Chapter Text
Settling down on the most midwestern side of the states was not as easy as Stone presumed. It was empty, quiet, and humbling. Domesticality wasn't something Stone was against, nor a stranger to, but all of it felt quite daunting after what he and the doctor had experienced.
It had been almost a year since the day the doctor ‘died’, where he, Sonic, and Shadow had prevented an absolute erasure of the planet Earth, fancied up by the doctor's Grand-oaf.
As a result, presumably, the doctor and Shadow had been declared dead. But this wasn't going to be the last time Robotnik would dodge the cold hands of eternal oblivion, but it was concerning how common this trend was becoming. Stone wasn't sure they could take any more.
It was all still so strange; none of them knew exactly why or how Robotnik survived. Stone could hardly remember a lot of what happened after he watched the nebula in the sky form, like all life had been removed from him. Without the doctor, he wandered alone, like a rusting piece of hardware awaiting its promised termination. What use was he if not assisting the doctor? There was no way he could even attempt a normal life again, it just wasn't possible. Not in his mind.
The only memory Stone could recollect from that day was the presence of that shadowy hedgehog. The way he dropped the doctor's body before him, singed and dismembered. The only thing keeping his heart pumping was the Chaos energy that exuded from the hedgehog's body.
Stone had been hit with such an emotional whiplash that he didn't even consider asking the hedgehog, “Why?” before he teleported away with his own injuries. Where he went was none of Stone's business, but he almost wished he could have thanked him.
The doctor's repeated excessive injuries, however, were not charitable. He had lost an eye and an arm, replaced with his own creations, which took many frustrating and mentally draining nights to construct. Not only that, but his body was riddled with burns, and his skeletal structure healed improperly. His body protruded in ways Stone knew it shouldn't; the need for a mobile assistant was necessary.
Despite it all, the doctor was alive. But after everything, he hoped the doctor was just as tired as he was with this charade. He knew the doctor wasn't a fan of “sitting around” and “passing the days as he got closer to being a decomposed cadaver”, but the peacefulness of their life had given Stone a much-needed break from the hassle of world domination and one too many near-death experiences. Who knew ruling the world would be so difficult?
The smell of freshly brewed coffee got Stone's synapses running. He opened his eyes after taking the time to welcome the morning breeze, a train chugging in the distance.
They had retreated to one of the last ‘secret labs’ the doctor had constructed many years ago. It was so secret, in fact, Robotnik had completely forgotten about it. Safe to say, Stone wasn't sure Robotnik was all enthused to realize the last remaining hideout was in the form of a 2000s camper in the most midwestern destination, surrounded only by a nearly abandoned campground being overrun by native grasses and a crop field. The property owner was kind enough to allow them to stay on their property…. Only because the property owner had abandoned the area years ago when the doctor first made his appearance, leaving most of the maintenance to Stone and the few other wanderers who thought the area would be a nice camping spot.
While their hideout wasn't much to gawk at, it kept them safe, and most importantly, kept them hidden.
Stone removed the coffee pot carefully from the cooking rack above the fire. The heat of it wrapped around his glove as he carefully poured it into two respective cups. The spoon clicked against the metal can as he began adding the Austrian goat's milk concoction. Of course, the doctor's past self had ensured that all of his hideouts had a powdered Austrian goat milk alternative, even if it wasn't as good as the real deal. The doctor was always prepared for his distinctive needs.
He gently caressed the cup as he gleamed, creaking open the camper's door as he stepped inside, the exterior rattling with each step. It was dark inside, the only light present was the sun's golden rays that peeked through the thin tan curtains.
The scent of a cool, damp morning was quickly overpowered by the caffeinated beverage Stone entered with. He placed his hand gently along the artificial wooden doors of the doctor's “room”. Truthfully, it was only large enough for a bed, a very old TV, and a janky DVD player. Nevertheless, Stone thought it was cozy, even if cramped. It was, after all, still a larger space than in the C.R.A.B.
“Doctor? I have your latte.” He made sure to enunciate his words. Robotnik's hearing had been completely shot due to being in the dead center of a galactic explosion.
For a long time, Stone was unable to communicate verbally with him, and while he had eventually constructed an earpiece, he still found it necessary to communicate in vibrations and signs.
When he heard no response, he presumed the doctor had simply not heard him, so he took the liberty of sliding the doors to the side and entering the small space.
But the doctor wasn't in bed… in fact, it was made as if he was never there.
“Doctor?” He called more loudly, the cup in his hand slowly cooling.
Stone searched the entirety of the camper, which wasn't much space. Leaving even less space for where the doctor could be.
“Doctor?” He stepped outside, his head turning in all directions.
As he stepped around the side of the RV, he noticed a feature that had not been there before. A slit in the earth… reminiscent of a secret door.
Well, of course, it was a secret entrance, the camper was not the secret lab after all, it was hardly hidden.
The actual lab lies below the abode, constructed in a more modern look. Of course, Stone had always known of the hatch, but he had pretended not to make the doctor feel better about its secrecy.
But the doctor had never been so careless as to leave a trace of its existence… something was off.
While he did not want to upset the doctor with his presence in the top-secret, superbly well-hidden lab, he needed to do anything at the moment to ease his anxieties about the doctor's desertion.
He slid his fingers under the hatch and, with one hand, lifted it from its earthy resting space.
He monitored the area once more before carefully stepping down into the underground lab.
Stone wasn't sure what he expected to see down here; it certainly wasn't as messy as some of the doctor's other labs, but it was… different.
Deep roots from the aboveground flora obtruded through the interiors' deteriorating walls, soil trickled down the ceiling, and Stone only hoped they didn't land in the coffee.
Once he reached the main room, some light from the large computers finally illuminated the surrounding area, a strangling buzz humming from the computer's processor.
A diverse assortment of unfinished works and recycled badniks filled the lab, which made it overwhelming and cramped… the only thing not here was the doctor.
A sense of uneasiness returned to the agent, but before he could consider turning around and looking further, a noise interrupted him.
“Hello?”
The agent felt a cold chill run through his body, his hands stiffened as the coffee cup slipped from his grasp, replaced with the gun he had safely secured at his waist. The cup shattered, the splintering sounds echoing through the empty room.
His heart thumped as his large brown eyes examined the surroundings… but the source of the voice seemed null.
His shoulders relaxed, and letting out a disgruntled sigh, he lowered the gun and glanced down at the now broken mug. Coffee riddled the cold floor, slowly seeping towards him.
He frowned, his lips inverting inwards as he knelt to pick up the broken porcelain.
He must have imagined the voice; his concern for the doctor was messing with his mind. There was no one down here.
Just as he collected the shards, he heard it again,
“Is anyone there? I heard a Crash? Doctor? Are you alright?”
The voice was gentle and soft, almost innocent… like a child's. And yet, there was something off about it… Something… artificial and sophisticated.
It seemed muffled, as if in the room with him, but restricted by some unforeseen force.
He stood up slowly, looking around the room once more, his eyes settling on the large glowing computer in the middle of the lair.
“... Hello?” He mumbled with unease.
“... Doctor?” The voice responded with the same uncertainty.
Stone felt a huff escape him; whatever was speaking to him was a creation of the doctors… but how? When? And what… had he created?
“Who are you?” He asked.
For a second, the voice ceased,
“You are not the doctor.” It almost sounded hostile, contradicted only by how harmless and gentle the voice sounded. “Who are you?” Its voice now sounded more curious than demanding.
“No… I am not… I'm a friend.”
“A friend…?”
“Yes...” Stone assured, he didn't want to reveal anything about himself before he knew exactly what he was dealing with. “And who are you?” He inquired gently.
The sound of computing echoed through the hollow lair,
“ I am the S urrealistic A rtificial G uid E. ” Stone thought for a moment, unsure of what a title even meant. Despite that, there was no doubt this was one of the doctor's creations. He had a tendency to create head-scratching, philosophically thoughtful names for his creations… or he threw words together that sounded bold and intelligent.
“But the doctor said I may go by Sage, as that is much easier to convey.”
Sage… The doctor hardly gave his creations such affectionate names. Everything about this discovery was causing more and more confusion for the agent. What was the purpose of this program…
“Huh… that's a very nice name, Sage.” A sense of ease returned to him, but he remained alert.
“... Really? How so?”
He couldn't help but be taken aback by the program's curiosity,
“Oh… well… Sage is a lovely herb, and known for its spiritual and health connections and benefits. It's often seen as a form of protection and healing. It also… I guess can describe a type of spiritually connected person.” He explained carefully.
“... that is beautiful… I had no idea my name could have other meanings than what it was already assigned…especially reaching beyond different interpretations.” Silence consumed its thoughts. ” Do you think the doctor intended this alternative meaning when appointing me to my title?”
Stone was stunned by the continuous questions this voice sought from him, not only did it have the utterance of a child, but reflected the mannerisms and naturally curious nature. This couldn't have been a purposeful, intended result from the doctor's work, could it?
“Most likely… the doctor always has a reason for everything he does.”
A satisfied hum escaped the voice of the program. Stone cleared his throat, realizing he was still holding his gun. He slowly slipped it back under his shirt.
“Do you know where the doctor has gone, Sage?” It was his turn to ask the questions.
“I do not. It is not my business to inquire what the doctor is up to once he leaves this lab. All I know is he always promises to return…”
“But was he here today?”
“.... yes, 2.34 hours ago, he was within my presence. Which is why I was curious about your arrival back so soon…”
“2 hours ago… that was before dawn…”
“Is something wrong? Is the doctor alright? ”
Stone almost thought he heard concern in the voice, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy towards the doctor's creation.
“Yeah.. everything should be ok. I just… have to figure out where he is.”
“Please find him.”
Stone paused, unsure of what to say back. He wasn't sure if it could see, but he offered a warm smile.
“Don't you worry, Sage, the doctor is always safe with me.”
“That is relieving to know…”
He stood for a long moment, there was so much more he wanted to ask. So much more he needed to know about this… Sage. Reluctantly, he took a few steps towards the exit, but before he could leave, the voice spoke again,
“Will I hear from you again? ”
Stone paused, thinking. It felt as if he had come across something he was not supposed to see. His mind was telling him to forget the interaction, for his own good. If he wasn't already made aware of this creation's existence, then it was probable to assume he was never intended to.
And yet… the more he spoke with it… the more he wanted to know - needed to know
“If… you want me to.” The choice would be up to the creation; it was, after all, created with the doctor's intent. Its permission is all he would need to justify his continued queries.
“I would… very much like this... I enjoyed our talk, you seem to know a lot, more than I am provided…. and a friend of the doctor is a friend of mine…”
Stone smirked,
“Well… a creation of the doctors is always a friend of mine.”
The screen seemed to shift from a shade of red to a slight shade of light blue, he almost thought he heard a soft giggle.
Strange… he thought. He wasn't exactly sure what he had just witnessed or communicated with, but his mind swiftly switched back to his urgency to figure out exactly where the doctor had gone…His search for answers on this discovery would have to wait.
Stone carefully lowered the hatch to the ground, kicking the soil back over its cover to leave no trace of his entry. He swiftly moved back to the frontside of the camper, a huge huff of relief escaped his lungs as he saw the doctor stiffly leaning over by the fire, grabbing Stone’s-well-now the doctor's morning coffee.
“Doctor! I was looking for you all morning!” He ran swiftly to him, skidding to a halt as he placed a hand along Robotnik’s tense shoulder.
The doctor's red iris radiated against the black backdrop of his cybernetic eye, his face coiled into a grimace, almost shuffling away from his touch,
“Relax, Agent, I just went to the showers.” He took a sip of the coffee, his sour expression becoming more meticulous.” It's cold.”
Stone slumped,
“I'm sorry, sir, I hadn't realized you were away- and how long it would be.”
“Well, I'm sorry I don’t move as fast as I once did. And don’t get me started on those rusty old pipes, it takes a millennium to get an ounce of hot water!”
The way the doctor's words came out was defensive. This was not a new occurrence, especially when he was in such a compromising physical and mental state. His insecurities were often misplaced, and this tense attitude was thrown onto Stone to deal with, as with all the other problems the doctor had.
Still, it never failed to make his heart ache that the doctor still, after everything, put up this wall and defense for Stone. A man who stuck beside him through both successes and deep, dark, and explosive rock bottoms.
“Doctor, I could have helped you walk there. It’s a bit of a trek and I’d hate for you to place unnecessary stress on your body-.”
“I didn’t need your help. I made it back, didn't I? Don’t worry about me.”
Despite how hostile he came off, there was almost a twinge of guilt caught in his last words.
Their relationship after the events that took place with the eclipse cannon was… complicated. Even with everything that was said, there was still a lingering clarity that was missing from the equation. With how much time had passed for Robotnik in his healing journey, the opportunity to have a conversation on the matter had passed… at least for Robotnik.
So now there was this uncertainty once more within their bond, a lack of rapport between the two of them, as if walking on broken glass. It wasn't that the doctor was denying anything he had said… but he wasn't exactly reflecting on it either.
Robotnik shoved the cold coffee back into Stone's chest and began limping over to the camper's steps. His cane kicked up pebbles as it shuffled against the jagged terrain.
Robotnik suddenly halted at the metal steps, looking down and calculating. Stone noticed how his tense shoulders sagged, a hefty sigh escaping through his nose.
“Stone..”
“Doctor?”
There was a delay in his response,
“I need help up the stairs.”
Robotnik let out a strained groan as Stone helped him lower his body onto his bed.
“Looks like that walk took a lot more out of you than you anticipated, huh, doctor?”
The doctor let out an annoyed grunt,
“At this point, I should just replace my entire body with a machine. What's the point of existing in this heap or organic mass if I can hardly stand for more than three hours? Not to mention, if I didn't bear this flesh suit, I wouldn't have even had to take a trip to the showers this morning.” He concluded begrudgingly.
The doctor wore a large warm red sweater with a yellow collar, and a pair of compression pants with two comically large white buttons at the forefront. The small specs that rested along his pink nose reflected the doctor's glaring eyes.
Robotnik glanced back at his agent, his brows furrowed more than usual as he stared.
“What's wrong, doctor?” Stone asked as he gently placed the weighted blanket over his body.
Robotnik's metallic arm rose from under the sheets and swiftly yanked a piece of hair from Stone's forehead.
“ Yeowch-” Stone hissed, placing a hand along his head, staring curiously at the doctor who rubbed the lock of hair between his fingers.
“What's this, agent?”
Stone looked between his hands, confused, rubbing his temple,
“It's my hair, sir.”
“It's gray,” Robotnik grunted.
“Well… yes, sir, I'm afraid we are both aging.. As that is what human bodies do.”
The doctor looked more concerned than Stone was comfortable with. He shook his head,
“No, that's not allowed. You can't age.”
“What?” Stone couldn't help but let a chuckle escape him.
“I'm no stranger to the art of being an old geezer, my body's evidence of that. But I've got you to follow me around like I'm some resident who's escaped the care facility.” He turned slowly to him,” But what will you have when you're eventually in my shoes? That can't be too far from now.”
“I haven't really thought about that, sir.” He admitted, truthfully, he saw no point in planning a future without Robotnik. He'd do all he could before his own feet gave out from under him; that was just his philosophy. He didn't need anyone else to pull him back up. If he is to fall, that is where he shall remain.
“Of course you haven't,” He grumbled bitterly, flicking the gray hair,” Looks like I'll have to plan that for you, like I always do. Would you prefer a robot that could play bingo with you or Uno?”
Stone laughed,
“I don't think those are the features I'd be most concerned about-”
“Mancala, then.” Robotnik settled.
“Sure, sir.” He grinned, “How about I turn on the TV for you? I burned all of your favorite episodes of La Ultima Passion onto this disk.”
“Even the episode where Anita finds out her fiancé was in fact dead and she was engaged to a clone of him made by her scientist cousin, Lorenzo, because he wanted to inherit the family business? But turns out it actually wasn't a clone and was her fiancé the whole time, but he was brainwashed and the whole clone facade was to make Lorenzo look smarter than he actually was?”
“Of course, sir, it's a classic.”
Robotnik clasped his hands enthusiastically,
“Yes! Pop that baby in!” Energy already seemed to be returning to the doctor, which gave Stone some relief.
He thought it best he did not bring up his concurrence with the Ai SAGE… he wasn't exactly sure what it was made for, nor did he want to bring it up with the doctor who was already drained from the day.
But in the back of his mind… he couldn't help but wonder… What was the doctor planning… and why had he not confided in Stone?