Chapter Two – One Step To Far

"SUKKO!"

Sonic the Hedgehog was running home, absolutely fuming. He was alone, tearing across Speed Alley, at the speed of sound. They were the vast open plains, towards the Great Savannah, the wild tundra, and Robotropolis, where a certain twin brother of his lived. Sonic and his siblings weren't born in Robotropolis, but they grew up there, and it was home.

Robotropolis was in the land of the raising sun. The city was so far south, well into the southern hemisphere of Mobius, and so far east, more so that any other urban area that it was always the first place on Mobius that saw the morning sun. Also from the view point of other cities on Mobius, that's where the sun rises from. Robotropolis has the honour of witnessing Mobius's first sunrise each and every day.

Unfortunately, every other city was much further north, so much so, that the city regularly got forgotten about. It used to be considered the dumb of Mobius, by the rest of Mobius, but the city improved greatly when Sonic and his family moved there, such was their influence. They completely turned the entire city around, and now it was safe and pristine, compared to everywhere else. It still wasn't perfect. It had its problems. Crime was still a major issue, but at least Eggman wasn't.

Living at the top of a skyscraper, the tallest in Robotropolis, in the Penthouse Suite, was Sukko The Hedgehog. However, when he bought it, it was it a very bad way. The roof had completely collapsed in, causing rainwater to get in. The windows were all smashed, and there was mould everywhere. The whole Penthouse had been completely destroyed during a severe storm and now, nobody wanted it.

Sukko remembered fondly the day, he got the keys. But he didn't care. As bad as it was, it was home. Finally, a roof over the heads of his family. A place his brothers could come back to, if they choose. As he grew, he did the place up. Slowly over the years, he completely refurbished the whole Penthouse.

Now it was a luxurious two bedroom apartment, that spanned across two floors. You entered on the upper level, and on a balcony that ran around the edge of the entire apartment. The stairs ran the down the centre, to the lounge which was a large open plan room which ran the entire length of the one side of the apartment and across both floors. Large and cavernous. Glass covered one entire wall. At the back of the apartment, under the balcony, beneath the stairs, was a kitchen with breakfast bar and the bathroom. There was also an enormous fridge-freezer, the largest Sukko could find, which housed all of Sonic's food, for his huge appetite. Either side of the stairs, one the lower floors were two bedrooms for both Sonic and Sukko, despite that fact that the Penthouse could actually take up to four. Photos all over the apartment show the lives and childhoods of all the brothers.

Manic, the twins younger brother, when asked, didn't want a bedroom. This was his home, just as much as the twins, but he didn't want a room of his own. He was so streetwise that sleeping in a bed just felt too weird, and was perfectly happy just to crash on a sofa. So Sukko bought him the largest, more comfortable sofa he could find, and always made it available for him. Manic did regularly visit, but it was never for the food. The huge quantities of food there, was to feed the Blue Blur, and considering the job he did, Manic understood that he needed it, more then him. The Green Hedgehog could always find his own food. No, Manic was always at the Penthouse for the coffee.

In the apartment, Sukko had built a custom made, a tea and coffee machine, which gave constant twenty-four fresh tea and coffee. For Manic and Sonic, was the best coffee in Robotropolis. The two of them were regularly seen there chatting over coffee, between battles against Eggman, as Sukko was never there. Always working. Across one wall of the main open plan room, a sideboard had been placed photos of the three brothers as children, and all of Sonic's achievements on the walls, his world land-speed record certificate, his family incredibly proud. Photos of all the Super-Sonic fights. There were some seriously big monsters there, that he had no knowledge about, such as Dark Gaia, as well as a beautiful pale blue glass tree with all of Sonic's Olympic metals on it. The gold and silver glistened on the daylight through the windows, but only one medal had been framed. His one and only bronze.

Swimming. The only medal Sonic ever got in the pool, and the photo of his big toothy grin of utter joy at receiving the medal, next to it, just said it all.

Regardless, Sonic just ran straight there, from Westopolis, half a Mobius away. He knew his brother would be home. After what happened last night, he was sure of it. He didn't bother entering the building, and taking the stairs when he hit the Rochester. He just ran up the outside of the building, and through the constantly open window straight into the lounge. The place was spotlessly clean, but empty. Sonic knew otherwise, as the ran across to this brother's bedroom, and banged his hand on the door, knocking hard.

"Sukko!" He hissed, still growling. He was beyond angry. This time, his twin had gone too far, and had embarrassed him. Thankfully, no one other then him, knew this, as his twin was literally unknown to the wider public, outside of Robotropolis, and for once, Sonic was actually grateful of this. His long, beautifully manicured royal blue quills flowing down his head and back, shimmering in the electric light, his blue fur clean. His long legs stood strong, his cherry red shoes with the famous red stripe shining. His white gloved hands were by his side, as his clenched with anger, his bright green eyes sparkling. He looked perfect, despite his temper. Finally, the door opened.

Sukko grinned and hard. He stood there in his absolutely identical twin glory, a stunning royal Blue Hedgehog looking and smelling fantastic. He had large emerald-green eyes, peach muzzle and belly and a nice smile. Long Blue quills ran down his head and back. He wore knee high dark brown and beige patterned leather boots, with no socks and grey soles. He had a pair of white gloves with silver bracelets, over the thin cuffs on his hands. Falling off his shoulders was a long black coat, clearly showing tattoos underneath. He was broader and heavier then Sonic, and his muscles could clearly be seen across his chest. He put the Blue Blur to serious shame. He heaved.

"Morning, Sonikku." He sighed, as he pushed past his twin, and went to make breakfast. "What brings you to my humble abode this early in the day." He sniggered, still smirking hard, knowing exactly the reason. Sonic growled and hard, facing off his brother.

"Sukko, what did you do?" He gasped. "Eggman's literally just been found, horrendous hung-over, with no memory of anything, butt naked, hanging upside from by his ankles, from a top of a ten foot lamppost, outside of the Mobian Authority headquarters in Westopolis, with 'I Love Hedgehogs' written across his big-fat belly in lipstick." He heaved. "The only person I know who had the power and the sheer balls to pull off a stunt like that, is you." He growled. "He's really not happy. It was very humiliating." He added.

But Sukko giggled.

"Well, that was the point, Sonikku." He smirked. "You don't expect me to date Eggman, and 'not' leave him in the gutter." He grinned. Sonic gulped and hard.

"Date?" He gasped, as he ran to brother's side. "Please tell be your joking." He gulped and hard. But Sukko's smirk broadened.

"Er, no. Me and my darling Eggi-poo's had a lovely time. Or at, least I did." He added. Sonic facepalmed and hard. Eggman was well aware of Sukko, and the fact that the Blue Blur was one of identical twins. But Eggman was very wary of the Sorcerer. He'd tried to outright destroy him as a child, only to fail badly, and now, he was the only Doctor, in the whole world, that would treat him.

So he was incredibly careful not to confuse one twin for the other, but last night, he did, and oh boy, did the Sorcerer make him pay for it. Eggman was out of the battlefield with his entire Badnik army, and seeing a Blue Hedgehog, he attacked him. But the sudden explosion of bright blue Telekinesis told him, he'd got the wrong twin, he squealed in fright.

But Sukko didn't back off, as he charged towards Eggman and finally landing in front of him, he builds up is incredibly powerful Magic, and with a single snap of a finger, he lets it rip. The almighty bang, sounded like an explosion as Sukko proceeded to permanently knock out the power to everything belonging to Eggman. Every Badnik, every boss Robot, even his entire territory. Every base dead. Eggman screamed in frustration. The last time Sukko did this, it took him months to get the power back. He heaved. Not again. But the Sorcerer wasn't walking away. Sukko was a lover, not a fighter. Therefore, Sonic's idea of a showdown, especially with Eggman, was a massive fight with bells and bombs. Sukko, on the other hand, his idea of a showdown was a Karaoke sing-off at the Dog and Duck. (The local L.B.G.T. bar in Westopolis.)

Realising that that was where Sukko was taking him, Eggman screamed, but without is robot army, one-on-one against the mighty Sorcerer, the Human had nothing. Now, Magic and alcohol don't mix, so Sukko had been t-total all his life, but he was very good at getting everyone else very drunk, and that included Eggman, as the Sorcerer then proceed to take the Human out on a date.

Dinner and large quantities of sweet sherry liqueur, for Eggman, later, and very drunk, the Human was well up for a Karaoke sing-off, that went on late into the night. The Resistance was absolutely bewildered. They found Eggman Army's, as the call to arms had gone out, but all the Badniks were dead, and Eggman was gone. They searched his territory for him, but nothing. They were dumbfounded as to how the power had been knocked out, but Sonic knew, rolling his eyes hard. No one other then himself, Tails, and Eggman, knew of his brother's existence, but what was his brother was actually doing with the Human?

Sonic managed to ditch the Resistance as he searched his brother's favourite haunts. The Psychic Link was no use. Sukko was hiding from him, in it, which definitely meant mischief. So Sonic physically looked for him. The hospital. No. His apartment. The Penthouse. No. Then he just outright heaved. Oh no, the L.B.G.T. bars. He searched and asked after his brother, in as many of them as he could think of. Thankfully, Sonic was well known the Mobius's L.B.G.T. Community, as a friend, just not a member of it. He was straight, very much into girls.

But Sukko very much was, as he went after the guys, and was always hanging out at a L.B.G.T. bar. They were very helpful, but ultimately no luck. After many hours, he finally landed at the Dog and Duck, just as Eggman was singing his heart out to a power ballad. Sonic heaved. Found him, then outright growled. That was not fair. Eggman was significantly better singer then him, and Sukko, wow, full operatic, the best on Mobius. Sonic was awful by comparison. Just average. The Blue Blur giggled. He could see Eggman was very drunk, and Sukko was having huge fun with him. His 'Eggi-poos'. Yes, his brother could handle it.

Time to leave. Getting caught in a L.B.G.T. bar, was going to be disastrous between him and Amy. The following morning, Sonic just outright laughed, but then lost his temper at the resulting fallout, mainly at Eggman ripping the Blue Blur to pieces, was when Sonic finally realised that Sukko may have actually gone too far. What Sonic had originally thought was a innocent night out, was rapidly turning into something significantly more, and he was was not liking the sound of it. He growled.

"Please tell me this isn't serious? You and Egg-Head?" He stammered. But Sukko whirled around, gobsmacked. He gasped.

"What? No. Chaos hell, no." He gulped. "It was just me getting Eggman very drunk, and then embarrassing him. Nothing more happened, I assure you." He promised, but then he heaved. "Alright, granted. I may have gotten a little overly flamboyant, with stringing the Human up, and the lipstick thing, calling him 'Eggi-poos' but it was such a damn good night, and I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist." He admitted. Sonic heaved, somewhat relieved, but he still didn't enjoy the Human having a go at him over it, in front of everyone, especially when they all had no idea what was going on. That too was also embarrassing. No one knew about Sukko, and he was such a handful, and the Blue Blur was sure, none of his friends were ready from him yet. He sighed, and then giggled, giving Sukko the side eye.

"Lipstick?" He wondered. "Of all things." He added, giggling hard, rolling his eyes. But Sukko just huffed and hard.

"Hey, excuse me. I am a sophisticated, intellectual Queen, darling. Of course, I've got lipstick." He humorously spat, as Sonic grinned inanely. "And eye-liner." He added, as both the twins, just laughed and hard. It was a times like this when Sonic was torn over his brother. To side with him, or strangle him? Right now, the latter was rather appealing. But Sukko just smirked. That sneaky grin, that immediately told Sonic something else was going on. He growled, catching on, as he, rather unfortunately, knew his brother, rather too well.

"Sukko?" He hissed. Not letting his brother take an inch from him. The Sorcerer sighed.

"Oh, alright." He leered, and dived into the inside pocket of his coat, and brought out an electronic data disc, and gave it to his brother. But Sonic frowned.

"What's this?" He wondered, but Sukko just sniggered.

"There was something, very interesting, I learned last night. Now, as you know, I'm Telepathic, but reading that Human's mind is a mess. It's so complicated, I barely understand it. It just gives me a massive headache, so nowadays, I tend not to brother. However, Eggi-poos when drunk, especially on sweet sherry, likes to talk. I believe that." He smiled, indicating the electronic disc. "This is every single campaign, project, backhanded scheme and hidden agenda the Human had planning for the next six months." He added.

Sonic's jaw just dropped, and he immediately just grabbed his brother and hugged the life out of him. Suddenly, all of the awkward embarrassment was worth it. He squealed in pure delight, bouncing hard with the disc.

"Oh, Chaos. Tails and the Resistance are going to go nuts when they see this. Thank you so much. I always said you were the best in the business when it came to intelligence." He praised, stuffing the disc in his quills. Sukko when rather red, very humble, but suddenly, Sonic frowned, as he smelt an unusual scent on his twin. It was subtle but definitely there. He pushed back away from him, frowning hard.

"What the..?" He hissed, recognising it. But he growled. "Who is that?" He gasped. The scent, he knew it, but couldn't think as to where from. But Sukko heaved, looking back at Sonic.

"Ok, you win." He admitted, reading his brother perfectly. "I have a new boyfriend, and don't worry about the whole Eggi-poos incident. One, I had his permission, and two, it was his idea, anyway." He sighed, but Sonic just gave him the side eye.

"Oh, really. Weren't you bringing a new 'boyfriend' home, like, once a week." He heaved. But Sukko growled.

"Yes, but I've moved passed that now, especially since becoming a senior Doctor at the hospital." He defended. "But this boyfriend is different. He's loving, caring, extremely good in bed, and the relationship looking as though it's going to turn into something, not only serious, but long lasting." He smiled. Sonic just blinked, absolutely gobsmacked.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd find anyone, since you lost Martha." He gulped. Martha was Sukko's late wife, and she was terminally ill, even before they met, and had been for years. But despite everything, she desperately wanted children, knowing she wouldn't survive the birth. Sukko, loving her more then anything, granted her, her wish, and the twins were born. Max and Sapphire, her dying in the process. It devastated the Sorcerer, but he moved on. Three years later, Sukko, getting broody again, asked a surrogate to carry for him, as Martha had died. Which was legal with the correct documentation. Martha had, had some eggs frozen and as a Doctor, Sukko managed to get his hands on them, and successfully using I.V.F., made two embryos, which were both transplanted into the surrogate, who got pregnant.

The pregnancy when normally, and Sukko was delighted when, himself at just fifteen years old, the twin girls were born, Jade and Crystal. Now a single father of four, Sukko had his hands very full, but loved every minute of it. A dangerous move with Eggman around, but Sukko was the King of Stealth. If the world had no idea he existed, then what chance did they have of finding out about his family. They didn't, and to this day, no one knows.

Sukko heaved, feeling the wedding band on his finger, which he still wore. As for the sleeping around, that was all Martha. Despite being so ill, she loved to experiment in the bedroom. Bringing people in. She loved it, and she got Sukko hooked. She'd had given him permission to have some fun, after her death, which he took to heart and very much did, but now he was moving past that, and was finally ready to settle down again. Sukko nodded.

"Sonikku, it's not been easy, opening up. I jumped the fence because I couldn't find a female partner who could match Martha. I know I shouldn't compare, but it just shows how much I loved her. To pursue it, would have just ended in horrendous heartache for everyone. It just wasn't worth it. Chasing the guys was much easier, as it distanced me away from all that, but I never expected for it to become long term. My new boyfriend has also loved and lost. He knows how it feels." He cried. Sonic frowned, still having no idea who the new boyfriend was, as he grabbed his brother for another hug.

"Hey, it's alright." He comforted. "And give my condolences to him, it must be tough." He added, remembering the hell Sukko went through with Martha's death, even though it was expected. The Sorcerer nodded, silently giggling and hard, letting go of his twin.

"Oh, I will, Sonikku." He sniggered, but the Blue Blur just smiled.

"If you think he is the one, Sukko, when can I meet him?" He bounced, but the Sorcerer sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Er, sorry, no. He's met the kids. He likes them, and vice-versa, which is good, but he know's who you are. However, to be associated with you, will mean bringing your fame along with you, and he's just not ready for that yet. It's all new, and very recent. Everyone's still getting used to everyone. We all need time, especially the kids. There's no rush." He smiled. Sonic huffed, he was disappointed, but then he heaved, rounding on Sukko.

"Yeah, ok, that's fair. Your kids are still very young. The two sets of twins, are still only one and four years old." He agreed. Sonic knew full well that forcing anyone into anything never ended well, and that was something Amy had to learn, especially with how pushy she'd been recently. He nodded back at his brother, as he turned to leave. "Well, good luck, and keep me posted." He added, as he disappeared out of the window, down the side of the skyscraper, out of the city, and back to Westopolis, an enormous roar of sound behind him, taking the electronic disc with him.

Sukko just smiled broadly. He went into the inside pocket of his coat, and pulled out a beautiful deep, pitch black Hedgehog quill, with a stunning, rich, crimson red tip. He snuggled into it, as he sniggered.

The new boyfriend was Shadow The Hedgehog.