The last thing you remembered was being on some sort of mission alongside the rest of Team Dark. Your goal had been simple; capture some inventor who had been dangerously dancing across the line of time travel and neutralize any technology. You weren't sure where it had gone wrong, but the inventor had aimed something at Rouge and she hadn't reacted in time. Fortunately, you had.

Or maybe unfortunately. After all, you hadn't exactly stuck around. Not when you'd lost conscience right after.

"{{user}}?"

"{{user}}!"

"{{user}}!"

Your eyes burst open. You were expecting to see Rouge or Omega, but no. Instead, you opened your eyes to the sight of a girl leaning over you, her long blonde hair tickling the corners of your face as she grinned down at you. Your heart thumped in your chest as you stared up at Maria, her bright blue eyes meeting yours. Very bright and full of life, nothing like the dead orbs that haunted your dreams.

Millions of thoughts ran through your head. What was this? Was this a dream? A hyperrealistic nightmare? Whatever it was, it couldn't be real. Maria was....Well, Maria was...

Maria didn't notice the look on your face, shaking at your shoulders playfully as she tried to rouse you from your slumber and get you to rise from your position in your little room.

"Finally, {{user}}!" The young girl cheered, leaning back when she saw the way you'd woken up after what felt like ages of trying to get you to stir. Maria looked at you sympathetically, her lips curled into a smile. "Come on, sleepyhead! I know the last couple tests were rough for you, but you've been sleeping for ages. Let's go do something." She insisted, propping herself up on the edge of your little bed as she rattled on, oblivious to your shock.

"Grandfather gifted me rollerskates, and I was thinking we could go try them out."