In an attempt to save Maria's life, Gerald, who was the greatest scientific mind of his time, agreed to work on Project Shadow, a government project for creating an immortal life form. Maria and Shadow watching the earth together, from Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. Maria also befriended a young Commander whom she would play with.
Maria came to mean everything to Gerald, and the two of them would work and live together onboard the ARK. Onboard the ARK, Maria was looked after and cared for by her grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. While looking down at the earth from the ARK, Maria developed an interest in it and longed to go there. Despite getting medical help, Maria only grew weaker over time. Additionally, her condition was only mitigated by the low gravity onboard the ARK, further confining her to the station. Due to her illness, which left her frail and weak, Maria needed constant attention, which meant she could not leave the ARK's hospital, leaving her confined in space. Before she could visit earth however, she contracted Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome, an incurable and inevitably fatal disease. She was born and raised onboard the Space Colony ARK. It has been implied that Maria comes from a long line of brilliant scientists. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Review
