What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
The Night We Met by Lord Huron.
~~~

"What is it, Grandfather?"

"It's complete."

A groan of metal and pristine doors slipped open, letting pastel green light pour out beyond. She glanced at the round man before her curiously. He was very strict on her sleep schedule (or schedule all together) so for him to wake her up so late piqued her interest. Although difficult to always know what time it was, given the location, clocks and end of week alarms proved most helpful.

She shook her head to focus and went to hold the man's white lab coat tail. "Are you sure this time?"

The palest of blue glasses glimmered in the dark corridor when he turned to her. "I wouldn't have woken you if I wasn't, no? We can't risk that."

"Then don't keep me waiting!" She whispered hurriedly and rushed ahead.

"Careful, little one!"

She hadn't been in this room much (or in any- constant bed rest and exhaustion prevented too much exploration). It was an L shaped room with propped up walls in the furthest left corner, which her Grandfather had said was used as a quickly accessible lab (among the many here). Even so, the tables and sinks and complex computers against the right wall all slipped from focus when sky blue eyes landed on a glass cylinder.

A central object propped up on a stage. Green liquid bubbled within and rather vast tubes sprung from it's top towards the ceiling. Mouth agape, she stepped up to it and followed thinner tubes down to rather something magnificent. An odd mask over it's mouth, it floated with nothing but four golden rings equipped. Her heart pounded in her frail chest and her hand excitedly, gently, pressed against the glass.

"Careful, dear. We're not sure if it could be dangerous."

The girl giggled at her grandfather's paranoia. "I don't think so. He seems magnificent to me."

She had only glanced away for a second, but it was enough for when she looked back red eyes stared right at her.

"Oh!" She jumped, clutching at her chest (briefly going dizzy).

Noticing his hand rested against the glass too, black and red like the rest of him, she gave a kind smile and placed hers over his.

"What's his name?"

"Name? Um-."

She huffed. "Don't tell me he doesn't have one!" Blue eyes returned to red with an apologetic gleam.

"Well, that won't do will it, Mister?" She examined him once again, finger tapping her chin. His head cocked curiously and he flinched when she snapped her digits.

"I know! What about...Shadow?" Immediately she whirled to her grandfather, who gave an approving nod.

"Can we get him out?"

His smile faltered and he went to pat wonderful golden hair. "We need to run tests first, Maria."

"Tests?"

"To...make sure he's safe."

She raised a brow and glanced at Shadow. "If he's as powerful as you say, I'm sure he'd attack us now if he wanted to."

"Well-."

"Oh please, Grandfather!" Hands clasped together, Maria's lip theatrically quivered and her eyes somehow seemed larger.

"I need to be-."

The young girl elbowed the glass and hinted her head towards the man. Clearly confused, Shadow took a moment before catching on and mimicking her movements.

Gerald pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hope this won't become a common thing. Fine. But he has to stay in this room. Understood?"

The pair glanced at each other. "Sure!"

With a sigh the scientist approached the closest set of computers, noting the excited bounces of his granddaughter behind. "Careful, Maria. Don't put so much strain on-."

"Where will he sleep?"

After a moment (and beep), Gerald turned to the girl with evident confusion. "What?"

"Sleep! He needs a place to stay."

The man blinked. "He doesn't need to sleep. Or eat, really. As long as he keeps those rings- his Inhibitors- on he should be fine to execute his mission."

Maria frowned. "That's silly. Everyone needs a place to call their own."

He never quite understood his Granddaughter. His Grandson however...much more of an objective mind. Not to say Maria lacked one, of course, but unlike the rest of them she was equally as kind as she was intelligent. She was far too special for what Chaos had burdened her with. Perhaps, he mused, he didn't really need to understand her- she was still that lovely girl all the same.

Fondly, he pecked her head when at her side (bringing back her wonderful smile). "Sometimes, little one, that place could be a person rather than a location."

Steam hissed out the cylinder and red eyes widened. Shadow's head darted around the room until he found that odd girls smile. She yelled over the groans and buzzes that he'd be okay and the sticky green liquid began to wash out. There, he dropped to his knees with a yell muffled by his mask. When nothing but few puddles remained, the front of the cylinder sprung open. Maria's heart, she knew, was going far too quick for it to be safe- but it didn't matter. She hurried over to the clearly overwhelmed being and slowly reached under the sides of the mask, carefully pulling it over his head.

"There you go, Shadow." She swayed.

Gerald reached, but the Project was faster in catching her. His steely eyes, otherworldly red marks, and fangs and claws stood out above all else. But he didn't bite her. Or scratch her. He only looked at her with patience, kindness and confusion. It made the scientist feel a little silly.

"I-I'm okay." Maria gave an embarrassed nod whilst the dark being set her upright.

"What's wrong?" He uttered quietly, taking both aback.

"He can speak." Gerald gaped.

"You can talk!"

"Like any of you?"

"Right. Sorry. You don't...you're not human is all."

Shadow nodded in understanding prior to looking confused once again. "Then what am I?"

Maria held his hand. "Shadow."

"Seeing as you're out, let me explain why I created you." Gerald started, kneeling beside the blonde girl.

"Created me?"

"You weren't born. But I made you. You see, Maria here, is greatly ill. She has a disease called Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome-."

"N.I.D.S for short." Maria nodded.

"Either way, your purpose is to remedy this. After much trial and error, you should be able to reverse this. To heal her."

Shadow's eyes dropped to the floor. "I see...."

Gerald rested his hand atop slightly sticky black and red quills. "But for now, we'll focus on training and teaching you what you need to know."

"And we can explore and draw and read together!" Maria's shaky hands clapped. "That's a promise."

"Promise?"

"Oh! Promises are unbreakable deals made between friends and family- something you have to hold up to! You share promises with those you trust- and I trust you."

Shadow smiled and squeezed her pale hand. "Then I promise to undo the damage of your illness, Maria. Count on it."

—————

This couldn't be true. How dare they! He did what they wanted! Just because it came out a bit more differently than expected....

"You're all scum." With a yell he threw the letter across the room, where he received a knock at his quarters' door.

Inquisitive red eyes peaked passed the gap and fluffy quills squished between wall and door. "Professor?"

"Ah. Shadow." Gerald cleared his throat and tiredly plopped down onto his chair. "Come in, dear boy."

Almost hesitantly, he did so. "Are you alright?"

"Me?" The scientist paused in massaging his temple. "Yes. Yes everything's fine."

Shadow bit back a frown. After this past week he'd had enough of lies and vagueness.

"Then, can you tell me more about Maria's illness?"

Gerald's brow raised. "Why?"

"I understand my purpose is to protect and save her, but I'd like to learn more about what I'm up against."

"What you need to know is that she's ill and you need to get rid of it."

"But I don't know how."

Gerald's eyes flickered between red and he sighed. "Fine." He patted the desk before him, watched Shadow climb up and leaned back in his own chair.

"In summary, N.I.D.S affects the nervous system and weakens the immune system. It makes the victim far weaker and much more susceptible to other diseases. And, it's...fatal. There hasn't been a cure." The scientists eyes met red. "Until now."

Shadow squirmed. "If it is incurable, how much time do we have?"

"Hard to say. More than if we were still on the planet below. There's less disease and the lack of oxygen beyond our Ark seems to slow the illness. But still...." His gaze found the scattered letter. "We must use the time we have to ensure her life is long."

"And I can do that by...?" Shadow followed the man's glance.

Gerald shook his head, patting the beings knee. "You are like no other, my boy. We've seen this week alone that your abilities perhaps stretch even beyond my understanding. You are just as strong as you are fast. Intelligent and determined. And seem to have this grand power of teleportation, healing and so much more. However, there's one part of you I...haven't mentioned."

"Oh?"

"You're, well, you're immortal. Meaning you'll live forever. Your existence will stretch even after death. You can't die to normal things like the rest of us, but I suspect that if you're drained completely of your energy- that may be your weakness."

Gerald waited a moment, leaned closer and observed tiny, wide red eyes. "Quite the shock, hmm? Try not to dwell on it too much. Your purpose hasn't changed after all."

"Right. But...why am I to be immortal only to save Maria? How does that connect?"

Gerald stood and went to gather the letter, frowning over the pages. "It...wasn't necessary, I'll admit. But in order to have Maria here with me and work on a cure I had to...."

"Had to what?"

"Make a deal. You're part of something far greater than I, dear boy." He stood, expression solemn.

"After Maria's suggestion, I've named this 'Project Shadow'. You...you aren't just a cure. Shadow, you're the Ultimate Lifeform."

—————

"Are you sure it's finished? With all the requirements?"

"This time, I'm certain. I'll show ..... later tonight."

Muffled. The voices weren't clear. Where was this?

"How did you do it? We've been struggling for .... ."

"I had help. Don't worry yourself about it."

"Did you use a ..... ....... ?"

"I extracted and mimicked it's energy, yes."

"What will it do to the Project?"

Project? Was that what it was? What energy? Why so dark?

"Who knows. That's why we should run tests before letting it out."

Steps. Louder. Closer?

"Let's hope it does what it was made to do."

The smooth sliding of a door brought Shadow from his thoughts and he turned to see Maria. Eyes almost grey and dark around the edges, her skin was far too pale and blue hospital gown hung way too loosely. Shadow's ears dipped. Still, she smiled and with shaky hands removed the pyramid shaped hat from atop her head.

"Had a nice birthday?" Shadow asked.

"Yeah, but I would've liked to see you."

"I apologise."

Maria giggled and shook her head, soon arriving at her best friends side. "I know it's not your fault. Scientists can ironically be so dumb sometimes."

Shadow hummed, arms crossed. "They're understandably paranoid. I've only, technically, been alive for a month."

The blonde girl snickered. "So, me, a twelve year old is best friends with a baby?"

The dark being lightly nudged her. "I was made to start mentally as a teen. I'm older."

"A technicality."

"A fact."

Maria rolled her eyes before pulling a maroon, hefty book from out under her arm. Shadow was surprised he hadn't noticed it (how in his head was he?).

"I went to the library and found this." She sat on the ledge with a tired sigh.

Shadow joined her side, arms across his knees. "What is it?"

"A book." She cheekily grinned.

Whereas he deadpanned. "Clever. What's the contents?"

Maria flipped through the pages, evidently looking for something specific in the way she turned back and forth.

"This book talks about all the species down on Mobius."

Mobius. Shadow turned to the tremendous, slightly domed, window behind them. It stretched from one side of the viewing bay to the other. Beyond was Space, stuffed with fantastic streams of dust and twinkling stars. Blues, purples and blacks swirled into each other, making the greens and light blues of the planet stand out even more.

"I think I found what you're based on."

"Oh?" Curious, he leaned almost against her shoulder and flinched when her hand smacked on the page.

There was a black and white picture at the top left. A little, spiky thing with a small nose. Text lay beneath with more images focused on different parts of the creature. Shadow's nose scrunched up.

"You seriously think I resemble...whatever that is?"

"Don't be prideful. They're cute!"

"Exactly."

Maria stuck out her tongue. "Yeah. Exactly."

Her thumb traced over the words. "They're called hedgehogs, by the way. They're carnivores- eating things like worms and slugs and- ew! Shadow when we get to Mobius, promise me you won't eat any of them."

The dark, apparent, hedgehog grimaced. "Gladly."

"Huh, maybe this is why Gerald based you off them." She continued. "Apparently hedgehogs are really quick! They're good climbers and swimmers too!"

"I'm becoming more open to being like them."

"Hopefully we can meet one down there." Maria turned, wanting eyes glued to the spectacular planet below.

"Do you think we'll actually get the chance?"

Shadow noticed her sad undertone and he rested a hand atop hers. "I'm sure of it. Don't give up on me yet."

She cracked a smile. "Never. You know I trust you."

"And I you. Maria, I promise we'll go down there together one day. I don't know when- but we will."

Maria held up her pinky, beaming when Shadow wrapped his around. "Then I'll stay positive. I...it was lonely up here before you, Shadow. Thanks for being good company."

"It's an honour, dear friend."

—————

They had a guest coming. A familiar one. An...unpleasant one. Apprehensive, Shadow stood a touch behind Maria at the Space Colony Ark's main entrance. Guests weren't usually permitted to visit, due to Maria's condition, but family proved to be an exception.

So, when the doors lifted open and revealed a very round, freckled boy, Shadow copied Maria in waving. However, he didn't follow her in running to the shorter, but older, boy and give him a tight squeeze.

"Cousin! It's been so long!"

"You know they only let me visit once a month."

"Up here, a month feels like eternity."

When he laughed, it revealed his braces but was joyous all the same. In a red t-shirt with yellow turtleneck, he wore navy blue dungarees, glasses and shiny brown shoes. Spiky orange hair sat atop his head and already he'd begun growing the statement piece of a moustache the male members of the family were known for wearing.

He shifted the brown bag on his shoulder. "Where's Grandfather?"

"Busy."

"Too busy to see me? I want to show him something."

Maria held her hands before her. "I'm sure he'll love to see it later."

"Fine. Hey, where's your boyfriend?"

Maria huffed, leg stomping. "He's not! He's just a friend. And...he's left."

"Really? When?"

"His parents are still here, but he's not allowed to visit anymore. He left about three weeks ago. He seemed rather scared too."

The boy tapped his chin before finding Shadow, to which he quickly grinned. "Maybe he got freaked by that alien and left."

"He's not an alien!" Maria shoved her cousin. "Be nice."

"Whatever. I'm going to go find Grandfather." When passing the dark being, his face twisted into distaste.

"I don't know how you put up with it, but I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole!"

"How original, Ivo!"

Maria crouched and stroked fluffy black quills. "Good thing he doesn't have to 'put up' with you then, hmm? Who cares what he thinks anyway, you're perfect to me."

Shadow smiled. "As long as I have you, I don't care what the others think of me."

The blonde girl winked. "Well good, because my opinions the only one that matters!"

———

His cheeks were wet, evident by the darker streaks. He was pulling at his hair and audibly sobbing. With a bouncing leg, glasses lay at his side with broken pieces of metal at his shoes.

Chaos, he didn't want to find this. He was looking for Maria. Still, he sighed and kneeled down opposite to the crying boy.

"Ivo."

"H-huh? Oh. Great it's yo-."

The weird thing scooped up the broken parts and held them towards him in great care. "What was this?"

Ivo quickly snatched the damaged pieces and wiped his eyes. "Doesn't matter. Why do you care?"

"It matters to me. Is this why you wanted to see the Professor?"

"...Yeah. I made him an alarm. It was shaped like a ladybug."

Shadow hummed. Did...Gerald destroy it?

"Do you like bugs?"

"And fish, yeah."

"I know Maria likes animals. Perhaps you could make her little robot ones. A cat alarm, perhaps. A squid pen, hmm?"

Ivo sniffed, slipped his glasses on and straightened his top when standing. "Fine. But only for her. Seeing as she wants us to get on so badly."

Shadow chuckled. "Fine by me."

Stomping came from behind and a blonde girl twisted passed the corner, beaming when she found the pair. "There you are! Grandfather wants us to take a picture before you go."

"Really?"

"Then let's not keep him waiting."

Suspicious, Maria glanced between the pair. "You weren't picking on Shadow again, were you?"

"No." The hedgehog answered. "Everything's fine here."

"Great! Let's get moving, then."

———

At the viewing bay, Gerald stood back to the grande window and smiled upon seeing his grandchildren. A large camera atop a three legged stand was placed before him, where another scientist situated under the large black sheet.

"Hurry you two, I don't want to keep my staff from working."

"Sorry!" Maria took Shadow's hand and joined her Grandfather, Ivo doing the same (odd, he seemed to keep some distance).

"No no, little one. This is a family portrait."

Oh. Oh.

Maria frowned. "Shadow is family."

"He's a friend. And he's giving us an incredible opportunity, yes. But that's all. Now, let him stand aside for our picture, hmm?"

"But-."

"It's alright." Shadow smiled and did as requested.

A bright flash and snap later and Ivo was packing to leave, Gerald had retreated to his office once more and Maria was creeping with him through the corridors.

"You should be resting." He scolded.

"I will, but there's something we need to do first."

Confused upon their arrival at the viewing bay, Shadow cocked his head. "Why here?"

Maria's hand scanned against a small pad and the doors slipped open. She pulled him with her to the camera still set up (where her friends mother waited) and excitedly bounced. Shadow double took.

"I don't understand?"

"Everyone here keeps saying a bunch of nonsense. You're family either way- so we're having a picture."

In a world so short sighted, that girl was like no other. Kind and open and gentle. Stubborn and strong minded. The world may be against him, but he knew, Maria was always going to be at his side.

But of course, even as she gave him a golden locket days later with the image inside, it always led back to one fateful moment.

It didn't matter how much he spoke of determining his own destiny, he would lose her all the same.

In a cruel twist of irony, she ended up giving her life for his. She would lay on the floor and he would leave her.

"Shadow, I beg of you! Give them a chance to be happy!"

And he'd be damned if he failed at that too.