Author's Note: This is word emphasis

This is thoughts/telepathy

This is anything with a copyright

Chapter 3

Thorndyke Manor:

Manic, Tails, and Chuck could be found working on the Tornado while Cream and Cheese are eating doughnuts at one of the tables in the backyard. Sonic has his back leaning against a tree while studying a detailed map of Station Square, above and below. Snuggled into his left side is Luna, whom is taking the time to strengthen her empathic and telepathic shields. The blue hedgehog was well used to being used as an empathic anchor, and was why he had opted to study maps of Station Square rather than explore on his own. As long as he'd known his girlfriend he just knew when she needed him to stick around. It had taken him a while to figure out his brother shared his girlfriend's gift of empathy, and longer still to pick up on when Manic needed a recharge.

He had never been concerned about Manic and Luna going off alone together. Instinctively he'd known that they had needed another empath to talk to. When it came to empathy there was only so much Sonic could understand, so the novelty of having another empath around had been major for both his brother and his girlfriend. Being a calm oasis for them to recharge at was something he could do for them. Sonic accepts the two bottles of apple juice Chris brought over to them, and opens up Luna's immediately. The purple hedgehog accepts the drink, and Sonic gives Chris a quiet thanks.

From inside the garage Manic takes in his brother and Luna, understanding that Luna needed a day to recharge, for both her empathy and telepathy. Sonic had always seemed to just know when his girlfriend, and later, his brother needed a respite from their shared gift of empathy. Manic couldn't even begin to fathom how Luna coped with telepathy on top of her empathy. Feeling the emotions of others was hard enough, being able to hear their thoughts yet too...harsh. He redirects his attention to what he learned was his brother's plane. Apparently Tails happened to be a mechanical genius, and the Tornado was how he'd met Sonic and Luna. They'd been up before Chuck, and so had shared a few stories, like how Tails had been brutally bullied not only for his intelligence, but also having two tails. Finding out that Tails was only eight...that made Manic feel slightly inadequate. He could see how Sonic would adopt the kit as his brother.

Tails had been highly amused by Manic's rendition of the first mission the brothers had gone on, especially how Manic had trolled Sonic. " Hey, Tails, just when should we start our duty as younger brothers anyhow? " Manic queries.

Tails smirks, neither one of them was going to let Sonic live down exactly how he'd met Chris anytime soon, " Give it another couple of days. He knows it's coming though. "

Manic decides to regale Tails with the story of how Sonic got struck by lightning twice while riding Manic's hoverboard. Tails actually falls off of the ladder he was on while working on the Tornado's engine because he was laughing so hard, his twin tails spin together to keep him aloft. From where he is Sonic pauses and then looks at his younger brothers, then he groans when he sees Tails laughing his ass off, " Be right back, Lu. " Sonic murmurs, and he dashes over to the garage.

" Manic, you did not tell him the hoverboard story, right? " Sonic demands.

Tails starts laughing even harder and Sonic scowls at Manic. Manic just smirks right back at him, " I have a new little bro to bond with, and what better way to bond with him than the two of us sharing embarrassing stories about you? "

An evil teasing glint enters Sonic's eyes, " Hey, Tails, let me tell you about the time Buttnik made a hairdresser 'bot. "

Manic's eyes widen, " You remember that? "

Sonic proceeds to tell Tails the entire tale minus Sonia's part in it. Manic just groans, even without the Sonia parts Sonic remembered that little adventure in its entirety. Once done with the tale Sonic darts back to Luna, and the purple hedgehog easily snuggles into him again. Luna does send a curious look Sonic's way, " My bros are bonding with each other by telling embarrassing stories about me. Manic just had to tell Tails the hoverboard one. I responded with the hairdresser bot. "

Mirth dances in her chaos emerald blue eyes and Sonic sighs, going back to studying the maps of Station Square. Since meeting Manic Sonic had learned the importance of knowing his way through sewer systems and ventilation systems. Manic's skill set he learned as a thief had saved their asses several times. He still didn't remember just why he'd left Robotropolis with Luna, however even now his instincts said he'd made the right decision. He knew she'd nearly been strangled to death, he'd seen the evidence of that when he'd woken in that cave with Luna curled up in his arms. He'd briefly panicked when he couldn't find his medallion until Luna woke up sensing his distress and pulled the medallion in question out of her black fanny pack. Then she'd put it back, which had let him know that for some reason he'd asked her to hold on to it for him. He knew Luna's near murder was at the epicenter for why he'd lost such a chunk of memories, and why he'd made the decision to leave Robotropolis and his brother behind. His next course of action had been getting Luna to an actual doctor, which had brought with it the devastating news that Luna's voice box would have to be surgically removed, as it was too damaged by Luna's near strangulation.

Sonic knew Luna still had nightmares about that, and all he could do was hold her through the terror. Luna refused to risk his emotional health for her sake, as she repeatedly reminded him, he'd remember when he was ready. He'd been ready to remember Manic, his mind had just needed a key to unlock those memories. It still hurt to realize he was never going to hear Luna's voice again, some of his happiest memories were of Luna singing along to his guitar playing. He grabs his bottle of apple juice, opens it, and takes a swig of it. The blue hedgehog also knew it was only a matter of time before Eggman reared his ugly head once more. He had to be here on Earth since he, Manic, Luna, Cream, and Cheese had made it here, and they'd all been at Ground Zero, as Luna had aptly put it.

His eyes go back to scanning the maps before him, even as he makes sure to finish his apple juice, which was only good when chilled. Luna had finished hers, her right hand wrapped around his left shoulder once more. Not much could get him to hold still, but with Luna injured she couldn't take his fidgeting at the moment. He wasn't too surprised when Luna started dozing, his mere presence was enough to relax her to the point she just naturally went under. This was especially true on recharge days. Once finished memorizing the maps he throws his empty bottle at Manic, just hard and fast enough to reach him, but not enough to hurt him. The green, spiky quilled hedgehog looks in the direction the bottle had come from, and sees his brother holding up the spiral bound book containing in depth maps of Station Square above and below.

Manic cleans his gloves off with a nearby towel, " Be right back. "

He makes his way over to his brother, takes the offered book, and snorts softly, " Not a word, Manic. "

Manic holds his free hand up, " How does she handle empathy and telepathy? "

Sonic sighs at this, " Not easily, especially when she first started developing her telepathy. She latched onto me, like when her empathy strengthens. "

Manic flinches, " That's the worst par' 'bout bein' an empath, it continually gains in strength. "

" At least you can understand this part of her better than I can. All I can do is be her port in the storm. " Sonic retorts softly.

Manic kneels down, " Bro, you have no idea how much that helps. Ferrel used ta be my port in the storm, then for a little while there I had you. No, you don't get ta feel guilty 'bout leavin', Sonic. Luna told me it was for her own safety, and I'd like ta think I got a decent enough read on ya for the time we spent together. Ya never would have left unless ya felt it was the only way to protect Luna. "

Sonic blinks, " How did she talk to you while you were in Area 99 anyhow? "

" I used my empathy to boost her telepathy by following her empathy back. She warned me you had lost several memories due to emotional trauma. What did give you back your memories of me? "

" The asking big brother for help without asking tone. Tails uses it a lot, and that was the key my mind needed to give me back my memories of you. The voice making that plea may have been different, but the tone was the same, Manic. I was ready to remember you, I just needed the right key to unlock those memories. I do know that the reason why I decided to leave Robotropolis is also the reason why I lost such a chunk of memories. She still has nightmares about it, Manic. "

Manic blinks, " All I know is that the last mission you two went on for the Resistance is what cost Luna her voice. "

Sonic sighs, murmuring, " She was nearly strangled to death, Manic. I was able to see that when I woke up, missing a rather large chunk of time. I didn't remember taking us to that cave I woke up in, deciding to leave Robotropolis, or asking her to hold onto my medallion. All I knew was that my instincts were telling me not to go back to Robotropolis. "

Manic runs a hand through his brother's quills, " Luna needs you to remain calm, bro. Find me later, you can vent then, okay. Now, I need to get back to that wonderful machine of yours. "

Sonic leaned into his brother's touch, there weren't many he allowed that close, Manic, Luna, and Tails were on that very short list. They were the list actually. Manic slowly pulls his hand away to give his brother time to pull himself together again. Sonic had already had trust issues, but it seemed that the last mission increased them. To be fair to his brother, he had never, once he was old enough to remember, experienced their mother's touch. He'd had the loving touches of his adoptive parents, his Uncle Chuck, and Luna, that was it. Sonic had been twitchy about allowing him and Sonia into his personal space in the beginning. Not that Manic could really blame his brother, he and Sonia may have been his triplet siblings, and sure they had shared a womb together, but they didn't know each other.

Sonic leans his head against Luna's and lets himself doze off as well. In the garage Tails smiles as he catches sight of his oldest big brother, " It's not often he can relax like this. "

" Buttnik? " Manic asks.

Tails blinks, " Man, it's been a long time since I've heard that nickname for Eggman, but yeah. There's generally always some plot to foil. He only usually holds this still when Luna…"

" Needs a respite from her empathy and now telepathy as well. " Manic finishes, " Luna's the only one that, after I met him, Sonic allowed to invade his personal space at any time. "

" How long did you know him, Manic? " Tails asks.

" We met not long before our fifteenth birthday, almost a year, if my estimate's right. It was fun watching him nearly pull his quills out while trying to figure what to give Luna for their anniversary, Yule…"

Chuck chuckles under his breath, " So, the cool, calm, confident hero can be brought to his metaphorical knees when it comes time to get his girl presents? "

" He can, but on the inverse, he is fiercely protective of her. He actually caused one guy whom was looking at her lustfully to piss himself with one Look. " Manic would always treasure the memory of Sonic causing Bartleby to piss himself in fear from just one Look.

Tails rolls his eyes, " He's not the only one. Luna is extremely territorial when it comes to Sonic. She once cold cocked the Princess of the Acorn Kingdom for kissing Sonic. "

Manic pauses, " That was Luna? "

" Yeah, why? " Tails asks.

Manic shudders, that same said princess had actually managed to sneak into his room, and almost succeed in violating him. If not for his empathy she would have succeeded. He really felt for her older brother, as he had apologized profusely after Manic had called for the guards once he subdued her. There was no excuse the Princess of the Acorn Kingdom could give for sneaking into his room late at night. Ma had banned her from ever setting foot in Mobotropolis ever again. He looks at Tails, " Let's just say I've met that particular princess. I had sworn I would kiss the girl whom did that to her, but since I don't poach, I'll need ta come up with anoth'ah way ta thank Luna for that. I just so happen to have an idea about that, but I'll need some help. "

" What's the idea? " Chuck asks him.

" Getting a custom made acoustic guitar for Sonic. Luna loves ta hear him play. " Manic answers.

" I can help with that, " Chuck admits, " Do you have a design? "

Manic cleans his gloves off again, and pulls out his sketchpad and a pencil from his red fanny pack. He sketches quickly, and then replaces the pencil in favor of colored pencils. He shows the finished drawing to Chuck, and Tails adds the dimensions said guitar would need to be. Chuck hums thoughtfully, " Is there a wood preference? "

" Sonic always liked the sound of acoustic guitars made from maple, straight up acoustic, no need for it to be a dual acoustic/electric. " Manic answers immediately.

Tails adds that onto the design Manic had made, and Chuck grins, " Believe I'll head into town and pick some things up while at the same time I'll see about placing the order for this. Give me a list of things you two need, and I'll make sure my suite is stocked with chili dog makings, and board games since you all do need to keep a low profile. "

With that Chuck cleans up and leaves the Mobians to playing with the Tornado. Any major modifications would need to be run by Sonic, as it did happen to be his plane, but they could do minor modifications easily enough. The Mobians and Chris settle in the entertainment room later on that day just in time to see Eggman's announcement on the news. Sonic transfers Luna over to Manic, " Let's go, Tails. "

Tails nods at this, " Right behind you, Sonic. "

Manic looks at the purple hedgehog now curled up against him, " Bro, you do know I will throw you under the bus, right? "

Sonic pauses at this, a barely perceptible shudder traversing his body, " If Lu wakes up before we get back then tell her Egghead's made his appearance. "

" In oth'ah words throw Buttnik under the bus. " Manic deadpans.

" She's already irritated he turned her into a damsel in distress, this will just fuel the flames of her righteous feminine fury even higher. " Sonic says, smirking wickedly.

Downtown Station Square:

Dr. Eggman, legal name being Ivo Robotnik, feels a shudder traverse his spine as he awaits the arrival of the mayor, unaware of the presence of a light pink hedgehog by the name of Amy Rose, and the red furred echidna, Knuckles, Guardian of the Master Emerald. He knew this shudder. This was the shudder that preluded the arrival of the tornado mixed with earthquake that was Luna Moonrose's temper. Dear Chaos, had today been one of her recharge days? If so, he knew that damnable cobalt hedgehog wouldn't hesitate to throw him in her path, especially since he turned her into a damsel in distress again. Only two things absolutely terrified him. One was a BORED SONIC, and yes both words did need to be capitalized. The other was a PISSED OFF LUNA MOONROSE.

When Luna got pissed she channeled her boyfriend's speed and got CREATIVE. She literally super spun herself out of a Roboticizer once just as Sonic and his siblings reached the room, causing it to blow up in a rather spectacular fashion. She then proceeded to break every non-fatal bone in Sleet and Dingo's bodies before turning her ire on him and his entire factory. She had gone into another super spin and tossed him through the glass at the front of his aerial transport. He had barely managed to catch the looks of stunned disbelief on Manic and Sonia's faces while Sonic had just smirked insufferably at him. He had been surprised to see Manic had infiltrated his base without him knowing it. He'd left Robotropolis four years ago and hadn't looked back when he realized Sonic was gone.

He still didn't know what had prompted his cobalt foe to take his girlfriend and leave Robotropolis. He digressed though, he had a new world to conquer, starting with this city. He's stunned by the fact that the city charter won't allow the mayor to surrender the city, oh how he loathed bureaucracy! He orders Missile Wrist to start destroying everything while he flies upwards to get a better view with his Egg Mobile. Behind Missile Wrist is Amy Rose and Knuckles, Amy already hefting her Pico Pico Hammer. The hedgehog and echidna exchange looks, trying to silently work out a plan. Amy starts spinning with her Hammer in hand, hoping that with enough momentum she could at least damage a leg. Knuckles frowns, but knows it's their best idea. While the impact reverberated through her entire body she did dent the leg. She maintains enough presence of mind to backflip away just as the bot was about to grab her.

Knuckles frowns thoughtfully, as he knew how strong Amy happened to be. That armor was highly durable apparently. The two Mobians both tense, and get ready to move when Eggman pilots his Egg Mobile to face them, " Well, it's the Knucklehead, and little Amy Rose. I must say, Amy, I'm surprised you were able to dent my Missile Wrist's leg like that. " Eggman says.

" How about you come down here so I can give you an up close and personal demonstration on my hammering techniques? " Amy suggests, twirling her Pico Pico Hammer.

" I'll have to decline that invitation at this time. " Eggman says, though inwardly he was wondering why all pink hedgehogs seemed to be uncommonly strong. He'd seen Knuckles, arguably one of the strongest Mobians around, have trouble lifting Amy's Pico Pico Hammer. Don't even get him started on Sonia, he'd seen her, in a fit of anger, pick up one of his SWAT bots and throw it THROUGH a solid stone wall without her super spin.

He fires his Egg Mobile's lasers at the pair, Amy twirls her Hammer to deflect the ones sent her way, and Knuckles dodges the ones that came his way. Missile Wrist continues to destroy the city below while Eggman keeps the Mobians busy.

Sonic hoists himself onto a wing of the Tornado as Eggman and his bot come into view. He could just barely make out Amy Rose and Knuckles on the roof of the building where Eggman's robot was attacking Station Square from. If he squinted he could see a dent in the bot's right leg, most likely from Amy's Hammer. " Tails, get me just close enough and then give me a ring. I'm destroying that bot before Egghead knows we're here. "

Tails salutes to show he heard, and not even a minute later Sonic is handed a Ring. The blue hero clenches his hand around it, and then starts spinning in place before using his Homing Attack to slam into, and then through the bot. The Egg Mobile rocks with the shockwave of Missile Wrist's destruction while Amy and Knuckles had just seen a blue blur approaching. Sonic comes to a stop in Eggman's sight, " You lose, Egghead. You should also know that if Lu wakes up before I get back I am so throwing you under the bus. "

Eggman's eyes widen behind his round, black glasses lenses, " Recharge day? " Eggman asks, resigned to his fate.

" Recharge day, and she's already pissed that you turned her into a damsel in distress. You know how much she hates that. " Sonic states.

" I'd rather deal with you BORED than your girlfriend PISSED OFF. " Eggman deadpans.

Sonic smirks wickedly at this, " I do so love watching her unleash her rage on you or your bots. "

" Curse you, Sonic! I'll be back, and don't think you'll get those Chaos Emeralds easily. I'll also conquer this world, starting with this city. " Eggman says as he flies off.

Amy looks at her fellow hedgehog, " Just how bad is Luna if Eggman prefers you BORED? "

Knuckles shudders, " This may be the only time I ever agree with Eggman, BORED SONIC is preferable to a PISSED OFF LUNA MOONROSE. I've had that anger directed at me before, never again. "

" Especially since Lu has a tendency to channel my speed with her empathy when pissed, and she gets creative. I just love watching my girl kick ass when she's ragingly pissed off. " Sonic states.

Knuckles groans, " You would find that entertaining. "

Amy looks between the males as Tails approaches with the Tornado, " Come on, she can't really be that bad. "

Sonic smiles widely at Amy, " She once blew up a Roboticizer by channeling my speed and super spinning before laying waste to that particular Buttnik base in Robotropolis. We were both a part of the Resistance before we left. Lu really hates being put into the damsel in distress role. "

Amy's green eyes widen even as she hops into the Tornado. Sonic and Knuckles each take a wing before the human law officers arrive. Knuckles drops off somewhere in the city after about ten minutes while the Tornado wings its way back to Thorndyke Manor.

Thorndyke Manor:

Chaos emerald blue eyes slit open, " Buttnik finally showed himself. " Manic answers the question before Luna can ask it.

The purple hedgehog huffs silently, but doesn't move. Manic was a secondary anchor when she couldn't have Sonic. That was when Chris arrived with sandwiches for his guests. Luna reaches for one as the news shows a blue blur slamming into and through the bot that had been destroying downtown Station Square. That was when they all heard the Tornado returning, and Luna finished her sandwich. She was not expecting to see Sonic smirking wickedly when he spotted her awake not even a minute after the Tornado landed, " Just so you know, the instant you're healed I am so taking you straight to Egghead so you can express your extreme displeasure with him. " Sonic remarks like one commenting on the weather.

Luna's eyes sparkle merrily at this news even as Sonic reclaims his seat beside her, and Luna snuggles back into him, " Shall we make it a date? " Luna asks.

" I suppose we could take a picnic basket along, make a day of it. " Sonic muses out loud.

Manic groans, " Do you two ever have what's considered normal dates by the rest of the populace? "

The couple blink as they think about this, " Nope, some plot always gets in the way. Just easier to turn the stopping of said plots into dates, or in this case, me getting to express my extreme displeasure with Buttnik. " Luna answers.

That was when Amy finally makes her way into the room, and Manic notices how Sonic subconsciously tightens his grip on Luna when he spots her in his peripheral vision. More evidence towards what he suspected had happened on that last mission. Amy, for her part, is brought up short by the presence of a green hedgehog, and she looks at Sonic. Sonic can sense her look and he sighs, " Amy Rose, this spiky green idiot is my twin, Manic. Manic, meet Amy Rose, wielder of the Pico Pico Hammer. "

Manic gives his brother a flat glare, and Sonic just rolls his eyes, leaning his head against Luna's. Sonic has his left hand threaded through Luna's quills, his right hand accepting the sandwich Manic places in it. Amy looks between Sonic and Manic, her gaze landing on Manic, silently asking just how a green hedgehog and a blue one could be twins. Manic groans internally, he just had to get the recessive traits in the family, didn't he? He runs a hand through his brother's quills before leading Amy away. Sonic apparently needed Luna time as much as Luna needed a respite from her powers.

North Pole, Point D:

A woman with teal eyes, mahogany colored hair, and wearing a long purple dress has a pensive look on her face. There had been no sign of that dratted Princess or the Ginzuishou in the six years since they first started their operations in London. They needed the Ginzuishou if they were to win this war against the senshi. The Sol System Senshi had managed to keep them contained to Juuban when they moved their operations there. It was baffling that the Princess had yet to be found. Her only consolation was that she knew the senshi had no clue where she or the Ginzuishou were as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, Sonic Underground, or Sonic X.