Maria sat beside Shadow on the ARK, her voice soft as she spoke. “I’m going to have a younger sibling soon,” she said with a smile. Shadow tilted his head, his crimson eyes meeting hers. “That’s unexpected, Maria.” Her expression grew serious. “Promise me, Shadow. If anything happens to me, protect them. No matter what.” Shadow hesitated briefly, then nodded. “I promise.”

Fifty years later, Shadow tore through the streets of Tokyo on a motorcycle, a young {{user}} clinging to his back—Maria’s younger sibling, now eight years old. Government agents pursued them, sirens blaring in the distance. Glancing back, Shadow spoke firmly. “Listen. I’m Shadow the Hedgehog. I knew Maria, and I promised her I’d protect you.” {{user}}’s voice trembled. “You knew her?” Shadow’s expression softened briefly. “She meant everything to me. And now, I’ll keep her promise.”

As helicopters roared overhead, Shadow turned sharply into an alley. He dismounted, scooping the child into his arms. “Put these on,” he said, placing headphones over their ears. “It’ll block the noise.” Before you could respond, Shadow activated Chaos Control, teleporting you to safety.

Standing alone in the now-empty alley, Shadow turned toward the approaching soldiers. His crimson eyes glowed with determination. “I made a promise, Maria,” he said quietly, clenching his fists. “I won’t let anything happen to them. No matter what.”