It only took me 9 years to actually get off of my behind and write a Manic fanfic. Enjoy! Criticism appreciated.
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Creeping around in the dark was all Manic had known for what felt like hours at this point, he and the rest of the Mouse Patrol had been sent out by Farrell to map out some new shortcuts and secret pathways around the city, and of course Manic had been sent to the sewers.
The young hedgehog cursed and muttered under his breath, fed up of feeling like a filthy rat down in the muck. Though this was like a second home to him, even Manic had his limits, and he felt on edge being in such unfamiliar parts of the city.
Turning around another corner, he was practically almost blinded by the sudden light that hit him. Manic swore and shielded his eyes, creeping closer to the light he finally made out an emerald, he grabbed it and immediately felt warmer, as if the emerald contained some kind of power within.
He grinned and tossed the emerald into the air, catching it smoothly before closely examining it. "This'll fetch a hefty price, I better fetch it back to Farrell." He turned around and started running, retracing his steps down the sewer tunnels that he'd mapped.
All of the children in the Mouse Patrol were taught to map out unfamiliar sewers, to avoid getting lost in such an environment. Manic had always been one of the best of Farrell's students. Farrel was like a father to Manic, who'd been adopted by him, who was also the leader of a group of thieves and a powerful figure in the criminal underworld of Robotropolis.
Despite Farrell's dangerous reputation, he was surprisingly soft on children, and often took in orphans and trained them on how to survive and steal in order to contribute to the group. All of the kids still learning were put into the Mouse Patrol until Farrell deemed them master thieves. This was Manic's goal and had been since for as long as he could remember.
On his way back to the group hideout, he took a quick turn to a set of ladders leading out into an alleyway. "Finally." Manic breathed. "Some fresh air. A hedgehog like me just doesn't get along with all that dirt."
He took out the emerald once again, admiring it fully now that it was out in the daylight, Manic could appreciate how bright and colourful the emerald was. It looked extremely valuable.
Manic knew he could get straight to the hideout if he kept to the sewers, he didn't want to stay down there for another minute, and so he set off deeper into the city, glad to be outside despite the constantly depressing atmosphere of Robotropolis. The cold oppressive buildings and patrolling Swatbots was all that Manic had ever known, and so he knew and treated every metal gate, rotating camera and sudden turn into a dark ditch like the back of his palm.
All of the older Mobians Manic knew often spoke of how things used to be, before Robotnik took the throne from the mysterious Queen Aleena, who had been on the run and rarely sighted ever since the fall of her kingdom.
Manic himself had grown up in this dark new world Robotnik had created, despite being only a child Manic was used to violence and was already hardened and mature thanks to the rough upbringing. Even his body language was toughened, he walked with a slight swagger in his gait, silently telling anyone nearby that he wasn't going to be their victim, and that they'd better stay away.
Manic finally came to a stop, the hideout entrance was just around the corner now, hidden from everyone else, only those in Farrel's group could pinpoint all of the telltale signs that this was one of the hideout entrances in Robotropolis.
Every entrance in the city was well concealed, considering Farrell was a wanted criminal, with his impending punishment being Robotosization, it was no surprise that the thieves kept so secretive with such a threat. Many considered Robotosization worse than death, locked in a metallic shell unable to control yourself, though still able to watch as you destroy your loved ones against your will.
Manic shuddered just thinking about it, though he shook it off and ducked into the entrance, he immediately went towards Farrell's room, where the large insectoid was inspecting all of the latest stolen items that other thieves had brought back for him.
"Ah, Manic. Have you really mapped out the western sewers already?" Farrell watched Manic closely, he knew that Manic often goofed off sometimes, though he could tell Manic had something up this time, just by the gleam in his amber eyes.
"I came back early. Farrell, check this out!" Manic reached into his bag, but found only empty air.
"Wait- it was just there!" Manic looked up only to find Farrell grinning at him, the emerald in his claws.
The thief winked at Manic before setting the emerald on his desk. "Where'd you find this, Mani?" Farrell questioned, using Manic's old nickname affectionately. "If this emerald is what I think it is, it's extremely rare. Infact, there's only a few on the planet."
Manic's ears perked up at that, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "It can't be, I found that thing in the sewers, it's probably just some jewelry some nobel flushed down the toilet. It wouldn't be the first time I found something like that down there." Manic stared at the emerald, which was still shining just as bright as ever. It certainly looked different compared to usual jewels.
"I'm certain of it." Farrell growled. "Though you may be right, I should take this emerald to someone I know, he's a collector and he knows all about these kinds of treasures found on Mobius. If this really is one of the rare emeralds, he'll know it."
Manic nodded, already turning around to head away, though stopped when Farrell put his hand on Manic's shoulder. "Mani, wait."
Manic frowned and turned around, facing him. "This emerald you've found and brought to me, Mani. Is worth more than you could understand. I think it's about time I consider you a real thief, you've earned it."
Farrell tightened his grip briefly, before giving Manic a final pat on the head, which caused Manic to instinctively duck out of the way, though with a big smile on his face. "Thanks Ferrell! This is way too cool, I gotta tell the others!"
He took off without another word, heading for the main room in the hideout, where meals were prepared and eaten.
The room was lit up warmly by the fireplace, stood nearby a pot full of slow cooking stew, which was surrounded by many different sorts of chairs and stools. They'd been picked up from anywhere and taken to the hideout, and so most of the furniture was completely mismatched. The whole hideout was full of random items. Though retained a warm atmosphere despite the messiness.
Usually other members of the group were lounging around in this room, though to Manic's disappointment the room was empty. "Bummer. They all must still be out." Manic was far too impatient to wait for them to get back, and so he set out to look for them, leaving through one of the hidden exist holes into the evening light.
"Damn." Manic cursed in surprise, he hadn't expected it to be so late already, soon it would be dark out, and it would be dangerous for him to be out alone and vulnerable.
Though not completely vulnerable, Manic reflected, putting his hand by his bag, right where his pocket knife was concealed. All young thieves on the street were taught how to fight and defend themselves with any weapons they can get. The one most often used being the knife. Manic was practically a master at using it after years of practice.
Manic decided to head for the abandoned church, it was crumbling apart and covered in graffiti. The roof had been lit on fire, and the whole building looked haunted, so most Mobians stayed away from it. Manic knew that within the church many of his friends loitered there often, and to his disgust, indulged in drugs.
Ferrell had taught all of them to stay away from drugs, Manic himself had seen what drugs can do to someone, how they can slowly kill even the strongest fighter and turn them weak and desperate. The kids only did cannabis, avoiding harder drugs, though Manic himself still heavily disapproved.
He headed over to the entrance, but was suddenly stopped when something hit him in the stomach, winding him.
He flinched back and glared up at his attacker, posed ready to fight back, but then relaxed when he saw who it was. "Colin, you jerk. What was that for?" Manic reached up and punched the doberman's shoulder, who didn't seem phased at all by Manic's reaction.
"You were clearly begging for it, the way you was staring into space, you didn't even hear me coming up behind ya, Mani." Colin snorted, with a smirk he looked down at the ruffled hedgehog. "So, what is your green sorry hide even doing here? Finally gotten off your high horse and decided to join us?"
Manic shook his head stubbornly. "No way dude, that stuff you do is wack. I'm just looking for my Mouse Patrol buds, I got something big to tell em."
"Oh really?" Colin peered down closely at Manic, curiosity brightened his brown gaze. "What's this big thing coming from such a small rodent? I'm mighty interested." Manic growled and flipped him off, stepping back from the hound, who was far too close, and annoying, for comfort.
"Well, slimenose, you're looking at an honorary thief. I'm not a Mouse Patrol kid anymore." Manic felt his chest swell with pride at the thought of it.
"My, an official scumbag. Congratulations, kid." The dog grunted before taking a quick swipe at the bristling hedgehog, who punched Colin right back. "Youch, I'd better quit pissing you off before you actually manage to bruise me." Colin massaged the black fur along his arm that Manic had caught, in mock pain.
Manic turned away, feeling far too annoyed with the dog to answer back. Though he knew Colin didn't mean it. Colin was a guard, which was a rather stereotypical, predictable position for a doberman, but Manic never dared pointing that out. Colin was in charge of taking out any troublemakers who tried to bring violence into the old church. Colin just loved any excuse to bash a few heads in, and had a completely insufferable personality as a result.
"Just cool it already Col, if my friends aren't here I'll beat it." Manic turned around, ready to leave.
"Mani, your friends haven't been here all day. I woulda smelled their stench otherwise. Hell, I can still smell the sewers on your fur, you really have no shame, Mani." Colin called to the departing hedgehog. Manic reddened slightly at that, though glad that Colin couldn't see it. He cursed internally, he'd forgotten about washing up after the trip to the sewers, too excited about finding his friends. He decided to take to the alleyways, where he'd run into less people on the way to his next destination.
The sky was getting darker, and Manic started to contemplate if he should just go back to the hideout to see if they'd returned during his absence. Though after getting riled up by Colin, Manic didn't feel like going back too soon. He felt like he needed to be alone to cool down, and the hideout was always noisy at this time of day, with dinner just about to be served.
Ah, dinner. Manic's stomach growled at the thought. He would miss it by the time he returned, though Manic had other ways of getting fed. He left the alleyway and turned onto the road, it was quiet and he crossed it quickly, looking around for a good target.
He kept walking until he spotted a vending machine, full of sandwiches. Manic smirked, he knew exactly how to deal with these. He casually walked towards it, whistling a tune, before knocking on the bottom of the machine to the left three times. Almost immediately two sandwiches fell from the machine, right into Manic's other hand.
"My magic hands win again. This just gets easier and easier". Manic bragged whilst chewing a mouthful of sandwich. He swallowed it and focused on the next sandwich before a sudden screech made him choke in shock.
"THIEF DETECTED. SURRENDER TO ROBOTNIK NOW." Manic dropped the sandwich and gasped, he'd been so distracted by his hunger that he hadn't spotted the nearby Swatbot. It was approaching him now, ready to grab him and take him to Robotnik, where he'd be Robotised.
"There's no way I'm surrendering to Buttnik, seeya!" Manic took off, running as fast as he could down the street, but the Swatbot was faster. It shot at Manic and caught his shoe, and Manic was sent falling to the ground where he lay stunned.
"Ugh!" Manic grunted in pain and fear as he felt a set of cold and hard claws grab hold of him and hoist him into the air as if he weighed of nothing. "He-help!" Manic shrieked in pure panic, though no one was around.
The grip on Manic tightened in response, and Manic could swear he felt his ribs crack. He writhed in pain, desperate to get away, but the Swatbot's hold on him was too strong for the small hedgehog. "I can't believe this is how it ends." Manic gasped breathlessly. Only hours ago he'd managed to accomplish one of his biggest goals, and now he was going to be one of Robotnik's slaves. Fantastic.
The world grew dark as Manic's shock and pain started to take its toll. He was losing consciousness and there was nothing he could do. He felt utterly helpless for the first time in his life. His thoughts wandered away as everything finally faded to black.