Maria's Way Out (A Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Fic)

Chapter Two- Plant Eruption

I finally arrive at a village. I am alarmed when I see all the animals. And it reminds me that I am one myself. I assume that Ivo dropped me off somewhere near Shadow, so I look around for answers. I walk over to what looks like a squirrel. "Excuse me, miss. Do you know where a Shadow the Hedgehog might be?" I ask. "Uh, yeah. He is in his room, as usual." she says. "Um, where might that be?" I ask again.  "At the Hero Clubhouse, of course. Right downtown." she says. "Thank you," I reply, running off in that direction. I am so eager to see Shadow. After jogging for five minutes, I arrive at a giant house. This must be it. I walk up and knock on the door. A young boy opens the door. A yellow fox, maybe? "Yes?" he says. "I would like to see Shadow." I say. "Um, just a minute." he replies. I hear him talking to someone behind the door. "A random girl walked up and asked to see Shadow." "Sure, call him down. It might actually bring him down for once." "Alright..." He opens the door back up. "I'll call him down." he says. "Shadow!" We wait. "Shadow!" Still no reply. "Maybe he will come if you tell him Maria's here." I suggest. "Ok...? Shadow! Maria wants to see you!" he calls again. We wait. Shadow transports beside him, which startles me. "This better not be a joke..." he grumbles. "Shadow! It's me, Maria!" I say, stepping closer. But Shadow stumbles away and growls. "Not possible." he says. I see sorrow in his eyes. This isn't the same Shadow I left. And suddenly, I'm afraid to tell him who I am. "You know, um...your biggest fan!" I say, covering it up. "Whatever." he mumbles. "Shadow, I think you owe someone an apology." the fox says. "Fine. Sorry. You just...reminded me of a bad memory." he says, before transporting away. I stand there in shock. "Well, is that all you want?" he asks me. I don't reply. "Um, hello?" he speaks again. "I guess...that's it..." I whisper, stepping back. "Take care!" he says, shutting the door. Who was that I just witnessed at the door? Certainly not the happy and cheerful Shadow I once knew. I run away from the house, collapse underneath a tree, and cry.

I wake up, yawning. "Gerald I'm up..." I mumble. I open my eyes to remember that I'm not human Maria and that Gerald is dead. I take a deep sigh. I must've fallen asleep under that tree. I stand up and stretch. I would've been better off joining Ivo.

I walk down the streets of the village, feeling hopeless. Then I hear a scream. "Help! Fire! Help!" I turn and see a house burning down. My instincts tell me to help. I run over. "My mom and brother is in there..." the young raccoon cries. "Right on it." I say. I jump through the flaming door, ignoring the slight burning sensation. I try to see my way through the smoke. I go up the crumbling staircase. Then I see a blue hedgehog helping a boy out of the closet, with a girl on his back. He turns around and right as he notices me, he falls through the floor. Suddenly, it's like slow-motion. I reach out my hand. I scream. Vines shoot out of my gloves, forcing it's way around the hedgehog. I pull him up. "Whoa, what was that? Who are you?" he asks. "Let's get out, then worry about that!" I say. He nods, grabs me, and speeds me out before I even have time to feel the rush. "I'm Maria...the Hedgehog." I say. "I'm Sonic the Hedgehog. You just saved my fur with your abilities back there!" he chuckled. Abilities...Ivo gave me these... "Why don't you come by the Clubhouse sometime? We could use another hero." he says. I pause. Should I? It'd let me be closer to Shadow...

"I will,"