The Past Is The Present

Years Passing Like Days

2 years passed, my friendship with Maria increased. Abraham seemed to never have an appreciated communication with me. He would always leave when I appeared.

Maria always told me he was just shy, but it was hard to believe, I started to think he loathed me. Hated me.

While day by day passed, I started to understand The Ark much more than before. During these 2 years, I finally consider it as my home. The scientists still did tests on me, but also rewarded me with new gear and strong boosters.

Dr. Gerald Robotnik was like a father to me. He always wanted me to feel much more than a guest. He treated me as if I was a relative of his. He always gave his trust and support to me more than his lab workers.

"Shadow, this is very important much more than any secret I told you. I only has 1 more year to find recovery, if I don't find one before the time is done, it is a giant increasement for Maria's illness, making it a fact that she will die." I narrowed my eyes in disbelief. "That can't be true....even if it is, I will make her wish come true. I.I.I..I promised." The doctor looked at me worried. His hands gripped onto my shoulders firmly.

"Shadow, during these 2 years, you have been watching over my granddaughter too much than I expected. I suppose, your attitude depends on what happens to Maria." As he continued his hands shook a little. "And that's what I'm afraid of."

I starred at him for a while then looked down at my feet. He wasn't done yet. "Think about Shadow. Being the ultimate greatest life form doesn't mean you have the best endings. Even when it comes to being the hero. Even a villain. Everybody loses at least once. It can even involve a loss.

The doctor walked further and further away until he reached a door. He starred at me in the distance in worry for a while. Then walked in the elevator.

"What does he mean by him being afraid?" I closed my eyes and crossed my arms. "I'm just doing the promise I did. I'll never break it."

I opened my eyes in a sudden hearing someone calling my name. "Shadow! Shadow!" I turned my whole body around finding Maria running towards me. "Maria?! Something wrong?" I ran towards her looking worried. "Nope I just wanted you to try these on." She pulled out from her pocket two golden rings. "Did you make those bracelets?" I pointed at them with a questionable expression.

"Ha, ha, no silly. They're power rings." She did a close-eyed laugh at me and extended her arm at me. "Here. I want you to try them on. It's your birthday after all. This is the least I can give you." I grabbed the rings cautiously thanking Maria for the gift. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

I twisted the ring left and right to make it easy for it to enter my hand, placing it on my wrist. "What do I do now?" Maria shook her head rapidly. "Oh no! Not really try them. I meant just see how they look. We made them only for emergencies. Also, they're too powerful to be used for normal purposes."

I nodded slowly while I examined the golden rings. "Thanks for the information." Maria grabbed my hand, careful. "Oh and I have one more thing to show you. Follow me!" She firmly grabbed onto my hand and ran to the halls, stopping by a lab door.

"My grandfather was to busy to show you, so he told me, if I saw you around, I can be the one to show you what he got you." I nodded once. She walked closer to the door typing a code, eyescanning her eyes, and saying her name. I looked at her then asked.

"Hey? Maria, though it has been 2 years, since I was here. I never got to ask. Why is The Ark so over protected?" She looked at me dumbfound then giggled. "Oh! You mean why there's all that codey stuff?" "Yeah."

She looked down starring at her feet. "Wel-" I waved my hands, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Maria." She smiled, "Of course I'll tell you, besides I heard you're good at keeping secrets." I crossed my arms, smiling at her.

"Anyways, The Ark is highly protected, not only for spies. We are more afraid on being caught. You see, what we do is illigal..." "You mean? Your cure is something that is breaking the law?" She nodded trying to hold her tears back.

"Yes." I narrowed my eyes looking at the wall and nodded. "Society doesn't make sense, sometimes..." Maria gave me a confused face. "What do you mean, Shadow?"

I starred at her and began blurting out how I felt. "The law is to protect people! But how?! All it does is kill a person's life. I won't let that happen... Especially when you're that person!" She stared at me blankly, kneeling down at my level. "Shadow, yes, you may be right. But that doesn't mean they do it for a bad cause." I shook my head, looking at her. "Why do you always have to talk like that?" She did a questionable face.

"What I mean is, why do you always talk in a way where I understand what you're saying, but not in what you mean."

"Oh like quoting. Ha ha. Well what I mean is, the law is protective. The GUN can use the specimens we use, but we can't because they say it's dangerous. No matter how smart you are or even cautious, it's still illegal." I narrowed my eyes at her.

"And what about finding an antidote for your illness how is that illegal? I mean, the law not being broken means making your sickness increase into a higher level. We have to break it, to save someone's life, that life is your's." Maria looked down to her shoes, taking a deep breath.

"You're right Shadow..." She smiled. "Anyways, you should be a lawer, or theorist. You're really good at defend your opinions." I smiled at her nodding once. "You should be one yourself as well."

We continued joking and laughing not realizing someone was watching us from the other side of the hallway. The suspect's hands trembled a little as he stayed shockingly still. His face looked as if he was forcing his tears in. Not wanting them in view.