Chapter 19: The Finale

*Maria's eyes awaken, blinking away the blurriness of the room around her. Her head was foggy, trying to recall what had happened before now. As her vision cleared, she saw a light above her. It was like before, when she first woke up in this daze. She tried to move her hand to block the light… but found her hand strapped down. Both of her hands.*

Maria: "..."

*She tried to speak, but found herself unable to. Almost like she had no voice. Her eyes widened as the memories flooded back to her. She recalled what happened, even as her "Super" form. Calling it that was an insult to a real Super form she thought. Still, she tried to get out of her restraints, but to no avail. Then a human approached her, a young adult in uniform, a high ranking military commander from the looks of it.*

Brass: "Well well. Our special little project finally woke up. I hope you had a good nap, girl. Because after today, it'll be the last one you ever experience."

*A doctor approaches, looking at Brass.*

Doctor: "Commander Brass, the subject is now hooked up to the computer. All systems will delete the personality, Maria, from its systems."

*Maria then started to freak out. What did they mean 'personality'? And by 'it' and 'subject', did they mean her? She was struggling harder in her restraints now, making the doctor worry a bit.*

Doctor: "Oh my. It's a lively one…"

Brass: "Yes. That idiot Gerald thought saving the life of one girl was worth it. Too bad for him, he just gave us the ultimate weapon for those Mobians bastards."

*Brass then grabbed Maria by her hair, pulling hard that the girl wished she could scream now. Or say anything, but all she could do was struggle fruitlessly.*

Brass: "As for Sonic and his friends… I'll be talking to them personally. Maybe returning them to their furry freakshow friends in body bags would be too overkill for those things."

*Brass tossed Maria's head as she's strapped to the computer. Brass walks away uncaringly as Maria painfully begins to feel…lightheaded. Like it was painful for a moment. But then it wasn't… It felt… Good… It felt… like… nothing… Nothing…*

*Elsewhere, though in the same facility, Sonic and his friends begin to stir awake, noticing themselves in cages. Sonic is the first to try and bash the cage, but it was no good.*

Sonic: "...Hey. Is everyone okay?"

Cream: "My head feels dizzy… But I'm okay…"

Topaz: "...Wait. I know those crates…"

*Sonic looks confused before turning to a stack of crates in the corner, seeing an unfamiliar emblem on it.*

Topaz: "We're in a G.U.N. base… I recall… Soldiers piling into the ARK just as you came back with Maria…"

Knuckles: "And just right after we beat that Biolizard thing…"

*Knuckles tries to punch the floor of the cage, but Vanilla stops him.*

Vanilla: "Not so fast, my friend… I don't think punching the ground is a good idea… Especially since we don't have a good grasp of our surroundings."

*The red echidna was about to argue, but then everyone's attention turned to the only door nearby opening. Brass walks through, smiling at the locked up heroes.*

Brass: "Sonic the Hedgehog… Bet you didn't think you'd be behind bars, did you?"

Sonic: "Honestly, I wasn't expecting a lot of things today. I mean, no home movies or good food? At least treat us better than that."

Brass: "Maybe this will temper your cocky attitude, furry. You are currently in the G.U.N. Fortress, one of the most advanced military battleships on Mobius. Tch… Just call it what it is… On Earth. Say what you will about how good you are as fighters and what not, but even you are no match for the power of G.U.N. Fortress."

Sonic: "Tch. Not really that impressive. Eggman builds way better in a week. Giant egg hanging in orbit over Mobius? That was impressive, even if it was used for evil."

Topaz: "Alright, enough gabbing. What do you want, Commander Brass?"

*Brass looks at Topaz, smiling as he gets closer to her.*

Brass: "Agent Topaz. Out of everyone here, I am willing to turn a blind eye to your recent transgressions. Looking into private military data, going against military protocol, and even siding with these animals… All that can be overlooked… If you-"

Topaz: "You keep talking, but all I hear is bullshit vomiting out. Do me a favor and back off."

*Brass was insulted, but not perturbed, simply lighting a cigarette as he kept talking.*

Brass: "I do have to thank you for giving us just the confirmation we needed to ensure that our sleeper agent wasn't a complete failure. Fifty years and finally we now know that tenrec can use Chaos Energy. It was just finding the right opportunity to take her that was the issue."

*Amy grabbed the bars of her cage, growling at Brass.*

Amy: "Where is Maria!? You have her somewhere here, right!?"

Brass: "I don't need to answer that."

Sonic: "Then answer me this…"

*Tails and Amy turned to Sonic, noticing him sound…very cold compared to his usual jovial or sarcastic tone of voice. Sonic was leaning against his cage with his eyes closed, but then they opened to an intense glare, one not even Tails has seen in his long time being with Sonic.*

Sonic: "What do you intend to do with her?"

*Brass smiles, blowing out some smoke as he does.*

Brass: "Allow me to paint you a picture, hedgehog. Ever since the peace treaty between us humans and you furries, things have gotten pretty cozy. Outside of the Eggman incidents, the people in the cities have just been sleeping away their troubles. So I intend to give everyone the wake up call they need. I can see the headlines now… 'Vicious tenrec assassinates the president'. That's when we use the unstable energy releases on one of your precious islands, igniting the flames of war. And we, the Guardians Units of the Nations, will be at the forefront, gunning down what's left of you freaks. Humans'll be the dominant species on this shithole of a planet while you groveling dirt lovers enjoy a free vacation in burning paradise."

*There was silence in the room. All eyes were on Brass, an intense, almost murderous, glare from each of the heroes. Brass however ignored them, laughing as he exhales more smoke.*

Brass: "As of right now, that Maria girl's mind is being completely wiped. Gerald had every intention of saving her. Tch. Who cares about some girl? We're saving thousands of lives from the real threat here!"

Sonic: "...Shove that cigarette down your throat. You are the worst kind of human. The kind that only start wars just for your own personal amusement. The kind I hate with a passion."

Brass: "Tch. Cry me a river. Topaz. Last chance. Join us and I'll even promote you to senior officer. You can enjoy the fireworks with me if you want."

Topaz: "...If you truly think I ever would… Then you have another thing coming."

*Topaz shared Sonic's intense hatred for him. He may think of himself as righteous, but the reality was he was a self centered and cruel man. And she worked under someone like him. Brass could only sigh as he shrugs.*

Brass: "Oh well. I tried. But I guess stubborn women can't be reasoned with. Then you'll be executed along with the rest of them. Pray to whatever god you want. Once we've decided on how to dispose of you, you'll be executed without a second thought."

*Brass then leaves, the door slamming shut. The atmosphere is left heavy. The group try to find ways out of their cages, but without their weapons some of them couldn't brute force their way out. Even Knuckles' plan of punching the floor was met with nothing but frustration as the metal proved too thick for even his strength. Before long, they just…sat down and waited.*

Amy: "So… This is it, huh? This is how our story ends?"

Cream: "But it can't! Sonic, come on! You usually get out of situations worse than this, right!?"

Sonic: "Cream… I've looked at this cage for the last few minutes. I can't build enough speed to just ram through the bars, even with the Super Peel Out. I hate admitting it… But we lost."

Cream: "But… Maria…"

Knuckles: "...Heh. Reminds me of when we first met, Sonic."

Sonic: "Hm? How's that, Rad Red?"

Knuckles: "Back on the Death Egg, when we tried going to confront Eggman, we got caught. We couldn't escape…until Tails came along and saved our hides."

Tails: "Oh yeah. I remember that. I… I was really nervous going through the Death Egg by myself. But I had to save you and Sonic… I just…had to…"

Sonic: "Heh. I really owed you, Tails. I may act like a jerk at times, but I'm never ungrateful."

*Tails smiles at this, feeling a bit emotional over the compliment as he rubs away tears.*

Sonic: "And hey. Amy. You really came a long way since the time on Little Planet. Honestly, you may be an even better hero than someone like me."

Amy: "Oh, Sonic~ I… I don't really think of myself as a hero though… If anything, I've done some pretty lousy things because I never consider how it affects those around me. Like when me and Maria went shopping… She gave me a wake up call, and made me realize how selfish I truly am…"

Vanilla: "Sounds like you and Maria got very close."

Amy: "We did… So…"

*Amy starts to tear up, crying loudly as she punches the bars to her cage.*

Amy: "I-It sucks w-we can't save her…"

*The room grew quiet again, but Sonic didn't want the heartbreak to set in. So he turns to Topaz.*

Sonic: "...Topaz… Thanks."

Topaz: "Hm?"

Sonic: "For not ditching us for that jerk earlier…"

Topaz: "Pfft. I just have a better head on my shoulders. You all have given me no reason to think you are bad. In fact, I think you all are… way past cool."

*Rouge just smirks before laughing.*

Rouge: "Topaz… That was lame and you know it~"

Topaz: "Shut up. You're the reason I got caught up in this mess… But… I'm glad I'm caught up with you and Vanny…"

Vanilla: "I feel the same way… And if we're to die… I'd want my last moments to be with… And my dearest daughter."

*Cream looks over to her mother before starting to tear up.*

Cream: "M-Mom… I'm… I'm so sorry for dragging you into this… After everything…"

Vanilla: "Don't you cry, Creamy. I'd do this again for you… a thousand times more… You are my child after all…"

*Sonic smiles, looking at his friends. Then he reflected at how far they all came, how they each impacted each other in some way. And then his mind went back to Maria and their conversation on the ARK.*

Sonic: "You're not useless. I used to feel similarly to you."

Maria: "How about we make a promise then?"

Sonic: "It's a promise then."

*Sonic thought back to that promise. Then reflected on what he said. It wasn't his speed that pushed him to find confidence in himself. It was his friends. His true power… His close bonds… And he was doubting himself while one of his friends was in danger. His eyes filled with renewed vigor. Sonic stood on his feet, starting to prepare his Super Peel Out.*

Sonic: "Cream was right. Now's not the time to be giving up! Maria needs her friends now more than ever! AND I REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON HER!"

*As Sonic charged up his Super Peel Out, energy began to flow through his body, much like his Light Speed Dash or Light Speed Attack. His friends watched as his body glowed brightly with energy. And before long…the energy unleashed into enough power to utterly destroy the cages he and his friends were stuck in. As the dust cleared, everyone saw Sonic standing there, looking confident. While this was nothing new to anyone that knew him, this felt different. Like he found his second wind.*

Sonic: "Come on, Team Sonic! Let's save Maria!"

Everyone: "YEAH!"

*The soldiers stationed outside the heroes' prison were immediately greeted by Knuckles destroying the door and wall behind them, launching them to the other side of the room. The alarms start to blare as everyone in the Fortress was alerted as Sonic and his friends' escape.*

Knuckles: "That got their attention quick."

*Amy, Vanilla, and Topaz saw their weapons, grabbing them as they got ready to charge.*

Amy: "Oh we'll give them more than just that!"

*G.U.N. robots immediately stepped in and started firing at the group. Vanilla is quick to fire off a missile launcher and scatter the robots. Topaz and Rouge run out through the smoke, kicking some soldiers on the other side as the others jump out.*

Cream: "What's the plan, Sonic!?"

Sonic: "We kick butt and find Maria. Easy as that."

Tails: "I usually expect more than that… But you know what? I like easy too!"

*Tails immediately slides under some gun fire from some soldiers, getting behind them before tail slapping them down to the ground. Sonic runs ahead, breakdancing some G.U.N. Beetles to pieces before coming across a large gap.*

Sonic: "Whoa… Okay. That's a bit too long of a jump."

Topaz: "Screw that."

*Topaz points her gun to the controls on the other side of the gap before just shooting it. This causes a bridge on the other side to extend and give passage to the next area.*

Sonic: "Remind me never to make you angry."

Topaz: "Heh. You know what's weird? For such a big base, I expected a lot more guards."

Cream: "Maybe they're slacking off! Never look a gift horse in the mouth, Miss Topaz!"

*Cream happily hops over the duo as she slams her feet into a group of soldiers coming from the hall further beyond the bridge.*

Sonic: "She's right. Let's take the opportunity while its available!"

*Sonic runs ahead, the heroes following close behind the blue hedgehog.*

*Meanwhile, in another part of the G.U.N. Fortress, a bunch of soldiers and pieces of G.U.N. robots were laying on the floor and against the walls, still alive but unconscious. At the center of the room was the cloaked figure, Phantom. He stared ahead, almost hoping his voice would reach Sonic.*

Phantom: "...Save Maria, blue hedgehog… Only you can do…what I failed to do…"

*Phantom then turns, his cloak blowing in the wind as he warps away, leaving the rest to Sonic and his friends.*

*At Brass' office, the alarms have obviously caught his attention as he scowls. A soldier runs in with a salute, panicking as he reports what was going on.*

Soldier: "Sonic and his friends have escaped, sir!"

Brass: "So I noticed… Where is Bravo!?"

Soldier: "We've lost contact with Bravo Squad, sir! And what's worse, there is no slowing down Sonic! He seems relentless in tearing down our battleship!"

Brass: "Grr… Call in the Hot Shot unit! I want their carcasses mangled if that's what it takes! Understand!?"

Soldier: "Understood!"

*The soldier immediately leaves, Brass continuing to scowl before moving to contact the lab.*

Brass: "Doctor. Is the subject ready yet?"

Doctor: "Yes, sir. It is ready at your command."

Brass: "Good. That'll show that brat for trying to test my patience."

*Brass's expression turned to a smile as he lit another cigarette.*

*Sonic and his friends approach a large door, which seems to lead to something the military wanted to protect as immediately four Hot Shot mech appear to block access to it.*

Sonic: "Whoa."

Rouge: "The Hot Shot unit!?"

Topaz: "Careful everyone! They mean business!"

Amy: "Eh quit worrying. We smash 'em…then crack open that door!"

*The Hot Shot units immediately hop into the air before charging up some kind of cannon, locking onto Sonic. Sonic smiles before prepping a Spin Dash. Once the cannons fired, the blue blur immediately avoided them and hopped into one of the robots, smashing into it. Though this didn't defeat it, it did knock it back to the ground. The other Hot Shot mechs quickly moved to higher altitude before starting to rain down bullets on the group.*

Cream: "That's not fair! Get down from there, you big bullies!"

Tails: "Urgh… If they won't come down, then we'll have to force them down! Cream! Rouge! With me!"

*Cream and Rouge nod before jumping with Tails as the three fliers avoid the raining gunfire. Once they reach the mechs, Rouge delivers a mighty sharp kick with her boots, stabbing through the control module. Cream rams through the cockpit window and punches the computers inside, immediately getting out afterwards before the mech plummeted with her in it. Tails, however, avoids the gunfire and crashes into the cockpit like Cream did, but instead hacks into the mech. He disables the control module and takes manual control of it.*

Tails: "Alright! Heads up everyone!"

Sonic: "Go Tails Go!"

*The one grounded mech immediately targets Tails' own Hot Shot mech and starts firing at him. Tails growls as he's hit but he quickly flies around as he starts charging up his cannon. As he flies around, he pushes in a few buttons before hopping out of the cockpit. The Hot Shot mech flies into the grounded unit before crashing, then exploding, taking both mechs out at the same time. Tails lands on the ground, looking very proud of himself.*

Sonic: "Woo! Amazing, Tails!"

Amy: "That was awesome!"

Knuckles: "Not bad, kid. And a nice bit of flair."

Tails: "I learn from the best."

*The group of heroes stop their celebration short as they turn to the door the Hot Shot unit guarded. Topaz walks to the keypad and types in the password, unlocking the doors. As the doors slide open, the heroes prepare themselves mentally before walking in.*

*In the next room, darkness filled the vision of the heroes before the lights suddenly came on. They were blinded for a moment, but they adjusted to the brightness shortly after. In the center of the room, they saw Commander Brass, a man in a lab coat, and…Maria. Maria stood, arms limp to her sides as her eyes were hidden under the veil of shadow from her hair.*

Amy: "Maria!"

Sonic: "Alright, jerk. Make this easy on yourself and release Maria."

Brass: "Oh? You want it that badly? You can have it."

*Nobody bought what he said. The way he said it, especially after what he spoke about earlier, not to mention Maria's "puppet without strings" act got everyone on edge. Brass notices this and smiles evilly.*

Brass: "Now, Subject. Activate."

Maria: "Yes… Commander…"

*Maria's voice…was very robotic. No emotion behind them. She then approached Sonic and his friends, slowly, almost like her legs were heavy. Her head lifted up as she stared at Sonic directly, the blue blur looking into her eyes. They were blank. No emotion, no soul behind those eyes. Sonic's anger only got hotter as he turned to Brass.*

Sonic: "What did you do to her?"

Doctor: "Ah. An excellent question. Professor Gerald was quite a genius but he wasted his talent on such a waste of a project. We simply improved on his work…by deleting the subject's memories and mind. It now only obeys… and that's it. Impressive, right?"

Topaz: "'Impressive'? 'IMPRESSIVE'!? That's what you call it!? Robbing someone of their life!? Of… Of their soul!?"

Brass: "Tch. You talk as if those freaks are people. Reality check: They aren't. They are walking abominations."

Topaz: "The only abominations I see are you and this whole organization! These Mobians are no less human than you or me, Brass! Yet you treat them like scum! But the real scum is… me for following G.U.N. because I thought you all were righteous… I'm disgusted at myself for even joining… Enlisting to a group who only care about their own social standing and not about true justice!"

Brass: "Topaz… You'll learn soon enough that the world needs a strong leader. The current president only stands by while some mad despot takes over and some freaky blue hedgehog saves the day, acting as some celebrity. Does that sound strong?"

Sonic: "Yes. Because it sounds like he trusts some truly cool guys to handle a threat the military are too scared to handle."

*Brass takes offense to that notion, but keeps his composure, adjusting his glasses.*

Brass: "Fine. Subject. Kill them. Full power."

Maria: "Yes…"

*Maria's hands move to remove her Inhibitor Rings, removing them before her aura then erupted, blowing the heroes back from the fierce energy they felt. The doctor smiles before walking over to a case.*

Doctor: "Ah yes. I almost forgot. Subject. Absorb the Chaos Emeralds as well. Take them and completely annihilate the vermin."

*The doctor opens the case, the seven Chaos Emeralds inside start glowing as they magnetize to Maria. They float around her until she assumes her Super Maria form once more. But instead of going berserk, she maintains her blank expression. Sonic was already at his wits end at the thought of fighting Maria as herself, but as her Super form, this only made his stomach turn.*

Amy: "S-Sonic… What do we do?"

Sonic: "For once, Amy… I don't know…"

*After a second of pause, Maria vanishes and slams a foot on Sonic's face, sending him flying until he smashes into the wall. Amy hesitates, unsure of what to do. This moment of hesitation is not wasted for Maria as she warps over and gut punches Amy, causing her to vomit blood before she's kicked away. An explosion from Vanilla's missile launcher gets the tenrec's attention as she silently turns to the mother rabbit.*

Vanilla: "We can't just let her attack us! As much as it hurts… We need to fight!"

*Vanilla prepares to fire another missile, but Maria simply slaps the missile aside, sending it to one of the corners of the room in the most nonchalant way possible. Maria then fired a blast in Vanilla's direction, causing her to use her riot shield to block it. Cream and Rouge fly above Maria and slam their feet into her, but she doesn't even flinch. Instead, a pulse of energy just sends them flying back with such force that they hit the walls, leaving craters in them before they land on the ground. Maria lifts a hand, creating a concentration of energy before firing it at Vanilla's riot shield, destroying it and her all purpose weapon. Once the shield is gone, Vanilla is met by a knee to her chin, sending her reeling back before she falls unconscious.*

Tails: "Maria…"

Knuckles: "Come on, Tails! Vanilla's right… It isn't what we came to do, but we have to fight for our own survival…"

Tails: "But… Without her Inhibitor Rings, she's going to become unstable… She's going to become a ticking time bomb!"

*Sonic rushes as Maria, Light Speed Attacking into her in order to imbed her into the wall. But this did very little as Maria unleashes a burst of Chaos Energy, destroying the wall and pushing Sonic back from the burst.*

Brass: "Hahaha! Forget it, hedgehog! It's unbeatable now! Nothing you do to it will bring it down!"

Sonic: "Shut up or I will focus on you next!"

*Sonic charges up for another Light Speed Attack, but Maria stops him by grabbing him by the neck, slamming him to the ground. She starts to choke Sonic, reeling back a fist as she readies a deadly punch. …But it never comes… Instead, she stares at Sonic…*

Maria: "...Son…ic…"

*She is punched off Sonic by Knuckles, saving the hedgehog from being strangled. Sonic stands back up, rubbing his neck.*

Knuckles: "You okay, Blue?"

Sonic: "Ugh… She's got a nasty grip… But… she hesitated… She's still in there somewhere!"

Knuckles: "What?"

*Topaz fires at Maria, the bullets bouncing off the tenrec harmlessly. Maria simply fires a barrage of energy blasts in Topaz's direction, the explosions catching her and knocking her around. She hits the floor hard, coughing up a bit of blood as she struggles to get up. Cream and Rouge come in to assist as they run in and aim for a double kick. Maria grabs the kicks and slams the duo down to the ground, creating a crater from the impact. This thoroughly knocked them out as Maria dropped them.*

Amy: "Maria! Stop this! Look at me! Don't you recognize me?"

*Maria does look at Amy, staring at her. A memory flashes to Amy and Maria hanging out at the Chao Gardens. This gets the first bit of emotion out of Maria as she reels back a bit.*

Doctor: "What the? Grr… Subject! Stop fooling around and kill them!"

*Maria shakes her head before lunging at Amy. The pink hedgehog swings her hammer at the tenrec, but closes her eyes as she does so, tears rolling down her face as their attacks clash. However, Maria's attack ultimately destroys the hammer, knocking Amy back as she's just left with the stick. Tails runs in and immediately comes in with a Tails Cyclone maneuver, continuously slapping his tails on Maria.*

Tails: "Maria! We're your friends! We don't want to hurt you, so please!"

*Another memory flashes before Maria's eyes, this one of the day she and Tails first met and how they spoke. And of how she helped fix his plane. She once again reels back, more painfully this time.*

Maria: "...A…my… T…ai…ls…"

Brass: "What's going on, doctor!? Why is the subject doing that!?"

Doctor: "I don't know! Subject! I order you to-"

Maria: "Shut up! SHUT UUUUUUUP!"

*Maria starts screaming out as her energy goes completely out of control, she unleashes an explosion of energy, sending Tails and Amy flying back from the force of the explosion. Maria then rushes at Commander Brass and the doctor. As they try to escape, the duo are grabbed and immediately destroyed by Maria unleashing another Chaos induced explosion. What was left of them was nothing but dust at her hands. Sonic and Knuckles were the only ones left standing, the two gritting their teeth.*

Sonic: "She's gone too far out of control…"

Knuckles: "If only we could just…drain her!"

Sonic: "Drain her… Wait! Knuckles! The Master Emerald. Do you still have it!?"

*Knuckles pulls out the shrunken Master Emerald, but was curious by what Sonic had in mind.*

Sonic: "Just trust me… I need your help, if we're to save Maria!"

Knuckles: "...Wait. Do you want me to-"

*Sonic rushes to Maria, stopping short as the girl was on her knees, clenching her head.*

Maria: "It… It's too much… It hurts…"

*Maria starts screaming as her body starts to glow a bright white, unleashing so much energy that Sonic could barely keep his feet on the ground. But he stood defiant.*

Sonic: "Maria!"

Maria: "S-Sonic! Please… Stay away from me! I… I've caused you and your friends so much harm as is… Just leave me…"

Sonic: "Maria! It's not your fault! Everything in your life was against you! Out of your control! But you can still reel it in!"

Maria: "I can't! Any time I try, I just see suffering… I was built… Made for suffering… The real me is dead… Shadow died for me! And I'm only causing you more suffering…"

Sonic: "Did you make Perfect Chaos suffer when you healed him!?"

*Maria looks up at Sonic, tears streaming down her eyes as she stares at the blue hedgehog. Her body only got brighter though, the build up of energy gathering and becoming completely unstable, slashing at Sonic as he pushed back, cuts appearing all over his body.*

Knuckles: "The Servers are the Seven Chaos. Chaos is Power. Power enriched by the heart. The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos."

*Knuckles was trying to pray to the Master Emerald, the glow of the emerald responding as Sonic continued to push toward Maria.*

Sonic: "I refuse to give up on anyone! If they are struggling, I will help them get through it, no matter what! That includes you, Maria!"

Maria: "Please! Just save yourself, Sonic! Stop caring about me!"

*Sonic wraps his pinky around her's, causing her to gasp.*

Sonic: "I gave you my promise! And I never back down on it!"

*Sonic then hugs Maria, the mere touch burning him from the intense energy. But he endures, ready to die if it meant saving his friends. Maria hesitates as she hugs Sonic back. The build up of energy continues until… silence…*

*Maria finds herself in a white void. No matter where she looked, there was nothing but white. But there was an air of calm in the void. She stands to her feet, her mind wondering if she was dead.*

Voice: "I wouldn't say you're dead."

*The voice. It was…her own. She looks around before turning to find… Herself. Her human self.*

Human Maria: "Hello. I'm so glad to finally meet you. Though… I guess it is strange to meet me, huh?"

Maria: "You… are me…"

Human Maria: "Yes. But also no. Maria… You… You have done some amazing things… Things I would never have dreamed… You became your own."

Maria: "My… own…?"

Human Maria: "You fought to become yourself again… And against all odds… You succeeded…"

Maria: "Hmph… That helped a lot…"

Human Maria: "Maria… You are not just some mere copy of my consciousness… You are me. You are you. While I have passed on… You still carry the torch I left you…"

Maria: "Maria…"

*An old man appeared behind the human Maria, placing a hand on her shoulder as he smiled behind his white mustache.*

Gerald: "Maria. You are my finest creation. And my finest child. While I wished for a better future for you. I could not have pictured you having better friends than who you have now."

Maria: "My… Friends… Sonic… Amy… Tails… Everyone…"

Human Maria: "Maria… Live on. As yourself. Whatever path you walk… I will be right beside you. Always…"

*The human Maria smiles, causing the tenrec Maria to start to tear up. The human Maria then pulls the tenrec into a hug, with Gerald joining in.*

Maria: "...Thank you… Maria…"

Human Maria: "Oh. And next time you see Shadow… Tell him that… I'll always cherish our time together. And that he lives his life to the fullest."

*Maria is confused by this, but before she could ask, the duo of spirits began to fade away, as did the white void around her.*

*Maria begins to stir as she opens her eyes. For what felt like the hundredth time, the girl is met by a blinding light. But this time, she could move her hand to block it. She starts to blink away the blurriness in her vision before she sits up, looking around. The environment was familiar; a small room with tiled floors and white walls. She was on an examination table, some doctor tools on a nearby table. She was in a hospital. She looks around more and finds a familiar blue hedgehog sitting on a chair nearby, sleeping. Of note were the bandages he had on.*

Maria: "...Sonic?"

*Sonic was sound asleep. Maria stood up and got closer, their noses almost touching. She then decided to tickle the hedgehog's nose.*

Sonic: "Mmm… Ah-CHOO!"

*Sonic sneezes heavily, waking him out of his slumber.*

Sonic: "Tails… What's the big i…dea…?"

*Maria stood over Sonic with a smile, greeting him with a hug, which he flinched at because of his injuries.*

Sonic: "Uh… H-Hey! Careful…"

*Sonic then smiled and hugged Maria back, glad to see her up regardless.*

Sonic: "I missed you too, Maria…"