Chapter 6: Assignment

Ben stared at the scientist as his mind only began to fathom what he had just said. Destroy Sonic the Hedgehog? What? Did Eggman expect me to obey just like that?

Then, it clicked inside his head like a switch. That's what the weird remote's button was for! Eggman must have tried to turn me into a slave through mind control! But if Eggman finds out that for some reason it didn't work, he'll do something to my head to make sure that it does, and that would be bad.

Ben did only what he thought would be best. He straightened up and said to the doctor in a serious tone, "Yes, Doctor Eggman."

"Good," Eggman said with a sinister smile. "I now have you under my power." Satisfied with the response, he reached into another pocket and pulled out a second remote. He pushed the button in the middle of it and the doors of the cell clanged open.

Ben couldn't believe his luck. He was already free. But he didn't dare take action just yet.

"Because you are his copy, Sonic shouldn't be hard to recognize. When you find him, make sure to bring him to me alive so I can end his world and make him suffer long and hard. He deserves it," Eggman said spitefully. "Now go." He looked Ben long and hard in the eyes. Ben could almost see a gleam of hatred beyond the scientist's soulless glasses, and knew just how badly Eggman wanted this to succeed.

Ben realized that this might be his only chance of escape, for he was terrified out of his mind at what the future would hold if he stayed in the hands of this madman. Yet he knew he needed to be careful about his actions so that Eggman didn't suspect his secret free will.

Pretending to depart to fulfill Eggman's orders, Ben saluted and began to make his way out of the cell. He broke into a very tentative, cautious jog towards the corridor leading out, moving pleasingly farther and farther away from the lab. Nothing tried to stop him, which was a relief beyond measure, and once he went out of Eggman's view he broke into a medium-paced run, his quills bouncing slightly and his new shoes pattering against the concrete floor of the hall.

Ben began searching for an exit, not wanting to increase his speed as to slam into any walls. He passed many rooms full of strange equipment and machinery, pipes and twisted pieces of robots that repelled any curiosity from Ben's mind about their uses.

After many twists and turns, he finally saw a large pair of heavy metal doors ahead. He stopped in front of them and pushed them open with some effort. Yet he was still impressed with the strength his new body now possessed, for he didn't think that he would even be able to budge these doors an inch if he was his regular self.

Stepping outside into the sunlight, Ben blinked his large eyes and squinted at his surroundings. His jaw dropped open as he peered out at a rocky, barren wasteland, but beyond he saw a bright blue, cloudless sky, and rolling hills of lush green grass with a soft number of palm trees, flowers, and bushes speckling the landscape.

Ben stepped out and the enormous door shut behind him automatically. Then he took a deep breath of fresh air before pondering what to do next.

He thought of what would happen if he ever went back into Eggman's lair and demanded that he change him back and send him home, not that he had any immediate desire to change back or go home. He decided that he didn't want to test the evil scientist's temper and would most likely get captured again and have his brain messed with.

Ben looked out at the distant green hills. He suddenly felt an urgent desire to feel the wind in his face and enjoy this while it lasted. He looked down at himself.

His rich blue fur ruffled a little in the slight breeze, and his red and white shoes shined in the sunlight. It was so odd not seeing his own human limbs and torso. He almost felt trapped inside this unfamiliar body, but the newfound strength and power coursing through his legs was telling him what he could do to be free of that sensation.

Readying himself back, Ben crouched slightly, then took off in the direction of the hills and in seconds was upon them, feet speeding across the grass, causing it to blow wildly around behind him in the slipstream. His only hope now was to find his look-alike and see what happens next.

"What does your son look like, ma'am?"

Kara Gardner was sitting at her kitchen table with a police officer standing above her, taking notes.

Kara was in silent tears. She gave a brief intake of breath and told him, "Here I have a picture," pulling out her smartphone and scrolling through her photos.

She had searched in and around the house and neighborhood, calling all of his known friends to see if he had visited any of them. None had seen him, not even his friend Jared, who explained to her that he had last seen him when he had been dropped off at home after school. The police had told her to wait at least 24 hours to see if he'd show up, but she pleaded with them and insisted that he would never leave without first telling her, so they finally agreed to investigate a small bit.

"H-he would never leave his phone b-behind either, you know how teens are, and his clothes and things are all on the floor," she had said.

The officer nodded, currently picturing her boy running around naked. He quickly tried to clear the thought. Surely he would have just changed clothes. Meanwhile, Kara tried to push the thought away of him having been kidnapped, but the officer informed her that it might be a possibility that they would have to further approach. What could my son have possibly gotten himself into? she thought.

The garage door could be heard opening and Kara's head snapped up, senses at full attention. Is that Ben? Moments later a masculine figure entered through the door of the mudroom and walked into the kitchen.

Kara sighed in despair that it was not her son, but then stood up and rushed over to her husband, Andrew, and buried her face in his shoulder as she embraced him.

Andrew was slightly taken aback, both by the cop in his kitchen and his wife's sudden act of affection. Yet, dropping his briefcase to the ground, he squeezed her back and tried to comfort her. After a few moments she looked up at him.

"What's happened?" Andrew asked her.

"Our son has run away," she replied with tears gleaming in the corners of her eyes.

"What? Are you sure? Ben's never done this before!" He looked over to the policeman, expecting an explanation with a glaring look in his eyes.

"Uh, sir, we are inconclusive at the moment as to whether he has run away, been kidnapped, or even in any danger at all, but I promise you that we will get it sorted as soon as possible," answered the cop hurriedly.

Andrew stared at him for a few moments before turning back to his wife and embracing her a second time.

Thanks for reading! I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Please let me know if you are or even if you aren't. I love any and all criticism! Thanks for reviewing!