PasThe little girl with blonde hair grew up with her grandfather. "Maria, it's time for dinner!" Maria turned to look at the voice to find that it belonged to her grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. Maria politely bowed her head.

"Yes, Grandfather." Her bright blue eyes brightened. "Will Shadow be attending this meal?" Maria looked at her grandfather with pleading eyes.

He shook his head. "He needs his rest, Maria! If I continue to take him out of his containment unit, then he will be weak and I don't want that to happen." Maria's eyes lost their shine.

"I completely understand, Grandfather." She sighed. Shadow was a black hedgehog woth crimson stripes on his body, who acted as Maria's best friend. It did get quite lonely on the ARK. Maria looked down at the plate of food. "Grandfather?" Maria asked.

"Yes, my dear Maria?"

"Can I go to him?" Dr. Robotnik sighed. He motioned to her plate.

"As soon as you're done eating."

Months later, Space Colony ARK was invaded by G.U.N. Gerald had hidden himself in a closet with his grandaughter. He held her close. Maria looked into her grandfather's fear-stricken eyes. "Grandfather? Can I go to him?" Maria asked.

Gerald looked into her determined eyes. He sighed. "Go! Don't let them see you!" She opened the door and dashed to the labratory. She looked at Shadow in his containment tube. He opened his ruby eyes. He opened his mouth.

"M-Maria?" He asked. Maria nodded. She heard footsteps behind her.

"Stop!" A voice said. Maria turned to face a G.U.N. Agent holding a gun. Maria reached for the lever that would sebd Shadow into a deep sleep for years to come.

"If you pull that lever, I'll shoot!" Maria didn't hesitate to pull the lever. She stumbled as pain radiated through her body from her chest. She looked down to see blood spreading onto her blue dress.

Shadow's eyes widened in horror. "M-Maria!" He screamed as he fought against the liquid and forced himself against the glass, trying to help Maria. Maria somehow managed to place a weak smile on her pale face, despite her body's temperature was dropping by the minute, knowing that was the last smile seen upon her face.

"S-Shadow! Don't...forget about me. Remember my sacrifice!" Maria's life was slipping fast. Shadow's eyes slowly closed.

"Maria!" Her grandfather saw his half-dead grandaughter. He pulled her body into his arms. He pulled her in for a hug and then gently pulled back to stroke her face, lovingly. He was crying harder than he had ever cried in his life.

"G-Grandfather... Please, don't forget about me. Tell Shadow... That... I'm sorry that I... Had to say goodbye like this..." Maria's eyes closed slowly and her body went limp. He wiped away his tears. She had died in her grandfather's arms.

"I will have my revenge on them..." He vowed. He looked at Shadow's containment unit. "And you will be the one to carry out my plans!"