Robotnik tried to remember all he knew about raising a child, maybe he had a book somewhere in his vast library folder, Robotnik preferred digital, he liked how it could save space and he could use that room for testing his blasphemous creations and he didn't have to worry about books being torn.
The small child was still crying, maybe he was hungry, it had been a while since he picked him up. Robotnik looked up a file for making for baby formula, maybe he could make some in his lab, as he had all the substances required and even if he lacked the machinery, it was as easy as making a pie. this was nothing to Robotnik, he then finished making the formula and got the bottle from the 3d printer.
He then placed the bottle in a robotic arm so the infant could be fed. he regularly checked up on him to see if he was okay. Robotnik was up one night when he heard him cry, Robotnik tried to rock him and console him but he was still crying until a cleaner bot came into his nursery, the infant began to calm down, Robotnik knew vacuums made white noise and maybe that calmed him, he sat down on a beanbag and watched him go to sleep, he too went to sleep.
Robotnik was there every step of the way, he saw every major moment in Sonic's childhood and Robotnik did his best to make his birthdays extra special and gave him whatever he wanted for Christmas if he was a good, obedient, boy, as Robotnik raised him that way, even though he was busy in his office, he still put enough time in his day with him, to play whatever he felt like. to watch movies with him or be purposely bad in video games so Sonic could win and be happy, he liked to use all his spare time spending time with Sonic.
Robotnik was a doting father-figure, he wanted to be the best one. He had plans for Sonic, he knew what this child was capable of anyways, being a good father-figure would definitely make his plans go great, no rebellious behaviour. But teens tend to be rebellious, Robotnik had that all sorted, and Sonic just said his first word; Robotnik likes to plan ahead, and after all it gives you a lot of time to prepare and a bit of an advantage.
Robotnik began to see the potential Sonic had, he hadn't seen anyone this fast, he began to train him when he was 5, with a playground tailored to skills he needs to improve and to utilise his current skills.
Sonic called him 'dad', every 'dad' made Robotnik feel something, he didn't know what but it made feel something great. one time sonic ran to him crying.
"DAD SOMEONE MADE FUN OF ME FOR BEING ADOPTED AT SCHOOL!" Sonic wailed.
"Wait but, you're homeschoole- Who was it?" Robotnik replied
"It was Mr. Snuggles and T-Rex, dad!"
Robotnik realised Sonic was only playing classroom with his teddies. He let out a small sigh of relief as he finished looking at the blueprints on his new robots.
"I will talk to his parents then, maybe they wouldn't make fun of you." He Reassured Sonic.
"Thank You, Dad!"
Robotnik felt attached to the small boy, he felt proud being his father, sometimes he'd forget why he was raising this boy and just be dad. He shared a close bond to this boy. when Robotnik was working on his latest and greatest invention, he didn't mind Sonic running around to chase a robot, he liked to see him happy. after all, a happy child is a mentally healthy child.
Robotnik saw how much this child would help him in his plans, he was fast, a quick learner and loyal, he would make a great soldier for his empire, and Robotnik would finally achieve his lifelong dream of world domination, Robotnik wanted everyone to be under his finger. He liked the feeling of people doing whatever he wanted and admiring him and calling him 'The Great Leader, Dr Robotnik' he also wanted to open his own theme park too, he loved admiration.
Robotnik was observing Sonic in training; writing down a bio for him, he improved each day. Robotnik even threw in random scenarios and Sonic still came out without a scratch. Of course, he knew investing all these years would be worth it, the world would be finally his!
Sonic can easily break into places and he really doesn't need much help, anthropomorphic animals can also last a week with little to no oxygen, so he would be useful in space missions, and his amazing speed could be used to observe territories easily, Sonic also has a fast reaction time, able to dodge bullets in the simulations and is able to get high scores in rhythm games, fast reaction time was great, everything about Sonic was great for his plans.
Robotnik never just threw him in the pool so he could learn to swim, he helped him improve every session and and at the end, he'd talk about how well he did and what he needs to improve. After all, Robotnik thought all this time was worth it, no robot would be good enough to be his father figure, even with the most advanced AI Robotnik could make: Robotnik knew he needed someone to help him do his kid things like get something for him on a top shelf or make sure his diet was sufficient enough for development.
Robotnik saw this as an investment, but he really liked to be Sonic's father figure, he saw Sonic as an interesting and independent young boy. He was someone he liked being around with, he was even a catalyst for his inventions, he even went on for him, he wanted to give him the whole world if he could, that's what he was going to do. Take over the world, heck the entire universe if he could and give it all to Sonic.
Sonic loved his father, he was never mad with him and wasn't very demanding, he knew how much his father was working and didn't bother him much, he loved to see what interesting inventions he made, and testing them out. He liked to test his father's inventions, mostly because he could smash things up.
He thought of his father as the best dad ever, and was grateful for everything he did for him, even if he couldn't get him everything (despite being able to afford anything) , sonic knew he'd just use it for a month unless it was a new device like a portable device or a computer , because devices are really useful and you could read, draw and listen to music and even watch tv and play games, as sonic thought of the endless possibilities devices had, sonic almost drifted off there.
"It's dinner time Sonic!" Robotnik Shouted.
Robotnik preferred to use his voice instead of a clock or a recording on the speakers, it felt more authentic.
"I'm coming!" Sonic shouted back.
Robotnick made some chilli dogs with his own hands, not a single robot made it! Sonic loved chilli dogs, they were his favourite food.
Sonic cheerfully asked "Dad, it's almost my birthday, are you going to get me anything?"
"A father-and-son camping trip, just the two of us and nature!" Robotnik replied
"A camping trip..." Sonic muttered "That is so amazing! I love nature!"
"I'm getting ready for it, bringing tents, water bottles, tools, sunscreen, medical things, mosquito repellent, string-"
"Crackers and marshmallows for the s'mores?" Sonic excitedly interrupted "I've always wanted to roast s'mores over a fire!"
"Haha, don't be silly! I won't forget them!"
"My birthday is in a week! I can't wait!"
"I won't forget, son!"
Sonic mumbled with his mouth full of chilli dog "fanks dad ur ve bes!"
"i know!"
dinner finished and Robotnik went back to his work, it was 5:30,
Half an hour from Sonic's daily combat class, Robotnik worked on his latest robot for a session next week, he was also working on upgrading a current model as Sonic was able to destroy that with a bit of effort, local forces don't stand a chance but he doesn't want some idiot running his plans of complete world domination and destroying all his robots.
He wanted to make sure no one with special abilities had a chance, he remembered the last people who conspired against him, thought they stood a chance against him: they're now 6 feet underground, their graves a reminder to those who stumble across them not mess with the great empire, they will regret it and their fate the same.
"Dad!" Sonic exclaimed, "It's time for my session!"
"Yep! Let's see if you can beat these robots in this simulation, they might be harder to defeat this time!"
"Your robots are so great!" Sonic stated "I won't be able to destroy them, that's how great they are."
This time it really took a lot of effort for Sonic, the child was really tired but he was determined to complete his training.
"Perfect! No one will stand a chance! Take 5, then come back for combat training!" Robotnik said
"Sure!" Sonic replied.
Sonic grabbed a water bottle and relaxed on the bench, he loosened his simulation suit and crossed his legs, he sat for a bit.
"I'm fine now but i have 4 minutes left, why not use it!" Sonic thought.
Sonic spent the rest of his time relaxing, impressed with how strong these robots were. He always thought that he could beat them as quick as possible but Robotnik really did spend a lot of time making them much better.
"Time is up!" Robotnik exclaimed.
"I'm up and ready!" Sonic eagerly yelled
Robotnik simulated the strongest military he faced, Sonic was able to take them down with a bit of effort.
"Great Job!" seemed to come through the glass as Robotnik put his thumb up.
"So how did I do?" sonic asked.
"Running was great need to utilise more of that spin."
"C'mon dad, i can only do that with a bit of momentum!"
"I'm sure you'll learn!"
"i will, I'm sonic the hedgehog!"
Robotnik liked this confidence that came from him. after all, it was better to have some than none at all...
