A Horrifying, Yet Miraculous, Absolution
Ch. 27
[×]
Maria Robotnik knew exactly where to stand with her cultivated appearance. It was the common area of the ARK's civilian section, nestled between the hallways that led to the residential sleeping quarters and the cafeteria. Her mouth was set into a very sad frown, eyes distant and lonely, and in her hands was a hat with the next year's number scribbled. She looked pathetic underneath the lighting; could hear the whispers of the people around her mutter that 'Dr. Robotnik has been so busy. A shame.' 'The alarm was so loud on the 28th, right? She must be so worried – the Mobian is always around her or the Doctor.' 'Poor girl. Look at her… Think she's waiting for someone?'
Yes.
She was.
Abraham… still was a difficult person to think about – something that only grew more complex after her brother's admission. The secret meeting was something she hadn't known, but her friend had. It suddenly made sense: why Abe detested her brother, called him a freak; called him a monster. There was a thick tension between the two she had assumed was just the other human child being… jealous. Shadow was allowed to ignore homework (because he was primarily at school to pick up social cues and integrate with humanity), the hedgehog was treated with awe and respect by the researchers (which included more attention from Dr. Tower than Abe received, sadly), and he was fast (so fast that whenever the two Robotniks went to have fun, he was left behind). She didn't mean to ignore him – it was just he was so… hostile to her brother, and Shadow didn't need to hear any of those words.
Haaaah. Yet here she was waiting for him. Maybe this could be a new start? If Abe misses the meeting between Grandpa and Black Doom, he wouldn't know about Shadow's… genetic ancestor, which would mean he could join and maintain friendship! A circle of four: her, her brother, the P-1s, and Abe!
Her optimism faltered when she continued the thought that she had been ignoring. Abraham must have told someone what he saw. His dad? His mom? Both? No… They worked for Project: SHADOW. Couldn't have been them…
… Did he send a letter to his aunt if his own parents ignored his 'warning' about an evil alien that was on the ARK?
Because it got leaked. Shadow mentioned it: the final straw. Abraham let the information out to someone whom told G.U.N. whom…
Her fingers clenched around her party hat still in her grip. She couldn't slap her cheeks to get rid of the bad thoughts, but Maria could fuel her turbulent face with sadness that suddenly became a little more genuine. Her friend probably didn't understand that telling an adult condemned…
Blue eyes watched the researchers around her.
… everyone.
So! She was gonna fix this, too! Not just for Shadow, but for all the scientists! Her brother would beat up any bad aliens, so he would guard humanity, too! There wasn't a need to fear the creation of Project: SHADOW! He promised with his entire being to save the planet!
Maria waited longer after that internal proclamation. At some point, the other child was gonna show up. Abraham loved this area because the young girl would sometimes be caught in this zone alone. C'mon, Abe. Where are you? You're not crashing Grandpa's meeting!
One green and one blue eye.
Ah! There he was!
The scene was set: face filled with wet tears; lashes that fluttered under the light; a back that raked with silent sobs as she only wanted to spend time with Grandpa – a man who was pulled away because of duty – and she understood, but-!
His voice was kind (and it made Maria feel dirty at what she was doing). "Ma-Maria!" The sound of shoes running reached her ears before his small hands bracing her up away from the wall did. "Wha- What's wrong?!"
Crocodile tears – small ones, but enough to catch the ceiling illuminations – fell. One drop. Two. "G-Grandpa canceled New Year's Eve with me. S-Said he had something ur-urgent come up-"
It seemed like she had never been away from Abraham for months. A look of concern reached every inch of his skin. He carefully took her paper hat and placed it on top her head; the elastic band controlled as to not snap and slap against her skin. "Don't worry, Maria! You can just come celebrate with me and Auntie! We got sweets already starting to be baked! She'll… she'll accept all abandoned children!"
Her fingers reached towards her face as she rubbed the water away. "It's… It's ok, Abe." A sniff. "I don't want to intrude. It's so late. I should just go to my r-room."
"I don't want to see you sad. I know how that is," the kid whispered softly as he helped to pick her up. Dual-chromed eyes closed as his volume increased. "C'mon. My aunt gets lonely cause no one calls her for holidays either, so having one more extra will lighten up her mood!" A weak, encouraging smile erupted. "We just gotta swing by the cafeteria to pick up some extra cinnamon and brown sugar."
(Dirty. So, so; so dirty. Maria was appalling. The old her would never pull something like this off to a friend – to Abe. But her family needed her, and she would accept no other outcome than calculated, extracted results.) The Robotnik slipped her fingers into his awaiting grasp; noted that he suddenly blushed and turned around. "T-Thanks. Sniff. Abraham."
"N-Not a p-problem."
Hand in hand, the two children made it towards the messy back regions of the kitchen. A skeleton crew worked that night, cleaning up the leftover messes from the day's earlier meals. The individuals were G.U.N. mess crew personal – some sort of actual military job, and it made her wonder just how many people had been aware of the siege; how many didn't and were killed by their own team…
"Aha! Here it is!" Abe replied ecstatically. The grin kept on his features as he handed over a package of brown sugar for her to carry. He seemed to understand that her face was still set into a frown. "Don't be sad, Maria."
It wasn't sadness.
She was just aware how many lives were in her, Grandpa's, and her brother's hands.
[x]
Ancients, did Maria feel… awkward. Was her smile perfected enough? Nothing too bright, for she was left all alone this night. Nothing too dim, for she loved Shadow with all her heart and wanted him to get better. This facial control worked on Abe, but he was younger than she was by a few years. How was he supposed to know how the mind of a Robotnik worked?
Miss Cotes might. That was the real test.
The boy in shorts rapped the door in the rhythm of some unknown melody. There was a momentary pause before it slid opened, and Maria saw her: a middle-aged woman with platinum blonde hair and a-
The smile was genuine until green eyes recognized there was someone new. The feeling of warmth vanished even though the grin continued to spread. "Oh. Maria Robotnik! A pleasure to see you here."
"Auntie! She was left alone tonight. Can we let her join us? I-! I promise to wash dishes without complaint tomorrow!" Abe jumped a little at that while he offered the baking good he had.
There was not an ounce of hesitation. "Of course she can come in. I promise not to drop my batter on her by accident again." The hand swept towards the lit interior. "Come inside, dear."
Come into my stronghold, it felt like.
But Maria was smart! Maria was brave! Maria would distract Abe from running into Black Doom, even if it meant ALL of this! As a response, she, too, offered the baking supply and entered – tried her best not to flinch at the way the General closed the door with a small click of a locked exit.
Abe was already racing down the hallway, tugging the female behind him. "We can make buñuelos, now! C'mon, Maria! O! And then we can pop some firecrackers in auntie's empty room! Small ones!" He babbled on, speaking about all of the events they were going to share-
-Miss Cotes was observing Maria.
Probably planning something.
Her voice filtered in when the woman noticed her nephew was awaiting a response. "Of course we'll do all those things, my little guardian. Don't forget the countdown! That's the second most important thing to accomplish tonight."
What was the first?
She knew what it wasn't: the metaphorical consumption of Maria.
Cause she was prepped and ready! But not too overconfident. That's how disasters happened. Grandpa taught her better.
That was the mindset she went into as a bowl of flour and cinnamon and other stuff she didn't recognize was placed in front of her. Abe, his aunt, and her, all kneaded dough in the well-stocked kitchen. Cooked many different pastries and sweets. Talked about various subjects that had nothing to do with her brother – not even the smallest hint or notice.
Of course, the topic had to come up eventually. Abe was the one who started it: hands covered in sticky stuff that was to become chocolate chip cookies and a large yawn that betrayed the fact it was 2245Z. "Is… your new best friend… nice?"
Her head turned at that comment. "'New best friend?'"
"Y-Yeah. He was born – created? – in September, right?" He squirmed. "New things are shiny, and-"
A cough. Maria tried not to sound like a lecture. "Shadow is not a thing," Miss Cotes, you hear that? "He's also my brother." A twist of her neck as she mentally calculated out the Robotnik line. She certainly didn't see the hedgehog as an uncle, and that word had connotations of someone older. Maria was the eldest of her father's children. Sorry, Shadow – time travel or not. Pale fingers slapped together as her voice filled with mindless affection – just the thoughts of a silly girl. "He's the cutest, sweetest, most almost-innocent little guy in the world!"
A blink. "'Almost innocent?'"
She nodded. "No one is truly without sin. He stole a rock once."
From a museum.
Technically.
"O-Oh. What a bad… boy?"
"Abe! He's a good one!" The defense was quick.
"Er! Yeah! S-Sorry!"
A hand reached out to grab his. "But just because Shadow is alive doesn't mean I forgot about you. He just… means a lot. As family. Besides… you helped me out this past night when he couldn't. I… really want to say thank you for this."
Abraham's facial expression bloomed pink again. She was a little shocked as he pulled away; voice increased in pitch as he gave a 'meep' and raced off towards the living room.
Ugh. Great. Now she was alone with her.
No, no, Maria! Happy thoughts! Time to chase him down.
And she did.
[x]
How long WAS a meeting between a warlord and Grandpa? Her brother mentioned it could go either way: 'The thing likes to hear his own voice, but also considers anything beneath him not worth attention. It could go either way.' To pay it safe, Maria decided to stay until the 'ball drop' and Abe fell asleep completely and utterly.
Then, it happened:
"HAPPY NEW YEAR, ABE!" she yelled from the sofa with a face of bittersweetness. How she wanted to have this event with Grandpa and Shadow (especially since this was her brother's first official one), but she understood Abe himself was in pain. He had hinted at being lonely. Poor guy…
The child yawned massively as a response, not fueled by the adrenaline that she was; powered by the need to accomplish a mission. In response, Miss Cotes picked him up and placed Abe besides the comfy spot on the couch. Kid didn't last long – his head of brown hair used Maria's lap as a pillow and it was embarrassing to her own cheeks as well.
Long fingernails trailed against a woman's own face as she watched the scene. There was a shift as the lady narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. The female Robotnik was aware, however. This was not missed. "In some cultures, it is tradition to give a gift of the New Year to a baby. A promise for more days to come. I hadn't meant to showcase this so early, but opportunity knocks." She moved off towards the side, into the storage room, and Maria took the opening to try to get Abe off her.
Time to go back to the lab, right?
The girl made it about three steps when the General came back with an object bounded under thickened glass.
Maria was punched right in the gut.
Intestines.
Her soul.
She had never seen such an object before in real life, but the young girl automatically knew what it was. Flashbacks of her Operation: OCHER to claim the thing before her zoomed: how it was necessary to discover which specific floor on Prison Island it was locked up within; how she had to force her brother to describe with painfully accurate detail potential vault locations – detail that, now that she understood the context, only existed because it was what he had LIVED through (it made all the sense WHY he hated it) for fifty YEARS; how he was supposed to 'use' Grandpa to get access to a top secret location – something that would be easier now that he was supposed to be roped in, something that wasn't supposed to happen for a while because getting that extra time and money came first…!
The female Robotnik could see her reflection upon the deep blue faceted gemstone that reeked of Chaos Energy. It hummed the very air immediately around it. Soaked into the rugs.
She could see that she made a critical error.
Her face was nothing but horror.
"It's going to be a welcoming to the world present for Shadow," Cotes added with too much enthusiasm at seeing Maria's face. "He's recovering due to exhausting every ounce of his low reserves, and I understand this will be able to replenish his assets quickly." Green eyes flashed. "Maybe even unlock whispers of his potential."
Her mouth was dry.
Mistakes.
She-
She did one.
Panic filled her. "No! You can't! Please! You can't give my brother an Em-!" Pale hand slapped down hard on her own mouth as she bit into her tongue with enough pressure to start tasting her own blood. The pain bloomed, but not as much as her realization of what she-
What she just said.
A sweet sounding, wrong sense of worry. Of guilt. "A Chaos Emerald, Maria? Why would he not enjoy such a gift?" She pointed towards a stack of papers off towards the side, nearby Abraham's sleeping form sprawled over the couch. "A certain researcher from down south recognized that the second Prototype from Project: SHADOW has control of Chaos that resides in only the highest echelon of Mobians. Things certain countries breed under guises of keeping pure bloodlines – bloodlines that Dr. Robotnik didn't take or claim for your brother. Rather, the genetics clearly described his body was too weak to pull off anything. A conundrum, considering Chaos abilities were solely capable from cultivated lineages derived forcefully over generations. Of course, a genius knows how to overcome such… limitations." Her fingers danced along the reinforced glass that held the glowing jewel. "I've read the reports from your relative: the Project is constantly overburdened due to his over taxation of this 'Chaos Heal.' Once a week is tragic – imagine all the lives that could be saved if your brother could access a far deeper pool of power."
The woman was trying to play into Maria's want to help people! It was… gross! Sick! Disgusting! No wonder Grandpa hated this person!
The Commander continued. "I want you to be the one to give this to him, Maria."
"Never." The hiss was loud. Her eyes had narrowed.
No more sweetness.
"Are you certain? Think of the consequences."
What… gibberish! She KNEW the 'consequences' if her brother was to get near that THING! His mind wouldn't-! His body wouldn't-! The Rings wouldn't-!
"Your hand would be gentle. He'll trust you. If you don't accept my offer, Maria Robotnik, I'll find a way to give him his gift when you least expect it. Of course, it's not a threat at all – he's so weak I want to help him. He's just a medical marvel that needs to experience growth." Her hand let go of the protective case and watched Maria's every twitch.
Her pale hand twisted into a fist. "I said, 'NEVER.' And you WON'T give Shadow the Emerald."
Cotes – Kirkendall – whatever this evil person's name was! – shrugged and settled back into the appearance of a single mother. "Alright. I apologize. Have no worries, then, Maria. I won't offer it to him since you've made things adamant."
Wait.
What?
Huh?!
The glass chest was placed on the coffee table; the pull too strong for Maria to ignore. "Rather, I thank you for giving me what I wanted: knowledge. The Project can regulate Chaos Energy to the point where an Emerald gives you, and possibly Dr. Robotnik himself, fear. 'Weak specimens' don't ever have that option available. G.U.N. has papers over such. Only those whose pathways are too…" Hands pulled back a strand of hair. "… controlled – refined fires – brings such powerful capabilities. TRUE weak creations simply blow up before even getting so far. You are scared because It is too strong without one and you're afraid It'll destroy everything It will touch in madness." She laughed once. "I want something manageable! Not a mass murderer!" A smirk. "And you've just told me he's such a weapon already, only playing House for a young girl."
DING!
The previous batch of cookies hit the 20-minute mark in the oven.
"The Devil is ripe and ready to be showcased to the world, Maria. After cooling down and… decorated under expert hands. Mine. With you and your grandfather's help, of course." She reached towards one of the earlier produced deserts that were sitting on a plate next to the Emerald. It was the shape of a family: a man, a girl child, and a boy child. The General offered it to Maria's retreating form. "Take it. If there's one thing I learned and taught Abraham, it's you hold your own destiny."
Her hand slapped it away.
Blue shoes pivoted.
Maria escaped.
[x]
She fled outside those living quarters. Over the hallways. Past the cheering yells of other drunken countdowns in the common areas where alcohol danced in crystal cups. Past everything. P-1 was there: held her, guided her; caught her. Followed her orders when she demanded to be sent straight to Grandpa's laboratory – for them to lock the doors and prevent anyone other than her family entrance – allowed them to use nonlethal force if they had to! If there was no other option!
The lab hummed.
Maria continued, searching. Where was her brother? Probably deeper. Emerald free. Fine. Conscious.
She eventually spotted his backside.
The sitting settee that Shadow upon was soft and plush. Hoards of wires dangled off his body taunt in the air – each one connected to sensors attached to screens that blazed data. Some, okay, most, were red and had silenced alarms with CRITICAL FAILURE over many different parameters. The only one she innately recognized were read outs of Chaos Energy, and she knew it was over the charted capabilities as they always were. The wires were red and gave the appearance of something removing blood from his body – which was incorrect and she knew it! This entire set up was a 'lie,' he had told her in secret one night. Her brother was going to stay in the lab – despite his HUGE misgivings – and pretend he was incomplete. Almost dead. With no heart to beat anymore, it was an easy enough sell if he looked like a fatally injured specimen.
The comfortable location outside the tube was because Grandpa refused to lock up her brother for some reason. (Maria agreed for a different one altogether.) Despite that, her heart still pounded louder than normal, even though she was smart enough not to push it too far this time.
He hadn't turned to address her yet. It was a LOT of electrical conduits.
"Shadow! You can't trust the General!" she warned. "I mean, we knew that, but she has the Chaos Emerald and threatened to use it on you! Or wants to! I-! I DON'T KNOW! She manipulated me! We need to plan for her coming in tomorrow because she might ACTUALLY do that and-!"
He still hadn't turned.
The girl felt the atmosphere change and a knife raced up her spine. For some reason, she wanted to gag. Where… Where was it coming from!?
"Shadow?" she asked again in worry.
Nothing.
Worry exploded. She raced around towards the front-
The hedgehog was sitting perfectly still. His legs were too short for the settee and the inactive Air Shoes hung over the lip of the edge. Hands were opened with palms across his own lap. There was evidence of a book that had once been there, but it was scattered on the floor – bookmark a few feet away. The holographic machine was running, but was making strange sounds, as if it was straining under an immense load. She had missed it in her earlier panic.
His body was… relaxed.
Red eyes open.
Empty. Thoughts hidden away.
He was… not taking her in with his gaze.
"S-Shadow!?" she went to touch him-
-was BURNED.
"Ahh!" the girl gasped as she looked at her fingers. First degree. Caused by excessive Chaos Energy. The wires were not red by design – they were glowing in radiant heat. She had thought the warmth was just the exhaust from the equipment, not-! There was suddenly a flux as the Energy running through the strands dimmed until Maria was a few feet away, before they rose back to incandescent scarlet.
Cyan didn't have time to look at the scene anymore. What was going on with her brother!? Why now? Had he sensed the Emerald? Something else not related?!
"Shadow!" she pleaded.
No black ear twitched.
Panic was running in full force. Larger than earlier. Should she run outside to tell P-1 to drag Grandpa back here!? This was an unexpected EMERGENCY! But the meeting! She couldn't break into that because that was super incredibly dangerous for her family if she did! But Shadow was in trouble! What should she do?!
In the middle of her dilemma…!
The hedgehog didn't spasm no matter her pleads, and Maria realized his unfocused gaze held that golden ring in the middle; watched on in the greatest apprehension. It felt like she was suddenly trapped and was before… something only in the shape of her brother – which was IMPOSSIBLE because that WAS nothing more than Shadow! There was a small whine as the device around the hedgehog's neck overheated and turned offline – winged, unfurled black and red daggers suddenly visible.
She was… worried.
Begun to pant.
Not on purpose.
It was a reaction she couldn't control. Just like her heartbeat pounding harder against her chest.
She had to do something. On her own. Shadow depended on her!
Carefully – slowly – she edged closer to him. Watched those enflamed strands of copper. With every inch, she felt that dagger in her spine dig deeper; understood that while she wasn't being watched overtly, something was keeping tabs on her. Sticky. Everything felt sticky – was it radiation from her brother's body leaking out? Something else? How much Energy was settling into her skin at this very moment? Was that why she tasted… copper? A swipe at her mouth didn't show injury, so-!
She persevered.
The closer she got, the less the humming could be heard from the lines. The less heat.
It waned but took time.
Time she felt she didn't have for some reason.
It was… like Shadow knew she was there. Wanted to… protect her… It reached the point where she was able to stretch out and touch his hand again – felt that burning sensation against her flesh that hurt, but didn't scald her immediately. The closest she could compare this to was sticking a hand in a preheated oven. You can go in there to place a cake pan but only for seconds. You could pull back and be fine, but if one closed the door behind themselves…
"Maria…?" he spoke softly. Quietly. Ethereal.
The girl let out a careful breath. "Shadow. You alright?" A massive understatement. This was not 'alright.'
He reached towards his head. "Where am I?"
Her tongue rolled against her teeth. What to say? He was still so hot to the touch that she had to let go or he'll notice he was slowly injuring her and she couldn't have that. He was… Clearly this was not on purpose! "Grandpa's lab. Don't you… remember?"
"The lab…," Shadow repeated light and airy. "That's right. I was there reading. Was worried about Fath-… Felt something change on the station and it pulled me away…" Tired eyes shifted to look around and he realized his book was on the floor. The title of biology and rare neural diseases a stain on the dark navy cover. His digits dug deeper into his skull as his sense of self changed – and, boy, did Maria not enjoy that context. "… Now It is… elsewhere."
It? Elsewhere?
"It sees him." her brother murmured with a tone that told her he was losing it again. The lab was vanishing before his eyes – or already had. "Below. Far away. It is above. In the rafters." He let go of his head and rested his arm besides him; the heat from the wires not affecting or registering upon his body. "But I am here. Before Maria. Where… am I? Who am I?" A flinch.
(BAD! DANGER!)
He could hear her still, right?! "You're Shadow! And it's time to WAKE UP!"
"It… It has to watch. Protect him. It has to… see…" A grumble. A curse as he flinched and the tone changed into something deeper; something alarming. "We have to speak." Everything was lost at that moment – Maria just understood that on her insides – as he slumped silent again; the machines still in alarm as more red labels appeared.
Was he…?
Had Shadow accidentally projected himself onto a P-1?
Was he in the Artificial Chaos' processors?
How was that even possible?
Maybe not the CPUs themselves, but the- That's right! The Chaos Drives within them! This was a connection established by Chaos Energy! To bring her brother back to reality she would have to shut off the source!
… Okay. Where? Where was it? Her head turned around and searched desperately. There were the normal objects within the laboratory, however. Nothing new or dangerous. Grandpa would know better than to have anything that could hurt her or Shadow in this region, too. It also couldn't be Abe's aunt's Emerald – that restrictive container was doing its job and it would have to be at LEAST within her Grandpa's sanctuary to maybe do this.
Was the source…
Internal?
How in the world was she supposed to turn off something like that!? THINK, MARIA! THINK! Only in fantasy stories did screaming a name work. Reality was different. Use the CLUES. PROBLEM SOLVE. Channel her inner scientist! Make Grandpa and Shadow PROUD of her! PANIC WOULD GET HER NOWHERE!
What would a professional do-!?
Her brother answered a result that she hadn't been looking for. "Gerald Robotnik." The dialect filled with acquaintance – a mix of hate, loathing, and revulsion; of respect, admiration, and begrudging respect. "We almost decided to not arrive but wisely measured otherwise. Consider yourself one of the few carbon-based organisms worthy of claiming a name and receiving our direct visitation," Shadow bludgeoned into her racing thoughts like a sledgehammer, this time with unnerving clarity as he remained unmoving- Wait. Even his mouth remained flat lined; voided of the required shapes to create speech. So… So, how'd she hear-?
It was…
It was like he drilled into her brain.