The sound of alarm sirens sounded everywhere. The red flashing lights were nearly blinding. Gun fire and shouting could be heard in the distance.

"They went this way! Move!"

They ran as fast as they could away from their chasers, trying desperately to escape. Questions of who these men were and why they were here kept repeating in their minds. Soon enough the two runners made it to the central control room. The black hedgehog shut the door and smashed the control console, preventing anyone from entering.

"That should hold them for the time being." He said.

The human girl with blonde hair searched the room for some way to escape, but no option seemed present.

"What are we going to do Shadow?" she asked.

Shadow looked to the girl, knowing how frightened she was. Just mere minutes ago, she witnessed heavily armed men capture her grandfather and now those same men were after the both of them.

"Don't worry Maria. I'll find us some way to escape the ARK. For now, just stay calm." Said Shadow.

Maria tried her best to stay calm but worry still persisted in her mind. She knew all too well why these men were here. She knew Shadow had promised to protect her, but at this moment, it might be impossible. Despite being "the ultimate lifeform", Shadow was still learning to control his power.

As Shadow searched the room for a way for both of them to escape, Maria watched helplessly as the hedgehog failed to locate an escape route. Maria felt her heart sting in sadness. She wished that none of this was happening. Maria knew that the men that were after Shadow because of what her grandfather had planned to use him for. To destroy and conquer the world. Shadow was supposed to be a weapon of great power and destruction, but Maria never saw him that way. She saw Shadow as more than just "the ultimate lifeform.". To her, Shadow was her friend. Her only friend. The last thing she wanted was to see Shadow used in such a manner or be captured by these men.

Soon enough, a loud banging came from the door.

"OPEN UP! THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!"

Shadow kept searching the room, but no route presented itself. He cursed himself silently and prepared himself for a fight. Maria on the other hand, became very worried. She didn't want any harm to come to Shadow. She knew she had to do something to protect him. That's when she noticed where Shadow was standing. Right in the center of a containment chamber. Maria looked over to the control console and she quickly activated the chamber. In a split second, the chamber closed itself around Shadow, leaving the hedgehog in shock.

"What the…!" he said.

Shadow looked to Maria and banged on the glass.

"Maria! What are you doing?!" he said, worriedly.

"I'm sorry Shadow. But I can't let these people take you away. You mean too much to me." Said Maria, tears falling from her eyes.

"I can't let you face them alone! Let me out of here! I can protect you!" said Shadow, as he tried his hardest to break the chamber.

The loud banging from the door soon turned to the sound of metal being cut. Bright welding lights came from either side of the door. Maria knew it wouldn't be long before they break through and stop her. Shadow knew this as well and began frantically slamming his fists and shoulders into the containment chamber. Maria looked at Shadow and took a moment to compose herself.

"Shadow." She said.

Shadow stopped his attacks and looked at Maria.

"Listen to me. Please. Before they come. I want you to make a promise to me." Said Maria.

Shadow placed his hand on the chamber wall and waited for Maria to continue. Maria moved to the chamber and knelt down to Shadow. She placed her hand on the chamber wall in the same place as Shadow's hand. Maria looked directly into Shadow's eyes and gave a sad smile.

"Look at the planet out there." She said to him.

Shadow towards the blue planet outside. He knew Maria was always fascinated with that planet and everything on it. She would always talk about meeting the people there and experiencing everything it had to offer.

"There are people there who aren't like the people after us. They are good people. Innocent and kind. People who could be friends like we are." Said Maria.

Shadow looked back to Maria.

"I want you to promise me that, no matter what, you will protect the people of that planet. You will keep them safe from anyone who would want to hurt them. Can you do that for me? Will you make that promise to me?" said Maria, with pleading eyes.

Shadow felt his heart sting at Maria's words. He understood the scale of this promise that was asked of him and was hesitant to make it. But looking into Maria's eyes, he knew he couldn't deny her. He never could say no to her.

"I promise." He said.

Maria smiled as she slowly stood up and began to move back to the console. At that moment, a small explosion came from the door and armed men in full body armor came rushing in. Maria ran towards the console in a desperate attempt to finish her objective.

"STOP!" one of the men shouted.

Maria didn't stop. She had just made it to the console before one of the men raised a rifle towards her. One of the men, who appeared to be the commanding officer saw this and shouted.

"NO! DON'T SHOOT!" he said.

It was too late. The rifleman fired his weapon and the bullet hit its mark. It pierced Maria in her stomach, and soon blood began to pour from her wound. Shadow watched in horror, tears rolling down his face.

"MARIA!" he shouted.

Using all of her strength, Maria steadied herself on the console and typed in a set of coordinates. With those set, she took one last look at Shadow, who was staring at her, pleading to be let out to help her.

"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog." Said Maria, as she pressed the button.

"MARIA!" shouted Shadow, as the chamber was ejected.

At that moment, Shadow awoke from his nightmare, sweat pouring from his head. His breathing was heavy and labored and his heart wouldn't stop pounding. He looked around and saw that his room was empty. Nothing was out of place. Taking his time, Shadow willed himself to calm down and sat up on his bed. He swung his legs over and let them fall towards the ground. He then brought his hands to his head and began to rub his eyes. At that moment, he had felt something wet on his cheeks. He didn't understand at first, but soon realized that they were remnants of tears. Shadow didn't need an explanation as to why the tears were there. He knew he that he had been crying in his sleep. He looked towards the clock on the small table next to his bed and saw the time: 3:18 a.m. Shadow sighed heavily as he wiped the tears away from his eyes. He already knew what had happened.

Ever since that day on the space colony ARK, Shadow had been plagued with nightmares. More specifically, the same nightmare over and over again. He just couldn't stop thinking about it. Every time he closes his eyes, all he can see is his closest and only friend ejecting him into space. There was no cure Shadow could find to help rid him of the nightmare, or the guilt he felt every time the nightmare came to an end. Maria's words just kept echoing in his mind. Her face kept appearing. Memories came and went. Shadow didn't know how much more of this he could take. He always hoped one day, he would finally be free of the nightmare, but it looked as though today wasn't going to be that day.

Figuring sleep was no longer an option, Shadow decided that the best course of action would be to head to the training room in the G.U.N. base. He put his jet skate sneakers on and proceeded to head to the training room.