Chapter 1
For the last year, Robotnik had been abnormally busy. The resistance was becoming bolder. He heard the rumors they said about him. They would have been amusing if not for the damage being done to his city and to his people. Thanks to those rumors, he couldn't go about his city without the people looking at him in fear. Moreover, they were terrified of coming to him for help if it was needed. Those who believed him were simply harassed by members of the resistance until they either capitulated or at least couldn't coming to him. He found it ironic. The resistance claimed he was the villain yet he never asked the people to fight for him as the resistance did. He also did not try to command people to alter their opinions.
Then a year ago, the resistance started using a mysterious new weapon. It was faster than the speed of sound and he had the data to prove it. It was bombing his new factories, one by one. Thankfully, no one had yet been hurt but he knew it was only a matter of time unless he could find this weapon.
He watched the video footage from earlier in the day. He had spent months developing that force field yet the Blue Bullet tore through it like a knife through melted butter. "Damn… what are you? How can I stop you?" His head popped up as two figures were led inside his command center. "Ahh, you must be the bounty hunters. I hear you are the best in your field."
A gray arctic wolf wearing shiny, crimson full body armor with a black suit underneath, bowed lowed. "Lobo Brothers Bounty Hunters, Incorporated, at your service my liege. I am Sleet Lobo and this is my brother, Dingo." He jabbed his orange eight-foot, muscle-bound brother in the stomach to indicate he should bow as well. "It is a great honor to be invited to serve you."
Robotnik nodded. "Thank you for coming. I have a bit of a problem. Before we continue, I need you to swear to my service. I want an exclusive contract and you'll work for me alone."
The wolf bit his lip. "You humble us with your offer, Great Lord Robotnik, but unfortunately, we are independent contractors and we have other clients…"
"If you cannot swear to my service then I shall have to find someone else. You can keep working as you are and get paid job to job or you could become salaried easily making twice what you are currently making, have medical benefits and job security." Robotnik explained. "And I would also throw in maintenance on your brother's prosthesis." He indicated Dingo's roboticized leg.
Sleet considered it if only for the last part. He remembered when his brother lost the leg after a bail dodger had shot him with an explosive round. He was fortunate to keep his life. Maintaining that leg was expensive and ate a good portion of their profits. "I suppose… it could be time for a change…" The guaranteed income was hard to turn down as well. "What's the job?"
Robotnik nodded, satisfied that he'd convinced them, and turned to the computer. He gestured to the screen as an illuminated blue ball sped towards the golden shell shielding the factory. "This… is a new weapon the resistance is using to terrorize my city. It's been plaguing me for a year now. I want it found and destroyed. Understood?"
Sleet nodded as he grinned viciously, enjoying the challenge before him. "It would be our great pleasure sir. Consider it caught and destroyed." His front canines caught the light briefly as he started planning how to capture this weapon.
After an hour of canceling their other contracts and referring the clients to comparable service, Sleet watched the footage with wonderment. "Sweet Mother Leto…" He cursed. "How, on this good green earth, could anything be that fast? According to the analyzer, it reached over four thousand kilometers per hour! And that's when it was slow enough that the analyzer could clock it. I think it could be faster than the speed of light."
Dingo whistled and pointed. "But it does slow down just a mite when it hits that red shell there… Can you take a screenshot?"
Sleet nodded. "You're right for once." He clicked his hotkeys for the screenshot. "Enlarge…" He said to the computer making the image grow several times. He repeated the procedure a few times before he was able to isolate the image. "It's definitely not mechanical. It has a carbon-based signature, so it's organic." Finally, the image became clear and Sleet was able to run a comparison on various animals in the database. The screen dinged when the appropriate match was found.
Robotnik reentered the room just in time to see the results. "It's a hedgehog! A blue hedgehog!"
Chapter 1
For the last year, Robotnik had been abnormally busy. The resistance was becoming bolder. He heard the rumors they said about him. They would have been amusing if not for the damage being done to his city and to his people. Thanks to those rumors, he couldn't go about his city without the people looking at him in fear. Moreover, they were terrified of coming to him for help if it was needed. Those who believed him were simply harassed by members of the resistance until they either capitulated or at least couldn't coming to him. He found it ironic. The resistance claimed he was the villain yet he never asked the people to fight for him as the resistance did. He also did not try to command people to alter their opinions.
Then a year ago, the resistance started using a mysterious new weapon. It was faster than the speed of sound and he had the data to prove it. It was bombing his new factories, one by one. Thankfully, no one had yet been hurt but he knew it was only a matter of time unless he could find this weapon.
He watched the video footage from earlier in the day. He had spent months developing that force field yet the Blue Bullet tore through it like a knife through melted butter. "Damn… what are you? How can I stop you?" His head popped up as two figures were led inside his command center. "Ahh, you must be the bounty hunters. I hear you are the best in your field."
A gray arctic wolf wearing shiny, crimson full body armor with a black suit underneath, bowed lowed. "Lobo Brothers Bounty Hunters, Incorporated, at your service my liege. I am Sleet Lobo and this is my brother, Dingo." He jabbed his orange eight-foot, muscle-bound brother in the stomach to indicate he should bow as well. "It is a great honor to be invited to serve you."
Robotnik nodded. "Thank you for coming. I have a bit of a problem. Before we continue, I need you to swear to my service. I want an exclusive contract and you'll work for me alone."
The wolf bit his lip. "You humble us with your offer, Great Lord Robotnik, but unfortunately, we are independent contractors and we have other clients…"
"If you cannot swear to my service then I shall have to find someone else. You can keep working as you are and get paid job to job or you could become salaried easily making twice what you are currently making, have medical benefits and job security." Robotnik explained. "And I would also throw in maintenance on your brother's prosthesis." He indicated Dingo's roboticized leg.
Sleet considered it if only for the last part. He remembered when his brother lost the leg after a bail dodger had shot him with an explosive round. He was fortunate to keep his life. Maintaining that leg was expensive and ate a good portion of their profits. "I suppose… it could be time for a change…" The guaranteed income was hard to turn down as well. "What's the job?"
Robotnik nodded, satisfied that he'd convinced them, and turned to the computer. He gestured to the screen as an illuminated blue ball sped towards the golden shell shielding the factory. "This… is a new weapon the resistance is using to terrorize my city. It's been plaguing me for a year now. I want it found and destroyed. Understood?"
Sleet nodded as he grinned viciously, enjoying the challenge before him. "It would be our great pleasure sir. Consider it caught and destroyed." His front canines caught the light briefly as he started planning how to capture this weapon.
After an hour of canceling their other contracts and referring the clients to comparable service, Sleet watched the footage with wonderment. "Sweet Mother Leto…" He cursed. "How, on this good green earth, could anything be that fast? According to the analyzer, it reached over four thousand kilometers per hour! And that's when it was slow enough that the analyzer could clock it. I think it could be faster than the speed of light."
Dingo whistled and pointed. "But it does slow down just a mite when it hits that red shell there… Can you take a screenshot?"
Sleet nodded. "You're right for once." He clicked his hotkeys for the screenshot. "Enlarge…" He said to the computer making the image grow several times. He repeated the procedure a few times before he was able to isolate the image. "It's definitely not mechanical. It has a carbon-based signature, so it's organic." Finally, the image became clear and Sleet was able to run a comparison on various animals in the database. The screen dinged when the appropriate match was found.
Robotnik reentered the room just in time to see the results. "It's a hedgehog! A blue hedgehog!"
Sonic returned home to the hideout that he lived with his uncle just as it began to storm. He couldn't tell Sonia about the Freedom Fighters with that Robotnik flunky there. He had found his brother and sister but he wasn't able to bring them home. He wondered if he should tell his uncle about them. He would want to know about them and bring them home to the Freedom Fighters. The Oracle had also said he needed to find them if they were to stop Robotnik. He needed to tell his uncle.
However, when he arrived, the door was off its hinges and his uncle was nowhere to be seen.
"Uncle Chuck…?" Without thinking twice, he raced out of the hideout. He slowed down just enough that he could look at the address on the napkin that Sonia gave him.
Manic returned to his sewer home with a vigor he hadn't had in a long time. "Dad! I'm home! You won't believe what I found!"
Ferrell smiled at Manic. He often worried when Manic was out of his sight. He knew he would need to stop that. Manic was nearly eighteen. He wouldn't always be able to protect the boy. "Tell me what you found my boy." He caught the young hedgehog as he leapt up to get on his shoulders.
Manic told him all about Sonia and Sonic and their meeting at the club. "I can't believe that I have a brother and a sister. And Sonia said we should go to dinner tomorrow, and that Lady Wyndemere might give us a home. So we don't have to live in a sewer anymore and we won't have to steal to survive. Bartleby said he has a job for you if you want it."
Ferrell couldn't help looking around at the sewer. "Well, if she does then we should say yes. If only so you can get to know your sister." He was surprised that his son had siblings since Manic was found alone but he would love them as his own as he loved Manic. Especially if it meant his son could have a better life than this one.
Bartleby sat with his fiance, their hands entwined lovingly while Lady Wyndemere served them both an evening tea. She was eager to hear Sonia's exciting news. She smiled with surprise to learn about her triplets. She hadn't seen Sonia this excited since she had gotten engaged.
Virginia giggled at her daughter's enthusiasm and nodded. "Well, of course, they can have a home here. It'll be nice to have a houseful for once." She looked outside as a crack of lightning flashed followed by thunder.
The doorbell rang and a servant went to answer it. "I wonder who that could be at this time of night?" Sonia asked curiously.
Bartleby nodded, squeezing her hand. With the rebels constantly harassing people, it was always jarring when there was an unexpected visitor.
The servant could be heard gasping as she opened the door. "Oh my goodness… Come in, come in, please…" The lovers shared a look of confusion as a soaked Sonic was led to the parlor. "Milady, this gentleman asks to see Lady Hedgehog."
Sonia covered her mouth as they saw Sonic enter. "Oh my gosh! Sonic! What happened?" She went to her brother. "Are you alright."
"Uncle Chuck… he… I think he's been arrested..." He told Sonia about the encounter with his uncle. "I didn't tell you earlier but I'm a Freedom Fighter. Mother is supposed to be queen. Our mother. Robotnik kicked her off the throne." He grabbed his head, shaking it slightly.
Lady Wyndemere shook her head sadly. "It's okay…" She stroked his spikes soothingly. "You're safe now, young man. You're safe." She hugged him comfortingly, as she would hold Sonia when she had a nightmare.
Bartleby picked up his phone and dialed. "Yes, Uncle, sorry to bother you so late. I know you just arrested a member of the resistance… Yes, Sir Charles. Don't roboticize him yet. Trust me, don't. His young nephew is here and beside himself because you arrested his caregiver. Sir Charles has him brainwashed. Don't roboticize him yet because it'll only make it worse."
"Fine, Boy, What would you have me do with this terrorist?"
Sonic felt insides fill with ice water as Robotnik arrived with his two goons. He looked at Sonia. "You betrayed me to Robotnik? Why? You're my sister!"
Sonia shook her head while Lady Wyndemere fought to keep the boy still, calmingly stroking his spikes. "No, Sonic. I haven't betrayed you. He's not going to hurt you."
Robotnik shook his head. "No, don't… You need to be careful with cases like this. The things he must have witnessed that night."
Sonic trembled. "You… you attacked my home… you arrested my parents and roboticized them! You would have done the same to me! Uncle Chuck told me that my parents instructed me to go to him when you arrived."
The old man nodded silently as he heard the lad's story. His Uncle Chuck told him… He looked at Sleet. "Is this the hedgehog from that video?"
Sleet looked at the hedgehog who was trembling with absolute terror and trauma. Nodding only just slightly, "No, sire, that is not the hedgehog we are looking for…"
Robotnik prided himself on his choice of bounty hunters. Sleet was no dummy. "No, but perhaps his Uncle Chuck. Aside from him being visibly older, they are identical." He looked at Sonic. "I'm not going to arrest you. I'm here to discuss the situation." He looked to Virginia. "How would you like to handle this?"
The Baroness petted Sonic's spikes. "I believe, sir, that in this situation, mercy is the correct course of action. Order Sir Charles to disband the resistance that troubles you and give him parole. Released on the condition that he and Sonic will reside here, in my care. Sir Charles won't be allowed to leave until he has paid his debt to society but young Sonic won't have to lose his caregiver. And he can go to school." She stroked the velvet fur.
Robotnik hated the idea of letting Sir Charles go under any conditions. He whispered harshly. "And let him get away with his crimes?"
"Trust me, Julian, you can only gain with this course of action." She said logically.
Bartleby nodded. "I'll pay his bond, sir." He whispered. "If he steps out of line again, he'll be roboticized."
The old man heaved a great sigh of exasperation. "Fine! You win! Sleet, bring the bastard in!" He ordered in a voice loud enough to make Sonic jump.
"He's not a bastard! You are!" Sonic shouted only for Wyndermere to tap his nose gently yet sharply.
"Language." She ordered, knowing Robotnik wouldn't take the insult personally. He was the product of his rearing. However, she knew that would only go so far.
A few moments later, Uncle Chuck was escorted inside. Sonic jumped from the sofa and dashed to his side. "Uncle Chuck! You're alright?"
Sir Charles hugged his nephew but glared at Robotnik. "What are you playing at?"
Lady Wyndermere stepped forward and introduced herself. "My daughter is Sonia. Sonic's sister. It's a pleasure to meet you. We were just discussing matters. Please, come sit." She urged the old knight. "You must be hungry, or perhaps thirsty?" She went to the liquor cabinet.
Chuck eyed her but nodded. "I won't say no to a shot of scotch but I'm afraid I'm confused. I thought I was arrested for being the leader of the resistance."
"You were but my nephew spoke on your behalf," Robotnik said as he was offered a snifter of brandy. "Your nephew ran into him earlier today. You are to be offered leniency. House arrest for a minimum of two years, to be served here. Sonic will stay here as well and attend school."
Chuck considered his options. His eyes darted around the room. He recognized the princess, her mother shining in her eyes. "Sonic… he will be safe? I promised his parents that I would protect him. Both them and his true mother."
"You agree to this… and… you tell the resistance to cease and desist their attacks on my people, and this mercy is yours for the taking." He lowered his voice to a dangerous pitch. "Or you can refuse and your nephew can see you for the coward you are. Aleena… will never be queen again…"
Charles growled. "Who needs Aleena…" He lowered his head. "Very well, Robotnik. You win. I will surrender."
Lady Wyndermere went to where Sonia and Bartleby were trying to keep Sonic calm. "Everything is going to be fine. You and your uncle are going to live here with Sonia and me. You'll start school on Monday." She stroked his fur and hugged him gently.
Sonic looked over at his uncle then to her. "He's not going to roboticize us? Really?"
Lady Wyndermere looked to Robotnik for that answer. "No, boy. Your uncle escapes Lady Justice today. But this is his last chance." He turned and stomped towards the door. "Bartleby, it is getting late. I will see you safely home. Say goodnight."
Bartleby chuckled as he kissed his fiance. "I'll see you tomorrow, my darling. Welcome home Sonic." He said as he joined his uncle.
Sonia smiled as she bid farewell to her prince and watched him leave. She turned slowly back and smiled at Sir Charles. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I'm Sonia Wyndermere. I guess you're my uncle too."
He nodded suspiciously. "Yes, I suppose I am. You look so much like your mother."
AN: Sonic is now safe with his brother and sister, under the care of Lady Wyndemere. Will he be able to heal from his uncle's conditioning? Will Sir Charles allow Sonic to remain in Robotnik's grasp? What is the deal with Aleena? Review, Favorite and Follow to find out. Please review especially.