Chapter 1

Sonic and Manic refused to speak to Sonia for the rest of the night. They ate the fancy meal that Bartleby had prepared and allowed the mink to escort them to a pair of connecting bedrooms. "I hope you'll both like it here." He was nice enough and Sonic noticed that his room was very luxurious. He had a human-king-sized bed with soft cotton sheets. He took a deep breath and he was hit with the scent of roses. Bartleby seemed to like roses.

He kicked one of the posts as he looked around. It was a beautiful room but he was a prisoner. Sonia had just made everything he fought for worthless. Uncle Chuck had been roboticized for nothing. In the last ten years, since his adoptive parents were roboticized, he had been training for defeating Robotnik. All because his sister couldn't keep her dress on. He had a mission to complete. What about his friends and the kids in Sanctuary?

A knock at the connecting door roused him from his melancholy. "Come in, Manic." He called, flopping back on the bed.

"It's nice here. If we have to be on house arrest, at least it's a nice house." Manic tried to rationalize. "The beds are huge and there are loads to do. It was nice of Bartleby to show us around. I can't wait to go swimming in that huge pool!"

Sonic looked around the room. "I can't stay here, Manic. I have friends who are counting on me. We have an entire kingdom that is counting on us to defeat Robotnik."

Manic sighed. "Maybe we can still defeat him from here. I mean… it's obvious that Bartleby has some power over Robotnik. We just need him to see what he's doing to the people. If he does, he might be able to stop Robotnik himself."

"Yeah right. As if Robotnik wouldn't roboticize Bartleby if it came to it. Or as if Bartleby wouldn't give us up if it meant saving himself." Sonic rolled his eyes.

The green hedgehog frowned. "I don't think he would Sonic. Let's give him a chance. He seems nice enough and he stood up for us. Try and see the bright side because it could have been a lot worse." He went back to his room.

It was just barely dawn the next morning when Robotnik's large fist pounded on the door. He carried a large case with him and wheeled a small machine behind him. Sonic came into the living room as Sonia was sitting on the sofa and the old man popped the machine up with the push of a button.

"The hell, Sonia? It's not even daylight." He complained. Robotnik's glare made his mouth snap shut.

"I am a busy man. My day starts at three in the morning and goes until ten at night," He snapped at them while he plugged in the machine. "I said I would be here."

Bartleby nodded. "And I've told you, Uncle, you shouldn't be working that hard. But I do appreciate you helping Sonia and me with this. Sonic, you can go back to bed if you want." He reassured the blue hedgehog while Robotnik dipped a small wand in blue goo.

Curiosity got the better of him and he sighed. "What is that stuff? What's that machine? What are you doing to her?"

Robotnik rolled his eyes. "The machine is called an ultrasound. This goop is Ultrasound gel which is a conductive medium that creates a bond between the skin and the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound sound waves have a hard time traveling through the air, so the gel prevents any extra air space between the probe and the skin in order to create a clear image of the fetus." He pointed to the monitor on the machine. "That image will appear here."

Sonia shivered when the goo touched her stomach. "And it's very cold." All talk went quiet as a sound came over the speakers. It sounded as though they were underwater but a picture appeared on the monitor. It was black and white and it was very blurry.

Sonic drew closer. "Whoa… what am I looking at?" He asked with fascination.

"That is your sister's womb. And that… would be one embryo. You can see the amniotic fluid." The doctor explained. "And that small peanut is the baby. Hmm… and if I'm not… mistaken…" Robotnik moved the wand around.

Sonia took Bartleby's hand. "What is it? Is he okay?" She asked with concern.

"He's fine. They both are…" He said shortly. "I saw a second embryo. That's not unusual though. Multiples run in your genetics."

Bartleby's mouth fell open. "Twins? Are you sure? Oh my goodness. Twins. This is wonderful!" He kissed his lover's pink hair.

Sonia laughed. "I guess it is… I'm so happy." She looked at Sonic.

The blue hedgehog was locked on the screen. "Wow, this is… amazing…" He saw the two peanuts and smiled. "Those are her kids? They're small."

Sonia leaned over and took her brother's hand. "Your nieces or nephews." She told him. He hugged her gently with Manic eagerly joining in.

Robotnik put away the machine and pulled out a bottle. "Take these. Two every morning before breakfast and one with lunch and dinner." He looked at her. "Did you give any thought to how to find your mother?" He asked as he printed out copies of the sonogram, handing one to each of them.

Sonia nodded. "Yes… the Oracle of Delphius might be able to reach her. I just… don't know how to find him." She admitted before closing her eyes to a bright light that filled the room.

"You have found him," A jovial voice filled the room. Robotnik was on his guard immediately, his weapon out and aimed at the reptilian anteater. "Oh, Robotnik, do put that away before you hurt yourself." He waggled his finger and the gun disintegrated. "Good job on finding your brother and sister, Sonic." Oracle praised the blue hedgehog. "Although, I admittedly failed to foresee this development. Princess Sonia, Prince Manic. It is good to see you both again. Last time I saw you, I was bringing you into this world."

Sonia couldn't help liking the kindly old mage. "I don't remember that far back, even with my eidetic memory. But it is nice to meet you."

Sonic sighed. "Oracle, I'm sorry we got caught. I know we failed but we can…" He grew quiet as the three-fingered, green hand patted his head.

He smiled. "You did what you were meant to do, Sonic. You reunited with your brother and sister. It was your sister who opened the gates of peace. Wouldn't you agree, Robotnik?"

The scientist shrugged. "I'm not agreeing to any kind of peace with Aleena. However, in light of certain events, I'm open to discussing her surrender. For the sake of her children and grandchildren."

"Uncle!" Bartleby snapped at him. "What he means is, he is willing to offer an olive branch if she will come and talk things out. After all, they are his grandchildren too." He gave the man a pleading look and the old man sighed.

"Fine, I'm willing to discuss peace for the grandchildren…" Robotnik growled and Oracle smiled. "Whatever that means." He sighed. "Look, give her this letter from me. I drafted it last night." He offered the creature an envelope after slipping copies of the sonogram inside. He wasn't surprised when he used magic to take the envelope, checking it for any traps.

Oracle nodded. "I will see that she gets it. Princess Sonia, my most sincere congratulations to you and your young man." He smiled at the mink who blushed deeply. "Let's be clear here… if you hurt her, I'll have to show you why your uncle is no threat to me."

Robotnik pursed his lips. He would have his way. He would capture Aleena once and for all. He just needed to get her here. "I just want it understood that I'm not promising anything. If she comes and talks to me then I will consider letting her children go. If she won't… I may have no choice… I'll simply wait until the babies are born." He made his threat clear.

Bartleby trembled violently as he held Sonia. "Uncle, stop…" He begged. "Stop threatening people. They came to work things out."

Robotnik looked up at the young mink as he put himself in front of Sonia. "Bartleby, would you really defy me?" He asked.

The two locked eyes and they could almost see the battle of wills going on. Oracle put a hand out to prevent Sonic and Manic from interfering.

Finally, Robotnik rolled his eyes. "You're getting the hang of it. But try to keep from tearing up. It harms your credibility and simply announces that you're trying to manipulate someone. Bartleby, don't mistake me, I won't do it if I don't have to. But Aleena needs to know the consequences if she refuses to meet with me." He whispered. "You know how politics works, it's cutthroat when it needs to be."

Bartleby nodded. "Yes sir but know this… if you roboticize her, you better roboticize me too." He vowed. "Stop threatening them like that." He lowered his voice. "Aunt Maria wouldn't like it."

Robotnik growled. "You cannot keep invoking her name, boy. That's not fair…" He stared at him for a long time before he visibly softened. "Aleena won't let her children be roboticized." He whispered as he took Bartleby's shoulder. "I promise you, my boy. As long as they are no threat to my regime, I will not harm her and most certainly not your children."

Bartleby realized it was the best he would get from the man, his lip wobbling suspiciously and nodded. He turned and buried his head in her shoulder.

Oracle nodded at Bartleby. "Don't worry. I will protect Princess Sonia, Bartleby. Aleena will come." He promised. He glared at Robotnik. "You will simply need to give her a reasonable amount of time to return. Even if with magic, travel takes time." He drew close to the man. "And make no mistake, I may appear peaceful and benevolent. But if you hurt them, Robotnik, you will be the one cowering and begging." With those final words, he vanished.

Robotnik looked at the hedgehogs with a glare but his gaze was softer for Bartleby as he nodded. "I'll take my leave then. I know you have work to do and so do I." He left the mansion.

Sonic looked at Bartleby. "Dude, that man is a walking contradiction."

Bartleby sighed. "I know he's difficult but I beg you to please give him a chance. He just has his walls up. Once you get through them… you'll see what I see. Please." He begged. He could see the hate in their eyes.

Sonia rubbed his back. "It's alright Bartleby. I'll give him another chance. For you." She promised, giving Sonic a subtle look.

Bartleby nodded. "I will not let him hurt any of you. He's just acting tougher and meaner than he really is."

"Well, he's very convincing about it," Manic said. "But who knows. A lot of bullies tend to act tough. So I guess we're just stuck here all day?"

"Not at all. I was hoping to show you around Dresden County. I have work in town today." Bartleby explained. "You can shadow me and see what I do all day."

Sonic cocked an eyebrow. "But we're supposed to be on house arrest. I thought we were prisoners."

Bartleby shook his head. "As long as you're with me, you're fine. And as long as you don't leave the county, you can come and go as you like. I trust you." He smiled at the hedgehog. "Uncle will accept that. If you would prefer to stay and go back to sleep, I'd understand. You were aroused rather early for you."

Sonia smiled at Sonic. "Come with us Sonic. Manic, you'll both love Dresden. The countryside is beautiful." She said excitedly.

The green hedgehog nodded. "I'll come. Come on, Sonic. Let's show a little faith and make the best of things. At least we're not robot slaves and even if we were up early, I had the best sleep of my life last night. Ferrell would be happy…" He smiled sadly.

Bartleby looked at the youngest brother with sympathy. "Ferrell was roboticized… with Lady Wyndermere and Uncle Chuck. I'm terribly sorry but I'm glad that I could at least make sure you have a home and food on your plate. And today, we'll get you some clothing too." He put a hand on his shoulder. "I wish I had been there when they were brought in."

"Yeah, well you weren't," Sonic snapped as his own sadness welled up and his sister wiped away her tears. "I'm going to go take a shower." He sped off down the halls.

The mink looked at his lover. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save them. I hate that machine." He smiled when she cupped his cheek consolingly. "Oh… I asked Mindy to come tonight for dinner. She's been so worried about you."

Robotnik returned to his fortress with a grin. "Soon, Aleena… soon you will be mine. Your resistance movement will fall and I will be victorious." He looked at the sonogram that he'd sent to himself. "And I'll have two little grandchildren to make it all the sweeter." All of his ships were coming into port. His legacy was preserved. "But why did he have to choose the hedgehog princess… Ahh, no matter…" He looked at Maria's photograph which sat on his computer desk. "Maria, our boy has grown up… he looks so much like you that I just can't say no to him… And no, he does not know and he's not going to know. He doesn't need to know." He sighed. "No one does."

AN: Peace is never easy. Sonic is a little salty. Manic is still mourning. And of course, Robotnik is taking advantage of the fact that he has the three hedgehogs at his mercy as far as Aleena is concerned. Will she come to protect her children? Will she be as pleased about this development as Sonia and Bartleby are? And what is the secret that Robotnik is keeping from Bartleby?