Michael floated in the abyss, his consciousness adrift, his body cold and unresponsive. The void surrounded him, and a familiar numbness seeped into his soul. 'How many times have I been here?' The thought echoed in his mind, a whisper in the endless expanse.

Then, as if on cue, the abyss began to shift. His surroundings brightened, and the cold blackness gave way to a silvery light. The stars came into focus, and a massive structure loomed in the distance. He recognized it instantly.

His eyes shot open, and sensation returned to his body. Gravity, or at least the artificial version of it, tugged at him as he landed softly on the cold metallic floor of the station. The earth hung in the distance, its blue-and-green surface serene, oblivious to the turmoil surrounding him.

He scanned the room, his breath steadying. The girl of light. His enigmatic guide in past encounters was absent once more. A sense of unease settled in his chest. Something was different. He wasn't alone.

His gaze shifted, and there he stood, a figure of sleek black and crimson, his fur bristling with an aura of restrained power. His golden rings glinted faintly in the station's sterile light. Shadow.

Shadow's ruby-red eyes were wide with shock as he took in the station around them. His usually stoic face betrayed a mix of confusion and recognition. "The ARK..." Shadow muttered under his breath, his voice carrying a weight of memory and pain.

Michael tensed, unsure of Shadow's intentions. "You... You're Shadow," he said, his voice steady but cautious.

Shadow's gaze snapped to Michael, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the boy before him. "You?" Shadow's tone was sharp, defensive, like a blade drawn but not yet swung.

"How are you here? How are we on the ARK?" Shadow's voice thundered as he stormed closer to Michael, anger blazing in his crimson eyes.

"This is the ARK?" Michael muttered, his own confusion rising as he glanced around, taking in the sprawling metallic halls and the distant view of Earth.

Shadow's fists clenched tighter, his frustration boiling over. "Answer me!" he yelled, his voice sharp and demanding. "How are we here?"

Michael stepped back, his mind racing for an explanation. Before he could respond, the sound of a door sliding open cut through the tension. Both of them turned toward the source, their argument momentarily forgotten.

A figure stepped through the doorway. Michael squinted, at first failing to recognize her, but then his breath caught. It was the girl of light. Only this time, her form wasn't veiled in the ethereal glow that usually obscured her. Instead, she appeared fully human, her features delicate and unmistakable.

Shadow's eyes widened in shock. "Maria?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

The girl didn't respond. She walked forward, her glowing form gliding through the room as if neither Michael nor Shadow existed. She passed through them, her figure untouchable, like a ghost from another time.

Before either of them could process her presence, another figure followed her into the room. This one made Michael's breath catch and Shadow's eyes widen further.

It was Shadow, but not the Shadow standing beside Michael. This version of Shadow seemed... different. His expression was softer, his movements lighter, almost cheerful. He followed the ghostly figure of Maria and joined her as they approached the observation window, gazing down at Earth.

Michael's voice broke the silence. "Are we... in the past?" he asked, the realization sinking in as he watched the two figures interact.

Shadow, still stunned, whispered, "A memory." His voice was tinged with disbelief and a trace of sorrow. "This is a memory."

The Shadow in the memory turned to Maria, his face filled with an emotion rarely seen on him, happiness. The two sat down by the window, Maria's voice faint as she spoke words too soft to hear. Shadow's expression shifted to something Michael had never seen before a pure, unguarded smile.

Michael watched in awe, glancing at the Shadow beside him. The stark difference between the two versions of the same person was staggering. The Shadow standing here was cold, guarded, and weighed down by his past. The Shadow in the memory was... free.

As the memory played out before them, Michael felt a strange sense of reverence. "This place... this moment. It meant everything to you, didn't it?" he said quietly, not expecting an answer.

Shadow's gaze remained fixed on the scene, his voice heavy with pain. "Maria..." He took a step closer to the figures, his hand reaching out as if to touch her, only for it to pass through her like a wisp of smoke. His shoulders tensed, and his fists clenched as he muttered, "Why are we here? Why now?"

Michael's eyes narrowed as he glanced down at the Ultimatrix on his wrist, its faint hum barely audible. "I don't know why we're here," he said cautiously,

Shadow turned his head sharply toward Michael, his crimson eyes narrowing into furious slits. "If this is a memory, it's mine. You have no place here."

Shadow, lunged at Michael, his fists aiming to strike. Before his blow could connect, the world around them shifted violently. The station trembled, the air rippled, and in an instant, they were no longer on the ARK's observation deck.

Michael and Shadow found themselves standing side by side in a new environment, a pristine, sterile laboratory. The hum of machinery and the faint crackle of energy filled the air. Shadow's eyes darted around the room, and his expression hardened "Dr. Gerald's lab." he whispered, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe, sadness and dread.

Michael glanced at Shadow, then at the lab, taking in the sleek consoles, towering machinery, and the faint glow of monitors displaying complex data. "Dr. Gerald?"

The sound of a door hissing open drew their attention. From it emerged Maria, her golden hair shining under the lab's sterile lighting. he practically skipped into the room. But this time, she wasn't followed by the cheerful Shadow from the previous memory. Instead, walking beside her was an older man with white hair, dressed in a lab coat. Gerald Robotnik.

Shadow stiffened at the sight of his creator. His eyes flicked to Maria, then back to Gerald, his emotions swirling anger, sadness, dread, bitterness. Michael whispered, "That's him? The guy who created you?"

Shadow didn't respond. His focus was entirely on the scene unfolding before them.

Maria ran ahead, her excitement palpable as she stopped in front of the large tube. She gazed at it with bright, hopeful eyes, then turned to Gerald, who was busy typing at a console nearby.

"Can we wake him up now? Can I meet him?" Maria called out, her voice filled with anticipation. Gerald smiled warmly at her, his hands pausing over the keyboard. "I believe so, yes," he said gently. "It is time. Time to awaken the Ultimate Life Form."

As he pressed a final sequence of keys, the machinery around the tube hummed to life. The smoky liquid inside began to clear, revealing a figure suspended within. Slowly, the shape became more distinct—a hedgehog, black and red, floating in a dormant state.

Maria's eyes widened with awe as the liquid fully drained, leaving only the hedgehog suspended in the now-clear tube. Gerald stepped forward, his expression one of pride and anticipation. "Welcome to the world, Shadow the Hedgehog," he said softly.

At his words, the hedgehog's eyes shot open, glowing a fierce, vibrant red.

Michael turned to Shadow, his voice hushed. "This is where it all began, isn't it?"

Shadow didn't answer. His expression was unreadable, but his fists were clenched tightly, his entire body tense. Watching the memory unfold was like reopening an old wound, one that had never truly healed. The sight of Maria's joy, Gerald's pride, and his own awakening stirred emotions he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time.

"This..." Shadow finally said, his voice low and strained, "this is where everything started. My creation. My purpose.

The world around Michael began to splinter and crack like a mirror struck by a hammer. He glanced at Shadow, who remained fixated on the memory, his crimson eyes locked onto the image of Maria and his creator. The memory wavered, distorting as the cracks spread further, the light growing blinding.

Then, with a final shattering sound, everything went dark.

Michael's eyes fluttered open slowly, the cool glow of moonlight spilling into the room and illuminating his face. His body felt heavy, as if waking from a deep, dream-filled slumber. His mind reeled from the fragmented images of Shadow's memories, but the surreal experience was quickly overshadowed by a strange sensation.

He realized there was something—or rather, someone—on top of him.

His vision, still blurry from sleep, gradually focused. The faint scent of lavender filled his nose, mingling with the crisp night air. As his eyes adjusted, he froze, his breath catching in his throat.

Jen.

She was sitting on top of him, her back straight, her hands gently resting on his chest. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the moonlight danced on her bare skin, she was wearing nothing but her pajama bottoms, her upper body completely exposed. Her lips curved into a soft, unsettling smile, her emerald-green eyes gleaming with an intensity

"You're mine, darling," she whispered softly, her voice barely above a murmur. Her fingers traced lazy circles on his chest, sending shivers through him. "No one else gets to have you. Just me."

Jen, pressed her lips to Michael's also bare chest, her fingers gently tracing the lines of his shirt. Her touch was soft at first, but as she continued, her actions grew more insistent, her body shifting slightly as she moved over him. She was lost in the intensity of the moment, her focus solely on him, oblivious to the fact that Michael's eyes were wide open.

Her lips trailed along his chest, leaving soft kisses as she whispered sweet words to herself. "I'll make sure we're always together, darling. No one will ever separate us."

She moved with a quiet urgency, her breath shallow and rapid, as she continued to kiss him, her hips subtly grinding against his.

Jen stopped her kisses, she began to lick his body. His abs, his arm, chest, and neck. Her hips began to faster grind as she felt him and let out a moan. Her eyes had hearts as she would only care about pleasuring her darling.

As Jen's movements grew quicker, Michael's tightened, he clenched his fists, trying to stay silent, but the overwhelming sensation of her closeness made it impossible to stay quiet for long.

Jen's movements became more frantic, a soft, involuntary moan escaped from Michael's lips. It was enough to break through the haze of her obsessive focus. Her eyes snapped open, her movements instantly stopping as she looked down at him, realizing, too late, that he was awake.

Jen's gaze softened as she saw Michael's flushed face, her breath shallow with anticipation. "Darling... you're awake?" she whispered, her voice a mix of surprise and excitement.

Michael, still processing the sudden shift, could only nod, his heart pounding. Before he could even gather his thoughts to speak, Jen moved quickly, her lips crashing onto his in a kiss that left no room for hesitation. The kiss was intense, desperate, and filled with the fervor of someone who had been waiting for this moment far too long.

Jen's hands gripped his shoulders, pulling herself closer as she deepened the kiss, her body pressing against his. She could feel the rapid beating of his heart beneath her touch, but it only fueled her urgency, as if her desire for him had reached a boiling point. The moment was overwhelming, sensory, intoxicating, as if nothing else in the world mattered in that instant but the two of them.

Jen tongue went inside the surprised boy's mouth as she took his tongue.

Michael, still trying to process everything, stayed silent as Jen pulled away, her actions now filled with a mix of guilt and distress. He could feel the weight of her emotions as she placed her head on his chest, her breath shaky with sobs.

"Darling... I'm sorry," Jen cried, her voice trembling with a vulnerability that Michael had never seen before. Her tears fell on his chest as she clung to him, her fingers tightening around his, as if afraid to let go.

Michael, though overwhelmed, felt his heart soften at the sight of Jen's vulnerability. He didn't want to make things worse, but he couldn't ignore the confusion and unease bubbling inside him. Gently, he placed a hand on her back, trying to offer her some comfort, even if he didn't fully understand what had just transpired.

"Please don't hate me. I can't live without you." Jen cried out as if she was afraid to even look at him now.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slowly. Gently, he cupped her chin and tilted her head up so she was forced to meet his eyes. Her tears were relentless, but Michael's gaze was firm, his tone unwavering as he spoke. "Jen, listen to me," he said softly but with a force that couldn't be ignored. "I don't hate you. But you need to calm down.

Jen looked up at him, her face flushed with both guilt and a desperate longing. She nodded meekly, her tears still flowing. "I'm sorry, I... I just can't help it when I'm with you." Her voice was barely above a whisper as if she feared saying the wrong thing.

Michael leaned down, his lips meeting hers with a softness that contrasted the intensity of the moment. Jen's eyes widened in shock, her body frozen for a moment as the warmth of his kiss spread through her. But then, as if giving into the overwhelming emotions swirling inside her, she melted into the kiss, her body relaxing and her hands gently cupping his face. Her breath became shallow, her heartbeat quickening with every passing second.

As the kiss deepened, Jen let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, her body pressing closer to his. The vulnerability in her expression shifted, replaced by a sense of contentment, as if the world had quieted around them. She had no more words; only the silent surrender of her emotions, her desire for closeness, and the overwhelming need to feel him close.

As the moon climbed higher in the night sky, casting a gentle, silvery glow over the room, Michael and Jen lay together, wrapped in the warmth of their shared embrace. Their breathing had slowed, their bodies tangled together in a peaceful slumber.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Inside the Egg Carrier's lab, Eggman sat at a console, his fingers flying across the controls as he scanned through the files. The flickering images on the screen seemed to pulse with energy, each detail more intriguing than the last. Megatron stood behind him, his towering figure casting a shadow over the room, while Soundwave remained ever-present, his mechanical form silent and calculating.

"This... Project: Shadow," Eggman muttered to himself, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "It's incredible. My grandfather's work, and yet, there's so much more to it than I imagined. This is the ultimate weapon.

Megatron's voice rumbled from behind. "What does it mean for us, Eggman? We've followed your lead, but I need to know how this benefits the Decepticons. Power is nothing without purpose."

Eggman gave him a sideways glance, still focused on the screen. "Don't be so hasty, Megatron. Patience. I'm sure we'll find the answers we need. This 'Shadow'—he was created to be the ultimate lifeform, and if I can unlock his full potential... it could change everything."

Soundwave's cold, mechanical voice interrupted. "You believe this project could be the key to defeating your enemies... and mine?"

Eggman chuckled darkly. "Exactly. Imagine combining my genius with your Decepticon might and Shadow's power. No one would dare stand in our way."

Eggman's eyes widened as he discovered something unexpected. "This... This must be my grandfather's personal diary!" he muttered to himself, excitement building in his voice. He carefully opened the worn, leather-bound book, and as he did, a holographic screen flickered to life, displaying an old video recording.

The grainy footage revealed a familiar figure—Dr. Gerald Robotnik, Eggman's grandfather, standing before a sleek, futuristic containment chamber. "I've done it!" Gerald's voice echoed through the lab, filled with pride. "My greatest design is now complete. The Ultimate Machine, Shadow."

Eggman's eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer, the words burning in his mind. "Shadow..." he repeated softly, his voice almost a whisper. The footage continued.

"My enemies think they have defeated me, but they have no idea what I've truly created. Shadow will carry out my orders without question. For now, he sleeps... but one day, it will be reawakened. Shadow will bring total destruction."

The video ended abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in the lab. Eggman sat back in his chair, his hands trembling slightly as the weight of the revelation sank in. Megatron and Soundwave exchanged glances, both processing the gravity of what they had just learned.

"Total destruction," Megatron said, his voice low and calculating. "It sounds like the perfect weapon for us.

Eggman chuckled darkly, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "Exactly. My grandfather was ahead of his time. Shadow was designed not only as a weapon, but as an instrument of chaos, waiting to be unleashed. And now... I can finish what he started."

Soundwave's voice, ever steady, broke the silence. "And how do you intend to awaken this weapon?"

Eggman turned from the screen, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "From what I've gathered, Shadow is held captive on Prison Island. The perfect place for a creation like him to be kept... secure, but not for long."

Before Soundwave could respond, the voice of Bocoe crackled through the comms, interrupting the moment. "Doctor Eggman, we're approaching Earth. ETA in 10 minutes."

Eggman grinned wider. "Perfect timing," he muttered, tapping a few keys on his console. "Once we're on the ground, we'll make our way to Prison Island. Shadow's awakening is imminent."

From a distance, hidden in the shadows of space, a lone ship quietly observed the Egg Carrier's descent toward Earth. Its sleek, imposing form blended seamlessly with the darkness of the void, its red optics glowing as it tracked Eggman's vessel.

"Seems like it is almost time," a cold, mechanical voice echoed from the ship, tinged with