Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Project Shadow: a Sonic Movie/underground AU prequel ❯ Escape plans ( Chapter 4 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

After dinner, Maria sat in her room, looking over the GUN files for Shadow on her laptop.

 It took a couple of hours, but she managed to hack into the files.

 Maria sighed. 

 The only part that was true was that Shadow had NIDS. He had been a patient of a Mobian doctor named Dr. Starline and given to GUN without parental consent. Shadow’s parents, who had originally named him Terios, were led to believe their son was dead and were given bizarre reasons (lies about the disease’s effects and contagion factors) as to why they couldn’t see his body.

 Maria sniffled. She got up and headed to Shadow’s room.

 Shadow was still up and reading a history book. He looked at Maria and set his book down. “What’s wrong?”

 “Shadow, they lied to you about your parents.” Maria said, sitting on Shadow’s bed. “You were a patient at a Mobian hospital and they wouldn’t let anyone in the room with you while you were being treated. The doctor gave you to GUN and told your parents you died. Your real name is Terios.”

 Shadow hung his head. 

 “I can help you sneak out to find them.” Maria said. “I can call you Terios from now on.”

 “How do you think they’ll react to a half grown hedgehog showing up unannounced, claiming to be their infant son they believed had died?” Shadow asked. “Besides, in a way, Terios is dead.”

 “I have your pictures from before.” Maria replied. “Shadow, I’d want to know what happened to my baby if I was them. You’re right in a way: your old way of life is gone, but you can start over.”

 Shadow nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

 Maria glanced at the door. “We’ll have to wait until everyone’s asleep.”

 “We’ll leave at midnight.” Shadow replied. He slid off the bed. “Take my bed, I’ll sleep on the floor. I’ll wake us up at midnight.”

 Maria laid down. “Thanks, Shadow.”

*

 Maria and Shadow were running through the corridor as the alarms blared and gunshots rang out.  

 Shadow glanced at Maria occasionally to see if she was okay.

 Maria was surprised that she was okay and not having a coughing fit.

 Shadow skidded to a stop and caused Maria to stumble.

 GUN soldiers had the corridor completely blocked off.

 Maria gasped as the GUN soldiers aimed their guns at her and Shadow. Before she could react, Shadow stepped in front of her and took the bullets for her.

 Maria held her arms out to catch Shadow as he collapsed and eased him to the floor.

 Maria held Shadow’s lifeless body and sobbed over him.

*

 Maria jolted awake, hyperventilating.

 Shadow raced over. “Maria? What happened?”

 Maria hugged Shadow. “GUN.” She cried. “They came to shut down the project. They killed you.”

 “It was a nightmare.” Shadow said, rubbing her back. He glanced at the hallway as he heard voices.

 The voices seemed to be in the middle of casual chit-chat.

 “I’m sorry, Shadow.” Maria said softly.

 “It’s fine, we’re escaping tonight if I have to fight our way out.” Shadow replied. “I promise.”

 Maria nodded.

 Shadow helped her and handed her a backpack. He slipped his backpack over his shoulder. He led Maria to the door.

 Shadow slowly opened the door, glanced down each corridor, then led Maria out the door.

 Shadow and Maria carefully made their way down the dimly lit corridor.

 “Do you know how to fly a pod?” Maria whispered.

 “Yes, it’s part of my training.” Shadow whispered back.

 A couple of gunshots rang out somewhere behind them.

 Shadow and Maria looked around.

 More gunshots rang out. 

 Shadow took the collar off. “Stand back, Maria.”

 Maria flinched as she heard heavy gunfire that sounded like a machine gun. “What is going on?” She asked. “They said any shut down was supposed to be simple.”

 “It’s a cover up.” Shadow replied. He grabbed Maria’s hand and ran down the corridor.

 “There they are.” Someone shouted.

 Shadow and Maria made it to the station’s basement.

 “What are these canisters for?” Maria asked.

 “Chaos energy they siphoned off of me.” Shadow replied. “Where’s the exit in this place?”

 Shadow blacked out as an explosion roared near them.

*

 Shadow slowly woke up. His head ached and his ears were ringing. “What… Maria?”

 No answer.

 Shadow looked over at Maria and slowly crawled over to her lifeless body. He gently shook her shoulder. “Maria?”

 Something shocked Shadow backwards.

 Shadow groaned, then tried to sit up.

 A clear plastic door shut before he could move. 

 Shadow looked around, realizing he was in a holding tank.

 “Put him in cryo storage until we can figure out what we can do with the monster.” Commander Walters said.

 Shadow grit his teeth and tried to punch the tank.

*

 Shadow fought until he was exhausted as the soldiers carried the tank he was in to another section of a lab. He slumped to the floor of the tank as they secured it into a machine.

 Shadow furrowed his brow as the tank’s bottom slid open, revealing another bottom that looked like a drain underneath it.

 Then, red liquid began filling the tank.

 Shadow scrambled to his feet, the liquid now reaching his ankles. He beat on the plastic with his fists. “Maria!” He cried. “Please….”

 Shadow bit his lip. He hoped she was still alive and could save him or at least get herself to safety.

 The liquid was now up to his waist.

 Shadow tried to kick the glass. He knew he couldn’t climb up the wall as it was smooth plastic.

 As the liquid reached his chin, he tilted his head back to buy him some more time. Not that he could do anything, but his survival instinct was overriding his senses.

 Finally, the liquid covered his face and Shadow slid into a deep sleep.