Molly's Return

Chapter 12: Knowing their Past

Molly suddenly wakes up in the middle of darkness once again, but this time she's unfazed when she hears Moraceae's voice from behind her:

"Hello, my dear. How was your first mission?" Moraceae's voice echoed in the darkness.
Molly's eyes narrowed as she turned around to face him. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice filled with defiance.
"I just wanted to congratulate you on your success." Moraceae replied, a sinister and sadistic tone in his monotone voice. "But don't get too comfortable. This is just the beginning. I have big plans for you, Molly."

She suddenly felt a vine wrap around her neck, choking her, until she suddenly heard a voice:
"Molly, wake up!" Maria's voice echoed in Molly's ears as she snapped back to reality. She found herself lying in her bed, drenched in sweat. Next to her was Maria, who went to comfort her. "Are you okay, Molly? You were having a nightmare."

Molly took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Yeah, just a bad dream." She looked at the blonde hedgehog, grateful for her presence. "Thanks for waking me up."
"Of course, Molly. That's what friends are for." She sat beside Molly, offering her a comforting presence. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The ginger hedgehog got a few of her quills out of her face and shook her head no. Maria smiled in understanding and continued:
"It's okay. I understand if you don't wanna talk about it. You know, when I had nightmares, my grandfather would tell me stories to help me feel better. Maybe I can do the same for you?"
"Sure, I'd like that." Molly replied, her voice filled with appreciation.
Maria smiled and began telling Molly her and Shadow's story.

"Over 50 years ago, I was diagnosed with a incurable disease called Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or NIDS for short. Do you know the disease AIDS? It's similar, but it was more severe and affected my nervous system. I was given a life expectancy of only a few years. But my grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, was determined to find a cure. He created the Space Colony Ark, since I was too weak to stay on Earth. He worked tirelessly, conducting experiments and research in the hopes of finding a cure for NIDS. During his time on the Ark, he encountered multiple alien colonies and with their DNA, he began Project Ultimate Lifeform, but it was commonly known by the government as Project Shadow."

"Shadow was named after the project?" Molly asked.

"Shadow WAS the Project." Maria continued. "Along with Brave, Darkness and many more. He was created by Chaos Energy mixed with DNA of a colony known as the Black Arms, and the scientists referred to him as 'Project Ultimate Lifeform 01'." Maria paused for a moment, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. "Shadow, along with various others being created by Chaos Energy and alien DNA, were designed to be the ultimate lifeforms, capable of harnessing immense power and to find a cure for me. But GUN raided the Ark, believing they could use them as weapons, and the project was shut down before it could be completed." She paused for a moment, took a deep breath and continued. "I... also lost my life during the raid. I got shot in the back by a GUN soldier, and used the last of my strength to send Shadow and the few remaining Lifeforms down to Earth via Escape Pods."

She turned around and lifted the back of her shirt, showing a bullet scar. "This is where I got shot The only place that I'm not bulletproof."
Molly looked at the scar with shock and sadness. She couldn't imagine the pain and suffering Maria had gone through. She reached out and gently touched the scar, her heart filled with empathy and compassion.

"Wait." She realized. "If GUN raided the Ark, then, why are you and Shadow working with them?"

"Well, let's just say Shadow had a bit of... community "convincing" to do. After the incident on the Ark, Shadow lost his memory and was found by my cousin, Dr. Eggman. Eggman manipulated Shadow into believing that he was created to carry out revenge against humanity. However, through his interactions with Sonic and his friends, Shadow slowly regained his memories and realized the truth about his purpose. He decided to use his powers for good and joined forces with Sonic and his team to protect the world from Eggman's evil schemes."

"I can't imagine how you felt when you found out he did all that."

"Oh, I was FURIOUS." Maria spoke in a stern tone, before softening. "But I don't blame him for doing what he did. Plus, one of my friends on the Ark, Abe, is the Commander of GUN, and while the two tend to butt heads a lot, sometimes even literally, they manage to find common ground when it comes to protecting humanity and stopping the forces of evil. It's a complicated situation, but I believe that Shadow and GUN are working together for the greater good."

Molly listened intently to Maria's story, feeling a deep sense of respect for her and Shadow. She admired their resilience and determination to make a positive impact, despite the challenges they had faced. As she looked at Maria, she couldn't help but feel a sense of connection and camaraderie. They both had experienced loss and hardship, but the blonde hedgehog had found the strength to move forward and fight for what she believed in. And while Molly herself was still grappling with her own past and uncertainties, she felt a sense of inspiration and hope in Maria's words. They reminded her that she wasn't alone in her struggles and that she had the power to shape her own destiny.

"Thank you. For sharing this with me." She spoke, relief in her voice.
"Anytime. I just want you have friends who care about you and are here to support you. We've all been through our own challenges, but together, we can face anything that comes our way. So don't hesitate to lean on us when you need to. We're here for you, Molly."

The ginger hedgehog smiled in response of the kindhearted words of the kindhearted soul Maria was. But then she heard Moraceae's voice again, which made her grip her head:
"What a sweet and wholesome story. Reminds me of the innocence and vulnerability that you once possessed, Molly. But don't be fooled. No matter how many friends you have, I will always be watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Remember, Molly, you can't escape your destiny."

Maria noticed her distress and placed a comforting hand on Molly's shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"
"Y-yeah." Molly replied, forcing a smile. "Just a little sleepy... what time is it, anyway?"
Maria checked the alarm clock and got surprised.
"Oh my. It's around 1:00 AM. We better get some sleep. If you like, I can sleep with you, so you don't be alone."

"Oh, I-I don't wanna be a burden."
"You're not a burden, Molly," Maria reassured her. "We're friends, and friends support each other. So let's get some rest and face whatever comes our way together."

Molly nodded, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. She was grateful for Maria's kindness and understanding. As they settled into bed, Molly couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future. She knew that she had found a true friend in Maria, someone who would be there for her no matter what. And with that thought in mind, Molly closed her eyes, ready to embrace the new day that awaited them.