Chapter 1: Maria's First Festival

It's been a few weeks since Zeti incident and Maria come to live in Mobius, everyone are going around doing what they do in their everyday lives. In her bedroom of her home, Maria is brushing her hair after changing into her clothes. When's she done, she looks at the mirror to see how she looks.

Marai giggles, and says, "There, I'm all ready. I can't believe that I'm going to my first festival, and it will be my first one with Shadow."

Marai remembers her friends telling her about it. It happens a few days ago, Amy and Cream come over for tea and snacks. Shadow, Sonic and Tails are also visiting at the time. Amy and Cream tell her about it.

"The Mobotropolis Festival?" Maria asks.

"Yeah. It happens every year in Mobotropolis. It celebrates the anniversary of Mobotropolis' beginning," Amy says.

Cream happily says, "There will be food, games, rides, performances, and a firework show to end the festival."

"That sounds wonderful. I would like to go," Maria says.

Sonic says, "That's exactly what we came to do. Sally is also expecting us."

"Sally?" Maria asks.

"Sally is a friend of ours, and princess of Mobotropolis," Tails says.

"Really? You know a real princess," Maria happily asks.

"That's right. We told her a bit about you, and likes to meet you," Amy says.

Maria turns to Shadow, "Shadow, would you like to come too?"

"I don't know. I'm not much into these festival stuff," Shadow answers.

Sonic comes over, "Come on Shadow, you need to learn to have some fun. You said that you have a week of of work, and the festival is in two days. This is a perfect time for you to hang out with us, especially Maria."

"I wasn't talking to you faker," Shadow sternly says.

"Come on Shadow, you'll have a great time, and it happens once a year," Cream says.

Maria says, "I really like you to come Shadow."

Shadow turns his head to Maria who is holding a smile on her face. He can see that she is excited about going to the festival, and will be more excited if he comes with her.

Shadow shows a small smile on his face, and says, "Alright, I'll go."

"Thank you Shadow, we're going to have so much fun," Maria says, giving Shadow a hug.

Shadow cheeks does turn a little red when Maria is hugging him, but decides to let it slide because of her excitement. Sonic, Tails, Cream, Cheese, ans Amy begin to giggle while covering their mouths.

Shadow glare at them, "What are you laughing about?"

Everyone quickly answers, "Nothing."

So here is Maria is as of now, getting herself and her things ready to go to Mobotropolis with her friends. They are leaving early in the morning so they have a wonderful time for the rest of the day and night. They also agree to spend the night and head back home the next day.

She grabs her bag, and says, "There, that should be everything I need."

"Maira!" Amy's voice calls out.

Maria looks out the window to see Amy outside with Cream and Cheese.

"Come on, it's time to go," Amy says.

"Okay," Maria happily answers.

Maria walks out of her room and down stairs to the front door. Then she walks out the front door, and locks the door. Then comes to her friends. Soon enough, they are flying in specialized plane Tails has made to fit everyone on board. Maria looks out the window and amazed to see the beautiful sight in Mobius.

Maria says with amazement, "Wow! The planet is so pretty! There are so many things to see."

"And that isn't the end of it. We can't wait to show you around Mobotropolis. You're going to love it," Sonic says.

Tails says, "Alright everyone, we're arriving at Mobotropolis landing station. Keep yourself on your seat and feet on the ground."

Sonic laughs, "Good one Tails."

Shadow rolls his eyes, "Yeah. Very funny."

"Sheesh Shadow, you need to learn to lighten up once in a while," Sonic says.

Tails then continues to fly the plane until they reach the landing station. Once the plane is landed, everyone come off of the plane, and are heading to the station to meet someone.

Waiting at the station is a teenage girl. She is a mobian chipmunk. She has tan, light brown, and dark auburn fur, dark auburn hair, and blue eyes. She is wearing azure vest with shoes, and white gloves with gold rings on it. She is waiting patiently for her friends to come.

She soon hears one of them, "Sally! We're here!"

The mobian chipmunk turns her head to see Sonic and her friends.

"Sonic, over here!" The girls wave.

Sonic and the girl walks over and give each other a fi hive and then a hug. The tow soon break the embrace.

"It's great to see you again, Sally. It's been a while since the last time I've been here," Sonic says.

"Yeah. It feels like forever. I'm glad you and the others are able to make it," Sally says.

"Wouldn't miss it," Sonic says.

Sally then turns to see the shy blond hedgehog, "And I'm willing to be the girl behind Shadow is Maria?"

"Um yes, I am. It's um, nice you meet you princess," Maria shyly says, and curtis in respect.

Sally giggles, "That's alright, you don't need to be so formal with me."

"Um okay," Maria replies.

"It's very nice to finally meet you Maria, Sonic has told me a lot about you," Sally says.

Sonic says, "And I mean a lot about you."

Shadow and Maria look at Sonic with confused looks.

Tails comes in, "She knows about your and Shadow's relationship, about how you were brought back and such."

"You seriously told her about that," Shadow asks.

"Yeah. she think it's a bit of a hard and sad story," Sonic says.

Shadow firmly glares at Sonic.

"You had to admit Shadow, your story is very heartbreaking to say the least," Cream says.

Maria says, "We know our story isn't a very nice one, but that all in the past. Shadow and I are together again, and we're going to have a fun time in the festival."

"Right, Sonic told me this is your first one since you came to Mobius. We should get going. I promised my father to meet him when we get there," Sally says.

"Sounds great, let's go," Amy happily says.

Sally then begins to escort the others to the festival to where her father is. Maria and Shadow are holding each other's hand, and Maria is very excited. Now Shadow is not usually the type to show off many emotions, but can't help but make a small smile on his face.

In the festival, Sally's father, King Nigel is looking around the festival. From the looks of it, everyone are already having a great time. Of course, he is being escorted by two of his men.

He looks ahead, and says, "Sally."

"Hello father, Sonic and the others are here," Sally says.

"Sonic, Tails, it's been a while. And I see you brough, Amy. Cream, Cheese, and Shadow along for our festival," Nigel says.

"That's why we're here," Sonic says.

He then notices a female hedgehog behind him, "And who is this young lady."

"Um my name is Maria, it's nice to meet you," Maria shyly says.

"It's very nice to meet you. You don't need to be shy," Nigel says.

"Um, yes sir," Maria replies.

Sally says, "Father, I'm going to be with my friends at the festival."

"Of course Sally, but remember to be back for the firework show tonight," Nigel says.

"Okay Father," Sally says.

She turns to her friends, and says, "Come on guys, let's go have some fun."

"I'm in," Sonic says.

"Let's go," Amy cheers.

Sally lead the others to the festival so they can start having fun and try out the activities the place has to offer. This time around, they hope they can have some fun without any trouble or other kinds of problems, but usually something is about to happen.

In the woods close to Mobotropolis, there is a rundown G.U.N aircraft and is being used for a home. In the aircraft are five sleeping Dark Arm aliens. Four of them are still very young and sleeping. The last one is waking up from his sleep.

This alien is a blue color alien with red stripes around parts of his body, with yellow glowing eyes. This alien has the same resemblance as Shadow. He is Eclipse the darkling, and one of the last survivors of the Dark Arms. He awakes due to the strange noise coming from outside.

"What is all that noise coming from?" Eclipse asks himself.

Eclipse look to see the other Dark Arms are starting to wake up as well. He decides to leave the ship to check out the noise. He walks a few distance away to reach the edge of the woods to see the city. To him, it seems that some strange event is going on. Many Mobians with their ships seem to be heading towards it.

Eclipse thinks about this, "Hmm, something strange is going on. I should find out."

Eclipse heads back to the ship, and tell the young ones, "You all stay in the ship and don't come out. I'll be back."

The young ones reply as Eclipse is leaving the ship to find out the event in the city.