(One important thing to note! This story takes place in the games/IDW continuity ((some IDW characters will be appearing very soon))! It does not take place in the Archie continuity even with Eclipse's role as a main antagonist! His story and personality is slightly, but significantly different here!

Why is he here if this isn't Archie? Simple! I think he's too cool a character not to use....plus, Black Doom is kinda dead-

Anywho, enjoy! This one might be a long one.)

It had been about two days since Maria's revival as a hedgehog. Shadow wasn't needed for any missions, so he and Maria just continued their travels across the world.

And there was still so much left to explore. The planet was so big after all, and Maria was already starting to adapt to some of the new technologies and advancements of this new time. Which wasn't surprising to Shadow. She was a Robotnik after all.

They'd usually have to return back to the house to sleep or because they simply didn't have anywhere else for Nyx to sleep and didn't want him running off to get lost. Chaos Control came in very handy when wanting to get somewhere instantaneously.

Speaking of Chaos Control...

"Maria, if you want to see Angel Island this badly, I can bring you there." Shadow said, with him and his sister looking up in the sky to see the infamous floating island.

Maria was just writing a new entry down in a journal before closing it. "Shadow, it's sacred ground! And with so much history and mystery to it! It almost feels wrong to just go up there and look around..."

Shadow sighed, shaking his head. "I know the guardian, he won't mind."

"I...I'm still not sure." Maria said, putting her journal away. "I mean...I would love to see one of the world's most famous islands...you're positive that the guardian won't be angry?"

Shadow just crossed his arms, nodding.

"Well...okay! Let's do it then!" Maria smiled. "Maybe I could sketch the legendary Master Emerald! Or maybe I could ask the guardian a few questions! Even better, we could be friends!!!"

Shadow then stepped beside Maria and was about to use Chaos Control...before suddenly, a loud explosion filled the air, causing Maria to yelp and jump away.

"What was that?!?!" Maria cried.

Shadow's eyes narrowed and he looked at his sister. "Stay here."

"Shadow-!"

But before she could even get in another word, The Ultimate Lifeform immediately dashed off at super speed, an orange and golden blur trailing behind him.

Not even 10 seconds later, Shadow arrived at the source of the explosion...and his eyes only narrowed more when he saw the cause was a gigantic pile of burning metal and various parts that resembled a giant robot.

And who was at the scene? None other than Miles 'Tails' Prower...and Sonic The Hedgehog.

'Terrific.' Shadow thought, focusing his attention on the destroyed robot instead. Seems Dr. Eggman was getting lazy with his strategies.

The Blue Blur laughed as he fist-bumped his younger brother and closest friend. "Nice one, Tails! That cannon arm's gonna come in real handy!"

Tails grinned as he lifted his arm, revealing a red and gold arm cannon that slowly pulled itself apart and transformed back into a simple bracelet. "I think so too! Especially with my trip planned. Knowing how the world can be, I'm gonna need some defenses here and there."

Sonic then smiled softly. "Man...look how far you've come, buddy. One second, you're a little fox just trying to follow me...the next, you're out adventuring and beating up baddies all by yourself!"

Tails laughed as his big brother ruffled his hair. "Sooonnnic!"

"Just don't be gone too long, alright? I'd hate to beat up some of Eggbreath's Badniks without you."

"Sonic, you've destroyed them by yourself countless times."

"I know, but it's more fun with friends." Sonic said with a shrug before he noticed his rival out of the corner of his eye. He turned around fully and then called out. "Hey! Shadow!"

Shadow, realizing he now had to talk to people, sighed as he teleported right over. "What is The Doctor up to this time?"

"Wow, not even a hello." Sonic blinked.

Shadow's eyes just narrowed. "I'm preoccupied, hedgehog. I don't want to waste time with Eggman's incompetence."

Tails then looked back at the pile of robot parts turned scrapheap. "Well, to answer your question...nothing, I don't think. This was just a robot he sent after us. The Egg Sentinel, I think he called it."

Sonic shook his head in disappointment. "This one wasn't even a challenge."

"By the way, Shadow!" Tails said. "How is Maria doing? Is she still adjusting to everything...?"

Shadow hummed. "She and I were actually in the middle of some sight-seeing before I heard the explosion."

Sonic's eyes widened at the name 'Maria' and then nodded, already recalling what his younger brother had told him. "Y'know, when Tails told me that your best friend from 50 years ago came back as a hedgehog, I had my doubts..."

Shadow just gave Sonic a bit of a look.

"But I'm happy for you, Shadow." Sonic added. "Seriously. No jokes, no quips. I'm happy that you, in a way, have a second chance to be with your family again."

Shadow was quiet for a moment before he sighed. "Thank you...I appreciate it."

"...sooo, when can I meet her?" Sonic asked. "I mean, considering Rouge and Tails said you smiled around her, I have to meet the person who did the impossible."

Shadow's eyes immediately narrowed again. "I don't want her catching your stupidity, faker."

"Hey-!"

But then, cutting him off, there was the sound of...screaming? And it was getting closer. The three looked around before a familiar yellow hedgehog dashed in, screaming at the top of her lungs as her air shoes carried her across the ground.

"THERE ARE NO BRAKES!!!" Maria shrieked...before hitting a tree, which quickly caused her to stop right in her tracks as the propulsion in her shoes shut off and she plopped right to the ground. "Owww..."

"MARIA!" Shadow cried as he rushed over to Maria's side, helping her sit up.

Maria let out a sheepish laugh. "I-I'm okay, Shadow! Really! But...you may have to teach me how to use these. I may have designed them back on The Ark, but using them is much different."

Shadow looked back at the red air shoes on her feet and then back at his sister. "Maria, I thought I told you to stay where you were."

"Shadow, I was worried about you!" Maria said, standing up. "I didn't know if you were hurt or not."

"Even so, it's my job to protect you." Shadow said. "And clearly, you have no idea how to properly use your powers. If I was in any danger, you wouldn't have known how to help."

"I...I guess not." Maria said, looking down. "Sorry..."

Shadow sighed. "You don't have to apologize, I just don't want you to rush into things that you aren't prepared for yet. I'm not angry at you...alright?"

Maria's smile quickly returned. "I know. You're just looking out for me."

Then, The Blue Blur and his two-tailed friend quickly walked over, with Maria noticing and then smiling wide. "Tails! It's wonderful to see you again!"

Tails laughed and waved. "Hi, Maria! How are the new Inhibitor Rings?"

"They're working wonderfully!" Maria smiled as she walked over. "Shadow and I have been seeing so much of the world! I've even been documenting it in my journal!"

Tails hummed as he went over to her, with the yellow hedgehog taking it out and showing the boy genius a few of the pages. "Whoa...you're a great artist!"

"Thank you!" Maria smiled. "I will admit, my hands being much bigger made it...difficult at first."

Tails laughed. "Yeah, I can imagine you're still adjusting."

"If my little fall wasn't proof enough!" Maria giggled before noticing Sonic and then gasping. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there! Hi!!! I'm Maria Robotnik!"

Sonic smiled kindly and shook her hand. "Bah, no worries. Name's Sonic! Sonic The Hedgehog!"

"You look so much like Shadow!" Maria said as she looked him over. "But yet...so different as well! I love your shoes!"

Sonic laughed as he tapped the ground. "Yeah, I love 'em too. Shadow's told us a lot about you, so it's nice to finally meet ya in person."

Maria then gasped as she slowly looked at her brother. "Are you two friends?!?"

Shadow just let out another 'hmph', looking away.

Sonic then let out a smug grin as he sped beside Shadow and wrapped his arm around him. "Oh, yeah! We're the bestest of bestest pals!"

Shadow immediately looked startled...if startled meant slowly becoming filled with annoyance.

"We're so close that we practically know everything about each other." Sonic said with a cheeky smile. "And between you and me? He looks up to me."

Maria giggled, covering her mouth...while Tails just tried to give Sonic the signal to stop as he could visibly see Shadow's emotion switch from annoyance to rage.

"He admires me so dang much that he even tried to frame-"

Shadow then immediately slammed his elbow right into Sonic's stomach, causing him to gasp as the air from his lungs was forced right out his throat.

"SHADOW!!!" Maria cried.

Shadow then huffed as he looked away from Sonic, who fell to his knees. "...oops."

"I-I'm good..." Sonic groaned, holding up his hand while his other held his stomach.

Maria's eyes were the one to narrow in anger this time as she suddenly grabbed Shadow by the ear and pulled him over. "Shadow!!! We do not elbow people in the stomach!!!"

"AGH! MARIA-!"

"Apologize! Right this instant, mister!" Maria scolded.

Shadow was about to protest before seeing the look of disappointment and anger in his sister's face. He sighed and then looked back at Sonic. "...Sonic, I am...sorry for giving you what you deserve."

"Shadow..." Maria growled.

"Fine. I am sorry for elbowing you in the stomach. That was rude of me." Shadow said, his tone in a mix between genuine and emotionless so no one could really tell if he meant his apology or not.

Sonic then chuckled, standing up. "Eh, I know how you get. No worries. Besides, someday we have to settle this for real."

Shadow, well aware he meant another one of their infamous duels, just huffed. "You're on."

Maria just looked at Tails. "Ummm...are they usually like this?"

"Like you wouldn't believe." Tails laughed. "Sonic and Shadow have been rivals from the moment they met. Sometimes they'll fight each other just for fun."

"FIGHT?!?" Maria cried, her eyes wide with horror.

Shadow sighed. "Maria, it's fine."

"Yeah! It's just a bit of sparring, we don't actually try to hurt each other." Sonic said, having to force himself to hold back a snarky remark since he had a feeling that would just tick Shadow off, which would make Maria upset at the both of them.

"S...still!" Maria cried. "Fighting shouldn't be your immediate option to resolve a conflict!"

Sonic hummed as he looked at the giant pile of robot parts behind them. "I dunno, punching things does help sometimes. I can see why it's Knuckles' go-to move."

Maria, only having just noticed the pile, quickly walked over to investigate. "What...what is this?"

"Just one of Eggman's busted robots." Sonic said with a shrug.

Maria slowly turned around. "...Eggman? Who is Eggman?"

Shadow's eyes widened and he then looked down for a moment. He could stop Sonic, tell him to quit talking about their mutual adversary...but he knew that Maria would want answers.

"Well, he's a guy with a dumb mustache-"

"Sonic...let me." Shadow said suddenly, facing his rival.

Sonic tilted his head...before his eyes widened once he realized what Shadow was talking about. "Oh...right..."

Tails quickly caught on too and then rubbed the back of his neck as he already started imagining what Maria's reaction would be.

"W...what's wrong?" Maria asked, looking confused. "Is this 'Eggman' a sensitive subject?"

Shadow sighed. "...Maria...do you recall how Eclipse said you were the last Robotnik...?"

"Y...yes...?"

"He...wasn't telling the truth. Your uncle had a child named Ivo Robotnik." Shadow explained. "And he's still alive, going by the alias Dr. Eggman."

Maria's eyes widened as she recalled the name 'Ivo' and slowly covered her mouth. "...m...my cousin? He...he's alive? A-and you know him?"

"...a little too well." Shadow said. "Maria...your cousin isn't exactly the person you'd want to meet. That robot you see was most definitely created for...evil purposes."

The yellow hedgehog was dead silent as horror painted itself over her face. She then looked back at the pile of robot parts and then back at her brother. "...m-my...my cousin's...evil...?"

Shadow just slowly nodded.

Maria was quiet for a moment, having no words to say. But the silence then broke when she took a step forward. "Where is he...?"

The infamous mustached villain sighed as he typed away at a computer. "Another day, another destroyed Badnik...oh, well. It gathered plenty of battle data anyway. Sage?"

On cue, a holographic young girl wearing a black dress that seemed to be half intangible with red code. "Yes, Father?"

"Would you mind taking some of the battle data from the Egg Sentinel and use it for my next robot?" Eggman asked. "I'm still trying to think of a new evil scheme...but! We can't let that hedgehog rest easy while we're doing that, can we?!"

Sage slowly smiled. "I have already come up with 100 concept designs for your next Badnik."

Eggman laughed and then patted her head. "That's my girl!"

But then, interrupting the father-daughter moment, the alarms suddenly went off. Eggman's eyes widened as he switched the monitors to security footage. "Intruders?!?"

Sage then slowly floated into the air, her eyes glowing red. "I shall activate the security drones-"

"No! This is a perfect opportunity to test out my latest upgrade...METAL SONIC!!!" Eggman cried, tapping a button on his monitor.

And then, in less than a second, the ultimate weapon of The Eggman Empire flew in with purple energy sparking across his robotic body.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that a little blue pest has come to visit...would you mind exterminating him, my boy?" Eggman grinned.

Metal's digital eyes quickly filled with rage and a thirst for combat. "Intruders detected. Calculating their annihilation..."

Eggman laughed and then sat back on his chair as he began to count aloud. "And 3...2...1!"

Then, just as the mad genius predicted, the door was kicked down and Sonic leapt into the room, followed by Tails and Shadow. "Hey there, Baldy McNosehair!"

Eggman growled. "So, you decided to invade my base? Well, no matter how many friends you bring, it will be the greatest mistake you've ever made!!! METAL!!!"

"Be careful, brother..." Sage said softly.

Metal, not exactly worried about his own safety, slowly hovered above the three as his eyes switched from red to purple. Then, his entire body was suddenly enveloped inside of a diamond-shaped shield that began shooting purple lightning all across the room.

BOSS STAGE: METAL SONIC

Sonic laughed as he stretched his arms while Tails and Shadow prepared for battle against their metallic foe. "Alright! Time to rock and roll-!"

"WAIT!!!"

Then, sliding in between the two, Maria held out her hands in front of her friends and Metal. Her eyes were wide with panic.

The look on her face slowly made the trio lower their fists while Maria eventually looked up at Metal. "We aren't here to fight..."

BOSS...CLEARED...?

Metal didn't respond, his shield slowly disappearing as he floated down to the ground. But as usual, he looked more than ready to attack.

"WHAT?!" Eggman cried, standing from his chair. "Hey!!! Whoever you are, you just interrupted a classic boss battle!!!"

Maria then slowly stood tall as she looked up at Eggman, her eyes filled with...sadness?

Eggman could see the look in her eyes and then awkwardly looked from side to side as he stepped down. "...Sonic, tell your friend to stop looking at me like that. It's weird."

Shadow scoffed as he walked over to Maria, standing beside her. "We are not here to cause trouble, Doctor...but if you hurt her in any way, you will wish you could run..."

Eggman just looked even more puzzled. "I don't even know who she is-!"

"M...my name is Maria Robotnik." She finally said, stepping closer as she looked up at him. "I...I'm your cousin..."

Eggman immediately went quiet...and then began howling with laughter, clutching his large belly. "OHOHOHOHOHO!!! OH, THAT IS RICH!!!"

Sage then floated over to her father and brother. She then did a retina scan of Maria...and her eyes widened. "...umm...Father?"

"That might be one of the best laughs I've had in history!!!" Eggman cackled. "Newsflash, little rat! Maria Robotnik died over 50 years ago! And she also wasn't a-!"

"Father, she's not lying." Sage said suddenly.

Eggman whipped around to his digital daughter. "HUH?!"

"My readings tell me that while her DNA has been heavily altered, she does have the blood of The Robotnik Family. She is telling the truth...she is your cousin."

Eggman, realizing that Sage would have no reason to lie to him, slowly turned back to Maria and stared at her suspiciously.

Maria looked...well...nervous. Timidness was written all over her along with an aura of melancholy.

Then, after Sage sent him the scans she had performed to his glasses, Eggman slowly stepped closer and looked Maria up and down. "...you aren't lying...but how is this possible...?"

"Something remains of The Black Arms." Shadow instructed. "He calls himself 'Eclipse'...and he's working with Infinite and a demon called Mephiles...and in an effort to destroy me, they...they stole Maria's body and used my blood to transform her."

Eggman then stepped back. "...using your blood to revive someone from the dead...that should defy all logic, but considering the world we live in, I am not surprised."

Maria then finally found the courage to speak again. "I...I remember getting a letter about you from my aunt and uncle when you were born, Ivo. I...I so badly wanted to meet you in person. The photo they sent of you was adorable...you were so small..."

'Look who's talking...' Eggman thought.

"B-but now...now you remind me so much of Grandfather." Maria said with a sudden hopeful smile. "Your mustache is even as big as his!"

"Hey! This mustache is glorious!!!" Eggman cried.

Maria held up her hands in defense. "I-I wasn't insulting you, Ivo! It was a c-compliment!"

"...oh." Eggman said. His tone of voice was...hard to describe. It wasn't the usual evil glee or unbridled rage...but it also wasn't joy or relief at the idea of him having a surviving family member (at least by blood) after all.

Sage then floated down, now properly facing Maria. "I am very sorry about Father, I think he is...just shocked."

Maria's eyes widened at the sight of Sage and then she stepped closer, studying her holographic form closely. She then smiled wide. "You're Ivo's daughter...?"

Eggman sighed. "Her name is Sage."

Maria then suddenly pulled Sage right into a hug. "That's a wonderful name!! It's so wonderful to meet you, Sage!"

Sage was clearly taken aback by the display of affection...but she smiled and slowly hugged back.

Metal, on the other hand, just stepped closer. "Intruders are not permitted to interact with us."

Sage then faced her brother. "Metal, this isn't an intruder. She...she is our Father's family."

Maria then laughed. "Technically, yes! But you are his children! While the technical term is 'first cousin once removed', you can call me Aunt Maria! Both of you!"

Sage then faced her once again. "You...you would let us call you that...? Even though we are not related by blood?"

"Family doesn't begin or end in blood." Maria smiled. "Family is always born of love...and I can't wait to get to know you both!"

Then, much to everyone's surprise, she pulled Sage and Metal into a tight hug. And while the robotic hedgehog didn't even bother to move, Sage just slowly wrapped her arms around her relative once more. She looked...happy to be getting to meet another member of her family.

Eggman, however, didn't look nearly as pleased. "Alright, alright! Enough with the sentiments. Whaddya want from us?"

Maria slowly let go of Sage and Metal. "I...I wanted to finally come meet you, Ivo."

"Well, congratulations. You've met me." Eggman said. "You can leave now."

"W-wait! That's not all!" Maria cried. "Sonic, Shadow, and Tails tell me that...that you hurt people. That you want to someday take over the entire planet."

Eggman couldn't help but grin. "Oh, I don't just want to. I will."

"In your dreams." Sonic remarked.

"WHY YOU-!"

"Ivo!" Maria cried. "I...I know that this is your first time meeting me. Even though we are related, you probably can't call me 'family' just yet. I have no right to tell you what to do...but I hope that maybe one day, you'll see that the Earth isn't something that should be conquered."

She then briefly looked outside. "Its nature is a mix of beauty and the unknown. It can be dangerous or peaceful all at the same time...and even beyond that, I've gotten to experience only a fraction of its wonders in just a few days! This planet, despite all of its flaws and imperfections, should be protected. Including its people."

"...you really are everything they bragged about." Eggman grumbled, sounding very unamused. "You're young, Maria. Naive. Some people in the world don't care about peace."

"I-I know that, but that doesn't mean-!"

"But I'm not one of those people. Once I conquer this world, there will be nothing but peace under my leadership! Order delivered across the globe thanks to my machines!" Eggman said. "And I've tried too hard to stop now."

Maria then sighed. "I...I really hoped you wouldn't say that, but...but I can't force you to change your ways. I...I just think that we can come to a peaceful resolution. Where neither you or Sonic or anyone has to get hurt."

Eggman then scoffed. "Really?"

"Yes! It's what Grandfather would've wanted!"

The nefarious emperor of machines then suddenly cackled to himself. "Oh...oh, you think that's what Grandfather wanted?"

Shadow's eyes widened and he took a step forward. "Eggman, don't you dare!!!"

Maria looked at her brother. "...Shadow...what is he talking about...?"

"M-Maria-"

"What did Grandfather do?" Maria asked, her eyes wide before she switched her gaze from her brother to her cousin. "I-I know he wanted to help the world! To bring hope to humanity! That's why he made Shadow!"

Eggman sighed. "Oh, you poor girl...I almost feel bad..."

"What did he do?!?" Maria cried. "Ivo, please!!! Tell me!!!"

The sheer desperation heard loud and clear in her voice was enough to catch Eggman off guard...before he eventually pulled up a holographic screen. "Don't say I didn't warn you..."

Maria stared at the screen...only to gasp at the sight of her grandfather inside of a cell and in chains.

The voice of her grandfather quickly filled the room. "This is a death sentence for every human being on Earth. If my calculations are correct, The Space Colony Ark will impact the Earth in twenty-seven minutes and fifty-three seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your beloved planet Earth! I plan to give you a taste of my revenge, once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me... will feel my loss and despair!"

"...G...Grand...father...?" Maria whispered, her voice quickly starting to break as tears filled her eyes.

Tails' heart shattered and he stepped forward to try and comfort Maria, but Shadow was already one step ahead and placed a hand on her shoulder to let her know he was there for her.

"B...but...w-why...? W...why would h-he...h-he wanted to help people, he...I-I don't..."

Eggman then switched to another part of the message. Normally, he would be gloating or laughing while displaying this...but his grandfather's fall into madness was a touchy subject, even for him. "This should...explain everything."

Once again, Professor Gerald Robotnik's weary voice filled the room. "The ARK was shut down under the premise that there had been an accident. I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down. She meant everything to me! And I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything! I had nothing more to live for! I went insane!!! All I could think about was to avenge her! Somehow, someway, I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it all to end. Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project; Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect, pure... I will leave everything, to him. If you wish, release and awaken it to the world if you wish to fill the world with destruction..."

Maria had tears streaming down her face as the message ended. She fell to her knees, her hands shaking as she looked down at the floor. "H...he...he wanted to destroy Earth b-because....because of...m-me...?"

Shadow slowly knelt down, not saying a word.

"G...Grandpa...Grandpa, why?!" Maria sobbed. "I-I would've never wanted this!!! I-I didn't want any of this!!! Y...you were supposed to help people!!! You were supposed to help Shadow, not control him!!! Y-YOU...YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO...I-I DIDN'T WANT...!"

"Maria..." Shadow said gently as he slowly pulled his sister into his arms. "...I am so sorry..."

Maria Robotnik then finally broke, clutching onto her brother as she sobbed into his shoulder, her entire body shaking with despair at what she had learned.

There was no longer silence or Gerald's voice filling the room...just Maria's pained cries.

Sage was quiet...before she suddenly joined the hug, embracing her relative in a meek attempt to comfort her.

Tails followed soon after, even trying to wrap his tails around her to hopefully calm her down. And then finally, Sonic joined the hug as well.

Eggman just stayed back, looking to the side. Metal, however, just watched in silence and...understanding. His systems understood why Maria had fallen into this state of emotion.

But what it didn't understand was Maria's pain...because deep down, she couldn't help but wish at that moment that she had never found this out...