Chapter 3

By the time Robotnik reached the end of his sordid tale, Acorn had broken open a bottle of fine armagnac and poured them both a double. He needed to drink down several swallows as he processed the horrors his friend had done in the name of revenge. As he listened, he watched his body language. He watched the other man's face drop and contort into all manner of shapes.

Eventually, he just had to stop his friend. "I'm sorry my friend… that you've endured this hell over the last twenty years. I blame myself, but I don't… judge you… I judge your actions to be evil, rotten to the core, but you, I do not judge."

Robotnik looked down. "Hearing it out loud…. Bartleby's right… he's right, they're right… They have every reason in the world to hate me and wish for Aleena… What do I do? How do I fix this? And don't say give her back the throne… That's non-negotiable."

Acorn nodded. "The best thing you can do now is to take the week to rest, relax, recover. Then you need to go home and the first thing you do is you own up to your mistakes. You need to address your people and beg their forgiveness and you need to make it right. The innocent people you roboticized need to be changed back."

Robotnik sighed. "It can't be done. Not yet anyway. I can promise to reverse it, I just need time to reverse engineer the roboticizer."

Acorn nodded. "You'll have that time. But you're going to need to make a big gesture to show that you mean business."

"Hmm… Bartleby is no doubt laying some groundwork in that direction…" The middle-aged man put his hand to his chin. "You're right, I will need some grand gesture to show that I want to be better and that I'm not just leading them on…"

The king nodded with an encouraging smile. "The fact that you came to me, is proof that you want this. You want to change. The question that's going to challenge you is 'how much do you want it?'"

The Oracle seemed to be excited when Sonia and her brothers told him about the party that they were having at Bartleby's home and that he and her mother were invited. "This does bode very well dear. I was curious when I saw the announcement in my cauldron but I think something is happening that I could not foresee. Your mother believes victory means she becomes queen again and you three join her in ruling the city while Robotnik is left to some miserable fate, as the prophecy implied. Perhaps that belief is actually selfish. Perhaps we need to find a more peaceful solution." He looked at Sonic.

Sonic nodded. "If there's any chance it could lead to victory, to freedom for Mobotropolis. I'm getting sick of the war too. It's been going way too long."

Sonia nodded. "You know, the least disruptive thing to Mobotropolis would be if we could just get Robotnik to be a better leader, to grow a moral compass and stop being an ass. I wouldn't ask him to be as good as mom because really that wouldn't be a fair standard. If Mom could come home, I wouldn't want her to be swamped with the busy work that running the city requires. I'd want her to be our mom and spend time with us. Just with us."

Manic saw the alarm in Sonic's eyes. "Sonic, if this city is being run well and everyone is able to be happy and free, live autonomously, independently… Does it matter who the leader is? Anyone can pick up a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. Anyone can feed the poor and help the poor. Status doesn't matter. Sure if we can't get him to be a better king, then we kick his ass the hell out of dodge. But if we don't have to do that but can still get the same basic results that we want… we have to try."

Sonic thought about it. "I guess it makes sense. What do you think Oracle. I wish we could get Mom's opinion."

Sonia looked at the Oracle. "Bartleby invited her to the party too. Can you try and get her there?" She asked.

The Oracle nodded with a smile. "I can indeed. Don't worry dear. Anything that brings peace and harmony to Mobotropolis is welcome. I look forward to meeting this young man of yours. He seems very special."

Sonia blushed. "He is… he is very special. But… that's done now. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want me anymore. After everything. He just acts nice out of obligation to a memory…" She said logically.

Sonic and Manic shared a look. Maybe Manic was right about her still being hung up on him. Sonic didn't know what to say. He didn't want her with that rich. He could never understand what it was like for them.

"Well, my dear, we shall see. For none of us truly know what the future holds. Not even a seer knows beyond any doubt." The Oracle patted her hand comfortingly. "Now when is this party set to start?"

Sonia giggled. "In just a few hours… You'll all love it. Bartleby loves planning parties…"

The little two room flat just outside of the center, near the harbor, was all dusty and filled with cobwebs. The wallpaper was faded and one of the window panes was broken. Yet everything else was as he left it. Three photographs sat on the mantle, adorned with black ribbon. When he left, he never even thought to sell it. How could he just sell the place where Bartleby took his first steps? The place where he said his first words. He picked up a photograph that sat on top of a small table next to the front door, with the telephone and blinking answering machine. The little mink's hair only went down to his ears in a bowl cut that Robotnik had done himself because he couldn't afford a barber at the time and he wore a pair of salmon overalls over a white sweatshirt. That innocent smile looking up at the polaroid camera. This was the last place he could remember being truly happy. And that was ironic since that was after they died, after his whole life fell to pieces.

The old man sighed. How meager it all seemed after they had lived in splendor. Yet, he longed for those simpler days again. If only he had been content with finding a life here. If only he had been able to heal. "Maria, I should have taken your advice…" He sat down on the ratty, patched sofa. "I've become exactly like the monster that took you from me. Help me now." He said softly as he stood up and went to one of the two rooms. It was a lot more high tech than the other room. On the far wall was a small computer system taking up a few panels. He had maintained the computer system remotely just in case he would ever need it again. Waste not and all that. The computer fans came to life with a mighty gust and the screen lit up.

"Welcome back Dr." The computerized voice greeted when he put in his password.

"Thank you Nicole. I need you to turn on the cameras in and around the Dresden Estates please, particularly the manor and its grounds." He ordered the computer. A few moments later, four video panels appeared. He chuckled to see his godson in his swim trunks, talking to the Freedom Fighters. He watched as some welcomed his efforts while some were skeptical and distrustful.

Streamers hung from the outside lights that towered over the pool deck of the Dresden Estates. The Sonic Underground stood on the raised wooden deck that went into a grilling area. They played some traditional beach songs, like Surfin' Safari and Little Deuce Coupe while the Freedom Fighters nervously hung about. Bartleby approached each of them in turn and introduced himself. Peace would be impossible without first building connections.

One of the members was a tawny orange lion wearing a jade pair of swim trunks. Bartleby recognized him. "Hello, you're Cyrus Leonhart are you not? Son of Sir Lionel?" He asked kindly.

Cyrus nodded nervously. "Yes… yes, I am. He was roboticized." He said darkly.

Bartleby nodded sadly. "I'm so sorry for that. I want you to know that I am going to do everything in my power to correct that. Sir Lionel was a good man."

"Yes, he was. But I don't know what you think you can do about it." Cyrus took a drink from a passing waiter and walked off.

Sonia left her keyboard and went down where Bartleby stood. "Cyrus was really close with his father. You have to know this isn't going to be easy with everyone. But you don't need to convince everyone, just the majority of us because we operate by a democracy right now."

Bartleby thought about that. There was something he could do with that in their negotiations. "I know… but I mean it. I want them back too. I miss Lady Wyndermere…" He hugged her gently.

Sonia sighed heavily as she leaned against him. "So do I… I would do anything if it meant getting her back." Bartleby felt his heart lift as she laid her head on his chest.

He pet her hair adoringly. "And I would do anything… anything… if it meant getting you back." He told her, surprised when she pulled away.

"Really? You still want me after all of this?" She asked. "After I walked out on you and humiliated you before the entire court?"

"Yes, Sonia, I love you…. Being with you is my greatest dream." He promised her. "I still want you more than anything."

The pink hedgehog blushed, making her pink fur glow. "Bartleby… I…"

"Mom!" Sonic could be heard shouting, forcing Sonia to turn away from the mink. She saw Manic looking with shock at the outside exit of the room. Her mother stood there in a white gown and smiled gently at them both.

Sonia pulled quickly from Bartleby and hurried to the hedgehog queen. Sonic just barely beat her there and Manic was right behind her. "Mother! You're here! You're really here!"

Aleena smiled as they pulled away. "Yes, the Oracle sent me a message that I needed to be here tonight. Something about Robotnik being gone and Mr Montclair wanting to foster peace between our… families…" She said the word with an incredulous sigh.

Sonia nodded. "Yes, Mother… please, allow me to introduce Sir Bartleby Montclair, lord of Dresden."

Robotnik froze as he saw Aleena, the object of his hatred. He watched her approach Bartleby with an outstretched hand. "Yes, I have heard much about the young duke. Word is going around he's closer to a prince though. It is… a delight to finally meet you, Sir Montclair."

Bartleby accepted her hand, refusing to bow, to Robotnik's delight. "That's right, boy… we don't bow to foreign leaders. We meet them as equals." He said as he recounted the diplomatic lessons he'd taught him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Queen Aleena. I'm glad you were able to make it. You should know that… I've been eager to meet you. The mother of the most beautiful hedgehog in the city." Bartleby said cordially. "I hope this meeting will be the first of many as we work to heal the rift between us all. We can't stay separated forever."

Aleena smiled in a manner that Robotnik was sure she meant to appear kind. But he wasn't fooled. "I appreciate your efforts, Sir Montclair, and I do appreciate being able to come visit with my children this week. However, we both know that anything you accomplish in the next six days will be wiped away. When he returns. There is only way to stop the war and now you have the power to do it…"

Sonia frowned as Bartleby shrugged. "Robotnik will accept the changes I make and he'll help me make more. He's a good man. Really, he is. He's just gotten lost over the last several years."

Aleena sighed. "He's a monster, Sir Montclair. You need to accept that. But you can still save him from himself. Proclaim me queen again. Then we will stop his robots so he has no weapons to fight back with."

Robotnik chuckled as Bartleby refused. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. That power is not mine."

"I can deal with that. Trust me, this is the only way to get peace…" Aleena pushed him.

Bartleby shook his head firmly. "I disagree. I think there is a way to achieve peace that does not require me to betray my godfather. I will find that way and this city will prosper with him at the helm. He is a good man and he wants what's best for Robotropolis. I know this in my heart, without a shadow of a doubt." He looked at his guests. "I will show you when he gets back. The kind of man he really is. If you will let me. Give me a chance." He looked at Aleena. "Give me a chance." He pleaded.

Sonic looked at the mink then to his mother. "Mom, I think this might be possible. Please, Mom, can't we try it. What's the worst that could happen? Yet think if it works… Mom, I know what we thought was supposed to happen but… I honestly don't want to rule the kingdom. I just want better things for our city. Clean air and water. I want him to stop roboticizing people for sneezing the wrong way. I want Uncle Chuck back. I don't care how we get those things."

Aleena cocked her head curiously. "You think this is a good idea son?" She asked. She sighed and looked around. "I suppose, what could be the harm of trying. I just… I have my doubts. Very well, Sir Montclair, I will entrust our future to you. I think we are all tired of the war. You defended your position rather staunchly." She smiled and offered her hand.

Bartleby accepted the outstretched hand and shook it. He felt more confident after facing down the former queen. She was always going to be his harshest critic. He would have to prove himself to her. If he could… maybe there was hope for them.

Robotnik nodded as he watched the peace talks were off to a good start. He put a hand to his chin and grinned. That was his direction. Bartleby had put his foot in the door and paved a path to redemption. Now he needed to do something with it.