Maria's Wish, Everyone's Wish/Showdown in Space

**Maria's Wish, Everyone's Wish** (or, **Showdown in Space**) is the thirty-eighth episode in Sonic X: Heroes Forever.

## Characters

* Sonic the Hedgehog
	+ Super Sonic
* Miles "Tails" Prower
* Knuckles the Echidna
* Shadow the Hedgehog
	+ Super Shadow (first appearance)
	+ Hyper Shadow (first appearance)
* Rouge the Bat
* Amy Rose
* Cream the Rabbit
* Cheese the Chao
* Silver the Hedgehog
	+ Super Silver (First appearance)
* Sally Acorn
	+ Sapphire Sally
* Manic the Hedgehog
	+ Super Manic
* Sonia the Hedgehog
	+ Super Sonia
* Julie-Su
* Mighty the Armadillo
* Ray the Flying Squirrel
* Blaze the Cat
	+ Burning Blaze
* Marine the Raccoon
* Payback Fox (Does not speak)
* Bunnie D'Coolette (Does not speak)
* Antoine D'Coolette (Does not speak)
* Elias Acorn (Does not speak)
* Rotor Walrus
* Queen Aleena Hedgehog/Bernadette Hedgehog
	+ Super Aleena (First appearance)
* Jules Hedgehog
* Venice the Mink
	+ Chrono Venice
* Sir Charles Hedgehog (Does not speak)
* Archimedes the Fire Ant (Does not speak)
* King Terios the Hedgehog (Mentioned)
* Omochao
* Hope Kintobor
* Maria Robotnik (Flashback)
* Gerald Robotnik (Video footage)
* Ivo Kintobor (Mentioned, not named)
* Meredith Sanders (Mentioned)
* Jennifer Vasquez (Mentioned)
* Geraldo Robotnik (Mentioned)
* Abraham Tower
* Christopher Thorndyke
* Chuck Thorndyke (Mentioned)
* Lindsey Thorndyke (Mentioned)
* Nelson Thorndyke (Mentioned)
* Topaz
* Doctor Eggman
* Bertha Robotnik
* Snively Robotnik
* Decoe
* Bocoe
* Scratch
* Grounder
* Biolizard (first physical appearance)
	+ Finalhazard (first appearance)

## Plot

This episode starts with a screen playing with Professor Gerald Robotnik saying that his final revenge had begun, mentioning that everyone would feel his loss and despair. Eggman then wonders what he's done and Silver firmly tells him that Eggman's doomed everyone, himself included. On the video footage, a G.U.N. firing squad executed Gerald. Meanwhile, Rouge is trying to file her reports to Topaz, who, surprisingly, hasn't responded to her calls. Suddenly, the Space Colony ARK begins shaking, making Rouge question what's going on.

Double meanwhile, Sonic, Sally, Manic, Sonia, Aleena, and Jules are holding their own against Shadow. They seem to have the upper hand, when Shadow puts on some attachments to his shoes, a Flame Ring, and an Ancient Light. Sonic is extremely surprised to see Shadow has Upgrade Items of his own (which look very similar to his own Upgrade Items no less), while Shadow claims that until now, he's not needed to rely on them. He charges up a Light Speed Dash while Sonic and Sally follow suit. They collide into each other and Shadow is knocked down. Suddenly, Shadow releases one of his rings, which Sonic at first mistakes for a Power Ring before Shadow explains they are actually his Inhibitor Rings. Sonic and Manic realize that Shadow is much more powerful than either had imagined, and Sonic manages to spot a real Power Ring. Shadow is about ready to use a Chaos Punch to attack Sonic, but, Manic blocks it with a Wind Fist Overdrive thanks to his Turbine Brace. Shockingly to Manic, this tears off Shadow's arm and even more of a shock is that Shadow's arm can regenerate. It is a painful process however. Sonic then strikes Shadow with his Power Ring he found, but, Shadow shortly leaves after the attack after he tells the other hedgehogs and squirrelmunk that time is running out. Sonic tries to stop Shadow, but, is distracted when he and the others find a badly damaged Omochao, which Sonia mistakes for a robotized Chao before Omochao corrects her. She scoops him up as the group make their way to go and find Hope.

In the control room, Eggman is still reeling from the fact his own grandfather tricked him and Amy asks who he was. Eggman tells her that he was Gerald Robotnik, his grandfather and a scientist like him. Knuckles sees the Emeralds and Eggman tries to grab them, but, the chamber closes and Bertha, who just walked in, sees the video of her father-in-law, who Eggman still insists tricked him. Silver firmly tells Eggman that the whole Space Colony was Gerald's revenge, while the Eclipse Cannon was bait to lure Eggman into his thirst for power. Eggman then realizes that his father had changed his name to Kintobor because of Gerald's insanity and Chris chips in that it takes one to know one. Eggman's shock in Chris' confidence boost, to which Chris gives credit to his Mobian friends. Knuckles tries to get the group to stop the tremors, but, Rouge comes out, saying she checked the propulsion systems and they can't reverse course as the computers are locked and she also takes note about Topaz being there, much to her surprise. Then, the clocks and video are slowed down while everyone is moving at a normal pace, much to Julie-Su's surprise, when Venice shows up on the ARK with two of the Time Stones. Silver introduces Venice as his grandfather upon Mighty's questioning and Cream and Ray thank Venice for his help. Rouge wonders how a mink is related to a hedgehog and Venice admits his daughter married a hedgehog. On Venice's cue, Sonic's group comes into the room and Sonia hands Omochao to Hope, shocked to see his damaged state. Eggman turns down a potential showdown, but, Omochao shows Hope a message: Gerald's diary reveals that G.U.N. raided Space Colony ARK sometime after he made Shadow and had killed Abraham Tower's parents, his wife Jennifer, his son Geraldo, his daughter-in-law Meredith, and his granddaughter Maria. He also intended for Shadow to finish what he started, as he had gone insane and was frightened of what he was doing. Sonic and Amy both realize the equations in the cell matched the ones on the video and Sonic, Sally, and Venice realize that the reason why the cell was bleached was because it was the hide the scents of blood and death. Silver then points out that what his grandfather is doing is delaying the inevitable and he wishes to save his ancestors, one of them being Shadow, his great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather. Amy is surprised to hear this revelation and Blaze scolds Silver for letting that piece of information slip. Sally gets them away from the subject of genealogy and Eggman reveals that the Emeralds had made the Eclipse Cannon into a bomb which will make the explosion larger than a supernova. Venice then gives Silver and Blaze some Upgrade Items: Blaze has a Fire Tiara, Burst Armlet, Pyro Gloves, and Heart of Fire while Silver has a Heart of Wind, Shock Bracelet, Power Bracelet, and Single-Layered Extreme. Marine doesn't have Upgrade Items due to a law passing that you can't have them until you're fourteen years old in their future. Venice then realizes that the Time Stones' power will vanish soon unless he transforms. Silver, though shocked at this as Venice hasn't transformed for ages, reluctantly hands the other Time Stones over to him. Venice transforms into his own Super Form, Chrono Venice. Amy is shocked at this as she assumed Silver was the only one who could use them, but, Silver admits the only reason he can is because his grandfather found out they can cause transformation in the first place. Before slowing time down further, Venice tells Knuckles that he's vital in saving the group as he can shut off the Chaos Emerald's power due to him being the current guardian.

At this, Hope, Chris, Amy, Mr. Tanaka, Topaz, Payback, Sir Charles, Cream, Cheese, Omochao, and Abraham all stay behind while Sonic, Sally, Sonia, Manic, Jules, Aleena, Knuckles, Julie-Su, Mighty, Silver, Blaze, Decoe, Bocoe, Scratch, and Grounder carry the Master Emerald to shut the power off. Rouge, Tails, Ray, Bunnie, Antoine, Elias, Eggman, Snively, Bertha, Archimedes, and Rotor rush into a room with slowed down drones. Tails, Antoine, and Rotor, with his Iron Rotor suit, manage to lift a lever. Sonic's group come across some fast rushing water, which Silver blocks with his Psycho Shock.

With the group that stayed behind, Amy begins to worry if this plan is going to work while Hope gets Amy to relax as Venice slowed time down. Chris feels like he got everyone into trouble, to which Hope assures him Eggman would have caused trouble either way. Cream also tells Chris things will be fine, but, Shadow, who now has all his Inhibitor Rings, doesn't bet on it. Abraham tells him to stop, but, Shadow just scoffs as he remembers every insult Abraham gave him when Maria was not around, wretched beast and monster coming to mind. Abraham apologizes for such uncalled for behavior and tells him to remember Maria's wish, to which Shadow believes it's to avenge all those who had hurt her and her family. Abraham tries to tell Shadow otherwise, but, Hope intervenes before there could be an argument. Shadow mistakes Hope for Maria before she corrects him and explains she's Maria's first-cousin-once-removed. Shadow still believes he's fulfilling Maria's wish and it's at this point Chris jumps in, telling him he saved him from Prison Island. Abraham admits he had seen Maria's dying wish and it wasn't for revenge and he, Chris, Hope, and even Amy chip in that most of the humans on Earth are good and killing them for a crime that most of them aren't even responsible for isn't fair. Shadow argues that what happened to Maria, who had done nothing wrong, was completely unfair. Chris and Abraham both insist that Maria admired the humans despite their faults. Shadow then has a flashback to Maria's true wish, telling him to protect the peace of the world and then has a flashback of Gerald finding him sealed away, the black hedgehog telling Gerald about his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter all being killed. Gerald then goes insane, taking Shadow to a memory altering device, causing Shadow to cry out in agony and disbelief that Gerald would do this and that Maria would never want it. Back in the present, Shadow is in a cold sweat as he realizes how his memories were changed, and he decides to honor Maria's true wish.

In an eerie room, Sonic's group see the Chaos Emeralds and Biolizard there, to which the four robots cower in fear, much to Knuckles and Julie-Su's annoyance. Shadow arrives and then decides to battle the Biolizard while the others get to the Emeralds. Though unsure at first, Sonic decides to trust Sally's judgement (plus there was no time for arguments) and go to stop the Emeralds. Shadow releases two of his Inhibitor Rings to attack the Biolizard and then Knuckles performs Tikal's Prayer, causing the Chaos Emeralds' power to shut off. Just as Shadow homing attacks Biolizard's back, it Chaos Controls outside the Colony, much to the echidna couple's shock, to which Shadow realizes Biolizard absorbed the Emerald's power from being near them. Eggman tells the group that Biolizard's fused with the ARK, sending it toward Earth. Shadow then remembers where a vault is where the group can get 50 Power Rings to allow him and the others to transform and tells Knuckles to use that time to restore the Emeralds.

Shadow then gives Sonic, Sonia, Manic, Sally, Silver, Blaze, Aleena and himself 50 Power Rings, though Sally is unsure if they can do it with all their wisdom and valor. Chris calls them, telling them when that fails, faith overpowers everything. When everyone returns, Blaze uses the Sol Emeralds to become Burning Blaze, Sonic, Sally, Sonia, and Manic retain their respective Super Forms, Silver gets a new Super Form from the Chaos Emeralds, Aleena reveals her Super Form, and even Shadow gets one, much to Aleena's surprise. Shadow admits he was made with the properties of a Mobian, but, Aleena admits that few Mobians have Super Forms and even fewer have Super Forms from Chaos Emeralds. She also notes that Shadow's Super Form looks very much like her grandfather's. With that, the Super Mobians leap into battle. Blaze and Silver use a Super Combo: Super Nova, which makes an explosion equivalent to that of a blockbuster. They then attack the eyes, with Blaze setting fire to one eye and Silver punching the other one, causing Finalhazard to scream in pain. Aleena then causes a Turbo Boost by charging at it full speed. Then, all the Super Mobians cause a Turbo Boost, with the exception of Blaze who performs a Burning Fire Boost at the same time, causing Finalhazard to be confused. Abraham then tells Shadow to go for a walk, to which Shadow sees as a signal to remove all four of his Inhibitor Rings, causing him to be in a new form: Hyper Shadow, where his body glows bright colors of all seven emeralds. Rouge is stunned to see his ratings go off the charts of her Treasure Scope and Knuckles points out that Hyper is a step beyond the Super Forms. Abraham takes Mighty and Knuckles by surprise by admitting that the rings on his wrists and legs were Inhibitor Rings and if they are removed for too long, Shadow becomes exhausted. Outside, Shadow charges at Finalhazard and the Chaos Energy radiating from his fist starts to take the form of a phoenix as he uses his Chaos Punch, which obliterates the Finalhazard. His rings reattach themselves and Shadow admits his Power Rings burned out twice as fast due to his Hyper Form being used, to which Sonic and the others agree to take the matters from here to stop the colony. Shadow then tells the group he is a mere clone of the Ultimate Lifeform and that Terios, Aleena, Sonic, Sally, Sonia, Manic, and Silver are the true Ultimate Lifeforms. Touched by the pep talk, the other Super Mobians use Chaos Control (with the exception of Blaze who uses Sol Control) and place the ARK back into normal orbit. Shadow reverts to his base form and begins to fall to the Earth, with one Inhibitor Ring coming off, saying he will return. Shadow then disappears. Sally wonders where he went, but, Silver assures he will be back and Venice assures Sonia and Manic that everyone on the ARK is okay. Silver then takes the Inhibitor Ring from the air and says Rouge will have it. The group all fly back to the Colony.

Back at the colony, Eggman is contemplating why Gerald would destroy the planet, but, Mighty and Hope point out his hypocrisy. Eggman notes that he's letting Hope off the hook for calling him by his birth name this time. Tails points out that even though Eggman saved the world, he's still the Mobians' enemies. Eggman wishes to call truce for now as he's rethinking what he thought of his grandfather. The evil group depart and Sonic's group come back into the ARK. Chris asks where Shadow is and Venice admits he travelled back to 50 years ago. Blaze hands Rouge Shadow's Inhibitor Ring and she asks why she got it specifically. Venice admits it will make sense within a week. Sally wonders if it was destiny which got the group to stop the ARK along with Shadow and Venice admits it was the wish of Gerald himself that Shadow comes to his senses, as he was scared of his own insanity and left some of Shadow's real memories intact. Sonic then tells everyone he wishes to go back to Earth and Tails goes to get the rocket ready to go. Chris then realizes he'll be in trouble with his parents and grandfather when he gets back, but, Mr. Tanaka and Jules assure him that while they will be mad, they'll also be relieved Chris is safe. The shuttle takes off with Sonic saying that they will meet Shadow again as the episode and Shadow saga comes to a close.

## Differences between this, the real episode and Sonic Adventure 2

* Chuck, Sam Speed, Mr. Tanaka, Ella, Danny, Frances, Helen, Christina Cooper, President, Scarlet Garcia, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stewart, Bokkun, and the Egg Golem were all in the original episode, but, their scenes were cut for time. Chuck was mentioned in this episode however and Lindsey and Nelson were as well despite not being mentioned in the original.
* Some of the scenes at the start are shuffled around. The original episode had Rouge talking to Topaz first, then the battle with Shadow and Sonic, and then the reveal of Gerald's message. This episode started with Gerald's message, Rouge trying to call Topaz, and then the battle with Shadow, Sonic, his family, and girlfriend.
* In the original episode, Rouge was actually talking to Topaz and Topaz telling Rouge to be careful. Here, Rouge can't get in touch with Topaz.
* A lot of the game dialogue in Gerald's threats and diary were referenced here, as well as Gerald revealing that not just Maria died, but, the Towers, Meredith, Jennifer, and Geraldo, too.
* In the game, Rouge read Gerald's diary. In the anime, it was Chris. In this version, Omochao shows a recording.
* Shadow does have his Upgrade Items in the game, but, not in the real episode. He showcases them in full force here.
* Rouge realizes Topaz is on the ARK immediately after giving the news about the ARK's course. Topaz remained on Earth in the original.
* The time isn't slowed down in the original or the game. Venice manages to slow it down with the Time Stones and in his Super Form.
* Many of the ARK scenes are expanded upon, such as to showcase Silver and Blaze's Upgrade Items and why Marine doesn't have any.
* Shadow's flashbacks not only reveal Maria's true wish, but, that Gerald had brainwashed him into thinking Maria wanted revenge. It's also showcased that Gerald did have tiny bit of sanity left when he left some of Shadow's real memories intact.
* The final battle is more fleshed out due to not only Sonic and Shadow fighting Finalhazard, but, Sonia, Manic, Sally, Blaze, Silver, and Aleena as well. Aleena also reacts to Shadow's Super Form with surprise, while in both the anime and games, Sonic seems unfazed by Shadow's Super Form.
* Silver manages to push some water back in this episode, while Knuckles merely grabs Sonic in the real episode to keep him from being pushed back.
* Shadow's Inhibitor Rings are shown to be able to retract to him whenever he needs them to and he's able to grow parts of himself back. Neither of these things are true in the games or anime.
* Shadow has a Hyper Form in this story. In the games and anime, this isn't true.
* In the game, Amy convinces Shadow to help the others. In the anime, it's Chris. In this story, it's Chris, Amy, Abraham, and Hope who do it together.
* In the game and anime, Shadow is shocked to see the Biolizard use Chaos Control. Here, it's Julie-Su who reacts to it.
* In the game and anime, everyone assumes Shadow's dead and they believe so until Shadow comes back until Sonic Heroes and Episode 60 respectively. Here, it's showcased that Shadow had gone back in time, 50 years ago. This in turn changes Sonic's last words in the episode to the games and anime: in the games and anime, he says "sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog" (or "Adios, Shadow the Hedgehog" in the Japanese dub), but, in this episode he says "Until we meet again, Shadow."
* In the anime, Chris gets Shadow's Inhibitor Ring. In the games, Rouge does and she gives a soft smile in silence as Sonic offers it to her. In this episode, Silver insists that Rouge gets the ring. Blaze is also the one to give Rouge Shadow's Inhibitor Ring and she questions why, to which Venice says it will be made clear in a week.