Chapter 2: The Meeting
Last time on Maria the Tenrec, a retelling of the events of fifty years ago. A rebuilt Maria, now a Tenrec, is brought back from the brink by her grandfather and given a new life to live. Now, having a goal to follow, she makes her way...to Little Planet...
Starring:
Maria Robotnik - Revived Youth
Miles 'Tails' Prower - Genius Prodigy
Amy Rose - Damsel in Distress
Sonic the Hedgehog - Hero of Mobius
Dr. Ivo Robotnik - Evil Genius
Mystic Ruins; Tails' Workshop
*At the Mystic Ruins, Miles Prower, a genius prodigy in his own right, was busying away at rebuilding the Tornado after it got shot down by Eggman during a pursuit. He wipes off some sweat as he drops the wrench he had into a toolbox.*
Tails: "Boy, this'll take a bit. Sonic already left to Little Planet after hearing about Eggman heading there himself. Meanwhile, I'm just fixing up the Tornado for him. Heh... He really does trust me." *Heads to another room, possibly to find some refreshments, but then hears a knock to the door.* "Hm? Another one of those would-be researchers looking for directions?" *He walks over to the door and opens it.* "Hello?"
*Outside the door, a light blue tenrec stood, swaying back and forth patiently before looking at Tails, a sweet smile to her.*
Maria: "Um... Hello... Are you...Miles?"
Tails: "Y-Yes...?"
Maria: "Um... Would you happen to know a Mr. Sonic or Dr. Robotnik?"
Tails: "I would... Sonic more, technically..."
Maria: "Do you mind if we...speak in private?" *Looking around.*
*Hesitant, Tails does move aside and invite Maria inside, even giving her the couch to sit on as he makes a quick cup of tea.*
Maria: "I...apologize for the awkwardness of the situation... I just didn't want to be too vocal after what I've heard of Dr. Robotnik..."
Tails: "It's fine. Um... What's your name, miss?"
Maria: "Maria. Maria Robotnik."
*There was a very heavy pause. Tails just stares at Maria before having to do a double take. A quick minute later, Tails rigs up a basic DNA scanner but found no real match to anyone.*
Tails: "It doesn't say you're related to anyone really... You DNA doesn't have any family tree to go off of..."
Maria: "Let's try this then..." *Starts to type onto the machine 'Maria Robotnik' and a family tree forms. Gerald and Ivo are shown to be her relatives.*
Tails: "Wait. You're... But..." *Looks at the picture of human Maria, then at tenrec Maria, then back and forth.*
Maria: "Take a deep breath... I'll...explain what I know..."
*Maria begins to explain her complicated story about how she became to be a tenrec. While a little spotty at best, with Tails noticing some missing details, he certainly could tell she was telling the truth.*
Tails: "I see... So you suffered from an unknown illness that slowly started to drain you of your life and your grandfather, Gerald, out of an act of desperation and kindness, placed your consciousness into the body of a now fifty-year-old tenrec?"
Maria: "It's rude to mention a lady's age." *She says as a joke.*
Tails: "Uh... Sorry... Ahem. That's...all really hard to believe... So... The real you...is dead... But you..."
Maria: "Yes. I am essentially a copy. But I live on for my grandfather's sake. He allowed me to live my life when I needed him the most. And while I am...unfortunately unable to age... I won't let that deter me from living the life I want to..."
*Tails falls silent, seeing this sentiment as...genuinely sweet. Brushing away a tear, he turns off the computer and sighs.*
Tails: "Well... If you want to know where Sonic is... He went off to Little Planet when he heard about Eggman going there."
Maria: "Eggman?"
Tails: "That's what me and Sonic call Robotnik. Sonic's idea since...well...he does look a like an egg..."
Maria: "But... That sounds mean... I wouldn't call anyone something mean based on their looks... What if I called you 'Tails' as an insult?"
Tails: "Well... That used to be the case for me. Before I met Sonic, I got teased a lot for my two tails. Tails was an insult to me...until Sonic turned it around and made it sound...better. Heroic. I no longer feel shame being called 'Tails'. I feel a sense of pride."
Maria: "Wow... I... Well, still..."
Tails: "I know, I know. But trying to convince Sonic to call Eggman anything else would be like trying to teach water to drown. You just can't."
Maria: "Sigh... Fine. I won't try..."
Tails: "Oh speaking of. I need to get the Tornado working. After the business on Angel Island, the plane was desperate need of repairs."
Maria: "Oh! I can help!" *Grabs some tools and starts helping out with the repairs.*
*Tails was at first very worried about her messing with the machinery, but then saw just how good with tools she was. He figured it might just run in the family, seeing as Eggman is handy with tools. After a good few minutes of teamwork rebuilding, the Tornado was made fully operational, much to Tails' thrill.*
Tails: "Alright! With this, we can get to Little Planet is no time flat!" *He hops into the cockpit and turns on the plane.* "Get in, Maria!"
*Maria nods before climbing into the passenger seat, putting on a helmet.*
Tails: "Next stop, Little Planet!"
*The plane is brought down to a launch bay under the warehouse in which the tunnel opens, allowing Tails to fly out and into the air, Maria looking on as they take to the skies.*
Little Planet; Stardust Speedway
*Sonic was racing Metal Sonic, avoiding attacks from behind while Eggman gave chase on his Egg Mobile. Amy was tied to a mast, calling out to Sonic as he nears the finish line.*
Sonic: "What's wrong, Faker? Running on fumes already? I haven't even broken a sweat yet!"
*Metal's eyes flash before he tries to charge at Sonic, but the hedgehog leaps over and stomps his feet right onto Metal's back, destroying his jets and causing the robot to skid to a stop while Sonic reaches the goal.*
Amy: "Sonic! My hero! You did it!"
Sonic: "And the crowd goes wild! Can I get a 'You're too slow'!?"
Amy: "You're too slow, Metal Wannabe!"
Eggman: "Grrr! Curse you, Sonic! You still haven't won!"
Sonic: "Says...you?" *Puts his hands on his hips as he grins at Eggman.*
*The three then hear a plane before seeing the Tornado fly overhead. Tails and an unknown, to them, tenrec flies over Little Planet, waving at the group before setting the Tornado on autopilot and getting ready to hop out.*
Tails: "Ready? We're gonna jump!"
Maria: "What!?"
Tails: "Trust me! We'll be okay!" *Reaches a hand for Maria before the tenrec reluctantly accepts.*
*The two leap out as the Tornado flies away, Tails using his copter tails to descend down and confront Eggman with Sonic.*
Sonic: "Well well. Look who managed to catch up after all. Knew you could do it." *Starts petting Tails before turning to the tenrec.* "Who's your girlfriend?"
Tails: "Daah..." *Immediately gets flustered.* "Ahem... Sonic. Meet Maria. Maria. Meet Sonic."
Maria: "Hi."
Sonic: "Yo. Cute dress."
*Amy immediately looks at this with a bit of fury, but can't do much as a result of her...being tied up still.*
Eggman: "Great... More rodents... As if my day couldn't get any worse..." *Turns to leave.*
Maria: "Ivo, wait!"
*Eggman pauses before turning back to the tenrec.*
Eggman: "'Ivo'? Who dares call me by my first name?"
Sonic: "Hey, yo, Tails... Why'd she-"
Tails: "Long story... I'll explain later."
Maria: "Ivo! I know you probably don't know me, but my name is Maria Robotnik! In the name of our grandfather, Gerald, stop what you are doing!"
Eggman: "..." *Stares at Maria before firing a net at her.*
Sonic: "Hey! Be nice to- Gah!" *Gets caught by Metal Sonic before he is tossed aside.*
Eggman: "You have a lot of explaining to do, my dear 'Maria'." *Pulls up the net, Maria trapped inside as she tries to get out.*
*Tails runs to Sonic's side as Eggman and Metal leave for Metallic Madness.*
Sonic: "Ergh... I'm okay, bud... But what was up with that?"
Tails: "Like I said, long story. But we need to go help her right away!"
Sonic: "Right. Let's juice, Tails!" *Speeds off with Tails, leaving Amy still tied up.*
Amy: "...Wait! What about me!? I'm still tied up! SONIIIIIC!"
Little Planet; Metallic Madness
*Deep in Eggman's base, Eggman was pacing around his monitor room, looking at the caged-up Maria as he had his family tree on display.*
Eggman: "This is certainly a complication that I cannot explain. You say you are my deceased cousin, Maria Robotnik..."
Maria: "Yes."
Eggman: "And you know my grandfather, Gerald."
Maria: "Our."
Eggman: "Then time for a quiz show, courtesy of the great Dr. Ivo Robotnik." *Smiles, confident that Maria will fail.* "What is the name of my eldest brother?"
Maria: "Colin H. Robotnik."
Eggman: "What is our grandfather's favorite treat?"
Maria: "Chocolate chip cookies with a hint of mint. He's very particular with the mint."
Eggman: "What is our family motto?"
Maria: "Strive for greatness, no matter how far off it seems."
Eggman: "...Hmph. Fine. Three for three. Time for the bonus round. What is our grandfather's greatest invention?"
Maria: "...I don't know... I..." *Starts having some...strange memories of...a hedgehog... A living space not on Mobius... Her thoughts are interrupted by Eggman speaking.*
Eggman: "A shame. And here I thought I could rid myself of that accursed hedgehog by using one of my grandfather's greatest weapons... But alas..."
Maria: "So...uh... Ivo... Why...are you fighting a blue hedgehog? Or more importantly, why did you kidnap an innocent pink hedgehog?"
Eggman: "Don't get me wrong, Maria. I didn't start off evil or cruel. I tried helping the world... But then I found out just what kind of world we lived in. Corrupt. Evil. Unruly. This world needs a governing hand. One who can truly lead it. And I am the perfect candidate."
Maria: "Then...why not just run for president?"
Eggman: "You make it seem so easy, little girl. The president role would not suffice. I would only rule over a portion of the world. Not the whole world."
Maria: "...You take after our grandfather in almost everything but name...yet you don't share in his kindness... He never wanted to rule... Just change the world for the better... He would be...very disappointed in you..."
*This strikes a chord in Eggman, forcing the cage to go down as he grabs Maria by her collar and lifts her up to his face.*
Eggman: "Do not test me, girl. You may be my cousin, but I have no qualms in destroying anyone who dares to get in my way. That includes my own family."
*An alarm goes off as Sonic, Tails, and Amy close into his base. With a growl, Eggman takes Maria to his Egg Mobile and tosses her in.*
Eggman: "No matter... If I disappoint my own grandfather... Then I shall surpass him then. My genius will change the world...in my own way!" *Arms his Egg Mobile with the Egg Spinner.*
*Deep in Metallic Madness, Sonic is seen bouncing on badnik after badnik before using his Figure-8 to slam down a door. Amy sends a robot flying past the door with her Piko Piko Hammer as Tails is seen stomping on another behind her.*
Sonic: "You know, if you were so strong, Amy, why didn't you just bash Metal Sonic yourself?"
Amy: "He got the drop on me. You can't just 'know' when you're going to get attacked."
Sonic: "Says the crazy fangirl who said I was her destined one?"
Amy: "Well... I mean..."
Tails: "Guys, come on. We've got to save Maria..."
Sonic: "So let me get this straight... This Maria girl is one of Eggman's relatives, put into the body of a tenrec?"
Tails: "Yeah... A bit strange, I know... But I had no real doubt she was telling the truth. But there were bits and pieces of her story missing... Almost like they were omitted from her own memory on purpose..."
Sonic: "Hmm... Well, if she's nothing like Eggman, I say she's worth saving then. And besides, tenrecs are basically another hedgehog, right? So she's kind of like family."
Amy: "I still don't like her though..."
Sonic: "Look, I complimented her on her style... That's it. I wasn't trying to flirt with her. So no need to hold grudges. Okay, Amy?"
Amy: "...Okay... I'll get over it..."
Eggman: "Oh you'll get over more than your emotions, you menaces!"
*After announcing his presence, the Egg Spinner descends upon Sonic and his friends, the spinning blades nearly chopping at Tails as he jumps away.*
Eggman: "Time to grind up some rodents! I wonder what hedgehog made chili dogs would taste."
Sonic: "I'd rather not find out..." *Jumps away from the mech before jumping back with a Spin Attack at the appropriate moment, but misses as Eggman ascends to dodge.*
Eggman: "I hold all the cards now, Sonic! This time I shall become victorious!"
Maria: 'Hmm... I need to help Sonic, but how...?' *Looks around the Egg Mobile while Eggman is busy before sliding quietly to a panel. Using the loud noise of the mech to kick the panel open, she sees exactly what she needs; wires. Using her mouth, she chomps onto the wires and pulls them out, electrocuting herself in the process, but slowing the Egg Spinner's blades down considerably.*
Eggman: "What!? What's going on!?" *Turns to Maria and finds her tampering with his machine.* "No! You! How did you-!?"
Sonic: "I guess you could say... It runs in your family!" *Lands on Eggman's Egg Mobile before smashing through it, destroying it and the Egg Spinner.*
*Eggman is quick to abandon his Egg Mobile, starting to run away to another room as he rigs his base to blow up.*
Eggman: "This isn't the last you've seen of me, Sonic!" *The door closes as he says that.*
*Sonic carries Maria in his arms as he sees the base starting to blow up. With Tails carrying Amy, the group jump up into the air with the Tornado swooping in to rescue them off the small planet.*
A Few Miles away from Little Planet
*After the rescue, the team drop off onto a cliff nearby with Sonic untying Maria and helping her to her feet.*
Maria: "Blech... I taste plastic wrapping on my tongue..."
Sonic: "Hehe! I could take you to get a chili dog to wash out that taste if you want."
Maria: "No... I'm...allergic to chili... Sorry..." *She shyly reels back, thinking she was rude to decline Sonic.*
Sonic: "...Are you allergic to hot dogs?"
Maria: "No..."
Sonic: "Good enough. Three chili dogs and one hot dog on me."
Amy: "Wait... Three? You mean..."
Sonic: "Eh. Why not? I'm feeling generous." *Pets Amy before speeding off.* "Race you to Station Square!"
Amy: "Here I come, Sonic!" *She chases after Sonic, hearts following her.*
Maria: "He's...quite fast in a conversation."
Tails: "That's Sonic for you. But always a hero through and through." *He starts flying, smiling at Maria.* "Come on! Let's not get left behind!"
*Tails flies off, leaving Maria to look back, a sad look upon her as she sighs.*
Maria: "I had hoped I could get through to Ivo... I hope he sees the error of his ways... One day anyway..."
Location Unknown; Egg Citadel
*In the repurposed Death Egg, now remodeled as a citadel hidden from the rest of the world, Eggman descends down an elevator, Metal Sonic by his side. The last words spoken to him by Maria had angered him a lot.*
Eggman: "Hmph. I tried being a good person. I tried giving the world a chance. But there is no helping it. No helping them. They are corrupt and far eviler than I am. I only intend to bring world order. And I'll start by finding out everything about my grandfather's research." *Smiles evilly.* "Metal Sonic. Do whatever it takes to destroy Sonic. But make sure Maria pays for what she said to me. I am no disappointment to our grandfather... I am Dr. Ivo Robotnik! The greatest scientific mind in the world! And no one...will ever tell me otherwise..."
To be continued...
Author's Notes:
So... I decided to release this one upon completion. I'm starting to enjoy this story a bit and I'm hoping you're enjoying this alternate take on Sonic lore. I might take a completely different direction going forward. Just a reminder that this is a 'What If' so unlike the main StH story where I try to be as faithful to the canon as I can be while still making it original, this story will be purely fanfiction at its finest. So try to take the changes in the story with a grain of salt.