#pretzel lady

So, this is coming from my personal life so it will come off as a bias.

When I lost my mom from a gran mal during my middle school years, I felt lost. Somehow, I discovered the series "Sonic X" and that was when I came across a character named Shadow the Hedgehog. As I read and got to know more about his past, I've grown attached; he became my first comfort character...

Ever since I began writing fanfictions that relate to Shadow in my composition notebooks; of course, I have gotten in trouble during class... The fanfiction would contain the origins of my fanmade (or OC) character who came across Shadow when he crash-landed nearby her family's home, took him in, tended to his wounds (even though his injuries healed on their own), and their friendship became a bit rocky at the start. But, eventually, their relationship increased naturally.

Their relationship did take a slight/brief pause when Shadow nearly got hit by some kind of weapon, but my OC took the hit instead. As her injuries healed in the hospital, Shadow never left her side; especially when she transformed into a Mobian Cat. As she recovered, she made her choice to live with Shadow on the same planet/universe(?) where Sonic and his friends are from.

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Now, that was from before...

Ever since I saw the Sonic the Hedgehog movies (both 1 and 2), the moment they mentioned "Project Shadow", my ADHD told my hands to "start stimming"!

Then, I decided to make various headcanons, and a select few were related to Dr. Robotnik, Shadow, and Maria... V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

On a crisp, cool morning in Green Hills, MT. Rosaline Forrest gets ready to do her morning outings (that she does every day); where she would walk into town for her usual breakfast (which she would order iced tea or hot chocolate, depending on the weather) that consists of hearty keto meals. Then, she would walk into the woods to enjoy being alive... That is until she accidentally got in the middle of a battle with Dr. Robotnik and Sonic (in Super mode), which knocked her unconscious.

As the smoke clears the G.U.N. started doing a sweep, Agent Stone (in disguise) came across Rosaline and informs the others. While she went in and out for a while, she hears a faint voice... She slowly gains consciousness and starts hearing more voices, but not from before. She meets Agent Stone as he sneaks Dr. Robotnik into her room (I assumed that Stone tended to Dr. Robotnik's wounds after they faked his death). Suddenly, Dr. Robotnik felt off... Like he knew her. But, he actually knew "her". After recovering, Rosaline has been given a task; to retrieve the living essence of Project Shadow. Just like before, Shadow grows attached to her. Well, not her, but "her".

Their meeting with the Wachowski's was... a little rocky. It started off smoothly until Sonic mentioned their family name. Shadow suddenly attacks Tom, crying "YOU TOOK HER AWAY!!!" Suddenly, a gun goes off...

It belongs to Tom's dad, Charles Wachowski. Due to how long it's been since he's retired, I would believe that he's about as old-fashioned as "that one relative in our family that claims to be open-minded... until they drink". So, when the group (excluding Shadow for... personal reasons) explains to him what's been going on...

"So, you're telling me that the girl I shot is still around, and is in that girl over there; the one whose hair matches your wife's skin? Ha! I'm sorry, but that's just as impossible as changing genders!"

Meanwhile, Dr. Robotnik is growing irritated about why "she" wouldn't remember him. Despite being loyal to him, Agent Stone would be at his limit and accidentally snap. "Because your cousin's gone! I-I'm sorry, sir. But, with all due respect, living in the past is not healthy." Then, he would notice a shift in the atmosphere... "Alright, let's say that Maria's spirit is around and in that girl (which does explain the flatline). We can't force her to remember the incident that happened 50 years ago." "But," the doctor said, "what if we can! Stone! If my memory is correct, as is, then my late grandfather has some hidden documents that are STILL in the computers of the Space Colony ARK! Momma didn't raise a single-digit IQ and Poppa raised milk and never came back!" "I- Of course, they didn't, Doctor."

Back to the Wachowski residence... Sonic meets Shadow up on the roof, looking up at the stars.

"So, uh... Do you think they'll like the chili dogs?" "Blue Hedgehog, I have more important issues to deal with. "You mean 'Mari'-" "Keep her name out of your mouth, Hedgehog! You have no idea what it's like to lose someone who's close to you." "Her name was Longclaw. I didn't really know my real parents, but she took me in as her own. I passed the hoglet stage when she gave up her life to protect me and the Rings from the Echidnas." "'Echidnas'? You mean like that red one? You two were enemies, yet you're no longer." "Welcome to Earth." "I don't get it." "You've never seen 'Independence Day' starring Will Smith?! What year are you from?" "1974. The location is the Space Colony ARK. I was created by Prof. Robotnik in order to find the cure for Maria's condition. I grew a sibling-like attachment to her. We would talk about everything, mostly about the Earth and when we would visit. But, the GUN wanted to stop the Project. They didn't even explain why. Maria and I saw their weapons and we headed for the escape pods. Suddenly, I felt a push and I- I heard a gun going off. Before I could understand what was going on, I was in the pod and Maria... S-she took th-"

Before Shadow could finish, Sonic stopped him with an embrace; saying that he doesn't have to say anymore...

Meanwhile, at the Space Colony ARK, Agent Stone was growing concerned about Dr. Robotnik's mental health. He understands that Maria was his only family, but at some point, the doctor will have to let her go... Suddenly, something happened. By the time Dr. Robotnik played a video diary of his late grandfather, the timer of the Bio-Lizard goes off.

I-I don't understand! I thought Project Shadow was to protect her and humanity! Why would he-? Dr. Robotnik is... stunned. Too stunned to speak. In his mind, he's rekilling his only family.

"Doctor? What do we do? D-Doctor? Doctor! Ivo!! We have to leave, now!" "B-but, Maria..." "Don't worry, we'll save her. Come on!"

Nobody outside of the Robotnik Family has ever used his first name before. But, if it wasn't for Agent Stone's quick thinking, they would be too late...

As soon as they arrived at the Wachowski residence, they warned the others (of course, Tom's father mentions something homophobic when he saw Agent Stone comforting Dr. Robotnik "like a husband comforts his wife during a panic attack").

"Dad, it's the 21st century! We can marry who we love as long as it's consensual! Plus, I'm not surprised that you find that surprising and not the fact that the world is about to be destroyed!" "Well, of course, it's gonna be destroyed! These two Skittles are in love!" "Dad!"

While the two beings fuss at each other, Tails, Agent Stone, and Dr. Robotnik are working together to find a solution to save the world.

"That may be plausible, but in order to harness that kind of power... It's impossible." "We could use the Chaos Emeralds, but we need the Master Emerald."

When Knuckles hears about this, he hesitates at first; not wanting to give the Master Emerald to anyone who's as evil as Dr. Robotnik. But, when discussing this with Sonic and Shadow. Sonic is all for it, but Shadow...

"Let the world burn. It wasn't there for Maria, why should I help?"

Shadow was about to leave, when Rosaline stops him as she tries to convince him...

"Shadow, please listen to me. What do you think my promise was?" "Y-you..." "Yes, I knew. I've always known. The reason why I never said anything was that I was adjusting to this new timeline. Shadow, yes, I was angry about what happened to me all of those years ago. But, when my soul was wandering throughout the years, I noticed something. Something amazing about this planet and the people who lived on it... Yes, there are bad people out there. But, there are good people out there, too. Like my cousin and his partner, the Wachowskis, and the nice people in this quaint and unique town of Green Hills. My promise to you was, is, and always will be this... For all of the people who live on Earth, give them a chance to be happy. Let them live their dreams."

Everyone around them gave them a moment when Agent Stone notice Shadow's eyes begin welling up with tears. Rosaline gently pulls him in for an embrace of a lifetime.

"Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason why you were brought into this world."

After wiping his eyes, Shadow accepts the offer and thanks her for those kind words. Tom and Maddie offer to watch over Rosaline as the others (except Tom's dad... for obvious reasons) work together as they make it to the ARK.

At the ARK, Knuckles allow Sonic and Shadow to harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds to become Super Sonic and Super Shadow. As the two Super hedgehogs try to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to Chaos Control the Bioweapon, the one and only thing that him Shadow going is Maria. He notices that Sonic is slowly getting a bit winded, so he takes over, removes his Inhibitor Rings, and delivers the final "CHAOS... CONTROL!!!!!"

He did it... The world is saved! Sonic turns to thank Shadow, but he notices that the energy from the fight has been depleted from Shadow and his light-golden quills turn black. As Shadow falls, he notices that Sonic is reaching out for him. The fading black hedgehog bats Sonic's hand away. As he continues falling, Shadow only had one thought before becoming unconscious...

"Maria... this is what you wanted, right? This is the promise I made to you..."

The rest of the group is patiently waiting for their return. Even Dr. Robotnik is hold Agent Stone's hand; he lies and claims it's for the nerves. Sonic is back! They all congratulate him, even Dr. Robotnik and Agent Stone. Of course, the doctor wonders where Shadow is. Sonic answers with a saddened: "He gave his life for all of us."

The group is shocked with melancholy. Agent Stone and Dr. Robotnik talk about this as they looked out the bay window.

"This place... I remember seeing her looking out through this window with him. I would visit as often as I could." "Doctor, I-" "It's alright, you can call me 'Ivo'." "I- Ivo, I'm sorry for what I said related to Maria. I was just worried about you and your mental state. Ever since you ended up on the mushroom planet, I felt... lost without you. I-I know that you said that you wouldn't miss me when I'm gone, but I-" "Hush, Stone. I know."

After they say their final words, they make their way back to Earth. Dr. Robotnik sends Rosaline his condolences as Sonic hands her one of Shadow's Inhibitor Rings.

"Rosaline... Maria..." Agent Stone grievingly said, "If it counts, he fought bravely along with Sonic."

Before Rosaline could say anything, the group collectively felt a chill down their spines when they hear the spirit of Maria saying this before she parted ways...

"Thank you all for saving this planet..."

Then, Rosaline loses consciousness, but Dr. Robotnik catches her before she makes an impact. She awakes in the hospital. This time, she's surrounded by the Wachowskis, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Dr. Robotnik, and Agent Stone. When asked how she's still alive, Agent Stone answered by saying that when the flatline happened, he grabbed a "soul jar" to contain Rosaline's soul when Maria's soul slipped in. Rosaline thanks him as she makes a full recovery.

After being released from the hospital, Rosaline chose to stay with the Wachowskis... as they prepare a wedding for Dr. Robotnik and Agent Stone. It wasn't certain which one proposed to who; Agent Stone went down on one knee, and Dr. Robotnik claimed that he thought about it first. During the "big damn kiss", Rosaline caught a glimpse of Maria's smiling spirit.

After the wedding, Rosaline watches a movie with Jojo. Then all of a sudden, they heard a medium-sized boom-like thud. When they went outside (to the backyard) to check, they came across a medium-sized hole in the yard. After investigating the crash, Rosaline tells Jojo to get the First-Aid kit as she carefully pulls out a familiar-looking black hedgehog out of the small crater.

While Rosaline tends to his wounds (again, it was unnecessary due to his wound slowly regenerating, but she didn't know), Shadow slowly comes to. Before the movie ends, it wasn't certain whether he remembers her or remembers "her". All that we know for certain is that he smiled the moment their eyes met.

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Well, what do you guys think?

I'd like to believe that Rosaline would help Shadow with his memories as best as she can (with a little help from Maria's spirit that visits when needed).

SNACKBAR!

Happy Birthday to Tika Sumpter 

Maddie Wachowski (A.K.A. PRETZEL MOM)

My Favorite Mothers:

1. Vanilla The Rabbit

2. Grandma Rosiepuff

3. Aunt Cass

4. Pretzel Lady

5. Nani Pelekai

6. Longclaw

7. Ellie