Good Morning!
So there you have it! The last bets in and the cards are ready to be shown, but what will they reveal, I wonder?
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did while making it!
Sincerely,
Gate Keeper.
Chapter 18: Of Hurt, Healing and Honesty
Metropolis Central Hospital
Princess Sally Acorn was sitting in a hallway, in the Urgent Care, waiting to speak to someone she should never even consider talking to, or as Minister Billings was suggesting, "Lock that monster up in his own damn machines like he did to the rest of us! He deserves no less!"
She was covered in bandages, perhaps a little too many considering the minor injuries she had sustained during the coup. She should also be sleeping, as plenty of nurses had suggested, but she couldn't close her eyes for a second before being caught up again in that awful room.
She had been betrayed, AGAIN, by a man she should have been able to trust. A man she HAD trusted, to redeem the honor of the post twice betrayed. She was gagged, bound, and unable to activate her blades. And yet, she thought she was safe. No one wanted her dead, or so she thought.
Then, of course, was when Minister Xain had pointed the gun at her.
She knew that one day, death would come for her. But she had figured it would happen far from now, when she had grown old and ruled well. Not now, not right after they had finally buried their greatest enemy. She could feel a tremor of fear start to build.
But quickly, it was replaced with a wash of anger. She knew she would not go quietly, even if she couldn't move. She'd face him like she faced everything; confident and unshakable.
Even as she continued staring at Xain, she could see Eggman (seriously how did she NOT see through his disguise beforehand!) begin to shake as the gun turned toward her. At first, she thought it was because he was laughing at the turn of fortune. But she realized, as Xain continued his monologue (what was it with people and monologues?), that it was an entirely different emotion. Several in fact.
The first was disbelief, which seemed pretty normal for him, what with all the times he was confounded by Sonic.
The second was anger, also pretty normal, she'd seen it plenty of times. Mostly directed at her and Sonic, in fact.
The third, as he struggled against the guard pinning him to the couch, as he looked at her and understood that he wouldn't make it, was sadness. She was not expecting that one.
But it was the one that made the situation hit home to Sally, that even Eggman wouldn't be able to stop it, even if he was right next to her. She was going to die, a sacrifice for a militaristic takeover by a zealot and his cabal. With her enemy as an innocent, for once, scapegoat to fulfill their agenda.
No. She would not let it be. If she was going to die, then she would haunt Xain till he died. She willed her eyes to burn into his memory, if nothing else to remind him of what exactly he did to achieve his "dream"
Then Eggman rose, screaming his defiance, and Xain was distracted ever so slightly. It was all she needed, lurching with all her might to shift off the chair, and away from the gun's barrel.
As she did, the door exploded, wooden splinters flying and a gunshot rang out.
And then blackness took over.
"Why did you do it?" Sally muttered to herself. "Of anyone, why were you trying to protect me?"
"Because, Prinzessin, that is the type of man that Julian is despite his errors." a deep voice said behind her.
Sally whirled around, hands up in a combat pose. (trying to ignore the little sway she felt by the sudden movement)
Her jaw almost fell to the floor as she saw the large bear standing in front of the door she was waiting to enter.
The bear put up his hands in a placating manner. "Ruhe, Prinzessin. I'm not here to harm anyone."
"Ho-How do you know Eggman! He's a criminal! How did you get in!?" Sally spluttered.
The bear chuckled "I have ways. It is good to meet you, Prinzessin. I am named Stone."
"Stone? Oh yes, from the Guardian Corps. You've recently retired from the Northern Pass. But why are you here?" Sally asked, puzzled.
Stone motioned toward the door he just left. "I am here to visit my last patient, one whom I hold as a friend." He looked down and smiled gently. "He will heal, in time, but he is awake for now. Go, I've told him that there's been someone waiting to speak to him."
"I...I really shouldn't. He's an enemy of the state, what could possibly come from speaking to him?" Sally asked dishearteningly, remember her previous conversation.
"Answers, Prinzessin. A wise chief rules with knowledge in hand and compassion in mind." Stone replied. He stepped away from the door, motioning for her to enter.
Sally breathed deeply, steeling herself for whatever may come of the next couple minutes.
Inside the Urgent Care room.
The door opened slowly, as if it was fearful of what lay inside.
Sally Acorn appeared in the doorway, slipping inside before turning around to shut the door just as softly.
The figure on the bed stirred, as though rousing himself from a light rest. His eyes blinked blearily from trying to regain his surroundings.
"Stone? Are you back already? I thought you said..." Eggman started speaking, his voice weak and sleepy
Sally breathed in deeply and turned around, looking at him.
"...You're alive." Eggman said. He began to shake a little, a hand adjusting his glasses as he steadied himself with the other.
"Oh... Oh thank the Emeralds, you're alive! I-I was so sure that the Minister was going to... to ki-"
"Why do you care, Eggman?" Sally asked coldly, a old rage kindling from the unexpected response. "After all you've done, why do you care now? Why not weeks ago, when you were about to kill Sonic? Why not years ago after we disposed of you? WHY NOT WHEN YOU BETRAYED MY FATHER!?"
She was crying now, a multitude of questions melding with her anger. Eggman's surprised expression did little to stem the growing tide of emotion
"He TRUSTED you! Sir Charles TRUSTED you! WE put our war, our FATE in YOUR HANDS, and you BETRAYED US ALL. SO WHY NOW?! WHAT CHANGED!?
She had marched unknowingly closer to her enemy, every step taking her closer to him. She didn't look at his face, because she didn't want to focus on his growing sorrow, she had too much to say. Her voice was growing hoarse from all of the sudden yelling.
"YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM US! SO, So, so why..."
She had gotten right up to his face, and made the mistake of focusing on him. Her anger died as she saw his face, so remorseful, so filled with guilt. She was still crying, but took a step back and sat in the visitors chair that was next to the bed.
"Why did you try to stop Xain? It doesn't make sense. You're the bad guy. Why did you try and protect me?"
A minute of silence fell over the room as Sally wiped the tears from her eyes. Eggman gave a deep sigh.
"Because before I was a fool, I was a good man. And that is what I want to be again." He said softly. He shifted in the hospital bed to look at her better, and started reaching out a hand before retracting it quickly, unsure of how she would feel about being comforted by her oldest enemy.
"Princess, you have every right to hate me. I have done nothing to you but be a burden and a obstacle." He said, choking up a bit as he continued to speak. "But I remember what your father gave me, when I fled my first home, how I squandered it on dreams of glory and evil acts. And now... now that I've been trying to change, I regret everything I've done to you, because I have done the same things that lead me to leaving my nation in the first place. I gave into my pride and ambitions, and forgot what exactly lead me here to Mobius."
"What did my father give you? It can't be that important if you threw it away!" Sally bit out
"And I regret ever doing so, Princess." Eggman answered sadly. He breathed in and readjusted his glasses. "Because what you're father gave me was worth more than any kingdom, any Eggland or Empire I could ever dream of."
He smiled a little. "What your father gave me was hope. Freedom, peace and most importantly a chance to earn my worth. To show that it didn't matter where I came from, but rather what I did that would determine my future."
His sad frown returned. "And I was a fool. First it was Minister Naugus, tempting me to join his side in replacing your father. Then it was my own pride as I thought how I could do things better. I gave up a home, a country that wanted me, because I was too caught up in my power fantasies to see what truly mattered. And then, when I took over, it took..."
He swallowed, and turned away. "...It took the death of my only relative to let me see the thing I had become. Snively meant the world to me, before I took over. I was ecstatic when he decided to follow me out here to Mobius, and so happy when he became my assistant."
He wiped his eyes with the back of a sleeve. "And now, now he's gone. I'll never see him again, because I let my plans and ideas replace him as my priority. I killed him, Princess, and it broke me."
He looked at Sally, staring into her eyes. "You wonder why I chose to defend you yesterday, Princess? It was because for the first time, in the many, many years I've known you, I had the chance to help you. Xain wanted a scapegoat? Fine, I could be that. But when I saw him turn to shoot you, all I could think of was 'What would I tell King Acorn, that I let you die? How could I live with your death?' To feel what I felt, to know what I know, is nothing that I would wish on him."
"But... but why not sooner? We could have avoided so much more if we could have talked sooner." Sally asked
"We could have talked, but Princess it was I who would not have listened. It took Sonic reminding me that fateful time weeks ago to remember what exactly I lost in my obsession to become someone ready to change."
Eggman looked at Sally, and smiled sadly. "Princess, for all that I have done to you, I cannot hope for forgiveness. My only hope was to bury the past, and make myself a better man then I was the day before. But it seems that it was not meant to be."
His face turned stern. "So what happens now, Princess? You've caught me, and I'm in no shape to nor am I willing to escape. There are plenty of people who know I am here, and rumors will spread fast. If something isn't done soon, there will be violence from the people."
A hard gaze formed on Sally's face. "The people are my responsibility, and I will make them understand. If we are to be the Mobius we wish to be, we must be willing to be civil first."
Sally sighed before she continued. "You will be allowed to recover from your wounds, Eggman. Your part in stopping Minister Xain will not go unnoticed. After that, well there will be a trial. Whatever comes next will be decided from then onward."
"You are too kind, Princess. Thank you." Eggman replied, nodding his head in respect.
"Don't thank me until it's over. I cannot guarantee anything of your future. You will face justice, and whatever is the outcome is what I will enforce." Sally said, as she turned to leave.
"Even this is more than I deserve, Princess." Eggman protested.
Sally shook her head. "No. This is what everyone deserves, and what you denied my people when you ruled. Goodbye."
Sally hurried out the door, closing it before he could get another word in. She leaned against the door with a sigh.
After resting for a bit, she pushed herself off and looked at Stone, who stood guard by the door.
"How long will you stand here?" She asked, craning her neck to look at his face.
Stone glanced down and smiled. "For however long is needed, Prinzessen."
"Would you be upset if I set some other guards here?"
"It's your home, do as you wish. I am here of my own will."
Sally let out a breath. "Okay then. I'll be sending someone here to guard as well."
"Very well. Until next time." Stone nodded.
Sally nodded as well, and started off.
She had some MCIA agents to find.
A few days later.
Eggman was pretty sure he was dreaming, but he could hear voices coming from nearby.
"I'm here to see Mr. Kintobor." a muffled voice said from the door. It sounded very familiar to him.
"I'm sorry ma'am, no visitors allowed." Another voice said strictly, also female.
"Please! Just for a few minutes. My daughter and I, we're close to him!"
"Again, I can't allow that. He's to receive no one."
Eggman turned his head, still lost in the half-sleep state he was in.
"Stone? Are you there?" He asked, not able to see many details but knowing his friend should be nearby.
"Yes? What do you need, Ivo?" Stone's voice rumbled from off to his right.
"Would you mind seeing what the fuss at the door is about?"
"It is no problem at all. I will go."
The door opened slightly and a crack of light seeped through.
"What is going on here?" Stones voice rumbled.
"Stone! I didn't know you were here! Is he awake? Can we see him?" a voice asked pleadingly.
"You cannot enter the room! You are not family and he's been secluded for security reasons!" protested the other voice in the hallway.
"But I am not family, and am in the room. How is that different?" Stone reasoned.
"Because you are known to be acquainted with Eggman and have no reason to harm him. We are afraid of vigilantes trying to come in disguised as friends." Said the voice as she explained her position
"I can verify that Der Hase and her kinder are friends of Ivo. Please, let them see him. I will keep an eye on them inside the room." Stone promised
"Mrrgh... fine. Just don't mention this to anyone, okay?" the voice relented
"Promise, thank you so much." The other female gushed.
The door opened fully, and dim lights began to flicker on. Eggman was blinking away the sudden increase in brightness when he got glomped by something.
"Mr. K! You're all good!" Cried the little voice trying to squeeze his throat shut.
"Ah, Cream dear, please settle down. We can't hear him if you're choking him."
"Ok Mama." The sudden pressure lessened but remained there slightly.
Eggman, shocked by the contact and light, fully came out of his half-asleep state.
In the now dim room stood Vanilla and Stone, with Vanilla waiting in the visitor chair while Stone stood by the door, looking on with a bemused expression.
Cream, as he guessed, had leaped onto the bed and had been crushing his airway. She now had his neck in a more comfortable embrace, her head by his left shoulder.
"Cream! Vanilla! So good to see you two." Eggman said happily.
"What happened, Ivo? We had gotten to our hotel room and had just awoken from a nice nap when we saw the first headline that somebody had attacked the Princess! We went over to check but Clink and Clank had set they hadn't seen you since that afternoon as well. After scouring the city for a day, and the countryside for another, we feared the worst and asked Sonic, who told us that you were in the hospital."
She cast a wry look at Eggman. "And here you were the one telling me to not go to the hospital "to avoid making a scene."
Eggman chuckled "Oh, well... I didn't have much of a choice. It's a bit of a long story."
"I have all the time in the world."
"Well in that case, let me tell you..."
As Eggman explained the extraordinary circumstances, both Vanilla and Cream listened with rapt attention. By the end, Cream was getting restless, even if she was hiding it well. A plea to Stone sent Cream and Stone out the door for a bit, with Cream chattering all the way.
"...I got a visit from the Princess earlier today." Eggman stated.
"Oh. How... how did that go, if I may ask?" Vanilla said as she pursed her lip.
"Much better than I expected, really. A minimum of shouting, and only a small bit of harshness from her. She's due more than that, but I'm grateful she spared the rod a little." Eggman explained with a smile.
"Well, that sounds like Sally, alright. It was always hard for her to stay angry when someone had done something good as well as evil. She's still learning that not everything is black and white, I'm afraid."
"I probably didn't help that, being her standard of all things wrong and evil." Eggman chuckled.
Vanilla giggled as well. "Indeed, you've thrown her for a loop."
After a bit, Vanilla frowned and asked gently "How are you doing?"
Eggman looked ahead, not wanted to look her in the eyes. "I'm doing okay."
"Don't lie to me, Ivo. Please."
Eggman's lip quivered, and he looked at Vanilla. Vanilla put out a hand to put on his shoulder to pat, showing him some comfort.
Eggman breathed in deeply and exhaled before answering.
"I-I am terrified, Vanilla. Everyone knows now, and there's no going back. I can't hide anymore, but I'm not ready to show myself."
Eggman covered Vanilla's hand with his own, holding it tightly.
"You are ready, Ivo." Vanilla said softly.
"I'm not! How can I face everyone, with everything I've done to them?"
Vanilla looked at him with a serious expression. "The same way you faced down Boss, when you had to reveal yourself to me. The same way you saved Sally, and wound up here. You'll do it because you have changed, and even if no-one else knows it, I do."
Vanilla tightened her grip on his shoulder. "I will not allow them to drown you now when I know how hard you've worked to change."
They stayed like that for a while, before Cream returned. With goodbyes said, the two rabbits left, and Eggman drifted off to sleep.
The trial was in two days.