Chapter 4 Part 1

Manic was amazed at all of the books in the library, poring through the volumes available to choose from while Bartleby focused on his brother. He selected a book and sat to read.

Sonic groaned as he looked at the letters in the book. He just couldn't stand how far behind he was. He wanted to read. He wanted to know what these symbols were and what they said. His uncle had read the morning papers to him but nothing more. Always the most horrible things and sometimes the funny pages. He liked the pictures. "I'll never understand this. Isn't it too late? I'm already so far behind. What's the point?"

Bartleby nodded understandingly. "It's never too late to learn to read. You will learn. Anyone can learn how to read at any point in time." He looked up as Robotnik joined them.

"So how goes the lesson?" He asked. He saw the blue hedgehog freeze up. "Why didn't your uncle teach you to read?"

Sonic shrugged. "We didn't have any books… and he was too busy."

Robotnik nodded. "He was willing to steal so much but he couldn't steal a book to teach you to read? And I see your brother knows how to read. Is that…" His eyes went wide. "Hamlet?"

Manic bit his lip. "I hope that's alright… Ferrell stole all kinds of books. He wanted me to know." He saw Sonic's face fall. "Sonic, no one is mad at you for not learning to read. There's no shame."

Robotnik agreed. "The only one who should be ashamed of this is Sir Charles." He needed the boy to get what they were trying to say.

Sonic looked at him. "Yeah well, having to continually move from place to place so you couldn't find us, that took up a lot of time. Then of course missions. He just didn't have the time to teach me okay? It doesn't mean anything other than he was busy."

"Of course," Bartleby said before Robotnik could respond. "He was busy. Uncle was busy a lot too when we were little. But you know, he made time for time. He taught me how to read and I'm one of the few aristocrats who can change his own tire." He laughed. Sonic couldn't help the chuckle. "You can do this Sonic. Whatever reasons your uncle had for not teaching you are his own and it's being rectified now. That means that the problem is being made right."

Sonic nodded. "My uncle did read to me, growing up. Papers and he was able to get one book for me. The Mobian Book of Records. He just didn't get the chance to teach me himself. He wanted to. What adult wants to read to his kid until he's sixteen?" He looked at the book.

"When did he stop reading to you?" Someone asked, he couldn't tell who, as he was lost in his thoughts.

Sonic felt his memories. "Ten… he said I was too old… That he needed to start loosening the apron strings… He still read me the paper every morning but nothing more..." He frowned.

"Hey, guys." Sonia's voice cut into the conversation and Sonic shook his head, his eyes finally realizing he was still in the library and not in the safehouse, longing for the world outside. Whoa, where did that come from?

Robotnik nodded in greeting while Bartleby leaped to his feet to kiss her. "Darling, I'm glad you got my message."

She returned the kiss and giggled. "How are you doing Sonic? I heard you had a rough first period." She sat and hugged him.

The blue hedgehog frowned. Where was his bravado from days ago? It was as if finding his sister had released this vulnerable little kid that had never grown up. "I'm fine, sis. You don't need to worry about me." He lied.

While Sonia allowed her brother's white lie about his emotional state, Robotnik pulled Bartleby away. "That bastard… Try and tell me again that I shouldn't go ahead and roboticize his ass!" He hissed. "That is classic Stockholm."

"No, you shouldn't. Because Sonic is still convinced of his innocence. If you roboticize him now, you will lose his trust forever. He needs to see the man his uncle is." Bartleby insisted. "We have him protected. I will tell Lady Wyndermere that she needs to separate them starting tonight." He watched the old man slam a hambone fist into a flattened palm. "Uncle, I know I'm right in this. Roboticizing him now would be a huge mistake that you would likely never recover from. You roboticize him now, all you do is confirm the lies that monster told him."

Robotnik sighed heavily, shaking his head. "And keeping him around only increases the chances of him hurting him again. And you. You're his biggest obstacle, not me. You are going to be the greatest king that this land has ever seen and he will do everything to make sure that doesn't happen."

Bartleby shook his head. "Maybe but sir, the risk is worth the reward. When Sonic finally sees the truth, Sir Charles will be all yours and the resistance will have no power. Not even Queen Aleena would be able to challenge your monarchy since I will be marrying her daughter. Just a little more patience and the conflict will be over."

"How can you be so sure?" The doctor queried. "We have him in custody now. Suppose he escapes."

Bartleby shrugged. "As long as Sonic is here, with us, even if he escapes, we win. We have to win Sonic's trust. Teaching him how to read will help significantly. He accused you of committing all manner of atrocities. Likely pushing the blame onto you for his own crimes."

After several moments, watching the three younger ones talking, Sonia taking a turn at helping Sonic with the task, Robotnik nodded. "Fine. I know I'm not the warmest caregiver and certainly not a fun one, but I do hope you feel that I have done right by you. That I taught you everything you needed to know and instilled you with good values."

The young mink nodded. "You were the best caregiver a kid could ask for, Uncle. I was blessed." He said, gratefully. "He won't be able to escape. Sleet is guarding him and he's on the second floor and his windows don't open but for a little bit at the top."

The bell rang indicating it was time to change classes. "I'm sure you two boys must want a chance to stretch a bit. I know I'm frankly getting too old for these chairs." Robotnik said. "Lady Sonia, why don't you take this opportunity to give them a proper tour of the school. If you would like to join them, Bartleby, you may." He gave Bartleby a gold key. "In case the hall monitor questions."

AN: The insinuation here is that Sonic was in someways abused. I know he was a good guy in canon but remember this is my version. It's called alternate universe. Read and review please. What classes do you think Sonic would like best. I'm thinking it would be ironically funny if either science or shop class was an unexpected favorite but there are a few other selections.