Disclaimer: I don't own anything or any character except my fan character
Maria!
Chapter 1 Another Hope
"High winds are to be expected throughout Station Square today, leading up to cooler temperatures this afternoon. The rest of the week is expected to get colder, mild showers on Tuesday and Thursday. Winds will pick up speed in order to properly introduce winter. Make sure not to wear your skirts, ladies."
A car horn sounded outside of a blue-bricked house, on the corner of Locust Street. A limo was waiting outside, the put putting of its engine being the only sounds on the street besides the occasional howl of the wind. A yellow hedgehog appeared from behind the front door of the house, carrying to big suitcases of luggage. When she spotted the car, she smiled and waved.
The driver of the limo, an old man in his 50's, stepped out of the car and walked up to meet her. "You are Maria the Hedgehog, right?" He asked, confirming his information.
"Yup, that's me. You're here to drive me to the airport?" Maria replied. She was a light yellow hedgehog with crystal-blue eyes. Everything that she wore matched with her eyes. She had on an off the shoulder peasant blouse with a blue plaid design. Maria wore navy blue short-shorts and big blue boots too. (They look like Mina the Mongoose's boots only bigger and shorter in length.)
"Yes" He said. He motioned for her bags, "Let me take those."
"Oh! Thank you!" Maria said, giving the bags to him. She turned to look back at her house, the house that she and her family have been living under for such a long time. 'It's finally time for me to leave the nest. I'm going to fulfill my destiny now.'
"Maria, wait!" Her mother shouted, coming out of the house holding a jacket. "How could you forget your jacket!? You're off to start your new life and you already mess up. What are we going to do with you?"
"Hey now, that was harsh!" Maria said, sheepishly. She took the jacket and kissed her mother on the cheek. "Don't worry about me, mom. I'll be fine by myself."
"Okay, honey. Don't forget to write!" Her mother said, hugging her daughter one last time. "I know you'll find what you are looking for but it will be dangerous. That's why you must keep that jacket with you at all times."
"I know, I know; you don't have to nag me" Maria groaned. Just then, the car horn sounded. "Looks like it's time for me to go." She draped her jacket over her shoulder as she stepped into the limo. Mara pulled down the window and waved as she left her old life and headed toward her new one.
@-----
"Shadow, what are you doing out so late?" asked a girl with blond hair and crystal-blue eyes. She wore a soft blue nightgown that clung to the window she had recently looked out of.
She turned around to see a black and red hedgehog standing behind her. He had his arms crossed over his chest; worry lines emerged in his face. "I'm worried about you, Maria."
"Worried about me? Why?"
"Doctor Gerald told me about your disease." Shadow replied.
Maria walked up to him and hugged him, gently stroking his quills as she spoke "Shadow, don't worry about me. I'll be okay; Grandpa is finding a cure for me."
"I-I'll try not to worry, just for you.Maria" Shadow said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Good" Maria said, "Now, lets get to bed."
@-----
The yellow hedgehog woke up from her nap when a hand tapped her awake. She opened her eyes to see the limo driver. "We've arrived at the airport, I didn't mean to disturb you or anything."
"Oh no! It's okay!" Maria said, flailing her arms.
"I'll walk you inside-"
"It's okay, I can take care of myself."
"These bags look to heavy for you to carry by yourself."
"Well, I was the one who packed them, so I should be able to carry them."
"But I'm paid to help you..."
"*Sigh* Okay, you can help."
The limo driver took the bags out from the trunk while Maria climbed out of the back seat. She blew into her hands and rubbed them against each other for warmth. 'It's cold!' She picked up her jacket from off the seat and slipped it on.
"You're lucky you brought that jacket with you, I heard Station Square is going to be even colder than here." The limo driver said.
Maria pressed the jacket closer to her body "It's fine, I love the fall and the winter.especially windy days; sometimes it makes me feel like I can fly."
The driver chuckled at the last part "If I didn't know better, I would think that the pair of wings you have embroidered on the back of your jacket were real."
"Yeah, I wish!" Maria laughed. "Oh! I have an hour left to get ready for the flight, we'd better go!"
@-----
It was a long flight to Station Square, long with anticipation. Every time Maria looked out the window of the airplane, she felt giddy with the fact that she was getting closer to her destiny. What is her destiny? "I have to find the one I left so long ago."
@-----
"Hey Sonic! Sonic wait up!" Tails yelled, barely keeping up with Sonics 'walking pace.'
Sonic stopped short, causing Tails to slam right into the back of him. Sonic turned around, "What's up, little buddy?"
Tails stood up and dusted himself off, slightly remarking about the bump on his face while recollecting himself. "What's up!? I'd like to ask you the same question! Yesterday you were still moping about the house, now suddenly up walking about town like nothing happened! I do like the change, but what caused you to?"
Sonic scratched his head and said, "Yeah, well, Rouge wants me to go on an errand to pick up a friend of hers at the airport. I think her name's Maria.she's an Internet buddy Rouge met on a message board about.Project Shadow."
"I see.I hope she's not some freak! Why would she be interested in Shadow?" Tails asked.
"Rouge said that this Maria girl was moving here and she asked Rouge if she could stay with her for a little while. As for Shadow, Maria will explain it to us when she gets here." Sonic said.
"Why doesn't Rouge pick her up?"
"She says she's busy."
"Then why not ask Knuckles to pick her up?"
Sonic sighed, "Honestly Tails, who else would she be busy with besides him?"
"Oh, I see..." Tails said, a smirk spreading across his face.
"Plus" Sonic added, "Rouge said it would be better for me if I got some fresh air. You know, with me being cooped up in my room for so long."
"So you listen to her and not me, huh! Just 'cause she has sex appeal doesn't mean you should listen to her before me-"
"We have to wait for her at terminal 57. She should be arriving soon. We'd better juice it!" Sonic said. He grabbed Tail's arm and with a burst of speed, he shot off towards the airport.
@-----
"Hmmm.Sonic the Hedgehog.where could he be." Maria sighed, looking around the crowed terminal 57. 'I remember Rouge emailing me on the plane (Laptop-Maria borrowed one from the guy sitting next to her during the trip) about how she won't be picking me up. She said Sonic the Hedgehog was picking me up instead. Good thing I ordered Station Square's newspaper through the mail, otherwise I wouldn't know what he looks like.'
She walked over to the seating area and sat down on the end seat with a plop. She noticed that most of the people on the plane were businessmen and tourists; not to many people probably live in the city. She saw family members hugging and shouting words like "I missed you!" and how was your trip?" Maria wondered how her cousin would react if she got to see him.
"Hey! Is there anyone named Maria here?!" Shouted a voice among the crowd. Maria stood up and looked around; she couldn't see anyone.
Then she heard someone else say, "Sonic, that's impolite to just shout things out!"
'Sonic? Sonics here?" Maria thought. She stood up from her seat and pushed through the crowd. When she made to the outside, she saw a blue hedgehog and an orange fox battling it out in an argument.
"Sonic why didn't you make a sign to hold up like the limo driver's do?"
"How was I supposed to know to do that? We don't have one so I'll shout instead!"
Maria stood in front of them, bewildered. 'How could they just stand there and argue? People are staring.' Maria cleared her throat. The two of them stopped arguing and looked up.
Sonic and Tails just stood there for a moment, just looking at her.
"Umm.you're Sonic the Hedgehog?" Maria asked.
"Yep! Live and in the flesh!" Sonic said, proudly. He grinned charmingly while pointing to himself. Tails shook his head in embarrassment.
"My name is Maria, are you here to pick me up for Rouge?"
"You're Maria!" Sonic shouted, "I thought you'd be some nerdy girl with glasses or something!"
"Sonic!" Tails groaned.
Maria laughed, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"Heh, that's okay. It's nice to meet you. We'd better get your bags." Sonic said. He grabbed her and Tail's arms and positioned himself to run.
"What are you doing?" Maria asked.
"What do you bags look like?"
"There brown with green straps on them. The straps say 'Maria' on them."
"Okay," Sonic said, grinning "I'm world's fastest hedgehog so I'm about to pick up your luggage and leave the airport in record speed."
@-----
As if being carried through the airport by Sonics feet wasn't thrilling enough, the nighttime life of Station Square was jaw dropping. Lit up signs and street lamps covered the city, nearly all of them advertising the stores and restaurants that they were built above. People cluttered every street, some in groups, others walking alone. This all amazed Maria very much so.
"I-It's amazing!" Maria breathed, twirling around. She was trying to soak up all the images around her.
"What's with her?" Sonic asked Tails.
Tails sighed, "She's probably never been in a city before. We have been living here for a long time so we are used to everything around us. Maria probably hasn't had the chance to see this; not many people do. It is a lot of money to stay in the city. I bet she saved up a lot of money to be here."
"I guess you're right, we never had to pay for our houses because we're heroes." Sonic said.
Maria ran over to them and playfully hugged Sonic. "This place is so great, thanks for showing me around!"
"No problem!" Sonic said. He patted her on the head. "I'm sure Rouge is still out anyway."
"We should be heading back though-" Tails began, before getting cut off by an all to familiar voice.
"SONIKKU!!!!!!" Shouted Amy Rose, coming up the street at full speed. She jumped into the air with the help of her hammer and landed right into his arms. "Sonikku, I'm so happy to see you outside again. It's wonderful to see that you're feeling so much better!"
"Uh.yeah, nice to see you too. Can you get off of me, I don't want to drop you." Sonic said, barely being able to balance.
"Okay Sonic!" She said. She left Sonics arms and noticed Maria and Tails. Her mood quickly changed from happy to mad. She ran up to Maria and started to go on a rampage, "Hey, who are you and why are you hanging up with my Sonikku?! He already belongs to me so don't get any ideas! I saw you hanging all over him- "
Maria was startled at first and couldn't say a thing. She noticed Sonic and Tails with big sweat drops and then she knew what was going on. "My name is Maria. Sonic picked me up from the airport for Rouge and was showing me around town. I've never been to a city before."
"Then are you interested in him?" Amy asked, crossing her arms impatiently.
"A-Amy." Sonic stuttered.
"I interested in someone..." Maria murmured.
"Well then, if it's not Sonic, then who is it?" Amy asked. Sonic and Tails, who were curious also wanted to know her answer.
Maria's eyes watered up a bit and she rubbed them. She looked up, her eyes still watering and said, "J-Just some other hedgehog."
Amy was about to tell her to be more specific when she noticed that Maria was close to tears. "I-I am sorry I asked you those questions, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"It's okay." Maria said, wiping her nose on her jacket.
Sonic still wanted to know what hedgehog could be cooler than him. What hedgehog could be.? Hedgehog.Internet.Project.Shadow. "Amy."
Amy turned around, "What is it Sonic?"
"Your questioning didn't make her cry." Sonic mumbled, her eyes tearing as well.
Maria looked up questioningly as did Amy and Tails. Why would Sonic start to cry out of nowhere?
"Looks like Sonic figured it out before the rest of you did." Murmured a playful voice belonging to none other than Rouge the bat.
Everyone turned around to see Rouge and Knuckles. Rouge was dressed up in a white blouse and a black mini skirt. Knuckles wore nothing (As usual) except sunglasses, even though it was night. They were both wearing grim expressions on their faces.
"Maria?" Rouge asked.
"Yes, Rouge?" Maria replied.
"That other hedgehog was.was Shadow wasn't it?" Rouge softly asked.
Everyone looked to Maria who suddenly collapsed on the sidewalk. "Y- Yes." Maria said, her voice soft and distant. Everyone looked down at his or her feet.
"But what would she know about Shadow?" Tails asked. " I did a background check while I went out to eat with Knuckles. Maria knows almost everything about him. Isn't that right." Rouge said, "Maria Robotnik Hedgehog?"
@---------
Kimmie's Corner!
Kimmie: Hiya, I'm Kimmie, the author!
Shadow: They could have read your name to find that one out!
Kimmie: Hey that was mean! Why are you so grumpy anyway?
Shadow: I'm not in the story yet!
Kimmie: YET?! Who says your even going to be in it!? You're supposed to be dead!
Shadow: @_@
Kimmie: Sorry, sorry. You just can't give away the plot. We've got to be careful!
Amy: At least Maria isn't in love with Sonic!
Kimmie: Where'd you come from!
Shadow: My head.
Chapter 1 Another Hope
"High winds are to be expected throughout Station Square today, leading up to cooler temperatures this afternoon. The rest of the week is expected to get colder, mild showers on Tuesday and Thursday. Winds will pick up speed in order to properly introduce winter. Make sure not to wear your skirts, ladies."
A car horn sounded outside of a blue-bricked house, on the corner of Locust Street. A limo was waiting outside, the put putting of its engine being the only sounds on the street besides the occasional howl of the wind. A yellow hedgehog appeared from behind the front door of the house, carrying to big suitcases of luggage. When she spotted the car, she smiled and waved.
The driver of the limo, an old man in his 50's, stepped out of the car and walked up to meet her. "You are Maria the Hedgehog, right?" He asked, confirming his information.
"Yup, that's me. You're here to drive me to the airport?" Maria replied. She was a light yellow hedgehog with crystal-blue eyes. Everything that she wore matched with her eyes. She had on an off the shoulder peasant blouse with a blue plaid design. Maria wore navy blue short-shorts and big blue boots too. (They look like Mina the Mongoose's boots only bigger and shorter in length.)
"Yes" He said. He motioned for her bags, "Let me take those."
"Oh! Thank you!" Maria said, giving the bags to him. She turned to look back at her house, the house that she and her family have been living under for such a long time. 'It's finally time for me to leave the nest. I'm going to fulfill my destiny now.'
"Maria, wait!" Her mother shouted, coming out of the house holding a jacket. "How could you forget your jacket!? You're off to start your new life and you already mess up. What are we going to do with you?"
"Hey now, that was harsh!" Maria said, sheepishly. She took the jacket and kissed her mother on the cheek. "Don't worry about me, mom. I'll be fine by myself."
"Okay, honey. Don't forget to write!" Her mother said, hugging her daughter one last time. "I know you'll find what you are looking for but it will be dangerous. That's why you must keep that jacket with you at all times."
"I know, I know; you don't have to nag me" Maria groaned. Just then, the car horn sounded. "Looks like it's time for me to go." She draped her jacket over her shoulder as she stepped into the limo. Mara pulled down the window and waved as she left her old life and headed toward her new one.
@-----
"Shadow, what are you doing out so late?" asked a girl with blond hair and crystal-blue eyes. She wore a soft blue nightgown that clung to the window she had recently looked out of.
She turned around to see a black and red hedgehog standing behind her. He had his arms crossed over his chest; worry lines emerged in his face. "I'm worried about you, Maria."
"Worried about me? Why?"
"Doctor Gerald told me about your disease." Shadow replied.
Maria walked up to him and hugged him, gently stroking his quills as she spoke "Shadow, don't worry about me. I'll be okay; Grandpa is finding a cure for me."
"I-I'll try not to worry, just for you.Maria" Shadow said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Good" Maria said, "Now, lets get to bed."
@-----
The yellow hedgehog woke up from her nap when a hand tapped her awake. She opened her eyes to see the limo driver. "We've arrived at the airport, I didn't mean to disturb you or anything."
"Oh no! It's okay!" Maria said, flailing her arms.
"I'll walk you inside-"
"It's okay, I can take care of myself."
"These bags look to heavy for you to carry by yourself."
"Well, I was the one who packed them, so I should be able to carry them."
"But I'm paid to help you..."
"*Sigh* Okay, you can help."
The limo driver took the bags out from the trunk while Maria climbed out of the back seat. She blew into her hands and rubbed them against each other for warmth. 'It's cold!' She picked up her jacket from off the seat and slipped it on.
"You're lucky you brought that jacket with you, I heard Station Square is going to be even colder than here." The limo driver said.
Maria pressed the jacket closer to her body "It's fine, I love the fall and the winter.especially windy days; sometimes it makes me feel like I can fly."
The driver chuckled at the last part "If I didn't know better, I would think that the pair of wings you have embroidered on the back of your jacket were real."
"Yeah, I wish!" Maria laughed. "Oh! I have an hour left to get ready for the flight, we'd better go!"
@-----
It was a long flight to Station Square, long with anticipation. Every time Maria looked out the window of the airplane, she felt giddy with the fact that she was getting closer to her destiny. What is her destiny? "I have to find the one I left so long ago."
@-----
"Hey Sonic! Sonic wait up!" Tails yelled, barely keeping up with Sonics 'walking pace.'
Sonic stopped short, causing Tails to slam right into the back of him. Sonic turned around, "What's up, little buddy?"
Tails stood up and dusted himself off, slightly remarking about the bump on his face while recollecting himself. "What's up!? I'd like to ask you the same question! Yesterday you were still moping about the house, now suddenly up walking about town like nothing happened! I do like the change, but what caused you to?"
Sonic scratched his head and said, "Yeah, well, Rouge wants me to go on an errand to pick up a friend of hers at the airport. I think her name's Maria.she's an Internet buddy Rouge met on a message board about.Project Shadow."
"I see.I hope she's not some freak! Why would she be interested in Shadow?" Tails asked.
"Rouge said that this Maria girl was moving here and she asked Rouge if she could stay with her for a little while. As for Shadow, Maria will explain it to us when she gets here." Sonic said.
"Why doesn't Rouge pick her up?"
"She says she's busy."
"Then why not ask Knuckles to pick her up?"
Sonic sighed, "Honestly Tails, who else would she be busy with besides him?"
"Oh, I see..." Tails said, a smirk spreading across his face.
"Plus" Sonic added, "Rouge said it would be better for me if I got some fresh air. You know, with me being cooped up in my room for so long."
"So you listen to her and not me, huh! Just 'cause she has sex appeal doesn't mean you should listen to her before me-"
"We have to wait for her at terminal 57. She should be arriving soon. We'd better juice it!" Sonic said. He grabbed Tail's arm and with a burst of speed, he shot off towards the airport.
@-----
"Hmmm.Sonic the Hedgehog.where could he be." Maria sighed, looking around the crowed terminal 57. 'I remember Rouge emailing me on the plane (Laptop-Maria borrowed one from the guy sitting next to her during the trip) about how she won't be picking me up. She said Sonic the Hedgehog was picking me up instead. Good thing I ordered Station Square's newspaper through the mail, otherwise I wouldn't know what he looks like.'
She walked over to the seating area and sat down on the end seat with a plop. She noticed that most of the people on the plane were businessmen and tourists; not to many people probably live in the city. She saw family members hugging and shouting words like "I missed you!" and how was your trip?" Maria wondered how her cousin would react if she got to see him.
"Hey! Is there anyone named Maria here?!" Shouted a voice among the crowd. Maria stood up and looked around; she couldn't see anyone.
Then she heard someone else say, "Sonic, that's impolite to just shout things out!"
'Sonic? Sonics here?" Maria thought. She stood up from her seat and pushed through the crowd. When she made to the outside, she saw a blue hedgehog and an orange fox battling it out in an argument.
"Sonic why didn't you make a sign to hold up like the limo driver's do?"
"How was I supposed to know to do that? We don't have one so I'll shout instead!"
Maria stood in front of them, bewildered. 'How could they just stand there and argue? People are staring.' Maria cleared her throat. The two of them stopped arguing and looked up.
Sonic and Tails just stood there for a moment, just looking at her.
"Umm.you're Sonic the Hedgehog?" Maria asked.
"Yep! Live and in the flesh!" Sonic said, proudly. He grinned charmingly while pointing to himself. Tails shook his head in embarrassment.
"My name is Maria, are you here to pick me up for Rouge?"
"You're Maria!" Sonic shouted, "I thought you'd be some nerdy girl with glasses or something!"
"Sonic!" Tails groaned.
Maria laughed, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"Heh, that's okay. It's nice to meet you. We'd better get your bags." Sonic said. He grabbed her and Tail's arms and positioned himself to run.
"What are you doing?" Maria asked.
"What do you bags look like?"
"There brown with green straps on them. The straps say 'Maria' on them."
"Okay," Sonic said, grinning "I'm world's fastest hedgehog so I'm about to pick up your luggage and leave the airport in record speed."
@-----
As if being carried through the airport by Sonics feet wasn't thrilling enough, the nighttime life of Station Square was jaw dropping. Lit up signs and street lamps covered the city, nearly all of them advertising the stores and restaurants that they were built above. People cluttered every street, some in groups, others walking alone. This all amazed Maria very much so.
"I-It's amazing!" Maria breathed, twirling around. She was trying to soak up all the images around her.
"What's with her?" Sonic asked Tails.
Tails sighed, "She's probably never been in a city before. We have been living here for a long time so we are used to everything around us. Maria probably hasn't had the chance to see this; not many people do. It is a lot of money to stay in the city. I bet she saved up a lot of money to be here."
"I guess you're right, we never had to pay for our houses because we're heroes." Sonic said.
Maria ran over to them and playfully hugged Sonic. "This place is so great, thanks for showing me around!"
"No problem!" Sonic said. He patted her on the head. "I'm sure Rouge is still out anyway."
"We should be heading back though-" Tails began, before getting cut off by an all to familiar voice.
"SONIKKU!!!!!!" Shouted Amy Rose, coming up the street at full speed. She jumped into the air with the help of her hammer and landed right into his arms. "Sonikku, I'm so happy to see you outside again. It's wonderful to see that you're feeling so much better!"
"Uh.yeah, nice to see you too. Can you get off of me, I don't want to drop you." Sonic said, barely being able to balance.
"Okay Sonic!" She said. She left Sonics arms and noticed Maria and Tails. Her mood quickly changed from happy to mad. She ran up to Maria and started to go on a rampage, "Hey, who are you and why are you hanging up with my Sonikku?! He already belongs to me so don't get any ideas! I saw you hanging all over him- "
Maria was startled at first and couldn't say a thing. She noticed Sonic and Tails with big sweat drops and then she knew what was going on. "My name is Maria. Sonic picked me up from the airport for Rouge and was showing me around town. I've never been to a city before."
"Then are you interested in him?" Amy asked, crossing her arms impatiently.
"A-Amy." Sonic stuttered.
"I interested in someone..." Maria murmured.
"Well then, if it's not Sonic, then who is it?" Amy asked. Sonic and Tails, who were curious also wanted to know her answer.
Maria's eyes watered up a bit and she rubbed them. She looked up, her eyes still watering and said, "J-Just some other hedgehog."
Amy was about to tell her to be more specific when she noticed that Maria was close to tears. "I-I am sorry I asked you those questions, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"It's okay." Maria said, wiping her nose on her jacket.
Sonic still wanted to know what hedgehog could be cooler than him. What hedgehog could be.? Hedgehog.Internet.Project.Shadow. "Amy."
Amy turned around, "What is it Sonic?"
"Your questioning didn't make her cry." Sonic mumbled, her eyes tearing as well.
Maria looked up questioningly as did Amy and Tails. Why would Sonic start to cry out of nowhere?
"Looks like Sonic figured it out before the rest of you did." Murmured a playful voice belonging to none other than Rouge the bat.
Everyone turned around to see Rouge and Knuckles. Rouge was dressed up in a white blouse and a black mini skirt. Knuckles wore nothing (As usual) except sunglasses, even though it was night. They were both wearing grim expressions on their faces.
"Maria?" Rouge asked.
"Yes, Rouge?" Maria replied.
"That other hedgehog was.was Shadow wasn't it?" Rouge softly asked.
Everyone looked to Maria who suddenly collapsed on the sidewalk. "Y- Yes." Maria said, her voice soft and distant. Everyone looked down at his or her feet.
"But what would she know about Shadow?" Tails asked. " I did a background check while I went out to eat with Knuckles. Maria knows almost everything about him. Isn't that right." Rouge said, "Maria Robotnik Hedgehog?"
@---------
Kimmie's Corner!
Kimmie: Hiya, I'm Kimmie, the author!
Shadow: They could have read your name to find that one out!
Kimmie: Hey that was mean! Why are you so grumpy anyway?
Shadow: I'm not in the story yet!
Kimmie: YET?! Who says your even going to be in it!? You're supposed to be dead!
Shadow: @_@
Kimmie: Sorry, sorry. You just can't give away the plot. We've got to be careful!
Amy: At least Maria isn't in love with Sonic!
Kimmie: Where'd you come from!
Shadow: My head.