Chapter 15

Aleena felt her excitement building through Friday and Saturday as she worked, carrying trays of food to tables and cleaning up empty plates and glasses. Murray was more than happy to give her a few days off when she explained the situation. If things went well, she would be able to stay at the diner without any guilt, have her children and maybe a second husband.

From his bed, Robotnik made calls and sent emails to various vendors. He would have hired a catering service, but Sleet had insisted on handling everything. He just didn't trust caterers. Sleet took his tuxedo to the dry cleaners and had his shoes polished. Sleet made a good personal assistant, butler, and valet all in one. He would definitely need that going forward. It was becoming more apparent that he simply was not a young buck anymore. He needed help.

While their old nemesis healed, Sonic, Sonia, and Manic mobilized the resistance to come in and start cleaning up the streets. Bartleby took Robotnik's designs for the new scrubber to the engineers to get them started on the framework.

By the time the sun shimmered over the horizon of the city on Monday morning, the city was already vastly improved. When Robotnik was wheeled out of the hospital in a wheelchair, citizens gathered outside to marvel at the depth of his humiliation, he was impressed by how much cleaner the streets were. The trash was gone and the graffiti painted over with fresh white paint. Smog still hung in the air but that would be dealt with soon.

Sleet and Dingo saw the crowd gathered and rolled their eyes. "Come on!" Sleet shouted. "Clear the way. You wouldn't be crowding anyone else coming out of the hospital so back off!" He and Dingo forced people to clear away from the hospital, allowing them to get him to the Scorpion without incident.

"Sire, you'll be pleased to know that everything is set for tonight. The ballroom is all decorated and the food is prepared. And everyone has been invited." The wolf assured him. He looked over old despot. He was very sweaty after facing the bystanders.

Robotnik nodded. "Good… I don't know that I've thanked you, Sleet. For all that you've done. You saved my life…"

Sleet held little respect for the petulant tyrant with the penchant for childish tantrums but his conversation with Manic stuck out all the more. "I can't explain it but I had to. I won't lie though. It was lucky that I found you and no one else." He looked at Dingo, who nodded in agreement. The orange jackal was the only other person who might have helped the man.

The rest of the day was spent in trepidation as he tried to both rest and get ready for the evening. He put on the newly cleaned white tuxedo and combed his handlebar mustache as the night came. He could hear the musician-bots starting up a lively song and knew that meant people were arriving.

Affixing the red carnation to his lapel, he went down to the ballroom, nodding to Sleet as he waited at the entrance. "Were you able to get it, Sleet?"

Sleet nodded and pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. "I was. I hope it's to your or her liking…" He chuckled. "Dingo will be running the event, sire. I have a date."

Robotnik's eyes went wide but he nodded. "Do I know her?"

"Him, sire. Yes, you do know him." He grinned. "He'll be coming down shortly."

Members of the resistance mingled awkwardly with members of the aristocracy. The nobles approached him, bowing respectfully.

"Thank you for coming, friends, if I may call you that." He said to Mr. LaTour. "I know that I don't deserve to after the things that I've done."

The brawny fox nodded. "We all do things, we all have chapters in our lives that we'd rather just forget. As long as you really intend to change then we're okay." He offered a hand.

The old man accepted the hand and nodded as the piano hit some notes, drawing everyone's attention to the grand staircase. "Their royal highnesses, Prince Sonic and Prince Manic…" The herald announced, giving them their true titles at last.

Sonic blushed as everyone looked at them in their tight, uncomfortable suits. Sonic hated getting dressed up. Manic, on the other hand, looked like he had been wearing a suit his entire life.

They walked down the stairs and joined the party. Sonic was surprised when Sleet came over. "Prince Manic, you look quite handsome this evening." He offered his black-gloved hand to the green hedgehog.

Manic took it and smiled. "Oh, Sonic, this is SilverBullet, the guy I've been seeing." He laughed.

Sonic smacked his head. "You've got to be kidding me. You and Sleet?" He couldn't help laughing. "Well, you have fun man. I'm going to go find food." Food was his love at the moment.

His brother laughed with him and looked at Sleet. "Shall we…" He let the wolf lead him into the ballroom, feeling eyes turn to him.

Sonic found the refreshment table and made a small plate of finger foods. He noticed that chili dogs were conspicuously absent. He smiled when he saw Cyrus standing off to the side. "Hi, Cy, I'm glad you came. How are you?"

"Sonic, we have to do something." Cyrus insisted as he stared at Robotnik who was mingling with the other aristocrats. "Don't you get it. This has to be some trap. And Sonia's going to get hurt."

"Cyrus, it's alright. I believe Robotnik. He actually has a reason for doing this that benefits him, so I believe him. And Sonia will be fine no matter what happens. She can kick ass if she needs to and Bartleby will protect her. I'm sorry Cyrus…" Sonic knew his friend was struggling with letting go of his crush. "He loves her and if you care about her, you'll find a way to accept it." He got a glass of punch and began going around the ballroom, watching the guests as they twirled around the floor.

He eventually stood against the wall, drinking his punch as he watched. He never learned the waltz or foxtrot. He knew how to dance like he was being electrocuted. He was surprised that Manic seemed to know what he was doing, dancing with Sleet like he'd been dancing all of his life.

Sleet chuckled down at his dance partner. "You dance well for a thief." He teased.

"I would sneak into the palace on Mouse Patrol to steal food from Robotnik." Manic explained. "Sometimes, it would be during a ball and we could get gobs of food that would be leftover. I'd wait in the ventilation system and watch the dancing. I watched and I'd practice when I was alone in the sewers. Then when it was over, everything would just be left and we would sneak in and take it. We ate well when the debutante season came." He laughed. "Sometimes I wonder if he left it on purpose, knowing we were there. The most fearsome tyrant in Mobius and a bunch of kids can steal food and books from him?"

Sleet smirked. "He's an enigma. He cares in his way… It's a harsh way but in the end, he means well." He shook his head. "At least, that's what I've come to see. So, it wouldn't surprise me if he left the food out intentionally. Of course, you won't want for food again. Now that we are on the same side, little thief."

Sonic moved through his friends and introduced himself nervously to the nobles as he met them. The Duke of Velcromia was familiar face though and he was happy to introduce the lad who helped him to give many orphans loving homes. He felt the shyness fall away as the other nobles proved to be welcoming in the interests of peace in their time. And then he saw her. Trying to stay against the wall, trying hard not to be seen. Long, amethyst hair cascading down her back. Quickly, he pushed his way to her, trying not to knock anyone down. "Mom!" He called as he finally reached her, getting her attention.

The queen gasped and hugged her son. "Sonic, my dear boy. I've missed you so much."

The blue hedgehog squeezed her around her shoulders. "Mom, you're home! You're home." He said excitedly while Aleena struggled to keep him from getting too loud. "What are you doing here? Did the Oracle find you?"

Aleena shook her head. "Actually, I was invited tonight by my new beau. We met online and he's been keeping me informed."

Sonic's mouth fell open. "Online… Life Connections?" He asked knowingly. "Everyone's using that website now. Gee, I'm starting to think I should check it out."

His mother smiled. "When he invited me, I knew it was a good chance to see what was going on since… well, I heard about Robotnik's heart attack."

"That makes sense. So tell me about this guy?" He asked as they heard the herald at the top of the stairs.

"Long live Her Serene Highness, Princess Sonia and His Grace, Lord Bartleby Montclair, Duke of Dresden…" All eyes were pulled to the top of the grand staircase.

Sunset-pink hair stood out against the icy blue bodice that shaped her torso and hips. Puffy-strapped sleeves hung just off of her shoulders. A white ribbon wrapped around her waist and silver slippers could be seen beneath the bell-shaped gown.

Beside her, their arms linked, Bartleby led her down the stairs. Sonic watched him closely. He saw the mink couldn't keep his eyes off his sister. He rolled his eyes. "It's not fair…" Sonic kicked a little.

Aleena looked at him. "Why do you say that, Sonic? Your sister looks very happy. I was unsure but I think he really does love her."

Sonic sighed. "Because he knows her so well. He knows her better than we ever will. He's had her all to himself for so long. We've only had her for two years and now she lives with him and…" He looked down. "I sound like a child don't I?"

The purple hedgehog shook her head. "Not at all. I think that was the reason I fought letting your sister marry him. I wanted her to just be my daughter for a while…" She reassured him. "But that is the sad consequence of how I chose to handle the war…"

Sonic looked at her just as they heard Manic. "Mom!" The Green hedgehog hugged her tightly.

Aleena returned her youngest's embrace. "Oh, dear Manic. My, don't you look handsome. And who is this?" She asked the wolf behind him. "You are the one who has threatened my children in the past…"

"When you're forced to wear the uniform, you march where you're told." Sleet explained. "But I shall not harm or threaten them in the future. Not since I realized that I cared for your son. And after talking things through, we realize we've always cared for each other in some way. It's been rocky…"

Manic nodded. "But the reward was worth it." He agreed and Aleena could only smile proudly. Her son was so wise for his age. "Oh, it's his roundness." He quipped as Robotnik approached the landing of the stairs. Sleet carefully got in front of Aleena. He would guard her presence until he was certain she was safe. For Manic's sake.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. I know it was quite short notice but I wanted to reassure everyone of my health. I know you must all be terribly relieved that I am well." He smiled. "However, you must be wondering what my immediate plans are. I will be spending the next few months preparing to pass on the crown. I need to take it easy otherwise. Because of this, I want to address the resistance here… I want to end this war. I will no longer fight or hunt you down. It is my hope that you will cease your attacks. In the name of peace, I've chosen Princess Sonia Hedgehog to be the heir to the throne." He indicated the pink hedgehog. "Or, excuse me, Princess Sonia Hedgehog-Montclair, as she and Bartleby were wed in a private ceremony at the hospital. Dingo, please, make sure everyone has a glass of wine." Aleena could just see over Sleet when Sonic handed his mother a glass of the red liquid that Dingo brought around. "This wine is a special one from the Montclair vaults. Château Haut-Brion 2025. His father served the same wine at his wedding reception when he married his beautiful Delilah. He would have been so proud of Bartleby's choice of brides. Bartleby, as your godfather, and on your parents' behalf, I want to extend my congratulations and my best wishes to you both." He raised his glass and led everyone in the toast. With his arm in the air, Aleena had a perfect vantage point to examine the man. His face was paler than the last time she'd seen him but his red and black eyes held a strange shine.

"So, Mom…" Sonic began as he took a drink of wine. "When is your new boyfriend coming? Do we get to meet him?"

Aleena giggled. "Of course." Her eyes were diverted to her son. "I'm still looking for him. He said that I would know him by the red carnation…" She stopped as she straightened up as a flash of red appeared in the corner of her eye. She turned around and saw Robotnik was still on the landing, looking in her direction, as though he knew she was there all along. "His name…. His name is… Julian…" Her mouth fell open as she realized.

Sonic saw her expression and followed her gaze to Robotnik. He was wearing a red carnation. "Holy shit!" He whispered.

The former queen shook her head in terror. "I didn't know… it was all online… Robotnik's first name is Julian. How did I miss it? Robotnik doesn't have an apprentice."

"Before we return to the festivities, I have one more announcement to make." He stepped off the landing and everyone cleared the path. Sonia and Bartleby stayed behind, not wanting to interfere. Sonic couldn't help noticing that they were amused. However, he saw his mother was shaking like a leaf as Robotnik approached. He, Manic and Sleet surrounded her. "Step aside, I mean no harm. I want to tell your mother something and I want everyone to hear it."

Aleena shook her head. "What are you doing?" She asked when he knelt before her and reached into his pocket.

"Aleena, for twenty years I thought I could never hate anyone as much as I hated you. Then a week ago, my godson showed me his new project. A website designed to help a lonely man find someone to fill the hole in his heart. That website pointed me to you and I realize that what I thought was hate was really love." Robotnik said. "I love you and I want to ask you to be my wife. Be my side all the rest of my days." He pulled out the box and opened it.

A ruby and diamond ring stared at the shocked hedgehog-woman looked into his eyes. Her stomach felt icy and her mouth was dry. She couldn't think. There was so much wrong with this scene that she couldn't speak. "Julian…" She managed to whisper before she turned and ran.

Robotnik made to run after her but the hedgehogs blocked him. "Let me go after her. Sleet, stop her."

Sleet shook his head. "Sire, you've startled her. Running after her will only make things worse."

Sonic nodded. "I'll go after her but then we are talking about this. A lot." He ran off, glad for the time to think this through.

The newlyweds came down from the landing and reached him as he started to pant. His chest was aching again and felt a kind hand as he comprehended what just happened. "What was I thinking? She hates me." He groaned as the pain intensified. "Ahhhhh…" He couldn't hold back the agony as he grabbed his chest.

"Uncle!" Bartleby dropped to his godfather's side. "Someone help! Please!" He shouted as the guests stared in fear at the old man writhing on the floor.

Sonia put two fingers at Robotnik's neck. "His pulse is out of control. He's having a relapse. I knew he wasn't ready to be throwing balls. Sleet, call for an ambulance. Manic get Sonic back here. I'm sure Mom's already gone." She stood up. "It's alright, everyone, he's going to be alright. But I'm afraid the ball is going to have to be cut short. We will keep you all informed."

The paramedics arrived just as Robotnik finally unconscious from the pain of his heart trying to rip through his chest. Sonic returned as he was loaded onto the gurney.

"I couldn't catch her. She must have used magic to teleport or something." Sonic said. "Damned idiot. What was he thinking? What's wrong with him?" He asked as he realized what was happening.

Manic shook his head. "He's having another heart attack so they're taking him back to the hospital but I'm sure he'll be fine."

Sonia nodded. "We were here. It happened when someone could catch it and now the doctors just have to do their jobs." She hugged her husband as he trembled beside her. "He'll be alright. The doctors will make sure of it."

Bartleby shook his head. "I hope so… Oh, my love, I hope so…." They watched as the despot was wheeled out of the ballroom, an oxygen mask on his face, helping him to breathe.

AN: So Robotnik overdid it in more ways than one.