New fic. This is basically my prequel to 'Faded Memories'. It lasts from before Shadow's creation up to the conclusion of SAB2. I've wanted to do this for some time. However, at the start this fic may seem totally disconnected to Faded Memories, but rather, I'm going to be trying to also fill in several 'holes' in the genetic and plot backgrounds in the Sonic the Hedgehog series with the opening three chapters. This only takes place in the games Era. Also, there will be some ShadowxMaria, but only as a close friendship, I'm not trying to portray them as lovers. Shadouge and Shadamy hints also, but I'm not going to degenerate this to a love triangle fic, or a romance fiction at all.

Still, let's do this. HERE WE GO!

-United States Space Colony ARK-June 12th, 1952-Sick Bay-

"Doctor…" The young boy wheezed out, trying desperately to keep his breath.

"We'll do whatever we can for you Japheth. I swear it." The old, bald, gray mustached doctor said.

"Doctor…no…"

"No?" Gerald Robotnik looked at the young boy in confusion.

"Don't try and kill yourself to save me."

"But Japheth!"

"I'm ready to meet my maker. I don't want to endure this pain any longer."

"But what if we can treat you, and cure you?"

The deathly pale young boy wheezed again, his chest heaving rapidly but little to no air getting to his lungs. "If that is what you want to do this for, then go ahead. But…" He heaved again, and couldn't continue the words.

"Doctor, his condition is worsening!"

"I know that Jane!" Robotnik called, shouting over his shoulder.

"…but please…tell your gra-" He heaved again, having trouble getting the 'nd' out of his mouth. "daughter that I e-e-ehoyed her companee."

"Okay. But Japheth, I promise you that we will be able to save you!"

"Don't worry." The 12 year old male turned his head and looked back at the ceiling, still gasping for breath.

"Jane, do you have that morphine ready?"

"Sorry Doctor. The last batch we had received was contaminated, remember?"

"Arrghh." The doctor ran his hand over his bald head in frustration. "Can we do anything for him until the injection?"

"I don't think so sir. We can only hope."

"How long will it take to get the Chaos energy ready?"

"Another three hours. We'll try to make him as comfortable as possible…but…Gerald." The Asian nurse looked at ARK's lead scientist and sighed. "I don't know if it'll be soon enough."

"It's our only chance."

"Doctor, why don't use rest for a bit. You won't be able to help us any if you are tired."

"I know, I know!" The 60-something scientist began pacing back and forth. "I should go. I have another project to get to." he remarked to himself, whispering other utterances under his breath.

However, when he stepped out he was greeted with a sight that normally would of cheered him up, but could do nothing in the current situation. "Grandfather, will Japheth be okay?"

Robotnik looked down at his granddaughter, and sighed in disappointment. "I-I don't know right now Maria. I really don't." He ran his hand through her blonde, curly hair. She should have been up to his chest by now, but the NIDS she had, the same disease Japheth had, kept her body from growing at the speed it should have.

"I want him to live." She innocently stated. Turning away and walking downwards, she turned back over her shoulder and looked at her grandfather. "But if that won't work, can you at least make him happy?"

"I can try Maria. I can try." He watched as the young girl, wearing a simple bright blue dress walked down the halls of ARK.

-25 minutes later-

"It's only 55,000 miles outside of the contact zone. I might be able to send a probe out to catch some excess debris from it's dust tail." Gerald remarked, looking through a telescope that was pointing out one of the 13 inch thick windows. "But I still will need to destroy it. That thing will still hit earth on it's next cycle." He remarked, looking at the famed 'dark comet' that his other grandson had discovered. Unlike Maria, who was his daughter's daughter, his son's son seemed to inherit his own intellect. While 'entertaining himself' in the same room that Gerald was in now, Ivo had found what appeared to be a moving black void. It wasn't reflecting any light off of the sun or surrounding stars, which would explain why it had been missed for so many years.

"The Black Comet. I'm going to see just what secret thing allows the light to be bent around it that keeps it so well hidden. It may prove useful." Walking over to a panel on the side of the window he was looking out, he pressed a button inward. A low buzz sounded, and a masculine voice replied on the other end.

"What is it sir?"

"Status report on Project Eclipse?"

"We are running slightly ahead of schedule sir. At this rate, we'll have it done within a day or two."

"Good to know Joshua." He released that button, and sat down in his reclining office chair. "Maybe I could catch a few minutes worth of a nap. Maybe…I could just…" With that his eyes closed behind his glasses, and sleep captured the old man.

I think some things are obvious as to what is going to happen. The 'Black Comet' is obviously Black Doom's ship, and Project Eclipse is obviously the Eclipse Cannon. Playing SAB2 really inspired me to write this, and this is kind of my side project. I hope you enjoyed, and REVIEW! and HAPPY SHADOW DAY!