I dream of going to Mobius. Even someone like me, Maria Robotnik, can't dare to have dreams. Someday, I'm sure I'll go, even Shadow will come with me, of course! It may be a while, because I'm so sick, but he'll make me better. Gradfather promised Shadow would, so it must be true! Uh, even though I haven't done much in my life, I have a list of things I can't wait to experience, when I go down to that big beautiful blue planet. Yet, when I think of living down there, I'm feeling the sun and smelling everything I've never smelled before, I'm afraid. But then I feel so excited! Shadow, come sit with me by the window! let's look at mobius again! When we finally live down there, first thing I want to do is go dancing, with you! Won't that be fun?
—Maria Robotnik (played by Cashlin Snow)
No Shadow. What I want is for you to join Smash.
—Maria Robotnik to Shadow the Hedgehog about joining smash.
Maria Robotnik is the promotheus overarching protagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. She is the granddaughter of Professor Gerald Robotnik, the cousin of Dr. Eggman, and Shadow the Hedgehog's closest companion aboard the Space Colony ARK until her death. Maria was gunned down by a G.U.N. Soldier while she was helping Shadow escape capture. Her final wish was for Shadow to protect humanity.
While frail in appearance, Maria was strong in spirit. Eternally cheerful, optimistic, and positive despite her condition, Maria could see the good in almost anyone or anything. She was likewise a very kind, caring and thoughtful soul who always put others before herself, supported her friends, and held an unconditional love for the people of the world, even showing compassion towards her enemies when they were distressed. Because she never got down to earth, Maria was very interested in the planet and wished to see it. She was as well very encouraging as she could make others accept themselves and calm others down when in stressful situations, including Shadow.
Always gentle and thinking about others before herself, Maria was one who found it easier than most to forgive and forget, not to mention trust. Even after GUN violently raided the ARK and shot her down, Maria did not hold any ill will against the people on earth and only wished for them to live happy lives. She was also utterly selfless as she sacrificed her life for Shadow's sake, having faith he would carry on her dreams for her.
Despite her youth and frailness, Maria was brave, determined, and had a strong sense of righteousness. When the Artificial Chaos were on a rampage, Maria wanted to stop them to save the innocent, and during the GUN's raid on the ARK she refused to leave the injured researchers behind. Even on her deathbed, Maria remained undeterred and only wished for Shadow to fulfill his purpose.
History[]
Maria was born and raised, a terminally-ill patient on the Space Colony ARK who had contracted the disease NIDS (Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) which seems to be related to the disease AIDS, even before she could visit the Earth. She couldn't leave the hospital, since she's confined in outer space.
For some reason, she never met and knew her cousin, Ivo, since they never cared for each other at first, but he looked up to their grandfather because of the things Professor Gerald Robotnik accomplished in his life. Ivo eventually wanted to be a great scientist like him, but after fifty years, he became a maniacal scientist now known as "Eggman" trying to dominate the Earth, building a legacy of his own; creating Robotnikland (Eggmanland in later games), expand his empire across the globe. He even wondered if she was like his own "daughter", Sage.
Her grandfather, then, cared for her, as long as she cared for him, while the worked and lived together. Maria would eventually have a lot of fun with a young boy, who would later, be a commander of the military. Later, Gerald created Shadow as a means to study immortality and to use the fruits of the project to attempt to cure Maria, and she is yet excited to meet Shadow, as well.
After Shadow's creation, he became close friends with Maria, where they would watch and admire the Earth together. But when the first president of the United Federation, out of the thirteen sent the military to shut down and destroy Gerald's research facility, since they were in a hurry, Her grandfather has been captured, and Maria's life was sacrificed by a delusional soldier after releasing Shadow from a cryogenic tube. When her grandfather was sent to jail on prison island, he saw her name among those who died. Maria ment everything to him, and Shadow, and they couldn't bare the thought that she died because of Gerald's research project he's been working on. She was dead for 50 years and she sometime reappears in Shadow's mind.
For some time during the Project Shadow events, Maria was resurrected into a Hedgehog, but lost her grandfather after his execution, and was reunited with Shadow.
Quotes[]
I can't wait to meet you, Mr. Shadow.
—Maria hoping to see her new friend, Shadow the Hedgehog.
Can we wake him up now? Can I meet him?
—Maria to her grandfather.
Shadow, what do you think it's like on Earth?
—Maria wondering about the Earth.
Isn't this place huge? Even I still get lost in here sometimes.
—Maria commenting the Space Colony ARK's scale in the The Doom and Lost Impact
When the research experiments split apart, don't you think they look kinda cute?
—Maria commenting the Artificial Chaos in Lost Impact.
You used to have so much fun here, remember?
—Maria to Shadow about their time on the ARK
Sorry I'm late.
—Maria when switching to Hero mission.
Oh, Shadow, Thank you!
—Maria's catchphrase after you've completed a hero mission.
Don't worry, Grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet. Right, Shadow?
—Maria hoping that Shadow will defeat the Black Arms once and for all.
You and grandfather are doing your best. I'm just as happy to spend time with you here.
—Maria to Shadow, Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings.
That robot was heading towards Grandfather's lab! Shadow, you have to save him!
—Maria witnessing Emrel heading towards Gerald's lab to attack.
What you do is what defines you.
—Maria, Finding the Way
Maria: Please, Shadow, I need your help! My Grandfather's experiments... Something's gone horribly wrong! Shadow: What is it?! Maria: The research lab... it's going to be destroyed. Something must be done! Please, Shadow, I beg you! Help grandfather and those onboard the ARK! PLEASE! Shadow: I'll be there, Maria! I swear! Whatever it takes, I'll take care of the ARK and the professor!
—Maria wanting to stop the Artificial Chaos and pleading for Shadow's help in Lost Impact.
Those liquid creatures are the experiments body products, based on a god of an ancient culture.
—Maria about the Arificial Chaos.
Shadow... I beg of you... please, Do it for me... for all the people... on that planet... Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog.
—Maria's sacrifice before the Radical Highway stage Sonic Adventure 2
Shadow... I beg of you, please do it for me... for a better future! For all of the people who live on that planet... give them a chance to be happy... let them live for their dreams. Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason you were brought into this world. Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog.
—Maria's final words to Shadow, Sonic Adventure 2.
Please, Shadow... I need your help! Everyone's fate depends on... YOU!
—Maria's last words to Shadow in Shadow the Hedgehog.
Shadow... I beg of you...! Give them a chance to be happy!
—Super Shadow recalling Maria's words, Sonic Adventure 2.
Shadow, how is your training going? I'll be cheering you on. Here, you have to rescue all of the wounded researchers. Good luck.
—Maria during the training in The Doom
Shadow, I believe in you...
—Maria during the training in The Last Way.
Shadow... please, promise me that you'll help the people and be... friends with them. I'm sure you'll be very happy down there, Shadow. I only wish that I could go along with you. The world looks so beautiful from up here in space. But my grandfather says the people who live there, have to face many problems. That's why you were created, to help those people... and to be their friend.
—Maria's last words, "Showdown in Space"
Those people need you, Shadow!
—Maria in Sonic X.
Shadow! Please grant everyone's wish!
—Maria.
Shadow: [shocked] Wha-? Maria? Maria: (gasps; excitedly) SHADOW! [embraces Shadow with a hug]
—Maria's reunion with Shadow in White Space, after he saved her life from the Black Arms.
Do you know why I named you "Shadow?" Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand? I don't want you to be driven by darkness. I want you to be happy. Stand in the light with peace in your heart.
—Maria to Shadow.
You have a big heart. It may be difficult for you to express it, but I know that deep down, you really do care. About me. About everyone. What you do is what defines you. I know you're having a hard time finding answers, but I'm certain you will one day. Then you'll find even more people you can trust.
—Maria to Shadow, "Finding the Way".
Have you seen Abe? You know, little Abraham Tower? I'm worried about him. He's the only other kid on the ARK with us. Sometimes he feels like my little brother, hee-hee! His family helped convince Mom and Dad to let me come into space. After all, if they brought their son, it should be safe, right? I was never worried, though. I know Grandfather wouldn't endanger anyone.
—Maria wondering about Abraham Tower.
I saw you racing away in the distance with that blue hedgehog. He seemed nice!
—Maria to Shadow about Sonic.
I know I'll see you again. And if fate draws us apart, I will always be in your heart.
—Maria, Shadow Generations.
Gallery[]
Maria Robotnik by 80sFan
Vocals[]
Trivia[]
Christopher Thorndyke and Molly both remind Shadow of Maria, because of their similar selfless natures and the kind, loving look in their eyes.
Amy Rose also reminds Shadow of Maria, because Shadow has to help people.
Speculated date of death is February 7th, 1953. Reason for said speculation is the countdown timer in the Space Colony Ark on the Sonic X episode "Robotnik's Revenge" which takes place 50 years after Maria's death.
Her birthday is November 1st, 1942
She was the first and only weakness of Shadow the Hedgehog. Whenever someone mentioned her name or Shadow having a flashback of her.
Her appearance and outfit are reminiscent of Alice, the heroine of Lewis Carroll's novels Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
According to Sonic X, Maria is twelve years old.
She was Shadow's first friend before she dies.
In one fanfic...Maria is Professor Gerald's granddaughter, Shadow's wife, and Alex's & Christina's mother.
