Chapter 3: Truth of One's Destiny

Meanwhile, Maria is very devastated that her aunt, the family she has is stolen away from her, and her home is wrecked. She doesn't know what to do. Blackberry comes over and gives Maria a hug hoping to cheer her up.

"Chao chao chao chao!" Blackberry sadly says, and snuggles against her face.

Maria hugs, Blackberry, "Thank you Blackberry, but I just don't know what to do. I know I should do something, but I don't know what."

"You must go find her and fulfil your destiny," A mysterious voice comes up.

Maria dn Blackberry quickly become surprise and look around to see no one is around.

Maria asks, "Hello? Who's there?"

Just then a magic aura appears and changes into a lizard man wearing a purple cloak. Maria and Blackberry are surprised to see the mysterious lizard appear in her home.

"Who… who are you?" Maria asks, sounding a bit nervous.

"I am known as The Oracle young one. I am here because your destiny has come," The lizard says.

"My destiny?"Maria asks.

"Yes. We can talk this over some tea and some scones," the Oracle says.

The Oracle uses his magic to set up the table and chairs and make a tea set with hot tea in the pot with a plate of scones appear.

"Wow!" Marai says in amazement.

The Oracle pours the tea in the cups, and says, "Come and sit down, we have much to discuss."

Maria and Blackberry are confused about this. Yet, they feel that he can be trusted. Maria walks forward and sits down on the table, and places Blackberry on the table.

"Um thank you. Um, can you tell me what is going on? What is my destiny?" Maira asks.

The Oracle says, "It is time to know who you truly are Princess Maria."

"Princess? Me?" Maria asks.

"Yes. Princess Maria, and you are not alone on your journey," The Oracle says.

"I'm afraid the only one I have is my chao friend Blackberry. My Aunt Rouge has been stolen away by these aliens and wrecked the bottom half of my house," Maira says.

"I know. The aliens are part of a big threat on Mobius. You are not alone as you think," the Oracle says.

"How so?" Maria asks.

"You also have a mother, a step-father, a brother and a sister," the Oracle says.

Maria gasps in shock, "What?!"

Meanwhile, in Mobotropolis, Queen Sally is looking at the night sky on the balcony. She is looking very worried and for some reason happy as well. She knows that the prophecy will be arriving very soon, and she also knows that her first child will be the one to defeat to defeat a terrifying threat.

King Sonic walks to the balcony and places his hand on Sally's shoulder. Sally turns to Sonic and they both give each other a hug.

"Still worried about her huh?" Sonic asks.

"I am. After thirteen long years the prophecy will be arriving along with the Black Arms. I just hope the prophecy will be fulfill and that my first child will return to us," Sally says.

"I'm sure she will Sally. We just have to wait and hope the Oracle's prophecy will come true," Sonic says.

Sonic and Sally hug each other with fear and yet hope the day will be arriving. They mostly hope that their daughter will come back to them.

Meanwhile, Maria has find out the truth of who she is and is very shocked about it. The Oracle suspects that the girl is going to have trouble accepting the truth.

"I'm sorry for freaking out like that. Still, I have a family and I'm a princess," Maria says in concern.

"I know it's a shock for you, but yes it's true. I was with your family when I revealed your faith," The Oracle explains.

"What do you mean?" Maira asks.

The Oracle uses his magic to show images about what has happened in the past.

The Oracle says, "Long ago, Mobius was under the power of King Shadow your father, and Queen Sally your mother. Sonic and the Guardian was able to defeat him, and he along with Queen Sally were soon married. During the year, Queen Sally became pregnant and had you. There I revealed your destiny. You will defeat the Black Arms on your thirteenth birthday, and reunite with your family. But in order for the prophecy to fulfill, your mother had to give you to Rouge to raise in secrecy."

"Why would my mother do it? Doesn't she love me?" Maria asks.

"Of course, your mother loves you very much. But because the Dark Presence, your birth father's agents were around, I felt that it's not safe for you with them around. No one can know that you're King Shadow's daughter until you fulfill your destiny. You have the power to defeat the Black Arms and save Mobius. Only then you will reunited with your family," The Oracle says.

"I'm destined to defeat an alien race?" Maria asks in shock.

The Oracle says, "I know that sounds like a lot on your shoulders, but there is more to your destiny than just that. You must form the new team of Freedom Fighters if you hope to succeed."

"I have to form the Freedom Fighter as well. This… this is so much to take in. I have a family, I'm destined to fight of aliens, and form a team. It's so much a young girl can take," Maria says, feeling devastated.

Maria then says, "But if it means finding my Aunt, then it's my only chance to find her."

"Yes. Unfortunately, this is all that I can tell you. I'll be here when you need me, but you need to do this on your own," The Oracle says.

"Alright, I'll do it. But um, what do I do first?" Maria replies.

"Simple, you have the very thing that can help you. You must use chaos control to get you to Mobotropolis," The Oracle says.

Maria realizes, "The Chaos Emerald!"

She looks at the red gem in her hand to see it glow bright.

"Yes. Use the Chaos Emerald, and you will be able to reach Mobotropolis in no time," the Oracle says.

"Right," Maria says.

She quickly runs upstairs and gather a few thing she need for her trip. She packed, clothes, accessories, and shoes, some money, a few supplies, and most importantly the photo of herself and Rouge and the flower she has received for her birthday.

She hurries back downstairs and says to the oracle, "Okay, I'm ready."

The Oracle uses his powers to create a image of the city. Maria takes a close look at the image of the city.

She raises the gem, and shouts, "Chaos control!"

Then disappears from her home.

The Oracle says, "Good luck Princess Maria, you're destiny has only begin."

Then the Oracle disappears into thin air.

Meanwhile, Rouge is imprisoned in one of the cells by the Black Arms. She tries hard to break the bars down and other means of escaping, but so far, nothing works.

Rouge sighs, and says to herself, "At least Maria is safe from this creep I hate to think about what will happen if he knows about her."

She then hear something and turn her head to see Eclipse entering the room. Then comes towards Rouge's cell. Rouge shows a scowl look and turns her head away from him in anger. She's still pretty upset with him.

"So how is our little prisoner doing?" Eclipse remarks.

"I have no time for you little sarcasm for today," Rouge says.

"Aww, why are you looking so down? I only want to see an old friend of my," Eclipse says.

"We're not friends big shot. Why are you even here?" Rouge angrily says.

"I'm here to ask you about a little chaos emerald that I have sensed coming from your home," Eclipse says.

Rouge gasps in shock, and knows the emerald he is talking about.

"Now. I know you had the emerald, so how about you tell me where the emerald is. Otherwise, you can be in the chamber until my little Black Arms hatch," Eclipse.

Rouge is stunned to hear Eclipse's threat.

Rouge angrily says, "I don't care! I don't care what you do with me! I'll never tell you about the Chaos Emerald!"

Eclipse makes a scowl and disapproved look on his face. He then notices something tied to Rouge's wing. He grabs Rouge's wing, and the bat begins to struggle.

"Hey! Let me go you creep!" Rouge scream in anger.

He then grabs the something from Rouge's wing, and she pulls it away from him.

"What was that for?!" Rogue demands.

Rouge gasps in shock to see Eclipse holding the locket Maria is given for her birthday.

Eclipse asks himself, "What is this thing?"

Eclipse open the locket to see what is inside. He becomes interested to see what is inside. The photo of Rouge and Maria inside. Rouge becomes worried to know that Eclipse can see a photo of Maria.

Eclipse smiles, "Well well it looks like you have yourself a kid since the last time I saw you. I wonder why she looks a lot like my 'brother' Shadow? Is she the one who has the chaos emerald in her possession."

Rouge angrily grits her teeth, "I swear, if you much as lay a hand on her I'll…"

"You'll what? In case you have forgotten, you're trapped in here while this little girl is out there with the emerald. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you once I bring her here," Eclipse says.

Then leaves the room leaving Rouge who is feeling much despair.

Rouge quietly says to herself, "Maria."

She really hope that Maria is safe and sound, and hope she doesn't stay at home to find out.

At the outskirt of Mobotropolis, Maria and Blackberry has just teleported from their home and all the way to a field just outside of the city. Of course, the two are feeling sick after teleporting from a far distance.

Maria turns her head, and becomes surprised to see the city of Mobotropolis.

"So this is it. Mobotropolis," Maria says to herself.

"Chao chao," Blackberry says.

"You're right, we need to get to the city and find somewhere to stay for the night," Maria says to her Chao friend.

Maira and Blackberry begin to walk to the city. They have never been to a city before, but know that they need to get there.

Soon enough, the two are able to reach the city to see the place is pretty quiet. Luckily, they both are able to find an old building with some fabric for blankets. Maria uses the fabric to make a bed, a pillow, and blankets. She tucks herself in along with Blackberry. The two then falls asleep for the right of the night.