Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The tray of affectionately seasoned sliced smoked sausages, peppers, and potatoes popped and sizzled as Stone removed them from the sweltering oven. The exposure to the heat of the oven made him wince as he placed the tray atop the stove. 

Robotnik, who sat on the small island in the middle of the camper, sniffed the air and hummed,

“I like the way they scream when you take them out of the roaster, that's how you know they're good.”

Stone couldn't help but smirk at the doctor's strange comment as he scooped the meal into two respective bowls, the doctor's ration intentionally much fuller. 

“Here you are, sir,” he passed the bowl towards the doctor, who let out a dramatic sigh.

“Finally, I'm wasting away here.” He grumbled, hastily grabbing his ration. 

As Stone carefully blew on his meal, he noticed the doctor take out a peculiar device, placing it over his meal, as if scanning for something. Stone's brow furrowed as he glanced between the contraption and the doctor,

“What is that, sir? I hope you don’t think I'm trying to poison you after all these years.”  

Robotnik's mustache twitched like he had been anticipating and desiring such a question from Stone. 

“I call it the food processor. It's able to scan any meal and describe its composition with pristine accuracy!”

Stone raised a brow, his eyes wincing in uncertainty,

“I'm not sure this is the best meal to test this on. It's pretty obvious it's made up of meat and vegetables-”

Stone felt a greasy potato slice make contact with his forehead.

“You dolt!” Robotnik grumbled,” It's no mere cookbook! It documents the entire chemical makeup, not recipes!” He turned the scanner over to Stone in pride, “Anyone could make this meal, but to make this exact meal would be nearly impossible. There are simply too many random variables. This machine can tell me exactly what each spice and molecule is made up of, at what percent! As well as a documentation of what areas are cooked and to what degree, and how much grease and for how long each morsel settled for. It essentially gives me a sort of genetic code for a recipe to completely clone this exact meal!.... Just, not physically.”

Stone blinked, wiping the grease from his face,

“That's fascinating, doctor! But… what's the practical use?”

Robotnik's one remaining organic eye bulged from its sockets in judgment,

“Can't a guy invent whatever the hell he wants?”

“No, of course, sir, I only-”

“Yeesh! Talk about creative suppression…” Robotnik's quick fiddling with the invention seemed to cease as a ping of remorse crossed his face. 

He set his food processor aside and cleared his throat, lifting a fork and picking at the meal.
“I suppose it's best I try it myself before I make any assumptions…”

Stone was taken aback by the doctor's sudden switch-up from his usual eccentric self to a more secluded and reserved man.

Occurrences like this were happening more often. Robotnik quickly backtracked on the more crude statements he made towards his assistant. Stone wasn't sure why… he had grown quite a tough skin over the years working with the doctor, his brutish statements and actions were just one of the many ways he communicated. Stone learned over the years not to take them personally. And yet now it seemed to bother the doctor more than it bothered Stone… It sounded crazy to the agent… but was Robotnik making an attempt at being…. Nicer?

 Stone watched carefully as the doctor raised the meal to his lips and let out a puff of air, the steam dispersing into their surroundings. Stone noticed that gratifying sparkle in the doctor's eye as he took a bite of the meal. Stone couldn't help but smirk, it was always pleasing to see the doctor enjoy his culinary achievements.

“Adequate, just as I'd expect from you,” Stone gleamed at the doctor's compliment, “you're a master in the culinary arts, and I am forever grateful for your services.” His voice was unusually warm and earnest.

Stone stiffened, his mouth agape and his fork frozen in place. The doctor paused his chewing as he glanced at Stone's astonished expression.
“What?” His voice pitched defensively.

“Are…. are you ok, doctor?” He blurted. 

Robotnik looked offended,

“What sort of question is that?” 

“You're just acting….unusual.”

He scoffed,

“And what do you think I'm dying or something?”

“Are you?”

“No!” He flailed his arms, “I'm just trying to be nice!”
“So you are trying to be nice?!” Stone said in astonishment. 

“Oh, what? I can't be nice from time to time? That's not allowed? Fine! I'll never compliment your work again since you're being so freaky about it!” He crossed his arms and turned from Stone.

“No! Doctor, it's just…” He let out a stifled laugh and shook his head,” Im sorry… Thank you for the compliment.” He said more sincerely. 

The doctor huffed and turned back to his meal, his entire face a pinkish shade,

“See, that's how you respond normally to a compliment… not whatever,” he waved his fork, “ that was.”

Stones' own face was hot with embarrassment. He smiled timidly. 

“Just finish your food, agent,” Robotnik grumbled.

“Of course, sir.”

“Hello?” Stone called out to the barren lab. It was late at night, and Stone had been sure to tend to the doctor before he had gone to bed. Now was a perfect time to get some answers out of this… Sage. 

“It's you.” There was a sense of surprise and relief in the program's statement. 

“It's me,” He assured enthusiastically. 

“ I am delighted you've returned back to me… I only ask one thing of you, however.”

“And….. what's that?” Stone expressed hesitance. 

“There should be a head-mounted device on the workbench before you…”

Stone shuffled over, noticing a contraption all too familiar. It reassembled the VR headset he and the doctor used to use in the crab, when the doctor was secluded and refused to engage with any semblance of life other than Stone. 

But it looked… janky. As if it were a prototype, or a poor reconstruction of the old creation. 

He tilted it to its side, examining each aspect of its exterior. 

“And.. this will do what, exactly?”

The program paused,

“I will… be able to see you. And you, see me.” Sage said in almost a timid nature. 

Stone looked back down at the device…so it was more than just a computerized voice…he wasn't sure exactly what awaited him beyond the headset, but he intended to find out. 

The headset clumsily fit to his dome before his vision was altered and projected into the virtual world within it…

It was… empty. Unfinished. Unlike the other worlds he and the doctor had generated before, there was nothing here, just an empty white space with red cross-hatched computerized sensors slowly moving across the barren world. He looked around, astounded, it seemed endless, and yet he felt so restricted…

It wasn't until he saw it… a small figure amongst the large environment, in the center of his view, that he truly felt the breath ripped from his chest.  

It was a little girl… or, appeared to be.

It seemed the avatar was unfinished, those same red sensors embracing different parts of her body. Her ‘skin’ was pale, the only thing whiter being her platinum hair, short and curled, swirling around her right eye. Assumably, there to cover up the side of her face that was missing.

Her black dress floated around her as her feet delicately rested on the ground.

And just like all of the doctor's creations, she had a singular red eye, piercing and calculating.

But it felt different this time… her gaze seemed curious… cautious…and shy.

He was overwhelmed by Sages' presence, he couldn't even begin to ponder why she was built in such a way… all he could do was walk cautiously towards her. As if approaching a fascinating creature, terrified to startle it. 

His steps were careful and lacked noise; the closer he got, the wider her eyes grew, and the more they explored.

He knelt to her level, she was hardly half his size, perhaps reminiscent of a young adolescent. He tilted his head, his eyes reflecting her red glow. He couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief and smile. 

“Woah…You're…” He let out an astonished huff, “Magnificent.”

Sage's eyes slowly bounced between him and her form, as if examining herself to try and view what the agent saw.

“Just like all of the doctor's creations,” he added warmly.

It didn't seem like Sage was capable of computing his compliment, her eyes drifted sheepishly to her feet until she turned back to look at him,

“You are the doctor's assistant…” She hummed in an attempt to redirect the conversation away from herself. 

“I am,” Stone beamed. 

“What does that make you, to me?”

“Hm…” Stone looked to his side, his brows furrowed in consideration. He looked back with a gentle smile, “How about a friend?”

She blinked. Stone couldn't read her flat expression very well, but she almost looked dumbfounded.

“That is… I presume, acceptable.” She concluded, shaking her head,” Your culinary skills are quite impressive.”

Stone blinked, his face molded into confusion,
“I presume you heard that from the doctor?”

“That and I was able to try the dinner you prepared for the doctor today. Tasting is just as overwhelmingly delightful as the doctor described it,” her voice lifted in cheer.

So that's what the machine was for… to help Sage experience taste?

None of this made sense. It suddenly hit Stone what exactly he was interacting with. It was a child, no doubt about it. Her mannerisms, voice, and figure all resemble those of a little girl. But why? The doctor never made anything other than weapons or tools to help with menial tasks. He had never made something so… human. So… personal. Why would he? The appeal of his machines was the very fact that they weren't human. What was the point of making this… artificial child? And then, going through the efforts to simulate human attributes, what was the doctor planning? Why had he made this?... Why was he hiding her?

“Is something wrong?”

He turned his head, snapping out of his contemplative state. What would he tell her? Berate her about her existence? Question her reality? The more he looked into her eyes, the harder it was to ponder. This was so much more than a project for the doctor, it had to be. 

“It- nothing, sorry.” He tried to return a smile, “Im sorry, I don't think I properly introduced myself-”

“You're Stone, Agent Stone,” She explained.

“Why… yes… I am.”

“Do not be surprised, the Doctor speaks of you often. It is hard to forget your name.”

“He… does?”

‘What does Stone stand for?” She ignored his question, tilting her head in curiosity.

“Oh… um… well, it's simply just… a name.”

“That can't be true, when I told you my title, you provided me with a multitude of different meanings.”

“Well, that's different- you’re a-” he stopped himself. He almost thought he saw hurt in her crimson eyes, he sucked in his lower lip,” I-I guess it could be in reference to… resilience?” He attempted to offer.

She seemed pleased,

“That would fit your attributes, from what I hear, you have to tolerate much from the Doctor.”

Stone let out a soft chuckle,

“Yes, I suppose I do….” He looked at her with intrigue,” You sure ask a lot of questions for a ‘Surrealistic artificial guide’.”

She blinked, unfazed,

“I am simply documenting information. How am I to know anything unless I am given said information, how am I to understand it?”

“Don't you just… inquire in a database?” He didn't intend to sound blunt, but he needed answers.

She looked down abashed,

“Well… yes… but, I've found that such information lacks substance. I could collect all the information there is about the sun, but how am I to understand its warmth if not to ever experience its passionate embrace? I can only understand the information given to me at a logical level… but, humans like you and the Doctor, give an additional factor to all that knowledge,” she looked back up at him,” You make it personal.”

Stone was left speechless, such an intellectual creation… There was so much creativity and mysterious ingenuity to her. Was the doctor really responsible for this? The doctor only ever approved of logical thinking. Of course, he was eccentric in his own way and highly emotional, but that was never something he acknowledged or particularly liked about himself. He saw it as an undesirable result of being human. So why would he add such features to his own creation?

“Like how the doctor talks about your eyes,” She revealed. 

Stone looked up, shocked,

“What? My eyes?”

“Yes. He says he hates them.”

Stone's lower lip slipped into a pout,

“Well… that's not-”

“He says he hates how endearing and enchanting they are. He hates how they resemble the cold brew of a coffee. Giving him an ‘espresso shot of confusion’ anytime they lock onto him. He hates the way they sparkle at any ounce of approval from him, he hates how attentive they always are. He hates how lost they make him feel,” she continued,” but most of all, he hates how he can see himself in them. He hates that they reflect exactly who he is. Because when he looks at you, he can't avoid the person he is. The person he's been made to be.”

Stone didn't know what to say, his chest became tight as he took stippled breaths. He knew for sure his ‘cold brew coffee’ eyes were glistening now. How was he to respond to such a statement? Let alone such a fond statement made by the doctor?

“That's much more personal than simply saying your eyes are brown, and the hue of them reflects light in such a way that the person looking within them is visible.” She explained bluntly.

Stone still felt so speechless, he sniffed before retreating his eyes to his hands,

“Yeah,” His voice cracked in agreement,” That is beautiful…”

“You understand then? Why I seek such… descriptions? It's simply all more beautiful viewing it from your point of view.”

Stone couldn't resist the warmth that filled his heart from her Statement. A smile was uncontrollable, so much genuine curiosity and intent. Even if it was programmed… There was simply something so captivating about it.

Before he could ask her more questions, the world around them started to glitch. Stone shot up from the ground, looking around with concern.

“What's happening?”

A weak muffle escaped Sage, he turned around swiftly to see her hunched over, her posture expressing discomfort.

“Sage? Are you-”

“The headset…” she mumbled.

“What?”

“I can… only exist.. Within a limited time,” she expressed, exhausted.”The headset must be charged…”

“Oh-” he went to remove the headset, but paused,” I promise I'll see you again, Sage.”

He saw a spark of joy bounce around in her robotic glance.

He removed the headset swiftly, the world around him disappearing, revealing the lab in which he had forgotten he entered. There was so much more he wanted to know…. So many more answers he wanted to give her. 

Stone shot up from his bed, his shirt sticking to his sweat-ridden body. He took unsteady breaths as he buried his hands into his face, letting out an exhaustive groan. These nightmares, despite how far away they all felt now, continued to haunt him. 

He did what he always did every night he had these nightmares: he sat and listened.

Usually, the sound of obnoxious snoring would incite copious amounts of rage within an individual, but to Stone, it was a sign that the Doctor was still with him. 

And there it was. The loud tremble of the doctor's sleep apnea filled the camper's interior from the other room. He released the breath he held inside his chest. His fingers were rubbing the wrinkle between his brows. He wasn’t going to fall back asleep anytime soon, so he sat up in his now bed, which was converted from a table used in the mornings. Not an invention by the Doctor, but still a handy one. 

The thing he needed most right now was fresh air, anything to get out of the suffocating embrace his nightmares had let him simmer in for far too long.

The cold night air hit him in the face at a relieving rate. He inhaled sharply as he stepped down from the camper doors and let his body embrace the open atmosphere. 

The sounds of crickets and the nocturnal creatures filled his racing mind with a chorus of chirps and warbles. 

He took deep breaths… listening… focusing….

“Stone.”

The agent let out a yelp, a flash of heat returning to him as he jumped in surprise.

He covered his mouth in embarrassment at the sight of a groggy Dr. Robotnik glaring from behind him.

“Doctor- I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were there-“

“What are you doing up so late?” He grumbled, rubbing his eyes,” And I know this isn’t a rare occurrence, I hear you come out here almost every night.” 

“I… I didn’t intend to wake you.”

“Well, sort of hard to do when the camper shakes  more than an Italian greyhound that’s been stared at for too long every time you step foot out of it.” All he could see from the Doctor was the red dot of his cybernetic eye against the darkened landscape.” So spill.”

Stone took a hard swallow, attempting to settle his rushing heart.

“I’m sorry, sir, it's just… nightmares. That’s all.”

The doctor glanced at him with skepticism,

“Must be some nightmare if it’s gone on for this long.” 

“Yes.. it was…”

There was a deafening silence that consumed the two. Robotnik let out a reluctant sigh,

“Do you… ugh…. Need to talk about it?” He mumbled.

Stone blinked and offered a smile,

“No… It’s alright, sir. It’s all in the past now,” he looked up into the sky at the nebula still ever present in their atmosphere beside the still mutilated moon. 

By Robotnik's hesitation, Stone had a feeling he understood what the agent was trying to say. He shuffled, and Stone noticed he was without his cane.

“Doctor- you should really have your support.”

“Ah.. whatever. I was too dazed to remember it.” 

Without hesitation, the agent offered his arm. Robotnik glared at Stone, but the agent did his best not to sway from his offer. He couldn’t show any aversion to his decision, he had to stand firm if he was going to influence the doctor to do the same.

It seemed like his display of confidence worked as Robotnik huffed, rolling his eyes as he gingerly wrapped his arm under the agent, Stone suddenly feeling the pressure of the doctor's body weight upon him. 

Stone kept his eyes on the sky while the Doctors remained on the ground.

“You cannot deny that the sky is beautiful out here, Doctor. Everything is so much clearer.” Stone hummed fondly.

The Doctor scoffed,

“Oh please, viewing the galaxy from way down here is nothing once you’ve been directly inside it. Besides, those stars are all dead anyway.”

“True… but that doesn’t mean what they leave behind isn’t beautiful. It deserves to be marveled at. It’s the legacy that they leave behind after all that matters.”

Robotnik didn’t reply to his proposal, only continued to hang his head. But Stone couldn’t keep his eyes off the stars, off that nebula… 

A considerable time passed before Stone sensed a presence upon him that wasn’t there before. 

The Doctor's face was disturbingly close to his, he could feel his breath crawling down his neck, his eyes intense and focused.

“Doctor-“

“Shut  up, look back up.”

Stone closed his mouth quickly and brought his attention back to the sky. He couldn’t help but glance at the Doctor, curious about what exactly he was doing.

He saw the Doctor's face contort into a grimace,

“ Those… stupid stars stuck in your stupid eyes…”

Stone couldn’t help but blush, it was just as Sage said. 

“What was that, Doctor?” He tried his best to hide his amusement.

“Nothing,” Robotnik grunted,” I’m going back to sleep….”