Murky morning light dully filtered in through the smog-stained window and did little to lighten the drab laboratory. The sun tried for the thousandth time to burn away the thick clouds of Metropolis Zone, and for the thousandth time failed. Shock and Rouge leaned against the windowsill in the Doctor's lab, the passive battle of the sun and the clouds continuing behind them.
The gaze of the two went to the clock mounted on the wall. Almost nine-thirty.
"Where do you suppose he is?" asked Shock.
"Oh, who knows?" replied Rouge with a shrug, "He could just be sleeping long."
"He doesn't seem the type, but I guess we all sleep longer than intended, sometimes."
Silence hung between them. Then Rouge spoke up, "Oh, I found out what's on the thirty-ninth floor."
Shock quickly scanned the room to be sure there were no eavesdroppers.
"Alright?"
"Well, it's nothing too exciting. There's some kind of big robot he's building there."
"A robot, huh?"
"Yeah. I don't know why he'd keep you from knowing about it."
"Hm."
"Then again, it was pretty ugly, so maybe he's embarrassed about it," she said with a small laugh.
The corner of Shock's mouth twitched up for a brief second. He prayed Rouge didn't see it.
"...Was that a smile I saw?" she asked.
Oh great...
He didn't answer and instead turned his head away.
"Come on, let me see one," she said.
"I've got nothing to smile about."
"You're here with me..." she said, giving him a playful elbow.
"Exactly," he said, turning his head towards her again.
"Oh, that's not very nice," she replied with mock sadness.
Turning his attention to the elevator, Shock wished the Doctor would arrive and give him something to do. Something that required him to be alone.
"Please, Shocky?"
"I'm not going to."
Rouge lowered the pitch of her voice, "I'm No Smile Man, and I'll use my super-strong face muscles to not smile."
With a sigh, the echidna rolled his eyes.
Rouge continued, "Smiling is my one weakness. If I do it, my face will crack."
He crossed his arms and turned his back to her, "Are you done?" he asked. However, the real reason he turned away was because he felt a smile tug at his lips, one he tried to fight back. He felt slightly annoyed at her for being able to do that.
"Okay, I'm sorry," she said resting her arms on his shoulders, her wrists crossing between his shoulder blades.
"Do you think the Doctor is down there with the robot?" he asked, hoping to change the subject and trying to ignore the fact she was practically leaning on his back.
"Hmmm. Maybe."
"You will tell Sonic and Tails for me, won't you?"
"Of course I will, hon."
"Great. Now, would you mind not leaning on me so much?"
Rouge smiled and did so.
"Actually, maybe I should go now...?" she wondered.
"Go ahead."
"I'm so glad to know you'll miss me."
"Yeah, it's going to cause me some severe emotional trauma."
Rouge laughed, "You're a pretty funny guy, Shock."
He grunted.
"See you later. Oh, and in case I don't see you again before you leave here," she leaned in and kissed his cheek, making him go red, "Good luck with your parents."
He cleared his throat, "Uh... thanks. Bye," he said.
She nodded and walked into the elevator. She waved goodbye before pressing the button for the ground floor. He simply looked back at her, the elevator doors closed, and he was alone once more. It was now so quiet, he could hear the fans and hard drives of the computers in the room and the buzzing of the harsh overhead lights.
In one way, he was glad he was alone again, yet part of him wished she had stayed. He turned and stared out of the window, She annoyed me sometimes, really annoyed me. But... she was someone nice to talk to... he lifted his right arm to look at the bracelet once again, I guess it was good preparation for when I get back home. Mama and Papa will want me to talk about where I've been and what I've been doing...
He closed his eyes, Just a bit longer... then I can go back where I belong...
.
For the next few days, Shock only saw Doctor Eggman every so often. He would come into the lab for an hour or two and then leave again, usually assigning the grey echidna a task on his way out. When asked what he was doing, the Doctor avoided the question and Shock thought it best not to press the issue.
One morning, Eggman called the echidna over.
"Shock, thank you for helping me out. I know you must be itching to get outside."
"You can say that again."
"Tell you what, why don't you take the day off? The whole day. Take a Motobug and go wherever you like."
Shock blinked, "Really?"
"Yes, of course."
"Well... thanks. I'll do that."
Shock didn't hide his relief. At last, the outdoors, fresh air, warm sunshine... and the chance to talk to Sonic and Tails.
"Oh, and," continued Eggman, "In case you're wondering; I'll be letting you go on your way soon. Very soon."
Shock couldn't believe his luck.
"Thanks," Shock said again. He turned and left.
.
The sun felt so good after all this time and the air's sweet freshness cleansed his lungs. Cottony, fluffy clouds hung in a brilliant azure sky over a beautiful green clearing. He lay down on the soft grass with his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes and let the sounds of nature surround him.
I'll talk to Sonic and Tails in a while... I've got a whole day...
This is what he was used to. He could barely remember what life was like with his parents. But it wouldn't be long until he was back with them. It would take some time to adjust being back in a house and having home-cooked meals, but if he was with them, it would be easy.
He imagined approaching their house, the house he never had a chance to grow up in, and knocking on the door. Hoping they would be pleased to see him, in his mind's eye, the door opens and both of them are standing there. Their expressions change from surprise, to anger, to happiness. His mother gathers him in her arms, crying with joy, and he feels his father's strong arms encircle them both. Would he like something to eat? Anything at all? Yes, he would, Mama. Join them in the kitchen and tell them what he's been doing all these years while he waits. Good idea, Papa. He left for their safety, but now he has a way to stop the inadvertent discharges. He wants to live with them again. He'll tell them what he's been doing while away from home, but there's something important he has to say to them, first:
"Mama, Papa... I love you."
.
Shock opened his eyes and sat up groggily. Two nearby squirrels scampered away when they sensed him move. He rubbed his eyes with one gloved hand at squinted up at the sky. The sun had moved considerably since he had last looked. Had he fallen asleep? There was that curious 'weak' feeling in his muscles, so he must have drifted off. He had only intended to rest his eyes, but it seemed he didn't realise just how tired he was.
I should look for Sonic and Tails. They'll have been wondering what's happening. Not that I have any better idea what's going on either, but...
As he got to his feet, he heard something crashing through the trees to his right. He looked over and saw a large yellow robot stomping towards him.
The Doctor? It must be. Great timing...
The towering robot stopped several feet from the echidna. It was at least fifteen feet tall with a thick, barrel-like torso. Huge, round legs supported the torso, and on the end of each arm was a large, blunt-tipped, bullet-shaped object. Sitting atop the contraption, was a semi-sphere where the echidna guessed Eggman was sitting.
This is probably what Rouge was talking about...
"Why hello, Shock," said Eggman, his voice emanating from an unseen speaker on the robot.
"Doctor? What are you doing here?"
"You've probably been wondering what I've been up to for the last few days. Well, this is it. My latest robot... Egglectro!"
Shock raised an eyebrow, "Egg... lectro?" he asked.
"Yes! And with this, I shall defeat Sonic and finally rule the world! But first, Shock..." the robot leaned forward, "There's something I have to take care of..."
The echidna stepped back.
"I know what you've been up to outside," said Eggman, "What you've been doing behind my back."
"You... what?"
"Look to your right."
Cautiously, Shock turned his head. A small red flash caught his eye. There was something the size of an insect floating in front of him.
"You see that? I had this little robot follow you whenever you were outside my lab. You've been collaborating with Sonic. Rouge had something to do with it, too, I suppose, but you chose to listen to her. I didn't fully trust you, and I see I was right not to."
Grimacing, Shock raised his hand and sent out a small burst of electricity at the tiny robot, destroying it.
"Oh, does this mean we're not friends, anymore?" asked Eggman, sarcastically, "That's too bad. In that case, I guess you don't want that device, then?"
Before the echidna could figure out what he meant, he felt the bracelet around his wrist loosen. It slipped off and fell to the ground. A second later, there was a small explosive pop, followed by smoke rising from the bracelet.
Shock's blood went cold.
No! My chance! My only chance! I wasn't a danger to anyone with that! No! This can't be happening!
He clenched his fists, shaking with rage. He looked up at the robot with hatred.
"Oops! Did I break it?" asked Eggman with a cruel laugh.
Shock built up a large ball of electricity, sparks arcing over his arms and funnelling into the flashing white-blue orb. With a cry of anger, he launched it forward. It connected with the yellow metal of Eggman's latest creation, exploding over the torso and creating a loud buzz.
The robot sank to one knee and hunched over, unmoving.
Shock glared at it, breathing heavily.
"Eggman..." he growled.
To the echidna's surprise, the robot suddenly stood up as if nothing had happened.
"Think again!" crowed Eggman, and pointed a large arm at Shock, "Remember those experiments I had you perform? What do you think they were for? Just to test your limits? No. I wanted something that would stand up to you in the event I would have to face you, so I had you give everything to them. Now I have a robot made from non-conductive metal with a special coating. So, unless you can find a way to generate lightning, there's not much you can do."
The robot reared back a massive arm.
"So long, friend!"
Shock reactively raised his own arm and closed his eyes as the blunt tip rushed toward him. Eggman laughed as the arm smashed through the ground where the echidna stood.