Chapter 6
A week later...
"We found it Robotnik!" Sleet announced triumphantly as he and Dingo entered the throne room.
Robotnik sat up straighter when he saw the artifacts in Sleet's possession. "The Ancient City has been found?"
Sleet placed the pieces before the emperor. "Ancient artwork salvaged from Mobu Pinchu."
Robotnik grinned like a Cheshire Cat. "Excellent. Send out invitations to the nobility. Tell them I am holding a grand ball tomorrow evening. They are to be here. Make sure they know it is terribly important."
Sleet bowed. "Yes Your Excellency. It shall be done. Um sir...one thing, what about the hedgehogs? Shouldn't we make sure they can't interfere in this next operation?"
Robotnik knew Sleet was right. "You're right. In that case, hold off on the ball. I need some sort of trap for the hedgehogs. At least for Sonic, he's the biggest troublemaker. I know just what to do."
Wednesday night at last, Sonia thought as she prepared herself. She patted her face down with a little powder and packed a bag with a pretty frock she had purchased earlier that week suited for a nice dinner.
"Guys, um, are you sure we have nothing planned for tonight?" She asked her brothers. She was nearly ready.
Sonic gave her a strange look. "That's the fifth time you've asked that today Sonia. If Cyrus or Trevor or anyone had anything for us to do, you'd know about it. Why are you so worried about it?"
Sonia bit her lip hunting for an excuse. "Well, I need a night to myself, just me, out and about. My sanity depends on it. I've made a few beauty appointments."
"Sonia, it's almost 8:30 at night. What salon is open?" Manic asked.
"Mindy knows someone who can see me privately. At night so that I don't risk getting caught," she lied. "I may be gone a few hours. Oh, gotta go or I'll be late, bye!" She hurried off before they could question her again.
Sonic and Manic shook their heads. "She's acting weird."
"Totally." Manic agreed. "But she'll tell us if there's something wrong. Right?"
Sonic nodded. "Yeah, she will. If we have to, we'll make her tell us. But only if it looks like she's into something dangerous."
Sonia took her motorcycle to the Montclair Mansion, stopping only once to put on her new dress. A cream color, knee length dress with halter top. It was simple in design but elegantly so. A pair of ivory sandal-heels adorned her feet while her mother's necklace completed the ensemble.
She went to the door, keeping her head covered in case of spies. She rang the bell.
The door opened and Bartleby smiled at his love. He pulled her into his arm, kissing her. "Ahh, my darling, I thought this day would never come."
Sonia returned his affection. "I thought the same thing Bartleby."
He led her into the parlor where he served tea. "What did you tell your brothers tonight?"
Sonia shrugged. "That I was getting a major beauty treatment from a guy Mindy knows. And that it could be hours. They were skeptical but I'm here aren't I?"
Just then, the television switched on of its own accord, something it was designed to do when an announcement was about to be broadcast.
"Attention citizens! Tomorrow I will be hosting a big race," Robotnik announced. "In honor of my new creation, the SpeedBot. I am willing to wager 1 million möbiums that no one can beat my SpeedBot. That's right, race tomorrow and beat the SpeedBot and you will win 1 million möbiums. Noon tomorrow, be there." The television switched off.
"Oh goody, a race," Bartleby was clearly excited. "So that's what these are for." Bartleby showed Sonia an envelope from Robotnik. Inside the envelope were two fancy looking tickets. "They're tickets for a private box, dated for tomorrow at noon."
Sonia shook her head. "He really does spoil you doesn't he?"
Bartleby shrugged. "Well I am his most loyal and best contributor darling. Naturally, he wants to keep me happy." And I am his godson. When will Sonia remember? But he couldn't remind her. If her brothers found out, then the Resistance might...this was best.
Sonia thought about the challenge. Why would Robotnik bet a million mobiums on a racing bot? Surely the people would expect him to make it too fast for anyone… Except Sonic of course. "Oh my gosh!" Sonia cried with dreadful realization.
"What is it Sonia darling?" Bartleby asked, concerned.
"It's a trap! A trap for Sonic! Sonic doesn't care about money, but he can't resist a race!" Sonia got up and paced back and forth. "I have to keep him from entering that race!"
Bartleby stopped her panicked pacing with a strong, comforting hug. "Sonia, sweetheart, calm down. You must calm down."
Sonia was in the process of hyperventilating. "But Bartleby, if Sonic goes to that race and Robotnik catches him!"
Bartleby rubbd her back. "Robotnik won't catch him. You know your brother. He's always faster than any trap that Robotnik can come up with." He wondered how often she felt this level of anxiety and who she shared it with. Certainly not her brothers. Damn, even the strongest man on Möbius would break under the strain.
Sonia slowly calmed down. "He's my brother, I can't take the risk Bartleby."
Bartleby sighed. He wanted terribly to tell her why her worries were for nothing. "My darling… would you prefer to cancel our date tonight? So you can go warn him?"
Sonia bit her lip but nodded. She hoped he would understand.
"Alright, go ahead my love. But…" He trailed off and held up the tickets. "Rain check for tomorrow?"
Sonia laughed. "If you can promise that Robotnik won't know. I don't see why not. And my brothers can't find out, so keep me out of sight of any cameras."
Bartleby pecked her cheek in reply. "Deal." He walked her to the door. "Good night my darling. I send you with my love." He kissed her forehead. "May it bring you luck and protection."
Sonia caressed his cheek. "Good night Bartleby. I'll meet you at the Speedway at 11:30." She hurried away. She had to warn Sonic not to go. Undoubtedly he would ignore her warnings, but she owed it to him to at least make the effort. And if he didn't listen, she would be at the race to save his sorry hide.
"Lord Robotnik," began a brawny fox, "Are you certain this plan will work?"
Robotnik nodded, "Yes, I am positive. Sonic will be unable to resist the bait. When he wins, I'll have him apprehended and brought here to you."
A middle-aged vixen wept for apparent joy. "Soon our son will be home."
Arthur Canis hugged his wife. However, he'd heheard this before and each time, Sonic managed to evade capture. "Perhaps if he saw me, Lord Robotnik, he wouldn't try to escape. I could go back with you."
Robotnik shook his head adamantly. "You know what might happen if we try that. I know I have failed you and your family in the past. But I swear that I will bring him home to you. No matter what, your family will be whole again!"
AN: Will Sonia be able to convince Sonic not to go to that race? Reviews appreciated.
And oh, please don't get mad that I'm making Sonia so different. Think about it, her brothers don't really accept her noble upbringing. She gave up literally everything and they never really seem to appreciate that. She has the stress of a war on her mind along with her grief over Lady Wyndemere. As Bartleby said in this chapter, even the strongest man in the world would break under the circumstances.
