A Black and Red Rose (Revision) [Shadamy]

Chapter 20: the Undead

(Originally from Chapter 15, but later changed due to suspense reasons😉)

Previously

"Here are your samples. That Ultimate Lifeform almost caught me. Twice. You know, I may have chosen this line of work-- but it was out of revenge. Sorry, I choose life!" Heechul ranted. He chucked the fur and blood sample towards the doctor and raked a hand through his dark hair.

The doctor rolled his eyes, catching the items. "Oh hush now. Don't get your panties in a twist. You're here aren't you? You're fine." He eyed the blood and fur with glee. At least this one can get the job done.

"Alright, first the blood. Chaos energy extraction, begin!" Eggman cackled. Pressing a few buttons on his chair, it moved toward one of his machines in the back. He grabbed the vial of blood and took off the cork, plugging the vial itself into a machine. The blood then seeped down into it, both men waiting as the extractor worked.

"Are you sure that junk still works? Its been years since you last used it," Heechul commented.

"You doubt my talents?" Growled Eggman, turning back slightly to look at the man. Heechul put up his hands innocently.

"To err is of human. I was just asking." But they both knew the answer. They've been knowing-- Heechul doesn't exactly trust machinery.

A ding echoed through the air, regaining the attention of both men. "Now the fur." A small glass tube came out of the machine, and Eggman dumped the small patch of fur into it.

Slowly, both items were drained from the precious raw chaos energy. Soon, three things came out of the machine. "What are those things?" Heechul asked in disgust.

"Those used to be the fur and blood. Now that they're drained," Eggman waved a hand dismissively, "they also lack color. This... is what came from both. Look at the emount of chaos energy!" He began to laugh.

Heechul stared at the beaker full of energy. It was a cyan color, glowing brightly. It was beautiful, mesmerizing. The small pink hedgehog had that type of power within her. And she had no idea. As Heechul thought, he thought of two possible problems they were about to come across. "Hey, doctor? Two questions."

"Alright, what are they?"

Heechul twisted his mouth, trying to figure out how to explain both things to him. "Um..."

"Spit it out!"

"The pink hedgehog is finally regaining her vision sir."

"As she should. My attack wasn't supposed to be life threatening. And what's the other thing?"

"Amy and Shadow have confessed their feelings for each other!" Eggman's eyebrows rose at this piece of information. He knew at one point in time, they would tell each other, which was in his plan, but... this was so soon.

Well. It certainly wasn't the first time he had a misfortune in his plans. But, he was Eggman.

This would be no problem.

-cCc-

"Well. I suppose we work with what we got then. Orbot! Cubot! Bring her over!" Eggman shouted.

Heechul scoffed. Again, relying on those lanky robots. Soon the yellow and red robot came into view, rolling in a cart-- a cart covered with a white sheet. He narrowed his eyes. "What's that under the sheet?" He asked. It looked humanoid, almost. Eggman turned off the lights, leaving one singular light on. It cast an eerie glow over each one of their features. The doctor rolled up next to the cart, pushing part of the sheet away, revealing a small panel. Pushing a few buttons, a blue transparent screen popped up.

"A project that could be our saving grace. I present you... Project Maria."

-cCc-

"P-project Maria? What do you mean?" Heechul asked.

"Exactly what you hear boy." The doctor grinned. He reached over and pulled off the sheet covering the cart and it revealed a yellow Mobian...robot. "This is part of the master plan. Meet Maria Robotnik the Hedgehog. Quite literally on the Robot part."

"How?" Heechul couldn't understand. This girl had been gone for so many years and now... her reembodiment was right here in front of him.

"I made my way onto the Ark several months ago without Shadow knowing. Once in the Ark, I searched for pictures and DNA samples. Did you know her room has been locked up for 70 years? Since the day this girl has died, nothing has entered or left her room."

"Until you broke in," Heechul commented. Eggman smirked.

"Precisely. Oh-hoho! This plan will be the best yet!" He reached over and opened up a compartment on her chest. "This is where the chaos energy will be inserted so she can move around as a mobian. Can you guess the rest of the plan?"

Heechul crossed his arms. Maria had been someone who mattered the world to Shadow. He would have done anything to get her back before he met Amy. "My guess is distract him from Amy with Maria and somehow trick him into getting the Chaos Energy for us?"

"Right on the nail, my boy!" The doctor laughed. "I have programmed some memories-- fake memories of us helping her. I have a small house set up for her. All we need is to add is this." He held up the glowing beaker. Heechul looked at the beaker then at the...at Maria. "Exactly how will Shadow get tricked into helping us?"

Eggman smirked. "Well, you shall see. Now, let's not keep our sweet Maria waiting, shall we?"

With that the doctor inserted the liquid into the robot and shut the compartment. A heavy silence hung in the air.

I knew it. This isn't going to work, stupid doctor thinking he can rely on machines to do work. Just as Heechul began to open his mouth to complain to Eggman, a whimper was heard. His blue eyes found the robot slowly rousing from its slumber. Its eyes began to open slowly and Heechul could see how they were trying to focus.

Eggman sucked in a breath next to him. Finally, it began to blink, looking around studying its surroundings. Slowly, it went into sitting position. Fear slowly registered into its eyes for a second before they landed on the men.

"W...where am I?"