SHADOW. The theories about ageless immortality – because to prove such a thing was inhumane. The Chaos abilities – minor footnotes because he was too busy focused on the cure to flounder with paperwork. The heightened senses – because it was interesting how a mix of DNA could produce such a specimen in his hands.

Was it truly a surprise G.U.N. invaded to take Shadow away? When he was at his youngest? When they knew they could take over his mental state and craft him into their whims?

[Hypocritical lunatic. That madman did the exact same fucking thing.]

[x]

He threw the microscope back against the wall with a mighty shove. It wasn't anger. More shock.

The first attempt of a legitimate new cure had its trial.

Results were not great.

The boy, the Ultimate Lifeform; his child mutilated by their influence was just… too foreign to be encroached with humanity. The body held onto those veins of 'blood' – he hadn't want to tell Shadow his physical form was all Chaos playing pretend [that this result was a possibility], but he had no other option – that mixed with hemoglobin in destructive manners. That ink penetrated Maria's cells like warriors en battle; hijacked her molecules over and over until everything was converted into obsidian and Chaos. Upon conquering all of organic matter, they eventually attacked each other like binary stars at their final orbits. Eventually, with flashes of light – small and insignificant due to the incredibly limited test size – the sole survivor dissipated.

Gerald – all sides of him – cursed upon seeing that.

In the background, Shadow rubbed his Inhibitors and they glinted in artificial illumination. Ruby stared blankly, in purpose rather than their default appearance, at the chemical/energy analyzers where the two species mixed. Distant muteness from the charcoal creature made it seem like he was briefed of the failure before he was ever told the results.

The members of the ARK made no sounds.

They were mindful of what they just saw.

Suddenly, every human knew of the array of Shadow's 'blood' that existed nearby. Open. Available. In beakers and flasks. The onlookers had no full-bodied suits; no protection aside gloves and masks. Mere fabric, like that could stop a solution that could consume into flesh…

[What exactly had we unleashed upon reality?]

Shadow, unknowing, eventually spoke. "It didn't work, did it?"

The lack of a response was the answer. The boy eventually made a disappointed sound and left.

[x]

"We created a genuine eldritch," a female whimpered.

"I always made fun of the scientists in those stupid books," one of the males responded in whisper before a laugh broke. "To think I'm just playing that same part."

"I told you all it's not that," Gerald growled.

"Dr. Robotnik, you can't just ignore the evidence-"

"-in the stories, there's always a tragic pure heart that was snuffed out and the grieving family member summons a Wise One from Beyond in a foolish attempt to save their loved-"

"-Evidence that visually just screamed at us aloud. You can't stay ignorant about the Project anymore, Doctor! We are witnessing something entire UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS would DIE to see!"

"Where did you get the alien DNA?" A hoarse snap. "Cthulhu Itself?" spread out sarcasm.

The equivalent of a demon that was ONLY AN ALIEN was NOT some stupid fantasy written hack job! Tying other life with made up stories – ATTACHING those stories to-! To-! To Shadow and Maria…! "If you keep speaking foolishness, I'll toss you back towards the surface! MY GRANDDAUGHTER ISN'T SOME 'TRAGIC SIDE CHARACTER' AND HE'S JUST MY SON AND NOTHING ELSE!"

Three sets of eyes. Three sets of hushed whispers.

"-'my son?'" "-he's willingly blinded or mad or both-" "-lore says concepts can manipulate humans foolish enough to think they bonded-" "-how utterly amazing." "-if we're already damned, I want to see this to the end-" "-pursuit of the unknown led us this far-" "-if I die in a blaze of glory, so long as thesis are written with me as a reference I'll go willingly-"

[All of him was irritated at their foolishness!]

[The same foolishness that made them so great to work with.]

[BUT AT TIMES LIKE THIS…!]

The second Maria was cured he was going to be gone. The first shuttle out – no. Why use one of those things? He'll ask Shadow to tear the fabric of space and warp them to his granddaughter's beloved pla-

-See. That was why he COULDN'T destroy the Earth.

[x]

The only source of light was the flashlight Maria held underneath the tent. Her silhouette exaggerated her movements within the fabric expanse. Gerald was not supposed to be here, but he had been worried that she was going to take the news in a depressed way. He just wanted to stop by and explain that it was just a first series. There were ways he could think of to go around such 'lack of planning.'

To not give up hope.

Instead, compassion filled the air. Comforting. Aware of someone being in pain.

It wasn't a pep talk for herself.

"The results shouldn't have been a surprise." The ghostly image upon the walls folded arms crosswise. "See? I'm not sad at all. Worried about you isn't sad!"

"It's not the same, Maria. I've changed into something and it's going to make trying to heal you even worse! This occasion, I-"

"Insinuate you're a monster again and I'll tickle you until your smile returns."

Silence stretched. Then parted. "Maria. I could feel it destroying your cellular structure. Like I was watching; as if all your genetic code filtered into my mind. That's… not normal. At all."

Maria tried a different approach. "Shadow, I don't care and this isn't your fault. You were made for a higher purpose than me – it's for all of Earth! Besides, I'm 100% positive there's a cure waiting out there that we just haven't found the right steps yet. What happened the last-" Hands suddenly reached towards her own chest as words cut into silence.

The shadow of a glove reached to hold her. "It's just Fa- -Professor – coming by to make sure you're alright."

"'Fa-' what?"

A silhouette of his son flicked a finger at Maria's forehead.

"No need for that, Shadow. Message received. Silly goose." There was the sound of a deep cough as she changed subject. "I-I'm okay, Grandpa!" she laughed the panic away. "We're just slumber partying! See you tomorrow? Unless you want to help since I need to convince certain walking, sulking shadows about how they, too, deserve to be happy…"

Theoretical – she had mentioned that before, too. That was right. Had not she always faltered and stopped whenever words went 'strange?' When she got near the fact she knew of the future? It seemed the two children wanted to talk about things that his granddaughter couldn't speak with him here – from forces in the Universe he didn't understand nor had time to right now. "It's alright, my dear. I do want to help, but I remember being young. I know how much a slumber party is a no-adults-allowed event."

The laughter his dear heaved out… was cathartic.

Slowly, the scientist slinked away.

[Away to where the results screamed in red ink.]

[Away where the word FAILURE was still wet.]

[Away to where even the echoes of insanity remained quiet in sadness.]