Disclaimer: Sonic and co. © Sega

Egglings © Blank the Nobody

Chapter Fifteen

Last Act of Kindness

1 Month, 18 Days and 12 Hours before Black Egg Armageddon

That was it, Eggman's last act of kindness before losing himself to his own insanity.

Days went by after Eggman's newest assault with his Egglings. G.U.N. was able to take out most of the Eggling forces, but they knew that they were still stragglers hiding around in the city, taking innocent people off of the streets and devouring them. After Sonic returned to the city, he was surprised to see that the public didn't blame him completely, which eased the hedgehog's heart to some degree. Even though the number of missing people was still rising because of the remaining Egglings, the city was slowly starting to get back to normal. The once lively sidewalks now held nervous and afraid citizens, too scared to ever walk into a dark alleyway alone. Cops and even some squads of soldiers were stationed around the city, to ensure the safety of its citizens. And the remaining hero's laid low.

Instead of hanging out on some beautiful hilltop, gazing down at the city, Sonic took shelter in the apartment building that Tails was staying in until he had rebuilt his workshop. Everything that has happened so far has deeply affected Sonic's mental status. He wasn't used to death, he was used to knocking out his enemies, destroying robots and eradicating emotionless shadow-like beasts. Never before has Sonic witnessed so much death before in his life. The screams coming from the burning civilians rang through his head as he remembered the invasion vividly, as if he was reliving it. Sonic couldn't sleep soundly anymore because of the memories haunting his dreams and the feeling of failure weighed down on his heart.

Sonic sat on the couch in the quaint apartment complex. The wall's a chocolate brown with light caramel brown stripes. Pictures from some unknown artist adorned the walls, adding a more house-like feel to it. In the corner, a 24 inch flat screen TV stood proudly, broadcasting the news for the day and luckily for Sonic, the anchorman didn't mention him. A saddened sigh escaped the sorrowful hedgehog's lips before looking out the window. The sun was high in the sky with small bushes of clouds surrounding it, but not obstructing its way. He was grateful that the last few days were nice and calm, with no Eggman in sight. Tails was in the forest somewhere, building a new workshop somewhere closer to the mountains. The young fox still continued his daily lifestyle even with the knowledge of Cream's capture in mind, but instead of letting it get to him, Tails took his mind off of it by working. Sadly Sonic didn't have that pleasure, instead he was subjected to reliving the horrifying moments in his mind over and over again.

No, Sonic wouldn't take it anymore, he knew he had to find some way to take his mind off things. Sonic pulled himself off of the couch and walked out of the apartment, making sure to lock the door behind him as he left. The cobalt blue hedgehog ran out of the apartment building at full speed, making him nothing but a blue blur to the naked eye. Running was always Sonic's method of coping. If he ever had problems, he would run, if there was something bothering him, he would run, if Amy was chasing him then of course, he would run and the list goes on.

As he ran through the streets, he could feel the searing gazes from the disappointed people setting into his fur, as they looked at the blue blur passing through the city's streets. Sonic didn't look back at them though. Within seconds, Sonic was already at the city limits and entered the forest. His feet swiftly stepped over debris like logs, rocks and the occasional stream, but Sonic didn't stop. He ran and ran, as if he was trying to escape the grasp of the memories he was trying to forget. Not even his own speed would save him this time and now he would have to live with that fact forever.

Wind swept past Sonic's face as he dashed through the forest, the air not bothering his eyes because he's done it so many times before. Before him, a long and twisting path with some unknown destination set for Sonic. As he ran the memories flooded through Sonic's head once more and the hedgehog stopped in the middle of a large clearing within the forest. With the weight of guilt weighing on top of him Sonic broke down onto his knees as he fought back the tears he held within.

He grunted and groaned before punching the soft grass under him in frustration. For one moment in his entire life, Sonic felt as if the world would be better if he was dead. Stress, irritation and anger were starting to set into the cobalt hero's head making him feel lower then dirt. There was no escape from the pain that stung his heart, or the sorrow the drenched his soul, unless he was able to somehow redeem himself.

"Well, well, well even hero's have their limits." said a familiar voice in a malicious tone.

And at that moment, Sonic felt as if he was thrust into battle yet again. His eyes widened after hearing the voice and he argued with himself whether he should get up or stay on the ground. He chose a side and Sonic slowly rose to his feet, his knees shaking nervously under his weight. Not to his surprise, Eggman was standing in front of him, still without his jacket covering his bulky physique. What surprised Sonic the most was the fact that Eggman didn't flash his psychotic smile this time and instead brought a serious frown like Shadow's normal expression. Next to the burly doctor was a tall metal case and Sonic's stomach churned at the sight of it as he remembered the time when he got Tails back. Just another coffin on Sonic's conscience.

"What do you want? Are you goin' to kill me this time?" Sonic asked, jokingly, leaving his cocky attitude behind.

Eggman chuckled from hearing Sonic's blatant question. The doctor knew that Sonic was scared and instead of increasing the fear, Eggman wanted to lessen it. In a swift second, the chuckle deteriorated and the serious glare came back on. He didn't have much time before his insanity peaked again and h used that time wisely. Using his one of his large, brawny arms, Eggman took hold of the steel container next to him and swung it in front of him.

"No Sonic, that's for another time." On top of the container was keyhole and the doctor withdrew a single key from his pocket. "Right now, I need you to do a favor for me before I lose myself to my own bloodlust." He said as he inserted the key into the slot.

His words confused Sonic greatly. This was normal because of Eggman's large intellect, but over the past few days, he's been using a wider variety of vocabulary that confused the hedgehog. The only thing Sonic did understand was the fact that Eggman was now gauging his own mental state, which was odd. Whatever happened with the doctor the few days before must've really spooked him, if he wasn't going to kill Sonic.

"I need you to take her," he continued, before turning the key with a click. The steel door slid open and out of it fell an unconscious Cream. "to the hospital before she bleeds to death." finished the doctor.

Sonic's jaw dropped in shock at the sight. Cream lay on the soft grass, dress tattered and cuts covering her body. Dark red blots stained her dress and some of it hardened into a thick crust that covered her cuts. What shocked Sonic the most was the fact that Cream looked fine besides the cuts and bruises. There were no marks that indicated cruel torture and no limbs missing, telling Sonic that Eggman went easy on the young girl.

"She's taken a beating, get her to the hospital before he changes my mind." said the doctor coldly.

The blue hero raised his eyebrow at the statement. "Who's he?" asked the confused hedgehog.

The doctor sighed from the question and wished he had time to explain to Sonic about the crazy things that have been happening to him lately. He knew he couldn't explain it to a person of such intellect, so Eggman just ignored it. "I don't have the time to explain, just take the girl and run." He said simply.

Without a second thought, Sonic ran toward Cream and easily scooped the girl into his arms. The hedgehog then ran back to the same place where he stood before, a nervous but grateful look on his face. He was at a loss for words, but he did manage to get some audible words out.

"Thank you." He said, before running off back into the city that once hated him.

Now Eggman was alone once more. But deep in his head the doctor knew that being alone was the reason for Reise's creation in the first place. At least Eggman wasn't that crazy yet. He could admit that his mental state was slowly decreasing, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake but he didn't want that. Eggman rubbed his eyebrow in irritation as a wave of pain stung his brain. Not even the strongest pain-killer pills would aid his destroyed psyche. He pushed the pain back and looked up at the sky and admired its beauty to take his mind off of the pain. This would probably be the last time he would admire the sky through his own eyes.

"Why did you let her go!?" hissed a familiar voice within Eggman's head.

After finally revealing himself as a hallucination created by Eggman, Reise decided to hide away in Eggman's mind. But the mental anomaly did seem angrier now, but it was normal because he was now embracing all of Eggman's anger and insanity.

"Because she's a little girl." said Eggman aloud, in a calm tone.

"I don't care! You should've killed her just to spite Sonic!" yelled Reise in an enraged tone.

Eggman exhaled a worried sigh, knowing that Reise's words were actually his own pent up and hidden thoughts.

"And I don't care about you either." said Eggman before vanishing.

Sonic ran through the city, knowing every turn and street leading to the hospital. He was going so fast that no one could see the unconscious girl held in his arms. Sweat was dropping off of the hedgehog's forehead as he ran. He had no idea what status Cream was in and he had to make it to the hospital for her own safety. It was like he was reliving the moment he saved Tails, except with the brutal mutilations. Within seconds, Sonic rammed through the hospital's automatic doors before they could open and he called for help immediately. Instead of lecturing Sonic for his blatant disregard for hospital property, the doctors rushed over to him and took Cream from him and carried her off.

Instead of following Cream, Sonic stayed back in the waiting room, knowing that he couldn't help the doctors even if he wanted to. But he wouldn't just stand there either, Sonic rushed over to the payphone and quickly slid in four quarters into its slot. He then rapidly dialed in the number that he knew by heart and waited as the phone rang in his ear.

"Hello?"asked a familiar voice through the phone.

"Tails! Get over to the hospital! We got Cream back!" Sonic yelled nervously.

Far, far, away, next to the mountainside, Tails' jaw dropped open. In an instant he was running toward the city and seconds after that he threw his old Extreme Gear in front of him for some extra speed. Tears of joy were slowly tracing down the fox's face as he sped toward the city. It was like a dream come true and Tails just had to make sure it was real. As he sped toward the city, he pinched himself, just to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.

An Hour Later

The only people gathered at the hospital were Sonic and Tails. Neither of them had contacted anyone else and they were going to keep it that way until they knew what Cream's condition was. After numerous tests were performed a single doctor strode out to greet the two, in his hand a clipboard with the results. Both Sonic and Tails got out of their seat in preparation for what the doctor would say.

"Gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news." said the doctor plainly as he flipped through the papers that were on the clipboard.

A classic doctor saying, that everyone would expect. "Start with the good news." said Tails in an abrupt yell.

The doctor then raised his gaze off of the clipboard and onto the two in front of him. "Good news is that she'll survive." He said in a nonchalant tone.

Tails let go a sigh of relief at the news, but he knew that it wasn't over yet. Sonic on the other hand was still waiting for the bad news because he knew that Cream would survive.

"The bad news is," started the doctor, pausing in the middle of his sentence as if to increase the suspense. "she's in comatose right now." He finished as if not shocked at the development.

The seemingly happy moment was washed away with the bad news and Tails fell into his seat in shock. Sonic stood upright though, his mind reeling at Cream's current status. With good news comes bad news and Sonic knew that. The saddened blue hero looked down to see Tails clutching his head sadness. Only one thing was buzzing around in Sonic's mind though, he was at least happy to see that Cream was home.

X

Eggman had already made it back to his lab and was now sitting down in a large recliner chair. His sweat made the chair's cloth stick to his skin but he didn't mind at all. The doctor sat in the large chair as he held his head in pain. It wasn't a migraine, it was Reise trying once more to take over. Eggman wouldn't lose to him, no now or ever. His heart was racing as more and more waves of pain shot through his head. He couldn't take it anymore.

"Kneel to me you weakling!" yelled Reise within Eggman's head in a angry tone, sending another wave of pain soaring through his head.

"No!" yelled Eggman in a defiant tone before falling out of the chair, hands still holding his head.

The doctor rolled around on the ground, hands still clutching his head as he did. Oddly enough though, the pain in his head started to fade, but another pain was stirring up. The stinging pain was completely eradicated but a new burning pain arose on the back of his shoulder. Eggman rolled onto his stomach, his hands trying to reach the old injury that was burning. It was the bite he had received from the Eggling days before. The wound looked infected and it pulsed with black blood.

"Your time's up Ivo, my turn to take the stage." said Reise in a sadistic tone.

Robotnik screamed in pain as the burning in the wound intensified, making him feel like his entire body was aflame. Both his head and his bite-wound were on fire. His body flailed around in dangerous seizure from everything that was going on and the only thing he could see was a bright red light. A sinister laugh filled Eggman's ears, it was his own laugh, but with a more sadistic tone. The pain reached its all time high and then in a matter of seconds, everything went black and the old Eggman was lost under his own insanity.