Gerald's POV

I had finished fixing up Shadows wounds about and hour ago. Afterwards I allowed him to sleep in Maria's room. But he was still in the hospital bed with everything he needed and more. I just wanted to be safe for if anything happened. Maria was just glad to see him and that he wasn't being tested on anymore.

Speaking of, after I found everyone that had known and participated in the experimentations on Shadow was sent back down to Earth. I can't trust them after what they did...

After I had sent them back down and helped Shadow, I looked at what type of drugs and chemicals Claine had used. Some were actually tests while some were drugs that advanced Shadows senses and physical standards.

Some of the advancements were that he could control his choas energy as a source of weapon and somehow as transportation...? I'm not sure how that would work though... I guess we'll find out later on when he gets older.

Another advancement is that he has extreme strength and can heal about 80% faster than any normal being.

The last advancement is that he no longer has to eat on a day to day basis because he can feed off the choas energy... He also won't have to sleep as much either from this...

Claine really knew what he was doing... and what scares me the most is the implant he did in Shadows midsection...

---Time Skip---

Narrators POV

5 years later (Christmas Eve night)

"Here you go Shadow," said a eleven-year-old Maria Ribotnik as she gave her younger 'brother' his gift.

"But I didn't get you anything," said a seven-year-old Shadow the Hedgehog as he took the present from his older 'sister'.

"You didn't have to Shadow," said Maria while she sat down next to the Christmas tree that was in her and Shadows room.

Shadow smiled worriedly as he put the gift his lap. It was a box that had red wrapping and a black ribbon that tied into a bow on the top. Shadow untied the ribbon and ripped of the paper making a mess as he did so. He then started to open the box as Maria sat in front of him giggling as she watched.

Shadow finally got the box open and peered inside. He then started to take out what was in it. First, he pulled out a stuffed teddy bear and smiled at it before he set it down next to him on the floor. Shadow then pulled out a coloring kit that had crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paper in it. He smirked and set it down next to his bear before reaching in for the last thing in the box.

Shadow grabbed the piece of cloth and started to pull it out. Once out, he stood up and brought it up to his chest. It was a sweater. Maria giggled as Shadow looked at it with confusion.

"It's a sweater Shads," Maria said, knowing her little brother never saw a sweater before.

He looked at Maria with confusion still on his face. She giggled again and stood. She took the sweater and helped pull it over Shadows head and over his pj shirt. Once fully on, Maria guided Shadow over to the wall mirror to see what it looked like while on himself. It was a black sweater with his name sewn in red at he top of his chest. Maria went behind Shadow and he looked at her through the mirror.

"Maria?" he asked softly.

"Yes Shadow?" she asked just as softly.

"I know I could have asked this before but... what's the meaning of Christmas?" Shadow asked a bit sheepishly as his cheeks turned a light pink from embarrassment.

Maria giggled at his blushing and said, "Its okay Shadow. Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate. They celebrate by giving each other presents and playing games and just overall being happy with each other."

Shadow gave a simple 'oh' before looking at himself in the mirror again. He had a thoughtful look before turning his head towards Maria.

"Hey Maria... if Christmas is about family and friends getting together... Why isn't the Professor celebrating with you or anyone celebrating at all? Why isn't there a big celebration party on the ARK?"

Maria gave a sigh and sad smile before she said, "Mainly because everyone is too busy doing tests and taking care of the ARK so it can stay in orbit... They never really have time to celebrate anything at all... They only get a day off on their birthday but even then they still do things out of boredom..."

Shadow looked down at the floor sadly.

"Come on Shads, it's time for bed," Maria said with a smile on her face once more.

Shadow just nodded and picked up the teddy bear that Maria gave him before walking over to his bed. He covered himself in the cool sheets hugging them and the bear close. Maria turned off the lights in the room but not the ones on their tree.

Shadow stared at the tree for a while before turning to the other side and closing his eyes for a good nights rest...