Sonic Stories

An Old Freind, A New World

(Art by ChinoThaGod)

It was a warm summer day. Long after the repairs to the city after the phantom ruby attacks and Robotnik taking over the planet. Everyone finally had a chance to relax. Except for the few who refused to believe Infinite died that day.
Shadow was one of the many who was still on edge. However, nothing had been heard from Eggman since it made it all the more concerning what would be next. He didn't doubt that he would be able to handle it. He would rather be ahead of him. Rouge and Omega were busy. They were leaving him to search alone. But it wasn't until a week later they got there the first piece of information.
"Come in. Is anyone on this line still? I know everyone ditched these communicators when Eggman lost. But, it is essential!" The Rookie's voice rung through the old communicator. Knowing the Rookie still had his and was looking for Infinite, Shadow had held onto his.
"This is Shadow; I hear you."
"Oh! Good, someone's on this line. I uh. I wasn't expecting it to be you, Shadow."
"Look. I don't have time for games; what did you find? Is it regarding Infinite?"
"Right, yes. It is. I found an old workshop, Eggman emblems, everywhere. And judging by these readings, they might have been the prime location for the phantom ruby prototype experiments, but I can't get it. I've tried everything, but I think someone blocked it from the other side. I can't find any other way in."
"Send me the location. I will handle this myself."
"Are you sure? What if he got his hands on and activated one of the prototypes?"
"Then I will deal with it accordingly. I do not need assistance to deal with him."
"I'll send it. But going to go try to inform the others."
The Rockie sent the location to Shadow's communicator, and he took off.
Shadow arrived at what was practically a hole in the ground. Stone parts of what was once a building stuck out. He jumped down and found the door that the rookie had seen, and as he said, it was sealed. There was a small crack between the doors so Shadow could peak in. But it was too dark to tell what was blocking the door. He glanced over at the wall and saw the symbol. It wasn't precisely like Eggman's, though. Rather than a sharp red, it was a gray with a clear set of goggles on the head.
Shadow disregarded the changes and pulled out the green chaos emerald.
"Chaos control!"
He warped inside. He was using the light from the emerald to inspect the door. There was a mix of chairs, steel bars, and computer equipment. He planned to move them out of the way but would rather have whatever was in here trapped with him with nowhere to go.
He made his way down the dark hall. The emblem was again plastered on both sides. A chill ran down Shadow's spine; it all felt familiar. The enclosed walls, long corridors, and tons of security doors. Yet no matter how much Shadow tried, he couldn't put it all into perspective.
There were many rooms, they all seemed like labs working on something, but no records or papers could be found until he came across a pool of blood. He looked and saw a human who was long dead. He had scratch marks along his body and most likely died of blood loss. But it was hard to tell. He looked past the body and into the room it was right outside of. There were a few more who had all perished to the same marks. He shifted past them and managed to find an old desk lamp. Using the chaos emerald as a battery, it lit up more of the room and the desk.
The desk had a few random papers and reports, though the one that caught Shadow's eye was a report listed "P.S experiment 6."
"Test subject has been cooperative. Though unlike the last few, a human test subject was used. She has been carefully monitored but shows no aggression, even when threatened. She also retained her memory from her body, still undetermined how this is possible. Her appearance matches that of experiments 2-5. But she was also altered to adapt from her original body. Since experiment 4 and Professor Gerald Robotnik are being relocated to Prison Island, this place will be destroyed with experiments 5 and 6 within its walls."
Shadow was surprised at the idea that there were more experiments than just himself and the Bio Lizard. He was assuming that the Bio Lizard was experiment 1. He didn't have time to question it. He had not seen any signs of Eggman's work or construction of the phantom ruby. He walked away, but another piece of paper hit the floor. A handwritten note. He picked it up and read it to himself.
"We were wrong. She remembered experiment 4 and went crazy! We may not make it out alive. We will barricade the doors and try to get her back into stasis. Don't ever come back."
It explained the mass of bodies but not what this place was. In the light, he saw the body was eaten away by bacteria. He took the emerald and kept moving. He checked a few more rooms until he came across one barred shut. His chaos controlled in, and he was face to face with something very familiar.
"It can't be. It looks almost identical."
Shadow approached the pod. Unable to see through the fogged glass. He nealed down and wiped the dust from the bottom. With a label that stated. "Property of G.U.N." He looked around the room a bit more. He reached for the glass to wipe the dust and fog away. And could barely make out a silhouette inside. His heart almost stopped as it became clear who was inside. His heart rate jumped. Fear and confusion filled him.
"M-maria?"
It was a hedgehog, yes. But the long quills stopped and curled just below the shoulder. A blue dress and headband. Her gloves and shoes were a recolor of Shadows. His hand grew shakey on the glass; he braised himself again. Taking many double takes to make sure he wasn't just seeing things.
He reached over to the panel. He was trying to get it working on getting her out. But his panic wouldn't let him think clearly. He looked over again and got under the panel. He ripped out a handful of wires, feeling a zap of electricity. There was a depressurizing sound. When it ended. Shadow broke through the glass. He was trying to avoid getting any shards on Maria. He grabbed her, feeling for a pulse or anything. He thought it, but it was weak from her long sleep. He had to get her help, do something.
He rushed her out of the facility, holding her close. Sonic and the rookie stood outside and watched him chaos control out and run. Sonic ran after him.
"Yo Shadz. What's going on?"
Shadow stopped, and Sonic did as well.
"Sonic, I have a request," his tone was unlike anything sonic had heard from him before. "Please get her to the nearest hospital. You can reach her there faster than me."
"Did you just say I'm faste-"
"This is not about a dam competition! It is about saving her life!"
Sonic nodded. Understanding how much this meant to Shadow and taking it seriously, Sonic took her and ran off. Shadow is taking a detour.

There was a buzz. It was all Maria could hear. Her eyes opened as she was hooked up to a life support machine. A doctor ran over and assisted her. She was doing some checkups. Maria was out of it. She saw a dark figure in the corner, looking up at her with tears in his eyes.
"Shadow?"
As she finished saying his name, he rushed over and hugged her. The doctor tried to get him away but was given a death glare. Maria hugged back, crying as well.
"Maria, is it you?"
"Yes, it is me, Shadow."
"I thought. You died. I thought I would never see you again."
"I thought I would never see you either."
She smiled, and Shadow smiled as well. A mix of emotions flooded him. It was such a shock and partly traumatic thing to see her again.
It took a while for them to calm down and start talking about what happened. Maria explained her side first.
"I remember things being dark after I was shot. But when I woke up. I had a new body, and my memories were fuzzy. I was trained to be a combat weapon. However, I didn't want that path. My soul longed for freedom and peace, but one day they all disappeared. And when they returned. They put me in a pod."
Shadow explained his side of events. It was not up to him to try to destroy the world or save it. But Maria was daydreaming out the window.
"You said you wanted to see the earth. Why don't we go see it?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. I know a great spot out by a meadow. I think you'll love it."
He held out his hand, and she took it. He helped her up and right herself. He was getting her to walk.
"If you say I'll love it, I am sure I will, Shadow."