Item Name: Bird

Maria, who is at one with nature, certainly loves her animals friends--particularly birds. This breed of bird (her first "sub-weapon") is stronger than her normal doves. This bird type is tossed two at a time, diagonally upward in opposite directions and at fairly short range. They're most effective when used to nip at foes placed on platforms above and also those who are airborne.
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Item Name: Cat

Maria's little cat friend is cute but deceptively deadly. When Maria releases the cat from her care, it will use its quickness to dash along the ground--across the screen until out of her sight--and stop to snip at any enemy in its path. If the cat runs into a wall or falls into a pit, its pesky offensive will of course cease.
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Item Name: Dragon

The dragon, by far Maria's largest and strongest "animal" friend, is released directly overhead, where it'll collect itself before soon after darting in whatever direction she was facing. The dragon's sheer size is its greatest attribute--as it speeds forward, it's large frame will greatly damage any enemy in its flight-path. This beastly buddy is most effective when you're frantically hopping from unstable platform to unstable platform while surrounded by enemy characters.

Item Name: Egg

The egg is not what you'd call a conventional "animal friend." When it's tossed to the ground, it'll crack open, revealing its contents; that is, multiple baby doves will scutter out from its cracked frame and scatter in all directions. In effect, their reaction to newfound freedom serves as a storm of projectiles, within which enemies will be caught and repeatedly damaged.
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Item Name: Magic Book

Like her brother-in-law, Richter, Maria tugged along her own magical book--in this case a music-based tome. As she reads from its pages, Maria will actually sing a tune that, itself, can harm enemies; in practice, her voice will translate into a musical note that'll bob forward and damage any enemy in its path.
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Item Name: Turtle

When released from her care, the turtle will lend its shell to Maria, fully becoming of her. When she settles into her new domed suit of armor, she'll be protected from enemies and their attacks. The catch: Her mobility takes a big hit, and she won't be able to attack. The turtle is obviously meant strictly for defensive purposes--particularly for when a hail of projectiles or a hoard of enemies is headed Maria's direction and she has little recourse.