Author's Note: Hi there! Well, welcome to another little spin-off story. As always, part of Life Could Have Been so Different, but also able to be read as a stand-alone. Set after Shadow getting his hover skates. The character Vincent in this story is the GUN commander from the Shadow the Hedgehog game as a child. In one of the cut scenes of the flash backs you can see him playing hide and seek with Maria. His and young Shadow's relationship is...strained...
Sea Urchin
by Taranea
"I was told that I'd teach you, Maria...not that." The grey-haired boy pointed at Shadow with something akin to disgust.
"Vincent, you know Shadow is my friend, so please treat him as such. Please, can't you two be civil?" the blonde girl was resisting the urge to tear at her locks.
"I didn't ask for this, human. Personally, I think you couldn't teach a carrot how to be orange," the only non-human in the room stated, his black and red-furred arms crossed in defiance.
"Did you ever want to learn what drowning feels like, furball?! Cause if I hear one more insult-!"
"Oh SHUT it, the both of you!"
The swimming lessons were off to a great start.
The three children - Vincent, wannabe-soldier son of the GUN commander and love-smitten with Maria, the genius grandchild of world-reknowned Professor Gerald Robotnik and finally, Shadow, ticked-off Ultimate Lifeform and first member of the Vincent Hate Club - were standing on the edge of the ARK's pool in various stages of undressing. It was a bare room, just equipped with two benches on the side, hooks in the wall for towels and clothing, and a wide window of black, star-dotted space above the rectangle of azure water. Now both of the boys looked at Maria slightly wary after her uncharacteristic outburst. The girl put both of her hands on her small hip.
"Right. Thank you both for listening. Okay. Vincent, grandpa wanted Shadow and me to learn how to swim and you were selected as teacher. ("In a glorious moment of mental instability on the Professor's side, no doubt," Shadow threw in quietly at this, but was quickly silenced by one of Maria's Stern Glances). Now, teachers first and foremost need patience. No nitpicking on Shadow for any reason. Please treat him with the same respect as you treat me," the blonde girl said, the grey-haired boy looking everywhere but at her or the smirking black hedgehog. Shadow's grin soon dropped, however, as soon as Maria turned on him.
"As for you, Shadow, Vincent is sacrificing part of his time here for us. I'm thirteen years old. I should know how to swim by now, but I've been up here since I was six and was never strong enough before, so I really appreciate this opportunity. Please make it a nice time for me by listening to Vincent, not complaining and try your hardest." Facing both of the males, Maria finally put on her characteristic kind smile again.
"Is that alright for you two?"
"Hmph."
"Grmph."
Sometimes it wasn't easy keeping that smile going. But Maria knew that Vincent and Shadow were about the only people her age up here, and even if she felt like hitting them whenever they were together, she guessed this was as good as it got.
Oh, how I wish I had some girlfriends.
To be continued...this week! :P
Hiya! Well, I'm glad to be back. Updates should be weekly again and to celebrate this, we'll start it off with this little short story in rapid-fire mini-installments! Please enjoy...and review? ;)