Chapter Text
“Shadow!”
The soft sound of a young girl’s voice echoed through the halls of the ARK, bringing warmth and light to an almost completely sterile environment. It was enough to bring a smile to any weary scientist’s face, even the ones that had long renounced their emotions in favor of their work.
None were immune to the kindness and joy that Maria spread wherever she went.
Even creatures who were created with no other purpose than to be a living weapon.
“Maria-” Shadow was cut off as he was wrapped in the girl’s arms and lifted from the ground, the black and red hedgehog letting out muffled sounds of protest as Maria smothered him.
It was all in good fun, of course. Shadow could easily remove himself from Maria’s arms if he wished.
But he didn’t. He played along, which earned him a giggle that he cherished every single time it blessed his ears.
After a moment it seemed like Maria had her fill of torturing the poor hedgehog, setting him down as a soft smile graced her face. Though she couldn’t resist ruffling the small amount of soft fur on Shadow’s forehead, making the other scrunch up his face in annoyance.
He looked up at her, his arms crossed as he frowned.
“You need to stop picking me up like that. Your condition-”
She immediately cut him off with a gentle boop to his nose.
“I promise I’m fine. It feels very manageable today! Which is all thanks to you!” Maria giggled once more, grabbing Shadow’s gloved hand and gently leading him over to a window with padded seats, sitting down with a bright smile.
“I also just wanted to check up on you. I know you had testing today.”
Shadow glanced off to the side at the reminder, rubbing his arm. The scientists had taken tissue samples that day and while the wound healed quickly, the reminder of the pain remained.
He did not like the scientists.
But he did like Maria. The only one that had ever been kind to him.
The only one that treated him like he was something more.
“I’m fine.”
“Shadow.”
The girl fixed Shadow with a serious look, the hedgehog slowly withering under her gaze until he let out a deep sigh.
“They took tissue samples today.”
“Ah… I understand. Thank you for telling me,” she let one of her hands gently rub the hedgehog’s ears, feeling them twitch and swivel under her fingers.
It was something that Shadow loved, though he would never admit it.
She knew.
“So, no tag today?”
Shadow was quick to shake his head, looking back up at the girl with a calm expression. “We can play tag if you want. I don’t mind.”
Maria quickly put a stop to that line of thinking, only smiling at them as he continued to play with his ears.
“It’s okay! I have plenty of other games we can play. How about we have a little tea party after dinner? It’s been a while since we’ve had one of those!”
The blonde girl continued to excitedly speak about her plans for another tea party, Shadow listening to every single word with the smallest hint of a smile on his face. It was nice to see her so excited about something so mundane.
He didn’t know how she did it. How she stayed so positive and kind despite the challenges she faced.
How she saw the good in him.
It was something he admired.
“Come on!! Grandfather’s bringing dinner to my room and I wanna share it with you!” She said as he grabbed Shadow’s wrist once more, laughing playfully as she pulled him along to her room.
He never understood why Maria insisted on sharing her meals with him but did nothing to stop her. If it made her happy, who was he to stop her?
The two walked through the halls of the station, making their way through seemingly endless hallways until they finally reached the girl's room.
It was simple, yet homey. The pink throw rug and the crayon drawings taped all over the walls gave it so much life. So much love. Not even the medical equipment by Maria's bed could drain the warmth the room held.
While Maria sat down, Shadow got to work. He reached under the bed and pulled out a trunk, opening it up to reveal everything they needed for their little tea party. It was better to get it set up now than waiting until after dinner.
It was simple. A white tablecloth was put over the small round table that was in the room, the edges of the fabric lined with an intricate lace. Then came the tea set, delicate cups and saucers placed in front of the two chairs before the surprisingly ornate teapot was set in the center of the table.
It wasn't long until there was a soft knock on the door, a man with a large mustache and goggles opened it with one hand while the other held a plate of food.
It was none other than Gerald Robotnik, a famed scientist, and Maria's grandfather.
He spotted Shadow setting up the tea party and let out an amused huff. He never expected Maria to become so close to Subject 2-001 but… he found that he truly didn't mind. The girl clearly enjoyed spending time with him and he just couldn't say no to her.
"I've brought you your dinner. It looks like it's beef stroganoff and mashed potatoes today."
Maria didn't seem to mind, just smiling and holding out her hands for the plate of food. She let it rest on her lap before looking back up at her grandfather.
"Thank you-"
"That's not all."
Gerald smiled and whipped a cookie from seemingly nowhere, handing it over to his granddaughter.
"Here we go! A special gift for my special girl! Remember, Subject-"
"Shadow."
"Sorry, Shadow isn't allowed to have sugar, so no sharing this with him, okay?"
"I know," Maria huffed with a tiny frown on her face but quickly perked up again, looking up at her grandfather with a bright, hopeful smile.
"Are you going to join us for our tea party?"
The man frowned and shook his head. "Sorry. I have a meeting tonight so I won't be able to join you. But next time for sure, okay?"
Gerald sighed with relief when Maria just nodded and waved, the scientist turning around and leaving the room, making sure to close the door behind him.
"Maria. The table is ready." Shadow stood by Maria's bedside, looking up at her and seemingly waiting for something. After a moment she gently rubbed one of the hedgehog's ears, which was exactly what Shadow had wanted.
He crawled up onto the bed next to her and looked down at the plate with curiosity.
"I've never heard of this one."
"Oh! Well, let me explain! It's actually just beef and mushrooms cooked in a creamy sauce! And the mashed potatoes are just… potatoes but mashed. Sounds good, right?"
He hummed and continued to stare at the dish before grabbing the utensil and scooping up a small amount, waiting for Maria to nod before eating the spoonful of food.
His eyes widened when the taste hit his tongue, his small tail beginning to wag as his ears perked up slightly. Maria just laughed at his reaction, petting the fur on his forehead as she leaned against him.
"You like it?"
"I do. It's good."
"Well, then we better eat it before it gets cold!"
They spent the rest of dinner in comfortable silence, both of them eating bits of the food that they were given. Shadow made sure Maria ate the majority of it but he really couldn't resist 'sneaking' a couple extra bites.
Once they were done, Shadow placed the empty plate on the bedside table before helping Maria off the bed and bringing her over to the table, making sure she sat down in the comfy chair before sitting down himself.
"I have a gift for you."
He looked up at her, gaze drifting down to her outstretched hand. The moment the scent hit his nose, he knew what the gift was.
Maria opened her hand to reveal a small handful of coffee beans, smiling knowingly as Shadow gently took them from her hand.
"I snuck them from the break room! I was saving them as a gift for tomorrow but it doesn't feel right to sit here and eat a cookie while you have nothing."
"...Thank you."
After that, the tea party truly began. Maria poured imaginary tea into their cups, both of them pretending to sip on it with their pinkies raised in the air.
It was silly. It was childish.
It made Maria happy.
Between the fake sips of tea, they both snacked on their desserts, Shadow crunching on his coffee beans while while Maria nibbled on her cookie.
"...Shadow?"
"Hm?"
"What's your greatest wish?" Maria was gazing outside her window, having a full view of the Earth below them. It was gorgeous, the swirls of clouds hovering over the deep blue sea and the green land.
"Mine is to visit Earth, but you already knew that. What's your wish?"
Shadow was silent as he thought, staring up at his friend as she continued to stare longingly out the window.
His wish?
"I want to visit Earth as well."
Maria's voice was soft as he replied, glancing back over at the hedgehog with a small smile on her face.
"That means we can go together, right?"
"Yes."
"That sounds wonderful… I can't wait."
Maria laughed quietly before finishing her cookie and making her way back to bed, covering her mouth as she let out a yawn.
He watched her go, her words still ringing in his ears. Personally, he didn't care much for the Earth. He heard the doctors and scientists speak about it and it just didn't appeal to him. Not in the way it appealed to Maria.
But his wish?
His wish was to stay by her side. And if that meant going to Earth, he'd go to Earth. He'd go anywhere in the galaxy with Maria.
His friend.
His… Sister.
"Shadow? Are you coming to bed?"
He blinked a couple of times as he was pulled out of his thoughts, gaze returning to Maria who was already under the sheets, and patting the spot next to her.
"Of course," He nodded, getting up from his own chair and climbing onto the bed. It took only a moment for him to wiggle his way under the covers and cuddle up to his sister, feeling her arms wrap around him and hold him close.
He returned the gesture.
"Goodnight, Shadow…" Maria's voice was soft once more, her eyes falling shut as she relaxed. As it turned out, she'd been half asleep during their entire tea party but hadn't said anything, wanting to enjoy the moment with her brother.
And she did.
Shadow gave her a tiny smile before letting his own eyes close, a deep sigh leaving him as he held her.
Despite today's testing, it was… a good day.
Maria made everything worth it.
"Goodnight, Maria."
And they both drifted off to sleep, unaware of the looming threat to their peace.