In the aftermath of the Space Colony ARK tragedy, Y/N-a being created alongside Shadow the Hedgehog-escapes to Mobius, entering stasis upon arrival. Decades later, O.R.A.C.L.E. discovers and rehabilitates her.
Little did she know that her friend was...
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For once, the deafening sound of the ARK's machinery wasn't the first thing Y/N noticed upon waking. Instead, it was the warmth of a hand gently shaking her shoulder.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Maria's voice rang out softly.
Y/N's brows furrowed as she forced her heavy eyelids open, her vision still adjusting to the dim glow of the pod chamber. Instead of Gerald's usual presence standing over her, Maria's bright blue eyes and warm smile greeted her.
"...Maria?" Y/N mumbled, her voice groggy. "What're you doing here?"
"You'll see," Maria said, grinning as she moved to the next pod.
Y/N turned her head just as Maria placed her hands on the edge of Shadow's pod, shaking him much less gently.
"Shadow! Get up!"
The black hedgehog groaned, shifting slightly but not fully stirring.
"Come on," Maria huffed, shaking him harder. "It's important!"
Shadow cracked open one crimson eye, glancing at her before groaning again and rolling onto his side.
"Maria," he muttered, "you better have a good reason for this."
Maria giggled. "I do! We have the day off."
That got his attention.
Y/N sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes. "Wait... what?"
Maria nodded excitedly. "I convinced Grandfather to let you both rest today! No tests, no training—just a full day to relax."
Shadow sat up properly now, stretching his arms with a skeptical look. "Gerald agreed to that?"
Maria gave him an exaggerated look of offense. "Of course! He thinks you two need a break, especially since..." She trailed off, her gaze flickering toward Y/N.
The room was silent for a moment.
Y/N knew what she meant. The last experiment had left her drained. Shadow knew it too.
"...Especially since you've both been working so hard," Maria finished quickly, regaining her cheerful tone. "And I have so many things planned!"
Y/N glanced at Shadow, who met her gaze with an expression that was somewhere between curiosity and uncertainty.
Then, she smirked.
"Well, if we have the day off... we might as well enjoy it."
Shadow rolled his eyes but smirked back. "Fine."
Maria clapped her hands together. "Great! Let's go!"
