EPISODE 38 "Maria's Wish, Everyone's Wish!" The Episode starts with a quick recap of last week's cliffhanger. The seven Chaos Emeralds have been activated, but something goes terribly wrong. A countdown of 27 minutes and 53 seconds appears on all of the ARK Control Room consoles. A video of Professor Gerald Robotnik pops up on the main monitor, as Dr. Eggman gasps at the appearance of his relative. The video begins, as Gerald tells of the Space Colony being his instrument of revenge. As the entire gang watches on, the timer starts. Countdown - 27 minutes, 49 seconds In the shuttle bay, Rouge is furiously typing in commands to the craft, ready to ditch the station at a moments notice. A loud rumble shakes the Colony, Rouge grimacing in terror. Deep inside the Eclipse Cannon, Sonic and Shadow's duel continues. The hedgehog's charge, explosions tearing around them as the blurs race to and fro. Landing from a leap, Sonic spots a dropped Power Ring lying nearby. Shadow jumps high, firing more Chaos Spears, as Sonic streaks ahead of the energies. Sonic makes it to the Ring, grasping it tight. As the light courses around his form, Sonic grins at his adversary, then flies at him in a Super Sonic Spin. Sonic connects, sending his black doppelganger smashing to the deck with a crash. Sonic asks if Shadow is ready to quit, but the resilient rodent isn't through yet. A stronger tremor rocks the ARK, as Shadow utters Maria's name and takes off. Sonic yells for him to stop, but the ebony hedgehog ignores him. Hearing a noise, Sonic turns and eyes a beeping wall monitor with a timer on it. Countdown - 23 minutes, 45 seconds Chris, Amy, Tanaka, Tails, and Knuckles storm the Central Control Room, as Eggman tries in vain to halt the process. The power converter begins to seal itself up, as Knux calls out about the Chaos Emeralds. Eggman reaches for them, but is too late as the converter latches shut. Gerald speaks again, telling of his plan to give all of humanity a taste of his revenge. Once all of the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected inside the ARK, the program cannot be disabled. Countdown - 21 minutes, 58 seconds The transmission cuts off every other signal on Earth. As people in Station Square and the rest of the world stand transfixed, Robotnik vows that all of the ungrateful humans that took everything away from him will feel his loss and despair. An off-screen prison guard asks if he has anything else to say. Gerald answers negative, and the guard orders a firing squad to arm and ready their weapons. As Eggman and the rest watch in horror, a shot is heard from the monitor. As Amy wonders who that man was, Dr. Eggman tells the team that he was Professor Gerald Robotnik, one of the greatest scientific minds in the world, and also his grandfather. Onscreen, the video loops, replaying the final words from the madman. The Space Colony rocks harder, Knuckles questions the others if they also feel the shaking. Rouge enters the Control Room, telling the group that she had just received a message from her boss. The Space Colony ARK is now on a collision course with the planet! Eggman is in shock, flabbergasted that his genius relative would want to destroy the world that he wanted to rule. Just then, Sonic waltzes into the Center, Chris yelling his name. Eggman glances over his shoulder, impressed that Sonic is still alive after his trap, but Sonic quips about letting Knuckles fly the shuttle was more dangerous then HE would ever be. Disgruntled, Eggman flips open a laptop, accessing the stolen data he had retrieved from GUN. Handing it to the hedgehog, Chris begins to read from the journal of Gerald Robotnik. 'I don't quite know what happened, or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the ultimate life form? I thought that it would be something to benefit mankind, but then the military guards landed on the Colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project that I had been working on. My colleagues at the research facility, my granddaughter Maria, I hope you are all safe.' "The Colony was completely shut down, probably to keep the Prototype from falling into the wrong hands. The ARK was shut down, under the premise that there had been an accident.' 'I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down. She meant everything to me, and I couldn't that she had died because of my research. I lost everything, I had nothing more to live for. I WENT INSANE! All I could think about was to avenge her, somehow, someway. I got scared as I was no longer able to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it all to end.' 'Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project, Shadow. I designed it's mind to be perfect, pure. I leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it, to the world! If you wish to fill the world with destruction...' Countdown - 17 minutes, 47 seconds As the nation grinds to a standstill, the President in his limo demands an explanation from his assistant. The lady gives her boss the straight facts: the Space Colony is doing an atmosphere dive and will crack Earth like a rotten melon. Incredulous, the President asks if they have any way to stop the ARK. His assistant can only hang her head in silence. In the cab of the car, Sam hopes that Sonic can pull off a miracle. Outside Station Square, police have surrounded a decrepit building, bursting in to apprehend the mysterious men that tried to abduct Scarlet Garcia earlier that day. As the men are read their rights, the GUN captain and Topaz watch as they are herded into the paddy wagon. Topaz scans the sky, observing a growing red light high above. In the Central Control Room, Eggman briefs the critters about the Eclipse Cannon, telling them that the energies Chaos Emeralds are overpowering the Core. They have to stop that energy in order to halt the process. Tails wonders how exactly they will be able to depower the Chaos Emeralds, as Sonic grins at Knux. The entourage all stare at the echidna, who starts in amazement. Rouge remembers that Knuckles has the Master Emerald, which has the power to control the Chaos Emeralds. The others agree to the plan, as Eggman makes the arrangements. Sonic and Knuckles, followed by Decoe and Bocoe with the Master Emerald, make for the shortcut that leads to the core of the Colony. An access hatch is blasted aside, as a pair of figures streak into the room. Defensive lasers activate, deadly beams crisscrossing the chamber as Tails jets forward. Eggman wreaks a laser emitter with a punch, Tails landing on a large console. Rouge destroys more emitters, as the fox yanks open an emergency drain for the Core. As liquids rush from the opening, Knuckles smacks his fist into a wall, grasping Sonic's hand as Decoe and Bocoe bubble and wallow behind them. The fluid finally empties, the four rushing into the darkness before them. The drain closes with an ominous splash. At the research facility, Tanaka, Chris, and Amy stare out the view port at the approaching Earth. Tanaka places his hand on his charges shoulder, telling Chris that things will work out fine. An all too familiar voice behind them disagrees. Shadow is standing in the center of the room, his attitude in full swing. He gives the trio a very nasty grin. The Space Colony ARK is closing fast with the upper atmosphere of the planet. Shadow's grin fades to a grim look, as Chris approaches the ebony hedgehog. Chris tries to convince him that this entire scenario is wrong, even placing his hand on his shoulder. Shadow has none of that, flinging the boy away with a chaos-powered punch. Amy cries out and tries to help the boy, but Tanaka restrains her with a shake of his head. Chris struggles to his feet, again trying to change Shadow's mind, only to be hurtled away once more. Shadow's mind thinks back in time, to when he and Maria stared at the Earth and dreamed of their futures. He remembers Maria dying. Chris climbs to his feet, telling the black hedgehog that Maria wouldn't have wanted everyone on the planet to know fear and death. He tells him that people are scared, feeling that their lives are about to end because of one man's revenge from beyond the grave. Chris stumbles forward once again, his words forcing Shadow to recall Maria's final words, as she lay dying on the deck of the ARK "Give them a chance, to be happy..." Shadow remembers his dream of being on Earth with his friend, just enjoying a quiet day in the sun. Young Chris collapses, his fall stopped by Shadow's arms as a tear beads in his eye. Tanaka steps forward and takes his master in his arms, giving a small smile at the stoic rodent. "Soon enough Maria" Shadow whispers, his lips curling into a heartfelt smile. Countdown - 09 minutes, 55 seconds Deep in the Core, Sonic and company enter the massive chamber, in the back of which sits an alter exactly like the one occupying Angel Island. The seven Chaos Emeralds glow brightly atop the pillars surrounding the alter. Before the heroes can make a move, a gargantuan beast drops to the floor of the chamber. Decoe and Bocoe panic, as Knuckles gasps about the Prototype Ultimate Life form, the Biolizard! Shadow appears, telling his doppelganger that he will handle this threat. He urges the others to complete the mission and stop the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic finally acquiescing with a nod. Shadow launches ahead, curling into a Sonic Spin and smacking the side of the bio-mechanical monster. Sonic and Knuckles run towards the shrine, Decoe and Bocoe panting to keep up with the Master Emerald. The Biolizard spews energy balls, Shadow using his Air Shoes to glide between the blasts. The quartet gain the stairs to the shrine, as Shadow leaps and fires Chaos Spears into the life support of the beast. At the shrine, the is set up, sparking as Knuckles utters Tikal's chant. "Chaos is power, power is enriched by the heart." Raising his gloved hands, Knuckles calls upon the Master Emerald to halt the Chaos Emeralds. The Master Emerald flares, as the Biolizard creates more energy spheres to blasts at Shadow with. Shadow jukes and leaps, using his raw speed to jet from one blast to the next, then using his momentum to destroy the life support with a Sonic Spin. The Biolizard lets out a thunderous howl, as the Master Emerald finishes draining the Chaos Emeralds of their power. The dull gems fall to the deck, as Knuckles and the robots yell in victory. But the Biolizard isn't finished yet. With a shriek, the creature disappears with a flash, as Shadow Chaos Controls to the top of the alter. The station shakes harder, Dr. Eggman warning the group that the Prototype is controlling the Colony in it's decent. Outside, the Biolizard melds itself into the Eclipse Cannon, dragging the ARK further towards Earth. Sonic and Shadow share a glance, then together close their eyes. The lifeless Chaos Emeralds shine again, their energies building around the hedgehogs. Knuckles and the lackeys gasp as Super Sonic and Super Shadow emerge. The hedgehogs Chaos Control away. In the research facility, Super Sonic appears in a flash. As Amy and Tanaka look on, Super Sonic floats over to his young friend, touching Chris's cheek and healing all of the damage that Shadow did. With a smile, Super Sonic disappears. Outside the Space Colony, both Sonic and Shadow emerge ahead of the station. They charge together, dodging in separate directions when Biolizard expels an energy blast. Forming their strategy, they smash against the screaming Prototype. Back on Earth, the President's assistant has gotten the latest readings on the ARK. The Colony has reached the edge of planet's atmosphere. Despairing, the President holds his head, but snaps out of it when Sam spots something happening in the sky. The trio exit the limousine, watching a pair of gold and silver lights careening around the large dot of the falling ARK. Sam suddenly realizes that it must be Sonic up there. The assembled crowd's panic grows. In the Space Colony, Knuckles, Tails, Rouge, Tanaka, and Amy have front row seats to the battle, as Sonic and Shadow zip to and fro. Laying in Tanaka's arms, Chris whispers Sonic and Shadow's names. Rouge radios in to her partner, asking for a progress report from the ground. Topaz replies that the ARK is getting awfully big, though she can see Sonic and Shadow doing something around the Colony. From a high-rise building, Scarlet Garcia is sending in a news report on the doomsday scenario, as Stuart and her cameraman accompany her. Everywhere in Station Square and the world, people stand transfixed, not knowing if their destruction is at hand, but eagerly hoping the pair of heroes can avert their end. As Scarlet continues her commentary, Super Sonic and Super Shadow's assault against the Biolizard grows faster, the hedgehog's distracting and charging the massive monster. Chuck, Ella, Cream and Cheese pray for victory, even Bokkun at Hidden Base wishes for the saving of Earth. The Biolizard unleashes another energy beam, as Sonic and Shadow zoom at light speed toward the beast. They collide against the life-support system, which explodes, finally taking the Prototype Ultimate Life form with it. As the explosion dies, the ARK enters the upper atmosphere, friction fire flaring around the edges of the Space Colony. Super Sonic and Super Shadow make a stand, trying to hold the space station back with their Chaos Emerald power. The Colony isn't slowed, even managing to start pushing the hedgehogs back. Echoes of their friends voices ring through the rodents heads, but the kicker for Shadow is Maria's last wish. As Maria utters her final words, Shadow's power surges, his arm and leg rings flying off of his energizing body. Sonic joins him, his own power flaring spectacularly. They pull back their arms, yelling together: "CHAOS CONTROL!" The chaotic magic of the Emeralds envelop the Space Colony ARK, which fades from existence. Shadow cannot last any longer. His voice whispers into the void, fulfilling his promise to his beloved Maria Robotnik. Far from the planet Earth, the ARK reappears in orbit, the final countdown stopping at a bare 50 seconds. Citizens of the planet erupt with joy, spared from a final end. The President's assistant reports that the ARK is now back in it's proper orbit. With a grin, Sam knows that Sonic saved the world once again. As confetti flies from the buildings and cheers fill the streets, Dr. Eggman and his crew have departed in their space shuttle, as Tails thanks Eggman for his help. Eggman disregards the thanks, and with a final hoot of laughter, wings off back to Earth. At that moment, Sonic reenters the science lab. Chris steps forward, asking for Shadow, but Sonic can only shake his head. He hands Chris one of Shadow's arm rings, quietly telling everyone that he gave his life to save the world. Clutching the ring close, Chris sheds a single tear upon it. Patting the young Thorndyke on the back, Sonic tells him that things will be fine, as Tails announces that they should return home. The gang departs the research facility, Sonic the last one out, bidding "Adios" to Shadow the Hedgehog. Sonic the Hedgehog runs to catch up with his friends, as the door hisses shut on the darkened chamber. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This review was written by Eli Sheldon aka 'SHADOWBOT' - used with her general permission.