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.
Appearance[]
Maria is a beautiful young human girl who stood about a head taller than Shadow. She had wavy shoulder-length honey-blonde hair, light blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. For attire, she wore an indigo puffy-sleeved cropped blouse with a white stripe running down the middle over a sky-blue, knee-length long sleeved dress, a dark blue hairband, and matching cobalt-blue shoes with white soles.
In Sonic Adventure 2, Maria's clothes were paler in color, and she was barefoot. In Shadow the Hedgehog, her blouse goes all the way down to her hips as opposed to stopping just under her stomach, and she did not have the long sleeves. The white stripe on her blouse was also much thinner prior to Shadow Generations.
History[]
Maria was born on Earth, and when she was young she visited Spagonia with her family. Sometime after her birth, Maria contracted a chronic and incurable disease called NIDS (Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). When her grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, learned of her illness, he insisted that Maria be bought aboard the Space Colony ARK so he could work on a cure for her, despite Maria's family disliking the idea.
Maria and her cousin Ivo never met, as Maria died before Ivo was born. Ivo would harbor some jealousy towards his deceased cousin because of the loving way people spoke of her even after her death. However, Ivo did wonder if Maria was anything like his own "daughter", Sage.
Maria's grandfather cared for her while they worked and lived together. Maria made friends with a young boy named Abraham, who would later be a commander of the military. She came to see Abe as a younger brother. Later, Gerald created Shadow as a means to study immortality and to use the fruits of the project to develop cure a Maria's condition, and she was excited to meet Shadow. Maria designed Shadow's Air Shoes prior to his awakening.
After Shadow's creation, he became close friends with Maria, where they would watch and admire the Earth together. Maria often comforted Shadow when he was distressed over the meaning of his life and over his inability to cure her.
Her happy times with Shadow were cut short when the ARK was raided the the military organization Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.). Gerald explained to Shadow in a video recording about his purpose and that he needed to destroy the Black Arms, who aimed to conquer the planet. Maria joined her grandfather in the video, saying that she would protect the Earth alongside Shadow.
Maria attempted to escape the raid with Shadow, but she was shot by a G.U.N. soldier just as they made it to the escape capsules. Mortally wounded, Maria begged Shadow to give humanity a chance to be happy before sealing him in a capsule and ejecting him from the ARK, thus saving her friend's life. She died shortly afterwards.
Maria's death influenced the fate of the world 50 years later. Gerald went insane with grief after learning of Maria's death and he created a doomsday plan to use the ARK to destroy the Earth in a mad attempt to avenge her. He altered Shadow's last memory of Maria to make the hedgehog think that she had wished for revenge, and Shadow attempted to activate Gerald's plan when he was awakened by Ivo Robotnik 50 years later. However, Amy Rose helped Shadow remember his true promise to Maria, and he saved the world along with Sonic, although seemingly at the cost of his own life.
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.
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 Impactnoicon
When the research experiments split apart, don't you think they look kinda cute?
—Maria commenting the Artificial Chaos in Lost Impact.noicon
You used to have so much fun here, remember?
—Maria to Shadow about their time on the ARKnoicon
Sorry I'm late.
—Maria when switching to Hero mission.noicon
Oh, Shadow, Thank you!
—Maria's catchphrase after you've completed a hero mission.noicon
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.noicon
That robot was heading towards Grandfather's lab! Shadow, you have to save him!
—Maria witnessing Emrel heading towards Gerald's lab to attack.noicon
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.noicon
Those liquid creatures are the experiments body products, based on a god of an ancient culture.
—Maria about the Arificial Chaos.noicon
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 2noicon
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.noicon
Please, Shadow... I need your help! Everyone's fate depends on... YOU!
—Maria's last words to Shadow in Shadow the Hedgehog.noicon
Shadow... I beg of you...! Give them a chance to be happy!
—Super Shadow recalling Maria's words, Sonic Adventure 2.noicon
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 Doomnoicon
Shadow, I believe in you...
—Maria during the training in The Last Way.noicon
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.noicon
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.
So it seems like we've been apart longer than I thought. Have you made many friends? I saw you racing away in the distance with that blue hedgehog. He seemed nice!
—Maria to Shadow about Sonic.
Shadow will never serve you! He's nothing like you!
—An angry Maria to Black Doom.
It breaks my heart to see you so full of anger. This isn't who you are. 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.
Maria: We don't want to be frozen in one place in time. Besides, your friends need your help. Shadow: But you don't know what's going to happen! Maria: I know I'll see you again. And if fate draws us apart, I will always be in your heart.
—Maria's goodbye to Shadow, Shadow Generations.
Gallery[]
Photo of Maria and Gerald Robotnik (SA2)
Photo of Maria and Gerald (Shadow the Hedgehog)
Photo of Maria and Gerald (Sonic X)
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.
