Michael's unconscious form drifted aimlessly through an endless abyss, the oppressive darkness weighing heavily around him. It felt suffocating, an eternal void with no beginning or end. Slowly, he opened his eyes, taking in the familiar yet unsettling surroundings.

"How many times does this make it?" he asked aloud, his voice echoing in the emptiness.

A second figure stirred beside him. Shadow, equally suspended in the void, slowly regained consciousness. "It doesn't matter how many times," Shadow growled, his crimson eyes gleaming with frustration. "I need to go back. I can't have my revenge unless I destroy that tin can." He tried to move, but his limbs felt heavy, as if bound by invisible chains.

Suddenly, the oppressive stillness shattered. The abyss shifted violently, and the two fell, plummeting downward.

Michael and Shadow landed on solid ground, the darkness receding to reveal their surroundings. They stood amidst the sterile metallic halls of the ARK, a vivid memory unfolding around them. Michael scanned the environment, his voice calm but tinged with familiarity. "The ARK again... another memory."

Shadow scoffed, standing beside him, arms crossed. "This is the first time you haven't tried to attack me," Michael remarked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

Shadow turned, glaring at him. "I would've been stopped by that ridiculous watch of yours," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain.

Michael merely nodded, acknowledging the truth in Shadow's words. Turning his attention to the memory before them, he watched as a past version of Shadow stood at a large observation window, gazing silently at Earth.

The sound of a door sliding open drew their attention. A young girl, Maria, stepped into the room. She approached the past Shadow, her presence calm and soothing.

"Shadow," she began gently, standing beside him. "You like watching the Earth, don't you?"

The memory-Shadow's eyes remained fixed on the planet below. "The Professor said his studies were for the sake of all the people who live down there," he replied, his tone steady, yet reflective. "He wants everyone to live a happy life through the power of science... That's why he exists."

Michael observed the scene, his expression thoughtful. Glancing at the Shadow beside him, he asked, "Did you know about Metal? About Eggman's plans?"

Shadow stiffened at the question, his gaze darkening. He clutched his head, his memories fragmented and elusive. "I... I can't recall," he muttered, his frustration evident. "Nor do I care."

The memory continued, playing out like a fragile echo of the past.

"Maria," the past Shadow spoke, his voice laced with uncertainty, his crimson gaze still fixed on Earth. "I couldn't find... the reason why I was created. Why was I created? What should I do?" His hands clenched at his sides, trembling slightly as he wrestled with the unanswered questions. His voice softened, carrying a flicker of hope. "If I go to that planet one day... I may find the truth."

The metallic halls of the ARK dissolved into darkness, the comforting light of Maria's presence swallowed by the endless void. Shadow and Michael were once again suspended in the abyss, the weight of the memory lingering heavy in the silence.

Shadow clenched his fists, his voice low and sharp. "These memories... they're useless. They don't answer anything."

Michael floated in the void, his gaze steady as he watched Shadow's frustration grow. "If you were created for the sake of the people, then why are you trying to kill them now?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

Shadow's crimson eyes flared with fury as sparks of energy began crackling around his form. "Because it's their fault Maria died!" he roared, his words laced with pain and rage. The power emanating from him caused the abyss to tremble, a chaotic swirl of emotions fueling his outburst.

Michael's expression shifted to one of surprise and sadness. "Maria... they killed her?" he murmured, pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place. "Huh, so the voice was telling the truth after all."

Shadow's anger faltered slightly, replaced with a sharp curiosity. His eyes narrowed as he turned toward Michael. "What voice?" he demanded, his tone edged with suspicion.

Michael took a moment, his gaze distant as he recalled the memory. "When I first unlocked your power through the Ultimatrix, a message activated. It told the story of the ARK, about you, and... Maria. It said it helped create you."

Shadow's brows furrowed in confusion, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "No. That's impossible. Only Gerald Robotnik created me," he insisted, though the uncertainty in his voice betrayed him.

Michael studied him carefully, the pieces of this mystery weighing heavily in his mind. "Could it be your memories are... incomplete? Messed up, maybe?" he asked cautiously.

"Don't you dare question my memories," Shadow growled, his voice sharp and cold. "I know who created me. Gerald was the only one capable of something like me."

Michael held his ground, meeting Shadow's glare with calm determination. "Then explain the voice, Shadow. How could someone who claimed to have been there during your creation know so much? If Gerald acted alone, who's still out there guiding me? Why do you think they'd bother leaving me clues?"

Shadow's hands tightened into fists, the energy around him intensifying. His frustration boiled over, and he shouted, "It doesn't matter! Maria is dead, and nothing they say or do will bring her back!"

Michael took a step closer, his tone steady but insistent. "It does matter! If Maria's death drives everything you're doing now, don't you think understanding why it happened could help you honor her memory? Or are you just going to let anger and revenge destroy what she wanted you to stand for?"

Shadow faltered, his form flickering slightly as the darkness around them seemed to shift. "Maria wanted me to protect humanity... but humanity killed her!" His voice cracked, his fury mingling with pain. "How can I forgive them? How can I protect something that destroyed the only person who ever cared about me?"

Michael's gaze softened. "Maybe that's the real question you should be asking yourself, Shadow. Not what Gerald created you for, but what Maria wanted you to become."

Shadow's voice echoed through the abyss, his anger erupting like a volcanic storm. "You think you can lecture me about loss and purpose? You have no idea of the years I've spent in stasis, waiting, rotting, only to awaken as a tool strapped to your wrist like some trinket!" His voice cracked with raw emotion, a mix of rage and anguish. "I will fulfill Maria's last request, no matter the cost!"

The void around them began to shake violently, illuminated by Shadow's unleashed power. Crimson and gold light streaked through the darkness as his form radiated energy, forcing the shadows to retreat.

Michael shielded his eyes from the blinding light, shouting over the cacophony, "Shado—"

Before he could finish, an immense burst of chaos energy erupted from Shadow, sending Michael hurtling backward. The abyss cracked and splintered like fragile glass, pieces of the void falling away into nothingness.

Michael reached out as if trying to stabilize himself, but the force was too great. "Shadow!" he yelled, his voice barely audible over the roaring energy.

With one final surge, the abyss shattered completely, and Michael was flung out of the liminal space like a comet. His body convulsed as he re-entered consciousness, gasping for air as his eyes snapped open.

Michael blinked, his vision adjusting to the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window. The familiar surroundings grounded him. He recognized every detail the old wooden wardrobe, the desk cluttered with books. "Das ist mein Zimmer," (This is my room)he muttered under his breath, the familiarity wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

As he tried to shift, he noticed a weight pressing gently on his chest. His gaze dropped to see Jen, her head resting against him, her breathing steady in sleep. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and dark circles under her eyes hinted at how long she had been by his side.

His movements stirred her. Jen blinked awake, rubbing her eyes as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Then, her expression brightened with sheer relief. "Darling! You're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.

Michael offered a weak smile, his voice still hoarse. "I'm back, Jen." He tried to sit up, but she pressed him gently back down, her hands trembling as she gripped his shoulders.

"Don't push yourself!" she said, her voice a mix of relief and worry. "You've been unconscious for hours. We didn't know if—if you'd wake up." Her words faltered, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

Michael reached up, brushing the tear away with his thumb. "Ich bin härter als das," (I'm tougher than that) he said softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Aber... was ist passiert, während ich weg war?" (But... what happened while I was out)

Jen hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, her hands still resting on him. "That... thing, Neo Metal Shadow escaped with Eggman and Megatron. They took the emeralds. And you—" Her voice cracked, and she looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "You weren't moving. I thought..."

Micheal hugged her gently as he said, "Jen, I'm sorry to make you worried." He said as she looked broke the hug and nodded.

The door swung open with an audible creak, and a sharp voice cut through the air. "Oi, Bart! What kinda mess have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Michael turned his head sharply toward the source of the voice, his expression shifting from confusion to elation. "Oma!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth and a tinge of nervousness.

Jen blinked, stepping back slightly as she turned to see an older woman striding confidently into the room. Her long silver hair slightly messy, and her sharp eyes scanning the room like a hawk. Despite her age, she moved with the energy of someone decades younger, her no-nonsense demeanor immediately dominating the space.

The woman marched over, hands on her hips, and squinted at Michael. "I sent you off for a simple summer trip! And what do I get in return? You come back with a hole in the world, an alien watch glued to your wrist, and—" She gestured toward Jen with a dramatic wave, "—a whole girlfriend to boot!"

Michael shrank back into the bed as if the force of her words had physically pushed him. "Oma, ich kann alles erklären." (Grandma, I can explain everything)

"Explain?" she snapped, leaning closer with a squint, her hands still on her hips. "Du kannst mir lieber erklären, warum du mit diesem ganzen Chaos zurückkommst, bart!" (You better explain to me why you're coming back with all this, bart)

Jen, unsure whether to laugh or intervene, stepped forward. "Um, ma'am—"

Michael's grandmother spun toward her with surprising speed. "Ah, so you're the 'hole-ass girlfriend,' huh?" she said in a thick accent, switching to English with a slight grin. She gave Jen a once-over and then crossed her arms. "Well, at least he picked someone good for him."

Jen blinked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "So, you're okay with us dating, Miss. Kaiser?" she asked cautiously, still unsure of Michael's grandmother's approach to the situation.

Michael's grandmother spun around with a mischievous smile, crossing her arms as she assessed Jen. "Oh, please, girl. At this point, I'm not about to stop it. You two have been around each other for five years, right? If you haven't figured out by now that you belong together, I'd be worried. Besides," she added, a grin curling at the corners of her lips, "you picked someone who can handle all that... trouble."

Jen blinked at the unexpected approval. "Well, um... thanks?" she said, a little taken aback. It wasn't exactly what she expected.

"Yeah, yeah, you two are fine," the grandmother waved off casually. "But next time, don't come into my house with most of your family and a bunch of giant robots, alright?" She shot a pointed look at Michael, who let out a long, resigned sigh.

Michael's eyes widened at the revelation. "Wait, what? Jen's family is here? In our house?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

His grandmother, unfazed, waved him off casually. "Of course, where else would they go? Their house was kaputt, completely flattened during that mess you were involved in. So naturally, I opened my door. What kind of host would I be otherwise?"

Jen, trying to suppress a laugh, stepped in. "Miss Kaiser, thank you for letting them stay here. It means a lot."

Michael's grandmother smirked at her, clearly enjoying her polite demeanor. "Oh, you're a sweet one, aren't you? No need for the formalities, dear. Call me Oma like this one does—" she jabbed a thumb at Michael, "—though he's not much of an example. And don't thank me too much; your family already ate all the schnitzel I had prepared!"

Jen's cheeks flushed. "I-I'll make it up to you! I can cook—"

Michael's grandmother held up a hand, silencing her with a grin. "Relax, girl. I'm only teasing. Your family's fine. They're downstairs trying to help clean up."

Michael frowned, still processing everything. "Moment mal. Das ist ja alles schön und gut, aber riesige Roboter? Bitte sag mir, dass du da Witze machst.." (Hold on. This is all great and all, but giant robots? Please tell me you're joking about that)

Oma gave him a pointed look, her expression deadpan. "Oh ja, weil riesige Roboter auf magische Weise jetzt kein Teil deines Lebens mehr sind? Stell dich nicht dumm, Bart. Sie stehen in meiner Einfahrt! Ich hätte fast einen Herzinfarkt bekommen, als sich einer von ihnen in einen Sportwagen verwandelte und mich anpiepste.!" (Oh, yes, because giant robots magically aren't a part of your life now? Don't play dumb with me, Bart. They're in my driveway! I nearly had a heart attack when one of them turned into a sports car and beeped at me)

Jen chuckled softly and patted his arm. "Hey, at least your grandmother's handling all this better than we thought."

Michael sighed as he carefully stepped down from the bed, his body still not fully recovered, struggling to maintain balance. Jen quickly stepped in to steady him, her grip firm yet gentle as they slowly made their way down the stairs. As they reached the living room, Michael saw Jen's parents and Gwen's parents gathered around, looking concerned. Max, Gwen, and Ferox were huddled together.

Carl, gave Michael a piercing glare as he approached, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Michael instinctively shrank back, his body stiffening under the intense gaze. Jen, noticing his discomfort, gave her father a pleading look. Carl's expression softened slightly, but he still didn't look happy.

"We need to talk about everything," Max said, breaking the tension with his calm voice. But before anyone could respond, another voice echoed from the doorway.

"Yes, we Autobots would also like to introduce ourselves," the voice rumbled, and Michael's eyes widened as he turned toward the source.

A massive robot, towering over the rest of them, stepped into the room, followed closely by a smaller yellow and black robot. Michael stared, his mouth hanging open slightly at the sight. "So these are the 'giant robots' you mentioned?" he muttered, looking at Jen with a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

Jen's grandmother, who had been following them down the stairs, gave him a pointed look and sighed dramatically. "Yeah, kid, and they're even bigger than you thought. Welcome to the new normal."

After an hour of detailed explanations about the chaos that had unfolded, the room sat in heavy silence. Everyone absorbed the magnitude of what had been said—the Chaos Emeralds, the Autobots, the Decepticons, and the looming threat from beyond Earth. The room seemed to weigh down with the gravity of it all.

Micheal's grandmother, always blunt and to the point, broke the silence with a sharp comment, her arms crossed as she stared at the assembled group. "So these emeralds and that machine are the problem that's causing all of this," she said, her voice clear and no-nonsense. She gave a pointed look to Optimus Prime, her gaze piercing. "And your buddies are a part of this?"

Optimus Prime's expression remained stoic, but his optics flickered slightly as he nodded. "Yes, that is correct," he said in his deep, resonant voice. "The Chaos Emeralds are a powerful force, capable of changing the balance of the universe. They are not only being sought after by those who wish to use them for destruction, but they are also connected to the larger conflict that has brought us here. The machine you saw—Metal Shadow—was created to harness their power, and Eggman and Megatron both seek to manipulate it for their own purposes."

Micheal's grandmother raised an eyebrow. "And you Autobots," she said, her tone skeptical but not entirely dismissive, "are you just along for the ride, or do you have your own reasons for being here?"

Optimus Prime shifted slightly, a sign that he understood her wariness. "We are here to protect this planet and its people. The Decepticons, led by Megatron, are a threat to the stability of this world, just as they have been to others. We do not fight for control, we fight for freedom and to stop those who seek to enslave and destroy."

Micheal's grandmother took a long drag from her cigarette, the glowing tip casting a faint red hue in the otherwise dim room. She exhaled slowly, the smoke curling around her as her gaze swept over the group. "Well, moping around here won't do anything," she said, her voice calm but firm. "The faster you can find this guy, the faster we can go back to normal."

Carl, still trying to process the weight of the situation, looked at her in shock. "How can you let your grandson go into a fight like this?" he asked, his voice edged with concern and disbelief. He knew how dangerous the situation had become, but to him, even the thought of his daughter getting caught up in it was almost too much to bear.

His mother, however, wasn't so easily swayed. She met his gaze without hesitation, her face a mask of resolve. "The brat may be a magnet for trouble," she said, her voice steady, "but he's got a good heart. He'll just go without even telling me." She flicked her cigarette, sending the ash flying. "Might as well make sure he has the best chance while he's at it."

Max, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "We're not going to let him face this alone," he said, his voice reassuring yet firm. "The Autobots, Jen, and I—we'll make sure he has all the help he needs."

Jen nodded, squeezing Micheal's hand in support. "You don't have to do this alone," she said, her voice quiet but full of conviction.

Micheal gave a slight smile, grateful for the support. "I know."

His grandmother looked at