Two years later.

Maria sang to herself as she cooked breakfast in the rather large kitchen. She had grown her musical skills over the two years she had been gone from her old life. Most people would regret such a large split-second decision but so far the former princess had no regrets. Since she really never made any decisions and the kingdom was run by her advisors the mushroom Kingdom had easily transitioned into a democracy

seeing as she had no heirs. Maria was welcomed by Shadow's friends and she now lived with the black hedgehog in his mansion. His job at gun payed of this left Maria free to do something she never would've had a chance to do as Peach. Pursue a career in music. The girl had always loved to sing but, being a royal really limited what she could do with that. Maria had preformed at a few local restaurants and was a hit. The song she sang now was one she had wrote.

I grew up in a place

Where my voice was quiet

I often had to race

to keep up with the chase

I grew bored

I was sick of being who I was

So I

Became some one new

I ditched my old identity

went where not a soul knew my name

I changed who I was

Became who I was meant to be

I grew bored

I was sick of being who I was

So I

Became some one new

I'm more happy here

Than I ever was there

I'm myself

I'm myself the way I should've ben

All along

As Maria finished her singing Shadow finally staggered down into the kitchen. Rubbing his yes as he walked over to her he yawned. Standing behind her he wrapped his arms around her torso. Maria really didn't know when exactly it happened but, the two friends had become an item. Soon, they were both sitting at the table eating waffles when Shadow spoke up "Maria, are you sure you want to go today?" Th girl froze her fork halfway to her mouth. She sighed today was the anniversary of Princess Peach's death. Her death.

Every year her former subjects took the day she died and made it a celebration of her life. All were invited including Sonic and his friends. Which of course now meant her as well. Maria had skipped the last one because she was terrified of people recognizing her even tough she looked nothing like her normal self. She had to go today or things would start to get suspicious. Maria nodded "I am ready Shadow. I have to do this." Her hedgehog boyfriend nodded knowingly. he knew her better than any other person i the world. He could feel her nerves and hesitation but, knew she would never let anyone down.

Later that day, the couple sat on a park bench awaiting their other friends so they could head to the Mushroom Kingdom. Maria had no idea why they still called it the Mushroom Kingdom as it was now a democracy. A homage to the old ways she guessed. The Kingdom itself didn't really feel her "loss" but, some of it's people did. Toadsworth felt it was his fault and had thrown himself into his work becoming the countries first Prime Minister. Mario was desperate for adventure so he and his brother has taken to joining the newly formed Mushroom army soon becoming generals. She was told though that Mario still cried himself to sleep every night. Bowser however was affected worst of all. He never left his castle anymore and he had left his throne rather early leaving his young son to run the kingdom in his place. Maria hated being the cause of such heartbreak but, she had to do this for herself. She was finally free.

as soon as Shadow's friends arrived they started on their way. "Hey Maria," Amy asked smiling brightly "how's the music coming?" Maria smiled they all supported her passion unlike the friends she had as Princess Peach. They didn't know that she used too be a Princess but, whatever. "Things are going great Amy," Maria replied earnestly "I just need one big break." Sonic suddenly spoke up "how much slower can we go. I've seen snails make faster time." Maria rolled hr eyes right along with the others something she would never have been able to do as Peach. It didn't take long for Maria to learn one very important thing about her unique situation. Princess Peach meant restrictions while Maria meant freedom.

When the group of friends arrived at the celebration things were in full swing. There were booths with food, games and trinkets. People from all over the world came to this giant party to see the sights of this lavish country. Maria however preferred Mobius. The Mushroom Kingdom was organized and clean while Mobius was wild and crazy. The blond hedgehog could see the beauty in the chaos.

Smiling Maria grabbed Shadow's hand "let's go try the shooting game!" she exclaimed in excitement. "Uhhh... don't you think it would be a little unfair for the two best sharpshooters in the world to play a game revolving around shooting?" asked the small fox everyone called Tails. Maria glared at him, she had asked Shadow to teach her how to defend herself. Along with showing her the basic chaos attacks she could use with her somewhat limited supply of energy he also taught her how to shoot a gun. She felt slightly uncomfortable carrying such a dangerous weapon around so, Shadow carried a second that he could give to her i she ever needed it. Maria wouldn't call herself on of the two best sharpshooters in the world but she was okay.

The day flew past rather quickly and soon it was time for the more depressing part of the "celebration." Their was a dinner in the dinning hall where all of Peach's close friends were invited they left her usual chair empty and gave speeches. Maria found it to all be very over the top. The Sonic gang was invited which meant she would be there as well. Shadow found it absolutely hilarious that she was going to attend her own memorial service. She kind of had to though. Even Bowser was invited not that anyone thought he was going to show up.

The large group of friends crowded around the grand table in the middle of the just as grand room. Shadow had to pretend to guide Maria around like she hadn't lived in is castle her life up until two years ago. Maria practically cowered in her seat when a very unexpected but invited guest showed up. Bowser. Maria couldn't help but stare. If anyone would recognize her it would be him. He had seen her use her first chaos attack so, he knew something was up. He turned his head and met her gaze. She had to look as much unlike Peach as she could so she stared him down. Peach would've looked away not in fear but, because that was what she was told to do when someone met her gaze. Bowser looked annoyed then a flash of confusion and recognition came into his eyes. Maria cursed under her breath. Her eyes. Every other part of her body was unrecognizable but, her eyes...her eyes were exactly the same. She looked away quickly focusing on the first speech of the night but, she could feel the eyes on her.

Toadsworth was in the spotlight first. "I watched over her when her parents couldn't," he started "and when they passed on I advised her in her ruling. Peach didn't deserve it. She was kind sweet but, with a rebellious streak." Maria's eyes widened she didn't think Toadsworth had noticed. The Prime Minister continued "I knew that she was frustrated. She wanted to follow her dreams but, her status got in the way. I could hardly see how bad it was." He was crying now. He managed to continue for a little bit longer before breaking down. Mario stepped up to the podium next "Peach was beautiful, caring and innocent. She was too gentle to deal with the evils of the world and needed to be protected." Okay now Maria was mad. If only he could see her now. The speeches continued with each word making Maria's heart feel like Swiss cheese. Full of holes. Soon, she couldn't take any more. Maria leaned over to Shadow "I can't sit through much more of this," she whispered "I have got to get out of here." In response he passed her her gun under the table.

When Maria finally slipped out of the room she found herself in the gardens. Back when she was the Princess she would often roam this area whenever she got some free time. It felt good to be close to nature. She was smelling the roses when she heard a rustle in the bushes. Acting on instinct she drew her gun and aimed it in the general direction of where she heard the noise. "Who goes there!" she yelled "I'm warning you I will shoot and I won't miss." A voice came out of the darkness familiar yet different more sad than how she remembered it "well Princess, you may have everyone else fooled but, I would recognize that voice and those eyes anywhere." Bowser stepped out of the bushes as Maria slowly gave a smile "long time no see reptile breath" she said cooly. Bowser looked almost surprised a this young hedgehogs willingness to insult him and use a gun. Maria looked directly into Bowser's large red eyes "so, how didd your life turn out?" she asked nonchalantly. Bowser laughed for the first time in two years "you tried to kill yourself and somehow ended up running with your boyfriends rival and you're asking me how I'm doing!" Maria rolled her eyes "trust me," she said "if i wanted to be dead i would be gone by now." Bowser's laughter stopped "what do you mean i just assumed you survived somehow got turned into a hedgehog made new friends but, were to ashamed to come back." Maria shook her head "as if. I wasn't depressed in the first place. I was just sick of having to be a Princess," her eyes turned cold "I didn't want to sit back and do nothing as my advisors ran the kingdom. I was sick of getting kidnapped every other week. Peach is dead. She never even existed in the first place. I'm someone else now. I'm who I was born as. Maria Robotnick. Girlfriend of Shadow the hedgehog, former resident of the ark and most of all free." Bowser just stared at her blankly what was she going on about. Seeing the giant koopa's look Maria elaborated "I wasn't born a Princess Bowser. I was born a sickly human on the ark over fifty years ago. I died but, somebody brought me back erasing my memory in the process."

Back in the dining hall people were beginning to notice the absence of both Bowser and Maria. Mario had finished his speech by now and Daisy was talking when they heard the familiar roar of Bowser followed by him yelling. "YOU'RE AN IDIOT! YOU LET YOUR FRIENDS THINK YOU DEAD WHEN YOU WEREN'T! YOU ABANDONED EVERYONE!" almost every figure in the dining hall ran out in the gardens to see what was going on. What they found was interesting to say the least. Maria had a gun and tears were streaming down her face as Bowser yelled at her. "DO YOU THINK I DON'T MISS THEM!' she screamed back "I JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING USEFUL THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HE REAL ME! ALL THEY KNOW IS HE FACADE I PUT ON!" Tears were steaming down Maria's face now. Suddenly, as if realizing something she turned around to see everyone and her eyes went wide. Panicking Maria looked to Shadow who worried about her tossed the girl a chaos emerald. Maria giving a thankful yelled "CHAOS CONTROL" and disappeared in a flash. But, just for a second he group could have sworn they saw the young hedgehog shift into someone else. Someone familiar yet different. Stronger. For a second Maria looked like their supposedly dead friend Princess Peach.

Authors note: I'm proud of myself this is probably the longest chapter I have written for anything. I hope it makes up for not posting in a while. I wrote the song but other than that everything except the plot belongs to Sega and Nintendo