Chapter 3 Part 2
Bartleby ran after Sonic, hearing him bang around the corridors as he tried to find an open door. He eventually found him in the main lobby, attempting desperately to get out. The blue hedgehog was shaking violently. This phobia was in deep. "The doors are kept locked during class time so that no one can get in to threaten the students." He explained as he approached Sonic carefully.
Sonic turned on him, his eyes were as big as dinner plates. "I can't do this. I can't stay here. I can't do this. Not with him."
Bartleby sighed. "You're frightened, I understand that. Come with me, let's go sit and talk." He saw the boy was hesitant. "You're going to be my brother-in-law, in a couple of years. Come and talk with me. It'll just be us. We'll go to the cafeteria. They have chili dogs…"
Sonic couldn't resist the temptation of chili dogs and allowed Bartleby to lead him to the cafeteria which looked more like a food court at a mall. "I'm sorry. I just can't let myself be near him."
The mink offered him a large platter of chili dogs and they sat down. "I know you're scared of him. You've been told terrible things. Sonic, very few of those terrible things are true. I know you don't believe me. But, you didn't know he was a teacher, so you know you haven't been told everything."
Sonic ate mechanically, if only for something to do. "Uncle Chuck told me what he did. He killed my father. Then he tried to kill my mother and me. My mother had to abandon me with a woodcutter and Robotnik roboticized them to get to me. I was only to survive because my ma and pa told me to run to Uncle Chuck and I listened. Over the last twenty years, he's raided whole sectors and villagers, looking for insurgents and rebels, or anyone who remote disagreed with him."
Bartleby listened as Sonic told him all of the things his godfather had done. "Your uncle told you about those attacks, I assume. Did you witness any of them?" He asked.
Sonic shook his head. "No, I was just a kid. Uncle Chuck kept me hidden. He only took me outside when we needed to train my speed."
"Then you never actually saw Robotnik committing these attacks?" He asked. "I will investigate these claims. But Sonic, I ask you to keep an open mind. I ask you to give him a chance. Your uncle has made grave accusations against him and you have no reason to disbelieve him as he is your uncle and you trust him. But Robotnik is my uncle and I trust him. Moreover, I am his heir. You are safe because I would not let him harm you any more than I would let him harm Sonia or Lady Wyndermere. If these accusations are true, then I will handle it. But I do not believe that they are and until I've had the chance to investigate, I beg you to give him a chance to at least be your teacher."
Sonic considered the request and the concessions Bartleby was willing to offer in return. He looked into Bartleby's eyes, looking for something. He must have found it because he nodded. "If you look into it, then I'll give him a chance, let's go back to class." He offered his hand in friendship.
The blue hedgehog hesitated again. "I can't… not because of him… I didn't go to school when I was a kid." He hoped Bartleby would understand. "Everyone will laugh at me like they did earlier."
Bartleby nodded. "Your uncle didn't teach you how to read, did he?" It was a statement. "Don't worry, I can teach you. And they don't need to know. No one has to know, other than Uncle. And no, there's no negotiation there. He's one of your teachers, he needs to know you need help. And he won't laugh at you."
The class switch bell rang and they heard footsteps. "Come on, we're running behind. I'll ask him to let you and I have a day of tutoring." He led Sonic back to the classroom. Manic was still there, looking worried but Robotnik wouldn't let him leave.
Robotnik sighed with relief. "Good, you found him."
Bartleby nodded and drew near, whispering something in the old man's ear. Robotnik's head snapped and his gaze, if Sonic didn't know better, was almost pitying. "Let me take him to the library, Uncle. You're not doing anything serious in your classes today to need an aide and he's too embarrassed to do this in front of a group of strangers."
"It is for his uncle to be embarrassed." He looked to Manic. "Very well, Bartleby. You may tutor them in the library today. Sonic needs to select his courses and their new teachers will need time to prepare for them."
Sonic looked at his brother as he joined them. "Are you okay, Sonic?" He asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, Manic. What classes did you pick?" He asked, determined not to discuss why he ran.
A short time later, Charles Hedgehog was reading a book that was supplied to him for another day of captivity. When Lady Wyndermere asked him to accompany them to Sonic's first day at school, he found it laughable. He didn't want these people to lead his nephew away from their noble cause. It was best that Sonic's knowledge be only what he told him. He looked up as a tapping came at the window. He went and found a bird just outside, a scroll tied to its leg. He read the scroll and smiled. Things were going well. Friday was the debutante ball but apparently, Robotnik was planning to formally crown Bartleby as his heir at last. Everyone knew he was the heir but it had yet to be made official. And his contact in the palace would help him make sure it never became official.
AN: What is Uncle Chuck planning? Who is his contact in the palace? Will Bartleby's investigation of Sonic's accusations prove fruitful?