Oh no this is out later then I wanted it to be- but I made it longer, I'm sorry? School is kinda breakin my bones rn

Doctor Eggman was a man of the mind, everything he did, he thought through until the very end. Crossing his Ts and dotting his Is, there was never a stone he left unturned when he got to work. Perhaps that's why when he first heard of the Chaos Emeralds, he hadn't believed in them. To be a person of the mind and believing in the idea of all powerful magical rocks? It was unheard of! Simple stories that the mobians told one another, stories that reached human ears and started whispers of idiocy in the doctor's mind.

He remembered one night, listening to people talk about them in the Casino Night Zone, how they had been hidden away, and treasure hunters could look for them and become rich and famous! The conversation had diverted into money and Eggman soon turned out uncaring of such things. He could remember looking down on those people, believing in dumb stories and laughing about such ideas. How they fuled one anothers bad ideas, saying they should become treasure hunters themselves to become rich together. It was why Eggman only had his robots, other living beings would only hold him back with their outrageous ideas, simply because no other human was as smart as him. They would only try to fill his head with stories of things that didn't exist.

Perhaps that was why, when he discovered that the Chaos Emeralds were a real thing, and how six had suddenly reemerged from wherever they had been hiding for over hundreds of years. Eggman became obsessed with finding them, to learn those stories were true, to know there were gems of infinite power just waiting to be found. Why he simply had to have them, those gemstones would let him be able to create the perfect wonderland for him, the world he had always wanted to create.

For the first time in his life Doctor Eggman was wrong, and he was more than happy to be wrong knowing what could come next.

His first plan had failed, that annoying hedgehog mobian showing up at just the right time to ruin everything. But it only helped him learn what to do next, and watching the other head away, the doctor decided to get a step ahead and look for the emeralds again, taking him to West Side Island, a beautiful island, made ugly by the people who lived there. Mobians who had anything different, people included, oftentimes those that vacationed there were chased away by the behaviors of the natives. Funny how such beautiful stones would wind up in such an ugly place. A place perfect for recreating under Eggman's watchful eye.

Things were going to plan, as always of course, and then the doctor found that fox kit, Miles- that was his name. A strange, yet smart mobian, probably the smartest he had ever encountered, and Miles was just a child! Plans had fallen on the back burner after finding this child, Eggman wasn't sure why but he ended up getting rather invested in the creature. Often telling himself he just wanted to use this kit for his smarts, ignoring how he double checked to make sure the kit was being fed by Orbot. Or let the boy create schematics and work on inventions inside of his own lab. Those things didn't mean anything! He was simply using the other for his own gain, those brains being too important to waste!

…

He supposed he hadn't needed to let the fox kit hide underneath his chair when a thunderstorm hit the island. But he hadn't had the energy to send the frightened child back to his room.

He constantly told himself that he had no need to care for the kit, that Orbot would take care of everything and he could supervise so that there would be no necessary contact after meeting the fox and getting him to trust the Doctor. None at all,

Yet he found himself once again watching the recordings of the child staying up all night to design new inventions. That small robot he had found with him- what did the other call it again? T-pup or something frivolous like that. He found himself making a reminder to install proper childcare functions for Orbot.

When did his servant robot become a nanny? When did he start watching a child sleep?!

Before he could descend more into this thought process, Doctor Eggman was snapped out of his memories as the door to the lab opened. Said issues of his current state walking through the door happily, as if they weren't causing him- issues!

"Good morning Doctor!" Miles' voice was as bright and bubbly as usual, the child always being happy to please. Possibly even desperately so. Honestly he really should try to convince the kid to sleep more, he could see the bags under his eyes from all those all nighters-

He was doing it again!

"Doctor." Orbot's voice was far more calm, just as it should be, asking for respect from the other. Eggman found himself nodding at the other

Finally that robot dog that Miles had apparently built all by himself, staying close and curling up against the kit's legs to stay out of the way.

"Nice to see you're both finally aware. I've already started for the day." He felt like he should have snapped at them, but decided it wasn't worth the progress it would reset as he turned back to his computer. Hearing one set of footsteps moving closer

"How can I help today Doctor?" Miles' voice seemed excited at the prospect of helping, or tinkering with more bots, hard to tell sometimes.

"There's not much for you today Miles. I'm afraid my current plans have come to a standstill." Eggman forced himself to focus on the present, his memories would be under lock and key for further notice. The frustration of the present returned to him as well.

Everything had been going to plan, but they were missing the seventh chaos emerald! No matter where he scanned on the island, there was never any strong enough signal of that jewel! He knew he could work with six, but knowing the seventh was out there somewhere, and that was a liability he couldn't risk. He needed that jewel if it was the last thing he did!

"What's wrong Doctor?" Eggman had found himself glaring at his computer, blinking for a moment as Miles spoke up again. He glanced over to see the fox kit now standing right next to him. Looking up at him with a strange emotion, Eggman wasn't sure how to name shining in his eyes.

"Nothing to concern you Miles. This is outside the range of technology, something is hidden on this island that I need to find, yet it's evaded me this whole time." The frustration was leaking out in his voice

It had been weeks since he arrived at this Island, he didn't know how long he had until Sonic arrived here despite how Eggman had made sure no one would escape to tell. He had all of the original emeralds, the ones Sonic had stolen from him originally, so he wasn't sure which one he could have been missing.

"Well- I know this island pretty well, I've been here for a few years! What is it? I'm sure I can help!" Eggman did not miss that undertone of desperation in the others' voice. He wondered what happened to Miles to make him feel as if he didn't please people something terrible would happen. To be such a people pleaser at such a young age…

"If you must know." Eggman said looking away from the fox, bringing up a picture of the yellow chaos emerald "I'm looking for a stone called a Chaos Emerald. It's a gem of amazing power, there are supposed to be seven, but I only have six. With that seventh gem missing, our plans will grind to a stop. The gems need to be together to truly work." Eggman was looking at the picture, he knew it was a lie, those gems were powerful enough that only one could power anything he's created. But he doubted a small child like Miles would ever understand just what such gems could do. "I've been looking for it, but I'm unaware of where it may be. No matter what I do, I can never find a signal strong enough to locate it. So Miles, I suppose I will just send you back to your room to tinker-"

"Do you have a purple one?"

The sudden question that cut him off should have made him angry, but instead his mind processed what had been said as he looked over surprised at Miles, Orbot doing the same.

"What?"

The fox was looking up at the picture, pointing to it.

"That yellow gem, do you have one like that that's purple?"

No.

There was no way this child- that he found by complete accident he should say-!

"I-I do not."

"Then I know where the final gem is!"

What was happening right now.

Eggman and Orbot were silent, looking at Miles in disbelief as the other stared at the screen. When the other finally looked away he seemed bashful and looked down at his feet.

"You- know where the Chaos Emerald is?" The disbelief wasn't gone, if anything it had only gotten worse at the fact this child somehow knew where the gem was and he- Doctor Eggman- didn't!

"Well- yeah, It's my treasure. I hid it on the island when I first arrived. But if you need it to help I can go get it for you!" Miles was bashful, his foot tapping behind him as he looked away, his fingers tangling between one another. "It's the least I could do for you after being so nice to me…"

Eggman was still just staring at him in disbelief, only after Orbot recovered and coughed did he snap out of it.

"I, why yes- that would be quite helpful Miles." Eggman looked away for a moment before standing up, making Miles take a step back. The other was still much taller than the kit, and probably always will be. "I don't have time to head out with you, so take Orbot and some other bots to keep you safe." More keep an eye on him, but Miles didn't need to know that.

"Oh thank you Doctor! I promise I'll get you the emerald! It won't take long at all! I know just where I left it! Though- I always thought it was an amethyst considering it's this really pretty purple color-"

"Miles. You're about to start ranting." Orbot finally spoke up after the whole conversation, making Miles stop and sputter as he blushed looking away. Huh, Eggman didn't know that Mobians could blush through their fur. Strange creatures.

"R-right! We'll be back Doctor!" Miles hurried off as soon as he said that, obviously excited at being able to go outside again. And help!

"Orbot." The Doctor's voice was firm, watching the door close as the kit left. "Keep a close eye on him, make sure there are bots following you both. The last thing we need is either Miles running off or something snatching that emerald after this lead."

"Of course Sir." Orbot said moving off, though he paused at the door looking back at Eggman. "You know, you're starting to use his name more, even when he's not around."

Orbot hurried out of the door, leaving Eggman sputtering in surprise behind.

Miles was always proud of the inventions he made, he loved it when things finally clicked and started to work for him in the ways he envisioned. That feeling didn't just apply to his own inventions though, refurbishing the doctor's robots had been just as fun as making them by himself. They both built things so differently, it was fun to understand just why the doctor did what he did when it came to inventions.

That's why he was so enamored when he was allowed to pick a robot to go with them from the factory to get the emerald. Honestly, he could understand why the Doctor wanted to use the emeralds, they were super powerful! He saw that first hand when-

…

Well anyways! Orbot said he could take a robot with them to help get there faster. Pushing those thoughts far away from his mind, he glanced down when something nudged against his leg. T-Pup looking up at him and whining in concern for a moment, Miles smiled and let a tail brush the robotic dog in comfort.

T-Pup had been fitted with a new AI chip just like Orbot had, a gift from the doctor for all his hard work. It was still learning but his little buddy was more alive than ever and it made him very happy. T-Pup was usually kept in Miles' room, the doctor not wanting it to get into trouble now that it could learn to be a real dog, but now that Miles was heading out, the other could go with him!

Glancing away from T-pup, Miles looked around at all the robots again, once again enamored by just how well made each one was. The doctor really was amazing! Seeing one that caught his eye, Miles hurried over to it, T-pup following close behind.

"Oh, Orbot! Let's take this one! I bet I could ride it!" Miles hurried over to a Moto Bug, not that he would know it's real name and climbs on top of it without a second thought. To the fox's credit, he did fit and it would be rideable. He did look rather silly though.

Regardless, it would be easy if Miles kept close to the robot, so being on top of it to track would be perfect.

"That one seems perfect Miles, come we should be as quick as possible. We don't want to keep the doctor waiting do we?" He glanced over as Miles shook his head

"Not at all! Just follow me, I know just where to go!" Miles gave the other a large grin as Orbot turned on the Moto Bug, Miles jumping for a moment before giggling as the machine started to move forward underneath him. "This is so cool!"

"Yes I'm sure it is, just be careful not to-"

"Whoa-!"

"...Fall off."

They might not get this done as quickly as the doctor hoped.

Thankfully for Orbot, things had gone mostly smoothly from there. After helping Miles back up and brushing him off, the other sat on the Moto bug in a way that wouldn't send him flying if it slightly sped up and the 'small' group was off. Orbot and T-Pup following directly behind Miles.

Along with other badniks, watching from their hiding places assigned to watch over the group no matter where they went. The fox would never leave their, or the doctor's sight.

The group of three traversed through the forests of West Side Island, Emerald Hill Zone if Orbot remembered correctly, one of the larger zones on the island, where most of its inhabitants lived. Down by the beaches most of the towns were built, right next to the forests, if they were traveling around they would probably find one of the wrecked villages Eggman had left behind in capturing all of the Island's occupants.

But from what Orbot they could tell, they were heading away from any village on the island as they moved further into the forest. Miles seeming to know exactly where he was going.

"Miles, where did you hide this emerald exactly? We're heading into the middle of the woods." The fox kit looked back at this, smiling at Orbot

"Oh my emerald? I hid it in my home! Perfectly hidden from anyone but me! You gotta keep it a secret, okay Orbot?"

"Why, you have my word Miles." The other spoke, Miles smiling as he looked back to where he was going. "Though- your home is far away from the villages." Orbot mentioned, looking around again.

"Oh that's because I don't live in any of the villages. I live in the forest!" The others direct statement of such took Orbot by surprise, he had suspected but to hear it from the others mouth.

"I-had no idea." But it was the only explanation on why they had never found him while ransacking everything.

"It's okay! I never left the forest much, I… preferred the silence opposed to the villagers." Miles kept looking forward, T-Pup whining when the other spoke, knowing it was a lie. Miles just picked up T-Pup and held him close, it wasn't that much of a secret, but he wasn't allowed in the villages, being too freakish to keep around.

Miles looked down thinking about it, the other mobians were always cruel to him, calling him a freak, breaking his machines, no one trying to help him when he was hurt or sick… They weren't like the doctor, he was a human who only ever showed him kindness. Miles hoped all humans were nice just like Doctor Eggman.

"...Miles? Miles hello?" Orbot's voice broke through the others thoughts, Miles blinked for a moment before snapping back to reality from his thoughts.

"Ah-! Yes Orbot?" He looked over with a smile, the other watching him confused. "Sorry- what did you say?"

"I was asking if we were lost, we've just arrived at a cliff face, surely you don't live here do you?" Orbot pointed forwards to show the large rising mountain in front of them, as said, a cliff face cutting them off from easily approaching. Miles looked over and grinned as he jumped off the Moto Bug and walked over to the wall, placing a hand on it.

"Nope! We're just where we want to be! This is the only way to get to my home, I made sure to get to a place no one could ever find me at!"

"Well- how do you expect us to get up then? How did you ever get up here anyways?" Orbot looked up with a dissatisfied tone, would they have to climb? "I'm not built for climbing Miles, I do not have feet." It got a chuckle out of the fox.

"Here, I won't be long, I can climb this wall with my eyes closed okay?" Miles was already on the wall, looking back at Orbot as the robot watched him. His mission was to keep Miles in his sight the entire time, he couldn't quite do that if the other was on top of this wall.. Still, there wasn't much he could do, besides, Orbot highly doubted that Miles would run off, the other had too much to lose, a bed, warm meals, everything a child would want at the base then some hole in a rock.

"Alright, but be safe! The Doctor would have my head if you got hurt." Or if the emerald was lost.

"You got it Orbot!" Miles seemed happy as he started to climb the wall, whistling for a moment "Come on T-Pup!" He called down as said robotic dog barked, Orbot looked down at the bot, wondering how on earth such a thing could even begin to scale that wall until it's back opened and a propeller unfolded from it. After its legs pulled into its body, the small bot flew upwards after it's creator, leaving Orbot watching in disbelief. As the duo climbed higher up, he crossed his arms, squinting at the duo.

He wasn't jealous, he couldn't even feel jealous.

Miles felt himself grunt, pulling himself up from the rockface of the cliff, revealing a cave all but hidden away from everything. It's opening almost covered in stalactites and stalagmites, but big enough for a small fox like Miles to fit through with a few items from time to time. He brushed himself off for a moment, looking over as T-pup landed beside him, reverting back to it's normal form. The bot tilted its head at Miles, making him give a sad smile.

"I know I coulda just gone up the easy way, but… I don't think I'm ready for them to know yet. Orbot and The Doctor are so nice… I dunno how they'd react to know I really am I freak ya know T-pup?" The bot just moved over and nuzzled into Miles's leg as he reached down and patted its head "yeah I know, come on, let's head inside."

Moving forward, Miles reached through one of the gaps between the closed off opening and started to push his way inside. Grunting for a few moments before he managed to squeeze his way through with a small noise of surprise. Stumbling forward, he brushed himself off.

"Man- that's a tight fit for once! Guess I didn't account for actually having a belly most of the time." He looked down at himself, his thin, frail form now being bouncy and a bit chubby like a child should be. Though he was probably still a bit underweight.

"Weird to think about huh T-Pup?" Hearing the other bark as it slipped into the cave, Miles started to walk further into the dark cave. The sounds of metal footsteps following him, inside the cave Miles saw the last of what his home had become.

A single filthy, nearly destroyed blanket, some random damaged or broken tools he had been keeping to see if he could use for parts, and lots of random scrap and trash the fox had scavenged to salvage later. Really not much, but it was home.

Still, that wasn't why he was here. Walking past his belongings, Miles moved all the way to the back of the small cave and knelt down to a loose rock on the wall. He pulled off his glove for a moment as used his claws to dig under the rock and pop it out. The stone fell away to fill the room with a soft purple light.

Miles's pupils expanded at seeing the light, reaching it and gently pulling out his most precious belongings. The purple chaos emerald, the seventh and only missing stone from the set. He could feel its energy dancing under his fingers, making his arm and entire body tingle with energy he couldn't explain. Putting the emerald down for a moment, he slid his glove back on before walking off, holding the gemstone close to his chest.

He had had this stone for- a while now truly thinking back on it. Ever since he abandoned Cocoa Island, never looking back for a single second. This gemstone was the only thing he had left of what his original home had once been.

"...Part of me wants to be selfish and keep it." Miles said softly, looking at the gemstone "But the doctor needs it and I want to help, besides, I couldn't keep hold of it forever right?" he looked over to T-Pup, who just stared back at him, Miles just let out a chuckle and moved past him, putting the gem away in one of his tails. "Yeah, yeah I know. Come on, let's not keep Orbot waiting."

Heading back to the entrance of the cave, Miles paused for one final moment before slipping out and slowly climbing back down. Going up was always easier than going down, this would be far easier with his tails, but looking down for a moment he saw Orbot watching him closely. The other probably just not wanting him to fall, but it was still close enough Miles didn't want to risk anything.

Climbing down for a few minutes, Miles jumped the few remaining feet, hearing Orbot call out in surprise as he landed. Stumbling for a moment before he plopped down to the floor catching his breath.

"Ha- ha- man! That's harder than I remember!" Miles rubbed the back of his head as Orbot moved over to him, checking him over.

"Miles there was no need to jump from that high! You could have injured yourself!"

"Pshhh, I'm fine Orbot! Just- gotta catch my breath." He waved off the others' worries, and pushed himself up. "I've been through worse! I have the emerald, let's head back to the doctor!" He climbed back onto the Moto Bug, and was driven off before Orbot could even argue, making the other sigh and hurry after.

"What am I going to do with this child…"

The ride back to the base was quiet and uneventful, just as hoped. Miles was bouncing on the Moto Bug excited to show his treasure to the doctor. Once they got back inside the fox all but bolted off towards the main lab, leaving Orbot to chase after him.

"Doctor! Doctor, we're back!" Miles' voice rang out as the door opened, causing Eggman to jump and snap over in surprise. Seeing the fox run up to him with a large grin on his face, T-Pup following close behind, barking as well. "Doctor!"

"Whoa-! Miles you're back so soon-!" And being extremely loud! God, were children always this loud? Eggman frowned at this, and Miles noticed, his eyes widening as he quickly lowered his voice.

"A-ah- I'm sorry! I didn't- didn't mean to yell." His voice lowered until it was almost a whisper, the boy hunching down at the thought of doing something wrong. Eggman watched the other before letting out a breath as he stood up.

"No, it's alright Miles, you're back, so you have the emerald?" Eggman chose to change the subject for the time being. It showed to be the right move as Miles perked up again, reaching back before pulling out the purple chaos emerald from one of his tails.

"Y-yeah! Just as I said." He looked proud of himself, Eggman watching the gemstone in disbelief and wonder, his hands reaching up to take it from the fox.

"Incredible… the stories were true there are seven..!" He took the jewel out of the others hands, missing the surprised before sadden look the fox gave at it just being taken. "This is perfect! Miles our plans can truly start now!"

"They- they can?" The other looked up at the doctor, "I thought they had already started..?"

In return Doctor Eggman just let out a loud laugh, walking past the fox gesturing for him to follow "Come, come! I think you're allowed to see this!"

Miles blinked at him before following off, heading through a doorway the other had never been allowed to go near before. They walked through a long corridor, one that was far colder than the main lab, both sides of the hallway having open windows that brought in the air.

Miles felt goosebumps rise on his skin as a heavy gust rushed past them. It was freezing here-! And- almost wrong, but he wasn't sure why, it made him step closer to the doctor, not wanting to stand alone in this area. If the doctor minded, he didn't mention it, just looking at the gemstone, his eyes alight with an emotion Miles wasn't sure how to name. Glancing back, Miles noticed that Orbot wasn't following them anymore, nor was T-Pup.

Soon enough, the duo found themselves in front of a huge machine, the biggest Miles had ever seen in his life. His eyes widening as he noticed the other six chaos emeralds inside the machine. Wait a minute…

"Doctor- is that my-"

"Your design? Why yes it is Miles! Good eye, I built it after you gave me that schematic, it was truly perfect." The doctor's praise made Miles smile and rub the back of his head with a small chuckle.

"A-aw, thank you doctor.."

Eggman looked up at the machine, the middle hole empty, just waiting for that final emerald. He moved to insert it before pausing, and glancing over at Miles, who was still riding the compliment from earlier. Without this fox… Eggman wasn't sure if he would have been able to pull this off, he had made the invention schematics and had the final emerald.

…

Well, if the Doctor was anything, it was a respectable scientist.

"Miles."

"Ah-! Yes Doctor?"

"Come here."

Miles blinked at this, walking close to the man before he was offered the purple emerald again.

"Would you like to do the honors?" Eggman's voice was kind, and it made Miles look up in shock, "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Doctor…" Miles reached out and took the purple gem again, noticing how it seemed to sparkle at his touch. Before he could say anything else, he had to hold back a yelp as he felt himself getting picked up, the doctor holding him in his arms with a sudden excitement.

"Well go on Miles! Insert the chaos emerald!" The urging made Miles look up from the gem, back to the machine, that single resting place for the emerald right in front of him.

Miles was silent, watching the slot before he slowly reached out with the chaos emerald, his mind racing. This was it- this was really it! A new world where everything would be okay! A new world where… where nothing would ever hurt him again. A world where he was no freak.

A world where he and Doctor Eggman would change everything.

Miles slipped the stone into its slot, and as he did all seven suddenly flashed to life, their lights shining brightly as Eggman stepped away and Miles covered his eyes for a moment.

There was the sound of a machine powering up, and suddenly a giant pulse of energy raced past them as the windows around them suddenly slammed shut from the activation of the building.

Doctor Eggman let out a loud laugh at this. Miles daring to look at the gemstones one last time as he held onto the other.

Something big was coming, he could just feel it.

Okay- sorry I know notes are annoying, but I just wanted to say TNG, your review honestly made my day. What you said meant a lot to me and I hope you'll like the rest of the story as well!