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Halloween night in Station Square. On this famous day of horror and fright, the whole town - including many children - goes trick-or-treating in terrifying costumes. Wherever they go, passers-by are dazzled by the many decorations placed everywhere: pumpkins, lanterns, spider webs...perfect for immersing yourself in this very special atmosphere.
Let's go to a house in the center of town, right in the middle of the party. Inside, Shadow walks alone down a hallway, leans out of a window to watch the people knocking on doors, then continues on his way. When the black hedgehog arrives in the living room, he notices a large round table covered with a large red tablecloth, decorated with fake skulls and candles. An Ouija board. A metal circle has been placed right in the middle. Around the table, Mario, Luigi, Tails, Knuckles and Sonic turn to Shadow as he enters the room. The blue hedgehog seems particularly happy to see him, as if he's been waiting for Shadow for a long time. And unfortunately, he knows why.
- Shadow :...What do you think you're doing ?
- Sonic: I'll let you guess.
- Shadow: Pfff...Again with this ? You've been pestering me all day about this spiritualism thing, and I keep telling you it's nonsense ! Wouldn't you rather go trick-or-treating like everybody else ?
- Knuckles: Are you kidding ? We've been doing trick-or-treating all afternoon ! If I eat one more piece of candy, I'll explode !
- Luigi: Wait, aren't you gonna tell me you don't want to talk to Maria, Shadow ?
- Shadow: Of course I'd like to talk to Maria ! But sitting around a table with you isn't gonna help me doing that !
- Tails: I agree with Shadow ! Talking to the dead is scientifically impossible ! Everything about the subject has always been proven unfounded.
- Knuckles: You're just saying that because you're scared.
- Tails: N...no, I'm not !
Tails tries to put on a brave face, but his trembling voice gives him away. Shadow, for his part, is more jaded than anything else. The black hedgehog doesn't believe in this kind of nonsense, and he suspects that Sonic is only offering him this experience for fun. You can tell by the big smile on his face.
- Sonic: Come on, Shad, just give it a shot ! It's Halloween !
- Luigi: That's right ! Now's your chance ! Besides, what do you got to lose ?
- Shadow: My time. I've got better things to do than get involved in your stupid plans ! Aren't you supposed to be scared of ghosts, by the way ?
- Luigi: Well, yeah...but hey, one paranormal experience more or less...you know, I've explored plenty of haunted mansions in my life, so this kind of scary stuff, I can handle ! And I'd like to know if you can really talk to the dead.
- Shadow: I can’t believe it. Well, Luigi, naive as he is, it makes sense, but you, Mario, don't tell me you believe this nonsense ?
- Mario : Not particularly, but as Sonic says, it's Halloween, so we might as well get in the spirit. Besides, I can't go back to my room anyway. Peach is resting. It's only a matter of days before the baby arrives.
- Luigi: It would have been funny if she'd been born on Halloween.
- Sonic: Worrying, you mean. Peach could've been possessed by a demon and walked on the ceiling like in The Exorcist...
- Mario : Thanks, Sonic. I'll probably have nightmares now.
- Shadow : Well...OK, let's do it, or you'll be bugging me all night.
- Sonic : Cool ! That’ll be fun ! Come on, sit down !
As Shadow had suspected, Sonic doesn't take the thing seriously at all. With a smile on his face, the blue hedgehog goes off to switch off the lights and sits down at the same time as Shadow.
Music: Shunned House Room 🕯 - ASMR Ambience (youtube.com)
The seance begins. The room is now lit only by the dim light of candles. The heroes suddenly fall silent, giving way to a heavy silence. Together, they hold hands and close their eyes, while Sonic tries to sound solemn.
- Sonic: Oooooh, Maria Robotnik...if you can hear us over the other world...please, give us a sign...
- Knuckles: Why do you talk like that ?
- Sonic: Well, to make it sound a bit...mystical, you see.
- Knuckles: You just sound stupid.
- Sonic: Well, can I go on ? Otherwise Maria will never come !
-Tails: Uh...do you mind if we turn the lights back on ?
- Knuckles: Ah ! I told you he was scared !
- Mario : Well, Tails ? I thought you were braver than that !
- Tails : I AM brave ! It's just that...!
- Sonic : Shhh ! I feel something !
While everyone was laughing at Tails, the heroes suddenly get serious again. Despite the remarks about his performance, Sonic resumes his invocation while imitating the voice of a spirit.
- Sonic: Maria...I beg you...give us a sign...a sign...come on...be cooooooooooooool...
- Shadow : Well...I'm getting fed up with this. If I have to listen to you sound even more stupid than usual, I'd rather leave.
- Sonic: If you put your mind to it, maybe it would work ! Just call her ! She'll answer you for sure !
- Shadow: Well...as ridiculous as it is, I'll give it a try. Maria...it's me, Shadow. I miss you very much...and I'd like to talk to you.
After some hesitation, Shadow finally decides to call Maria, with a sincerity he rarely shows. But nothing happens. The six friends look at each other in disappointment.
Suddenly, the metal ring on the board begins to vibrate, for no apparent reason.
The heroes stare at the metal ring, frozen like statues. For several seconds, they wonder if what they're experiencing is real. But the ring cannot move on its own. They have to face the facts: something is happening.
- Luigi: Did...did you see that ?!
- Shadow: Maria...is that you ?! Is that really you ?!
Skeptical at first, Shadow is now plagued by doubt. What if Maria really is here ? Suddenly, the metal ring moves slowly across the Ouija table. Until it stops on the word "YES". All around the table, the astonishment is complete. The heroes are sure: Maria is there, trying to communicate with them. They never thought such a miracle could happen.
- Shadow : I...I can't believe it...Maria...
- Tails: But...but...This is scientifically impossible !
- Sonic: Quick ! Ask for something else !
- Knuckles : Well...uh...you’re...you’re okay ?
- Luigi: What kind of question is that ? She's dead, she can't be okay !
- Knuckles: I don’t know I panicked OK ?!
As Knuckles tries in vain to justify himself, the ring moves again, still under the horrified gaze of the heroes. Finally, after a few seconds, it stops on a new inscription. "NO".
- Mario : Okay...now it's getting really weird.
- Shadow: Maria, what's wrong ?! Please tell me what's wrong !
Shadow seems to be in a state of total panic, saddened to know that his friend is not well. In response, the metal ring moves successively over four letters: K, I, L and L. KILL. On discovering the word, the heroes turn as pale as a sheet.
- Luigi: KI...KILL ?
- Tails: You’re...you’re seeing the same thing as me ?
- Sonic: But why would she say that ?! Shadow, do you have any idea what's going on ?!
- Shadow :…
Music : Halloween Music – The Headless Horseman (youtube.com)
But Sonic gets no answer and turns to Shadow. They all notice that the black hedgehog seems to be in a trance-like state, trembling and breathing at an abnormal rate.
- Sonic: Uh...Shad ? Is everything all right ?
- Mario: What...what's happening to him ?!
- Luigi: He's possessed ! He's possessed for sure !!!
- Tails: Stop talking nonsense !!!
- Shadow: Ma...Ma...Ma...ria...
Suddenly, Shadow stands up slowly, head bowed, as a bright red light invades him. All around him, his friends are petrified with fear, unable to move. Finally, the black hedgehog raises his head, his eyes glowing with the urge to kill.
- Shadow: Maria...I will fulfill your will...I will...I will...KILL !!!
Without warning, Shadow suddenly pulls out a large knife and slams it down on the table. His friends, terrified, scream in terror and run out of the house.
STOP Music
Now alone, Shadow stares coldly at the front door, still with a killer stare. Suddenly, the red aura surrounding him disappears. The black hedgehog lets out a light, amused laugh, shaking his head.
- Shadow: Pfff...What a bunch of wimps...It's okay, Rouge, you can come out.
Shadow stares at the table leg, whose tablecloth is lifted by Rouge, who was hiding underneath. With a magnet in hand, the young bat gets up and goes to turn on the living-room light, smiling at her friend.
- Rouge : Well ? How did I do ?
- Shadow: Perfect. You moved the ring just right.
- Rouge: I must say you trained me well. What I was most afraid of was them noticing that I'd hidden under the table. But you know that if Sonic had given up on his idea, your little game would have fallen through ?
- Shadow: I knew he'd want to do it, even without my consent. He was having too much fun playing the guru. He paid dearly for it.
- Rouge: Indeed, you didn't pull any punches.
- Shadow: Serves them right. With Maria, I'm not kidding.
- Rouge: I understand. I think that beyond having fun, our friends would have really liked to help you talk to Maria, you know.
- Shadow: Maybe. I wish it had worked for real. If I could talk to Maria...
- Rouge: I know that, Shadow. But it's not possible, unfortunately. But you can talk to me. It'll never replace Maria, but...
- Shadow: You're right. Thanks, Rouge.
- Rouge: Well, why don't you go back and tell them the truth, before they have a heart attack ?
- Shadow: Not just yet. Let me enjoy my revenge, please. And some candy. Would you like some ?
- Rouge: Gladly, I've earned it after playing my part so magnificently.
- Shadow: Agreed. We're the kings of Halloween.
Their little trick successfully accomplished, Shadow and Rouge head for the kitchen to enjoy some candy together. As far as they're concerned, it's been a pretty successful Halloween.
In the living room, the Ouija board is left alone, with its ring.
Once the two friends have left, the ring suddenly starts to move. But this time, there's no one to guide it under the table.
The ring moves slowly, gradually forming a phrase.
BE HAPPY, SHADOW.