Shadow X

The first Emerald.

A few days had passed since everyone started living at Maria's mansion. Shadow had gone off exploring again saying he wouldn't be long, Tails had been making new ideas for a few machines with Chuck, while Amy, Cream, Cheese, and Maria had become friends. 

"So...I understand a wormhole happened, but what are these Chaos Emeralds anyways?" Maria asked. She was't satisfied with Shadow's brief explanation. 

"Each Emerald is filled with a magical power." Amy explained. "So you can imagine what happens when all seven are gathered."

Chuck turned his chair around. "But no one has found them all, and now it's improbable that anybody will."

"Why's that?" Cream asked.

"Well, they seem to have disappeared."

"That doesn't mean anything." Shadow said, everyone turning to him. "Everyone near that base was sucked into the Chaos Control. I'm willing to bet that includes the Emerald themselves." Shadow guessed.

"But...without a way to track them it could take awhile." Tails said.

"Then we'll just have to keep our ears to the ground." Maria said confidently. "We'll get you guys back to your own world, no problem."

Shadow looked back at her. She seemed determined to get him and everyone else back home...Maybe this isn't some adventure for her.

"You really should get ready for school." Chuck told Maria.

"But, Grandpa! I already know most of the things they teach! you taught them to me." Maria complained.

"Hmhmhm, I know. But it's still a policy we have to go through." Chuck explained, Maria leaving to get her bag.

.

The day went by pretty uneventful, especially for Maria. The classes were boring and she quickly lost interest in today's lesson. The only news that interested her was the new teacher, Mr. Stewart, but only because he was new. She stared out the window, hoping to pass the time when she saw the Tornado flying by. She gasped, thinking she had to do something.

"Excuse me, I need to do something really quick!" Maria said as she barged out the door. All the other students looked at each other and shrugged.

"I think I need to step out to. Study quietly." Mr. Stewart said before leaving.

Maria followed the Tornado on her bike, thinking she might be able to help.

.

(A few hours earlier)

"Shadow, they found one!" Cream said, finding Shadow and explaining what she saw on the news.

Shadow got the message, taking off for the construction yard...wherever that was.

Tails and Amy got in the Tornado to follow him, hoping he knew where he was going.

.

(Present time)

"I need to get higher." Shadow thought as he shot towards the sky, climbing up a pillar. He scanned the area, seeing the Tornado come into view.

"Shadow! It's over there!" Amy pointed. Shadow turned around, seeing the construction yard. He nodded and shot back down to the rooftops, determined to get that Emerald. He looked in the distance, seeing Robotnik. 

"I won't let you have it Doctor." Shadow told himself, racing forward but was cut off by a bird mech that launched him into the air.

"Hold on Shadow!" Tails said as he veered the plane to help Shadow.

Shadow twisted in the air to grab hold of the Mech's back. They shot off into the sky, Tails and Amy close behind.

.

Eggman stepped out of his "Egg mobile" towards the green Chaos Emerald before him. But as he reached down, a hand swiped it away. 

"What the-?" He said, looking over to see Maria making a run for it. "Why you little brat!" He yelled towards her.

Maria turned a corner, taking a breather. She opened her hands to stare at the Chaos Emerald she had, marveling at it. Before she could do anything else, a claw came down and grabbed the gem away from her.

"Hey! Give it back!" Maria said running after Eggman.

"You wouldn't know what to do with this even if I did let you keep it, hehe!" Eggman said, taking off. But Maria wasn't going to quit. 

She jumped and grabbed onto the claw just in time...before realizing her mistake as she was now miles from the ground. She started to climb up, eventually getting to the cockpit. Eggman saw her and swerved his ride around, trying to throw her off. Maria lost her grip but found a new one....Eggman's mustache. She held on and wouldn't let go. As she was crawling in, Maria's hand found the Emerald in it's slot. 

"I've had just about enough of you!" Eggman stated, punching Maria and causing her to loose her grip, falling all the way down.

.

Whatever this bird was made of, it was strong. Shadow couldn't seem to get through it no matter what he tried. They were moving to fast for his Chaos Needles, he didn't have enough room for Chaos Spear, and Chaos Flare would hurt if he used it this close. Tails wasn't having much luck either in the Tornado. 

"Shadow!" Tails yelled, Shadow looking over. "Use Chaos Flare and jump off!" Tails yelled. Shadow thought about it for a moment. It wasn't the safest plan, but a plan none the less. He jumped off slightly, sending yellow shards into one focused area and blowing a hole into the birds back. As he was falling, Tails caught him on the Tornado's wings before shooting into the hole, destroying the mech.

"Good call Tails." Shadow nodded. They looked over at the construction sight and Saw Maria was taking a ride. "TAILS STEP ON  IT!" Shadow yelled, hurrying to get to Maria before something bad happened.

As they drew near, Maria fell off the Egg mobile, headed towards the ground. "Get beside her Tails." Shadow ordered. Tails nodded, getting the plane in position before Shadow curled into his spin dash and launched himself off, catching Maria mid-air. He held her head tightly to his chest as he slid down the side of a building, using his hover shoes to try and slowing them down. He launched off and hit the ground running to burn off the impact before he came to a stop away from people. He looked at Maria in his arms before setting her upright. 

Maria shook her head, feeling a little dizzy from how fast they were going.

"What were you thinking Maria!?" Shadow yelled. He wanted an answer, and he wanted it now. "That man is not to be messed with. You almost died."

Maria looked away a little bit, then back at Shadow. She looked him in the eye before standing up and smirking, revealing the Chaos Emerald in her hands. Shadow looked stunned to say the least.

"I did get the Chaos Emerald though. I know the risks Shadow. But you need to get home. And I'll do what I can to help." Maria said.

Shadow sighed. "Thank you. But promise me this, no more stunts like this. Understood?" Maria nodded, handing Shadow the Chaos Emerald. "Good. Let's get home. You've had enough excitement for one day." Shadow said as they left for Maria's Mansion.

.

"Now that we have one, we just need 6 more." Cream pointed out excited.

"That's right Cream." Amy confirmed.

"I'm not sure we should keep it here." Chuck pointed out. "It might have an effect on my equipment." 

"No worries." Tails said. "If anything goes wrong, I'll fix them."

"Well...alright." Chuck agreed as everyone chuckled. 

Maria looked over at Shadow who was staring out the window. She went up to talk to him, but decided against it. She stared out with him. "Despite taking a risk," Shadow started, catching Maria by surprise. "You did good." Shadow complimented. Maria was shocked. A Compliment? From Shadow? "Just remember not to make a habit out out of it." Ah, there's the Shadow she barely knew. She smiled and nodded, both of them staring at the horizon.