Archive of Our Own ^beta

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?

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….”

Chapter Text

All things considered… Stone felt like the world was finally right. Things had been going well- no- better than well. Things were going exceptionally well. Stone had made a mental note of the doctor's attitudes towards him ever since his (now two) near-death experiences, and he had seen drastic changes skewed in a positive direction. The doctor was actually making attempts at being nicer. Never would have Stone thought that was a possibility; it was almost distressing at first, but Stone learned to embrace this new change.

Even just today, the doctor had thanked him for cleaning up the camper. He thanked him! Sure, it took him roughly 8 minutes to get the words out between many gags and retches, but he had said it!

And Sage, oh, that darling Sage. Stone looked forward to any nap the doctor decided to take, allowing him the time to speak with her again.

More and more questions were thrown at him, and he enjoyed answering all of them:

“Why do birds sing? How do humans get their energy? How does a Homologous Chromosome know to separate during anaphase 1? Why is the doctor bald?”

He answered all of these questions very enthusiastically with ease. It seemed no matter what, all she craved from his responses was creativity and personality; he didn't have to worry about being technically inaccurate in his responses. She knew the logic behind it, but not the charisma. There was something so charming about artificial intelligence searching further beyond the most basic of definitions. Even with all the information in the world at the palm of her hand, she still had so much to learn. 

There was just one question Stone found nearly impossible to answer…

“Why did the doctor make me?”

Truthfully, he had hoped Sage knew the answer. Usually, any program would know its purpose… but that facet seemed to be devoid of any possible explanation. What she was capable of was far too… unexplainable and random. Such factors are not easily coded into the program… so it must have been done with intent. But why? Stone didn't know. But how could he tell Sage this? She trusted him with answers,

“Because you're special,” He would respond. He knew it was vague and mildly frustrating to hear when seeking more detailed answers, but he had no clue how else to approach the question. 

She was special, that much was obvious. But why was she special? What was the intention here?

Ever since she inquired about her existence, she never bothered Stone with the question again, but Stone could tell there was a visible change in her demeanor. It was subtle, but Stone had learned to spot things like this. It was often required for survival to work for a highly reactive mad scientist. 

And today was sadly no different. Entering the digital world, things already felt off. The world's glitching and movements seemed slower… almost apprehensive of his arrival. The environment overall felt dull, more barren than usual. The only inhabitant of the space being Sage.

And there she was, in the center as she always was. She sat cross-legged on the ground, picking at the glitching floor, her face cushioned against her unfinished arm. 

Stone approached carefully, keeping a smile plastered firmly in case she decided to look up at him. 

Once he got closer, her head turned, but her eyes remained on the floor,

“Hello, Agent.”

“Hello,” He greeted, his voice teetering on concern.

When she did not immediately reply with a question, Stone could confidently conclude that something was upsetting her.

He folded his legs inward, following her posture. He cupped his hands together, his eyes rising attentively as he tilted his head to try and get a good look at her face.

“What's going on, Pebble?” Stone had started referring to her as such; he wasn't sure why. When he explained to her what a nickname was, she seemed delighted that she could even have a different title. Especially one so personal. 

Sage blinked slowly, her gaze hardly grazing his presence.

She lifted her head and looked around slowly. The sound of analytical clicking filled the void. She slowly slumped back into her previous form,

“Nothing,” she concluded.

She was right, there really was nothing going on- ever- here. Not unless he or the doctor was present. Stone didn't ever consider that such a feeling could get to a program…

“What exactly is your relationship with Fath- the Doctor?” Her questions finally came in, just as Stone was going to pry more into her odd behavior.

He was stunned, doing his best to shift his gears to properly answer her query,

“Well, Im his assistant-”

“Perhaps that was your initial purpose… but what are you now? Things have obviously changed, have they not?”

He swallowed. There were a lot of discussions about ‘purpose’ recently, but he didn't let existentialism stop him from exploring the question deeper.

His head bobbed in thought as he fumbled over a possible explanation,

“Well, I still assist the doctor. I guess- maybe more personally now.” He fought a smile, “I guess the doctor could consider me a friend, or ‘syco-friend’.”

“What does that mean?”

“You'd have to ask the doctor,” he smirked, “That's a word he invented.”

“I wasn't aware you were allowed to do that…” 

“Well, the doctor can do anything.” Stone gleamed. 

It seemed as if Sage wanted to ask something more, Stone's eyes sparkled in vigilance.

“Would… you say…” She hesitated, “You're family?”

Stone's posture grew more rigid,

“Well, I'm not sure. The doctor doesn't have a good relationship with that word. I'd doubt he'd use it to describe a relationship with anyone after what happened… he was never too fond of the idea of family.”

He noted how hurt Sage looked, her eyes dilated, and her mouth fell into a slight frown. She turned away from him, pondering. 

“But-” he began again, “deep down, I think it's something he desperately wants in life. Just never got the chance to have. Not a proper one anyway… or one that didn't try to kill him.” 

Sage turned back to him, her face reset to its neutral state. 

“Humanity is confusing.”

“Tell me about it,” Stone huffed. 

That seemed to be the end of Sages' inquiries, and Stone could tell that something was still disturbing her.

“Sage,” he spoke earnestly, “ are you alright?”

She looked at him, expressing confusion,

“What do you mean?”

“You seem upset,” He spoke softly. 

“Is that what this is?” Her eyes shot up in realization.

“Wh..” he fumbled over his words,” What is ‘what’?”

“This…” She thought, “ The feeling.”

His head lowered to meet her gaze,
“What feeling?” He whispered softly.

“I just-I feel… wrong.” She admitted.

“How so?”

“I just don't feel right. I feel devoid. Just like this place I am stuck in,” She hugged her knees. “ This emptiness leaves behind an undesirable sensation. It aches, I think… it hurts.”

Stone's eyes glistened sympathetically, he scooted closer to the sulking child,

“Those are emotions, Pebble.” He explained. 

“Why do I have them? And why do they hurt?” She asked innocently.

“Well,” He let a sigh escape through his nose,” Emotions are just a part of living.”

“If they are a part of living, why do they make it so hard to thrive in such a task?”

His heart sank; he had not been prepared to discuss such a perplexing topic. How would he even start explaining to someone only just now experiencing it at such an overwhelming rate?

“Oh, Sage…” his brows creased in condolence, “ Emotions are a key component to being human. They're ruthless, unpredictable by any algorithm. Arguably, more complex than rocket science. Humanity and living as a whole are confusing. It's frustrating,” He felt a sneer form long his nose,” For a long time it made existing within a space unbearable.”

“It does not seem very desirable to exist as such a form,” she mumbled, disappointed.

“But, “ Stone resumed, “these negative feelings, these emotions, they only made me able to recognize the good ones. As in, feelings and emotions that made going through the day enjoyable. The kind of emotions that elicit excitement and curiosity within someone. That pushes you to search for things that create the same response, this stimulating feeling. The kinds of emotions that can recognize a connection, a bond, that is detrimental to surviving this confusing and messy world we live in.”

Sage's eyes wistfully lifted up to meet his,

“I dont think I have experienced such emotions…”

“Well… you still have a long way to go. Plenty of opportunities-”

“I think, Im lonely.” She concluded, her voice pitching near the end. 

Stone felt his lungs grow tight. What was he to say to that? He swallowed,

“You have me and the doctor, Sage.” He proposed. 

“Interchangeably, perhaps. But never together.” Her face molded into a frown.” I desire to be with you and the doctor during your normal existence… to speak with you both, to see how you really work. I want to feel the rain, see the sun, and listen to the birds. Not be stuck here, limited to what my processors will allow. I want to live… I want… a family.”

There was nothing Stone could say at this moment that he thought would ease Sage's mind… he couldn't start making promises, he didn't control what Sage was capable of experiencing-

“Can't you speak with the doctor?” She offered, almost as if reading his mind. 

“Im afraid it's not that simple.” He informed, regrettably. 

“Why not?” 

“Well… the doctor does not know that- I know- of your existence. And, I am unsure if I was ever supposed to know in the first place.” He revealed. 

Stone was unprepared for the look that crossed the child's face. Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth quivered like she was resisting a pout.

“Is…” she muttered,” Is the doctor ashamed of me?” Her voice broke.  

Stone felt his body grow stiff, he raised his hands in defiance,

“No! No, of course not-”

“Then why does he hide me? Why does he fear the knowledge of my existence?”

“He just… he…” Stone fumbled; he wasn't sure what to say. The doctor was indescribable. He didn't even know where to begin, “I dont know,” he admitted, “ But I can say for certain that he is not ashamed of you. If anything, your very existence and abilities are proof of his care for you. You're unlike anything he has created, so much intent, not even I understand. But it's there, it's purposeful, it's desired…” He insisted. 

Her eyes showed a slight interest. Stone took a deep inhaled, shutting his eyes,

“Like I said… Pebble… humans, they're confusing. And no one is more confusing and unpredictable than the doctor. But one thing is for sure, he always has a reason for anything he does. Anything he creates. He just… won't always reveal what exactly it is. Not because he is ashamed of such creation, but… because he is unsure just as you are. Confused with his being, as everyone else is. It never gets easier navigating the path of one's self… and the doctor still has far to go. But trust me when I say he will take you along with him. Im sure of it.”

Stone reached for Sage, but found his hand seamlessly slip through her holographic image. He retracted back, his throat tightening in realization.

Sage seemed to acknowledge his gesture, her eyes longing for that attempted contact,

“Thanks… for trying.” She muttered before Stone felt the world around him close as he was plunged back into darkness.

He tore the headset off in frustration, it was dead. 

He should have said more… should have been more assuring. Why did he dance around her question for so long? She deserved better.

What was the point of his words if he was just to disappear only moments later? How could he lecture her on loneliness if he was incapable of sticking around…? If he was a factor in such a feeling?

But what could he do? He was only the doctor's agent… he was not in charge of these creations… all he could do was hope Sage would have the same conversation with his doctor. Or that the doctor would consent to Stone's involvement in his project's life…When all was said and done, he could afford to be patient, but could Sage?

Stone couldn’t stop replaying their entire interaction within his mind. Everything that was said… everything that was unanswered. He went over it in his mind over and over again, curious as to what he could have said that would have possibly produced a better result. But each time, he was left speechless. 

“Stone!”

Stone blinked, looking around the room dazed.

He had just helped the doctor into bed, he must have zoned out. He had his hand on the door, standing between the entrance and the bed. He wondered how long he had been standing there… obviously for quite some time, from how disturbed the doctor looked.

“Jeez Louise! Do you need one of my hearing aids? I was calling your name forever.” He grunted.

“Sorry, sir, I was just… thinking.” He scratched his beard nervously.

“Psh… that’s a first,” he sneered. 

Stone did not react to the doctor's comment; his mind still wandered.

The doctor seemed to notice his strange behavior.

“What’s the matter with you? Have you not been sleeping or something?”

“Oh… uh…” What would he say? Would he pester the doctor about Sage? Reveal all that he knew? To do so right now seemed improper. “Yes, sir, just trouble sleeping.” He conceded.

The doctor looked displeased,

“Hm… I can't imagine sleeping on a table made bed is very comfortable.” His voice was deep and analytical. He twirled his ridiculous mustache in thought.

“It’s alright, Doctor, it gives me what is expected from a bed.”

“Perhaps. But maybe it would be best if you… slept somewhere else for the night. You know… to fix your wacked sleep schedule.” 

Stone laughed,

“It’s alright, Doctor, plus, there’s nowhere else to rest in here. Unless I sleep on the floor. But in that case, I’d rather sleep on the makeshift bed.” 

Robotnik seemed stumped, his face noticeably getting a bit pinker,

“But I can’t imagine having to rearrange it every morning and night is very exhilarating…”

If Stone wasn’t still so caught up with his conversation that afternoon, he’d be very befuddled by the doctor's insistence tonight.

“It’s really no big deal. I’ll be ok, Doctor.” 

Stone's eyes slowly peeled from the doorframe to face Robotnik's now very sour and aggravated expression. His mouth agape and brows furrowed. 

“What?” Stone suddenly felt an anxiety peak in his chest. Had he said something he shouldn't have?

“Don’t 'what' me,” Robotnik mocked,” I’m trying to make an offer!” 

“What? An offer?” Stone stood confused.

“Oh my god! How do you still manage to bewilder me with just how blunt and dull you can be!” His face started to glow even redder.

“Doctor, I don’t understand!” Stone lifted his arms defensively.

“Im offering you a place in this bed, idiot!” His entire face now uncannily resembled a tomato.

Stone stood once again, flabbergasted by the doctor's reveal,

“You- what-“

“But the offers passed! Since you won’t stop being so weird!” The Doctor crossed his arms, dramatically throwing himself onto the mattress and twisting his body away from Stone. 

“No, no! Sir, I-I just-“There was no way Robotnik was actually offering to share a bed with him… was he? The doctor was right, Stone was an idiot. He couldn’t let this opportunity pass him. The doctor was never this cordial, “ I’ll still accept your offer! If… It’s in the air still.” 

Robotnik didn’t reply, only curled deeper into his blanket. Too embarrassed to make any further comment.

Stone hesitated, but ultimately took the doctor's silence as “not a no.” 

He carefully turned off the lights in the room. He stood there for a moment to see if the doctor would shift or make any comment objecting to Stone's presence. But he remained silent. 

Stone held his breath as he slowly stepped closer to the bedside, gently sitting upon the edge and kicking his feet up onto the mattress.

He glanced at Robotnik, who had covered his entire body in the large blanket, seemingly trying to avoid Stone.

Stone let out a stifled breath, it felt like all of the air in his lungs had been squeezed out. His heart was racing, and his face numb. 

All it was was a bed… was he overanalyzing it? The doctor just wanted him well-rested… that was all. 

He held his breath as he kicked his feet under the covers, doing his best not to come in contact with the doctor. 

He uncomfortably curled under the covers, his back turned away from the doctors. The heat of his body radiated on his backside.

The room was deafeningly silent, the only noise being the portable heater that buzzed as it faced every corner of the room. He was starting to sweat, but Stone remained unmoved and stiffened, worried about making the wrong action. It wasn’t until he felt the doctor shuffle and move that he felt some relief. His body relaxed as he let out a stiff sigh, adjusting his own posture, doing his best not to stir too much. 

What felt like an hour of silence and avoidance passed, and all was peaceful, and Stone couldn't deny how much more comfortable this sleeping arrangement was in comparison to the one he had had before. He for sure would have been asleep by now if not concerned with the body he shared the sleeping arrangement with. 

He heard the sheets rustle once more as the doctor rolled restlessly beside him. The next thing he knew, he felt a cold metallic object graze the sides of his body. It sent a chill down his body. The doctor's large arms wrap around his body, squeezing him uncomfortably tight. 

Robotnik was snoring in his ears, his face pressed firmly against Stone's back. Stone almost swore that the doctor was only pretending to be asleep… like this was some act only being carried out because he was unconscious.

 But that didn’t matter. The doctor was embracing him. And while his metallic arm was uncomfortable against his ribs, he had never been so lucky to experience such an intimate and confronting embrace from the doctor. The only times the doctor was ever touchy or affectionate were all for show, or to amplify his exaggerated behavior. It was always hostile or aggressive.. It never felt so… warm and cozy… so intentionally gentle. 

His heart was pounding so loudly he could hear it against the pillow. He couldn’t help but gleam at the very acknowledgement of his close proximity to the doctor.  

The overwhelming comforting sensation started to take effect, the excitement was paralyzing. He felt his eyes become heavy and his mind clouded, his body was exhausted.

He didn’t want to sleep, he wanted to indulge and experience this embrace for all eternity. He wanted to be awake for every moment… every shuffle, every soft graze of his skin. Even every piercing snore in his ear.

But his mind was overcome, unable to fully process the dream he was living. So he settled for some rest, that’s what the doctor wanted of him after all. And he wanted to make the doctor happy.

Stone weakly lifted his hand, placing it along Robotnik's, which was gingerly wrapped around Stone's waist. This was really real… everything he was feeling. It was all real.

Stone wondered if every night would be like this… he longed for every night to be like this. And if so, he wouldn’t ever have a bad night of rest ever again. 

 Bonus: silly pic for the sadness

Chapter Text

While his days with the doctor had become much more harmonious, the same could not be said for his Artificial friend. It was hard for Stone to ignore how upset Sage had become. How distant she was from him. The world around her seemed to reflect that, it was glitching out more than usual. It started to feel a lot smaller, a lot more suffocating. 

And now, their time together was even more limited. It was almost like her processing power was weakening, like she was burning it out…overwhelming it. 

And today… Today he saw something… something… bothersome.

It had been mostly quiet, and no word had been said between the two. Stone presumed she wasn't created to detect awkward silence; she simply appreciated his presence. So he sat beside her, at least giving her the comfort of his existing form before her. 

“Stone…you speak with the doctor often… yes?”

Stone was alerted by her sudden comment, and he opened his eyes and turned to her,

“Yes, why?”

“Nothing, I just… would like to know something..”

He realized she was waiting for his permission to resume,

“What is it, Pebble?”

“Are there ever times… the doctor is upset with you?”

Stone let out an amused huff, shaking his head, lifting his brows,

“Oh yeah. Oh yeah. All the time.”

“For what reasons?”

“Simple things, usually. The doctor's natural response to anything out of the ordinary is to be upset. Sometimes if I don't understand a gesture he's trying to make or say something too blunt or serve him cold coffee-”

“Hmm… then.. I wonder…”

Stone turned his head to properly look at her face,

“Wonder what?”

She hesitated in response, her head slowly turning to face him,

“I wonder… what have I done wrong?”

Stones' head shot towards the glitching child, his face expressing concern,

“What? Sage, you've done nothing wrong.”

“It does not appear that way… I must have upset the doctor.” She insisted. 

“And what makes you say that?” 

“Because my… existence… it is punishment…is it not?” 

“Sage-”

“Why would the doctor program me to feel? Knowing I would inevitably encounter this concept of loneliness and despair… Why would he allow me to hurt in such a way if not as a form of punishment? And yet… I have no idea what I have done to upset the doctor…” Her head lifted, her voice becoming more jagged, “and a new feeling surges inside me when I ponder this… it too hurts, but it burns. It mixes with this ‘sadness’ to create an ugly feeling. It is unbearable. But there must be a reason…perhaps even questioning the doctor is what I have done wrong… Perhaps not being able to identify the flaw in my program is the oversight. Perhaps I deserve this.”

Stone felt an outpouring of his own emotions overwhelm him. He was all too familiar with this feeling, this guilt, this blame. 

“Sage, you have done nothing wrong!” He tried to keep his voice hushed, but his throat trembled as he tried to contain his emotion, “These emotions are not a punishment! They’re….they're…” What was he supposed to say? A gift? A natural part of life? She wasn't exactly… natural. This action was purposeful. Not a natural result of existence. 

When he lifted his eyes to match hers, a pit formed in his stomach. A small speck formed along her sharp red eyes and swiftly fell down her cheek. 

She seemed to acknowledge it, placing a delicate finger and wiping the tear away, her eyes expressing confusion. 

“And this… tears… right? That is what they are?”

Stone took a hard swallow, lowering his head, unable to respond.

“What is the purpose of a program like me to cry? To feel…I… I desire answers.” She turned from him,” and truthfully, I feel that same burning pain towards you when I am not given them… you have always provided adequate results when I present my queries. And yet… the question I most deeply desire to be answered is left untouched…”

Stone shut his eyes,

“You’re upset with me.” His voice choked.

She hesitated,

“I think so… perhaps I am…”

“You should be…” he let out a stiff sigh. “ I'm sorry, Sage.”

Her expression remained unmoving.

“I can detect remorse in your words… but they no longer comfort me like they used to, I am sorry.” 

Those words gutted the agent; this entire time, all he had been doing was trying to provide comfort to Sage to compensate for his inability to answer her desires… but now he could not even do that. Now he had nothing. Nothing more to hide behind. He had been avoiding this responsibility for far too long.

Stones' face scrunched in determination, he stood up swiftly. Sage looked up, her eyes expressing distress,

“I have upset you,” She declared regrettably.

“No, Sage.” He attempted a smile, “I haven't been pulling my weight. I-I’d hoped the more I spoke with you, the more answers would be revealed about your existence. But instead, I let you continue to wander around the concept in hopes you'd find it for me. And it tore you apart, wore you out. I provided you with a task you were not capable of completing… But this entire time, I could. You deserve to know.”

Sage blinked, her eyes almost hopeful,

“Then… what will you do?”

Stone placed his hand along his head, but hesitated before removing the headset,

“I'm going to get us answers.”

Stone set a plate of homemade French toast before the doctor, who was looking attentively at the crossword puzzle he had sprawled out on the dining table.

“Mm… thanks..” he mumbled, lifting a fork but keeping his eyes keenly on the puzzle. His finger rested along his chin, and his spectacles hung loosely on the edge of his nose.

Stone sat stiffly before him, unable to look at the doctor. He had been debating all morning how he would approach this subject… The doctor was sensitive. It was a gamble how exactly he’d respond… 

Anxiety riddled the agent, his hand shook as he attempted to lift his fork, relieved the doctor was too focused on his crossword to notice. 

He swallowed and took a heavy sigh, picking at his breakfast in an attempt to ease his worries.

“Doctor.. I wanted to talk to you about something-“

“What’s a 10-letter word that could fit between lassitude and antithetical right here?” His Pencil traced over a crossroad within the puzzle and the very large box of terms.

Stone snapped out of his anxious state and peered over. 

“Hm… Perhaps, Scrupulous?”

The doctor traced his pen over the slots slowly, spelling the word. His lips folded in satisfaction as he began writing it in.

“Hmm… good work, agent.” 

Stone cleared his throat, realizing he had been completely taken off track. His words stuttered as they left his mouth, his thoughts now scrambled.

“Doctor I-”

“Nice work on the French toast, agent. It is homemade, yes?”

“Um… yes—but Doctor, I need to ask you a serious question. " He felt agitated. 

“Ugh! Now I’m stumped on what passes between cumbersome !”

“Doctor, I know about Sage!” Stone blurted, resisting the urge to slap his hand over his mouth. 

Silence.

Complete, suffocating, chilling silence.

Stone resisted the urge to lower his eyes, he tore them from the table to face the doctors. 

Robotnik's prosthetic and organic eye bore holes in Stone's mind. His body shuddered, the doctor was completely frozen, every ounce of muscle ceased function. He was glaring at him the same way a terrified animal would before it strikes… They were both backed into a corner, neither of them could get out of.

He should have stayed silent. Why had he started this? Things were going so well, and he just had to ruin it- no. No, he was doing this for Sage. He had to do this for Sage. He wasn't sacrificing anything, simply getting answers that she deserved. He couldn't forget his responsibilities.

He could feel his lips start to quiver as they searched for the words to be said, even if the doctor's stare captivated his thoughts.

“I’ve been speaking with her… for the past few months.” 

Stone waited for a response. But the doctor remained unmoved. His expression did not change, but it was clear the doctor was processing every single word intently that came out of his mouth.

“I accidentally came across the lab one day when you were off… she was such a magnificent creation, I… I wanted to know more.” 

The doctor's eyes finally lowered, avoiding Stone’s.

“She’s a sweet kid… very smart, very curious… and she adores you.” 

Robotnik fiddled with his fork, his head hung low like a guilty puppy. 

“So you can imagine my- our - confusion with why you would hide such a brilliant creation?” Stone waited for an explanation, but it was clear the Doctor was speechless.” And that’s really gotten to her. I’m not sure if you’ve spoken to her recently, but she is distressed. She is upset. She is scared and confused, and she thinks you are punishing her.”

Robotnik's head shot up, his eyes accusing, looking offended and confused. 

“Punishing her? Why in the world would she come to that conclusion?”

“I don’t know, Doctor,” Stone felt his heart surge,” maybe because she has no idea what her purpose is in the first place, and overwhelmed by these… human features you’ve given her.” Stone placed his hand firmly on the table.” She cried, doctor,”  his brows creased as his voice splintered,” she asked me over and over what her purpose was. And I couldn’t give her an answer. She thinks you hide her because you are ashamed. When you decided to give her the ability to experience feeling, only to ever experience loneliness and confusion, she saw it as a punishment, and I couldn’t tell her otherwise. Because I had no clue why she was made this way. I had no background to debunk her conclusions. She’s tearing herself apart trying to figure out what she is. And why she is the way she is. Because I can’t give her answers. And you refuse to.” 

Robotnik's face was scrunched uncomfortably. He looked both frustrated and distraught. Stone could tell his synapses were firing with intensity as he processed this dilemma. 

He leaned in closer, trying to lower his voice to hide the anger that influenced it to shake,

“You don't have to tell me why you've created her or why you have hid her from me… but the least you can do is tell her .” He begged.

The doctor's eyes were now overwhelmed with regret. They flickered across the crossword and his fiddling hands. 

Eventually, the doctor furrowed a brow, his expression retreating back to a more stern look.

 Stone couldn't resist flinching back when the doctor abruptly stood up, yanking his cane, and limping over towards the door.

“Doctor- where are you going?” He stuttered desperately.

Robotnik stopped, his head slowly turning in the direction of the agent,

“... I'm doing as you said. I'm going to tell her.”

Sage remained in the same place she always was. There was no point in exploring the area, it was all the same. Endless, secluded, and empty. 

Her hope was dwindling each day; at this rate, she would burn herself out before she got any answers from the doctor or the agent. But Stone seemed more sure than usual… she sensed no deceit in his voice. He intended to find answers, just as she did. 

The world around her lit up, occasionally glitching in and out of existence. Someone was here. He was back. And hopefully with answers.

She turned her head to face the agent, but the figure that obtruded on her view was not of the agent-

She sat up quickly, using the palm of her hand to wipe remnants of ‘tears’ left on her face, her eyes alert and attentive.

“Doctor! You… you are here.” She mumbled in disbelief.

The doctor looked tired, his eyes sagged more than usual, and the shape of his mustache almost resembled a frown.

What was more unnerving was his silence… The doctor was not usually silent. From what Sage analyzed, he loved to hear himself talk.

Robotnik let out a grunt as he lowered his body to sit on the floor, his large hands gripping his cane for support.

He let out a deep sigh and started to groom his mustache with his fingers.

“I hear you and my agent have been…. Gossiping lately.”

Sage suddenly felt a new feeling arise in her. Her core sparked, sending a shock through her body. Her eyes grew wide in response. She was unfamiliar with this… but she could detect it as… panic.

“Doctor, please-” She began quickly, “Do not be upset with the agent, he was only doing what I asked of him, it is not his fault he discovered me. I compromised my own existence-” She fumbled quickly. 

‘Woah woah- im not mad at Stone,” He grunted, “Yet….”

Silence followed them. Sage felt her core relax, her body lowering back to the floor.

“Then… What are you here for?” Hope arose in her voice.

Robotnik let out a long sigh, his eyes evading her. He sucked in his lips before releasing a light chuckle,

“You remember what I told you about my Grandfather?”

Sage nodded,

“ The ‘Grand Geezer’? The ‘good-for-nothing decrepit deadbeat dude? ’”

Robotnik grinned in amusement,

“That's him,” he snapped, more lively. 

“What about him? That you have not already told me about?”

Robotnik's regained excitement started to falter, his head shifting away from her.

“The concept of family was never something I was exposed to throughout my developmental years. I survived with the only guidance given to me being my highly advanced intellect. I never had a family, never thought I needed it, after all, look how far I went without it.” He smirked proudly,” but that didn’t mean I didn’t exactly desire it….and it got me questioning… why wasn’t I given one?”

Sage could feel a new emotion develop in her once more…. Sympathy, she believed.

“Everything I ever needed, I could create… but nothing could fill the family-shaped hole left in me. It made me think, why wasn’t I deserving of such a gift? What had I done to be deemed worthy of this punishment? The one thing I couldn’t make myself… I didn’t have.”

He focused his eyes back on Sage.

“But then I was given that family. And in turn… given hope. My grandfather never abandoned me willingly- he was simply cursed by the narrative, locked away in a cell. Surely, if he had been free, he would’ve loved me. I could’ve had a family. I wasn’t… unlovable. The possibility wasn’t impossible. Blood tied us, I needed no other criteria to experience that unconditional loyalty and love from him. Simply by displaying some very strong genetic traits that carried over generations, I, too, could experience that. But I was wrong.”

“…Doctor-“

“I was upset, sure. It was easy to blame my Grand Genome for simply having a heart blacker than a vertically aligned nanotube array with a THR lower than 1% on the visibility spectrum… but in my time of recovery… it occurred to me…. Maybe I was just… not capable or deserving of that condition. So, like all hypotheses, I put it to the test. My research question: Was there really an inherent determinant in a spawn of your own creation that was so undeserving of love that authorized abandoning it? Or, am I an outlier?”

Sage watched in inquisitiveness… she could predict where this was headed, but she needed to hear him say it. He let out a shaky sigh,

“You were made for a completely selfish reason, Sage.” His voice quivered,” I wanted to see what was so terrible about having to care for a child that would deem it acceptable to abandon them completely… so I made you… My own artificial spawn… the most life-like I’ve ever made any of my specimens. Giving you components I never thought I'd ever explore in a concoction.” 

“… And what was your conclusion?” She inquired.

“I found…that my relatives were all- Clodhoppers!- “ He spread his hands dramatically,” I concluded, there was nothing unlovable or vile enough to deem abandonment as a valid approach to such a responsibility. Perhaps bias played a part, but I ensured you’d develop on your own with limited influence. And still, you surpassed all of my expectations. I was proud of you, I loved you, you loved me, and I never felt so… delighted.” He whispered the word with distaste.

“At first, I was thrilled…my own daughter, my own artificial family. That unconditional love I believed only to be a myth had a chance to exist… but then I interpreted my findings… I realized…if there was nothing inherent about a child that would influence abandonment… perhaps the problem… was me. So then the question remained… What was so unlovable about me? What was so atrocious about me that no one had the capability of sticking around? Why was I subjected to being alone all my life? Was I born with this inherited hatred and avoidance? Did my presence excude this urge? Was this just… a Robotnik's legacy? To end up alone? To never have the luxury of a family? My lineage sure supported the matter…”

Sage watched carefully as the doctor moved closer to her, his eyes glistening with remorse,

“And in my days of rotting in my own despair over this discovery… I did the one thing I couldn’t bring myself to understand before… I abandoned you… because you reminded me of the reality I refused to face for so long… and it… scared me. And for that… my Dear Daughter… I am sorry .”

His voice collapsed near the end, and a tear neatly slipped out of his eye, disappearing against the ground. 

Sage did her best to process all of the information she had been fed… all this time…

“So… these… all of this… it wasn't a punishment?”

Robotnik almost looked hurt,

“Of course not…it… was never meant to reach these horizons but…” He chuckled,” You exceeded my expectations, and I… wanted to keep you around.”

‘So… we are…” Sage recognized the ache in her chest, which was often experienced with the feeling of sadness… but it felt different. It felt… overwhelming, in a nice way, “ Family?”

Robotnik's face lifted, his eyes buggy, he blinked, and a dramatic smile engulfed his face.

“Yes! Yes… We are. You're a Robotnik, whether you like it or not!” He said witsfully.

Sage eyed the floor, a new feeling once again arose in her… it was foreign… it was different… and it felt… wonderful. She never felt the sun's rays, but this feeling surely must resemble standing right below them, absorbing their warmth as she listened to the birds singing happily in the sky. Her core filled her body with warmth, her hands instinctively rising and clasping together. She felt her face start to mold, her lips curved. A smile?

This feeling. She understood what the agent meant when he described these positive feelings… it was euphoric, nothing like she had ever experienced.

It was.

Joy. 

She was a Robotnik, whether she liked it or not.

Chapter Text

“Now that you have been properly introduced to my top secret, previously dubious concoction…” Robotnik stepped aside, dramatically displaying his hands to reveal Sage projected on the computer screen. “Look what came out of my egg sac!” He beamed proudly, tears swelling in his eyes for dramatic effect. 

Sage looked amused at her father's gesture, raising her brow,

“Is your ‘egg sac’ an analogy for your mind?” 

‘Eh- something like that,” Robotnik grumbled, placing his hands up to the computer screen and getting uncomfortably close to where his nose was pressing against the glass, “now we just have to solve one teeny weeny predicament…”

“And what is that, doctor?” Stone pried, holding the doctor's morning latte. 

Robotnik was still in a robe, wearing fluffy pink slippers and a tank top with boxers. He didn't want to waste a second more on his morning routine before he could have this family reunion. 

“From what Stone has told me, you don't like it much in there, do you?”

“No, I hate it,” Sage said bluntly.

Robotnik let out a dry chuckle,

“Well, that's a bit much, but I don't blame you.”

“So what do you propose?” Her crimson eyes sparkled keenly.

Robotnik looked to Stone and grinned, his dramatically groomed mustache lifted. 

“A physical body, baby!” He pointed his finger to the sky, dramatically swishing his robe, “While our resources are limited, nothing can come in the way of a Robotnik's tour de force ! A compartment able to contain your digital existence while existing as a physical vessel as well!”

Stone watched intently as the doctor demonstrated the processes dramatically with his hands, his brown eyes switching back and forth to capture all of Robotnik's jolting movements.

“You can… You can do that?” Sage's voice splintered, hopeful.

“Assume there isn't anything the doctor can't do,” Stone smiled, gratified.

“It won't be an easy process, or a quick one. But luckily, your daddy here is the most brilliant scientist in all of the universe (pending) with an IQ of 300!” He gestured back to Stone, “ And a lackey with a not-as-impressive but still adequate intellect.”

Sage blinked,

“Is lackey a term of endearment in this context, doctor?”

Robotnik's ears radiated red, his mustache drooped,

“No, it’s-it's just a term, a description of a service- ack! Never mind!”

Stone fought a grin with all his strength, holding his breath so hard he was sure to pass out. And when he went to glance at Sage, he almost thought he saw a hint of mischief in her expression. 

“Anyway… Stone!” Robotnik shouted. Stone immediately at attention,” Gather any material that could be beneficial to our project, strip the trailer for all I care. I'll gather up my recycled works and concoct a blueprint!”

Stone hadn't seen the doctor so alive and eager, it reminded him of the early days he worked with Robotnik. But this time it was different. It was much more personal… Stone couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the warmth of the idea. 

“Stone!”

“Right, doctor! I'll get right on it!”

“Ah ah- wait.” Robotnik halted him, “Leave my latte. I'm going to need it.”

For the next few weeks, working on a body for Sage filled their schedule. It was a top priority, so much so that they only ever stopped to take a break when one of them inevitably fell asleep on the job, and the other reluctantly dragged them back and took that as a sign to get some rest.

Stone couldn’t deny how exhausted he was; he could especially see it affecting the doctor. However, he had never seen him so insistent on finishing a product before. He’d practically drag himself until he could no longer stand when it came to building a body for Sage. Stone was beginning to worry, but realistically knew there was nothing he could do to delay the process. So he simply worked alongside him to finish it as soon as possible.

They had to be limited with their material, while they had successfully constructed a full body, they only had enough material left to sculpt half her face. Luckily, the doctor intended to hide the fact with the adorable swirl that formed within her hair.

And Sage? She monitored them intently, working perfectly as a reference and model for the real deal. She seemed to express excitement as the closer they got to finishing the base.

She occasionally made remarks, suggestions that often surprised both of them. She was there to ensure they didn’t slip up, with the added fact they were running in 3 lattes a day and the ever-infectious conviction of Dr. Robotnik. 

Her upper body was constructed with the porcelain physique that embodied many of the doctor's badniks, while at her hips, her lower body was coated in black. Like she was wearing some adorable tights. 

Stone wiped his forehead of the sweat and soot that riddled his temple,

“Wow…“ He let out a sigh,” We are nearly there.”

“Don't get too excited, agent,” Robotnik spoke, his goggles, which usually were suctioned tightly to his forehead, now covered his eyes as he welded the finishing touches on her arms, “we've got the outer shell done, but now we've gotta figure out what will power her…”

‘What do you suggest? Doctor?”

“Well, the processor she's currently running on is enervated and not strong enough to withstand such a significant upgrade…” He removed his glasses, red circles surrounded his eyes in their wake, “ Luckily, I have a prescription for that predicament. ”

Robotnik slid on his office chair, he had prompted up to the highest level he could over to a rusty drawer that he clumsily yanked out.

Stone noticed a reddish light peeking from the opening, Robotnik carefully placing his gloved hand in the caddy and pulling out a thin object contained in an oval-like glass.

Stone gasped,

"Sir, is that-?”

“One of those brooding, stinking hedgehogs' quills? Yeah…” His face was slumped in reminiscence, “I guess when he dropped me off at your feet, he left me with one of his… ‘chaos quills’, in a very uncomfortable spot, might I add,” He rubbed his lower back. “ Guess he knew I wouldn't survive without it. Otherwise, when he ‘chaos controlled’ out of there, I probably would've immediately dropped dead. Would've been one heck of a mess for you to clean up.”

“Why… Why do you think he did it, sir?”

“Hm?” Robotnik lifted his gaze.

“Saved you, I mean.” Stone reiterated. 

Robotnik looked down at the quill, twirling it in his grasp,

“I cannot say for certain. That hedgehog was annoyingly cryptic, but… Maybe he just got tired of Robotnik's dying on his watch. Guess his conscience couldn't allow the loss of a person associated with… Maria. Even if it was just an association by name. I don't know. It's a shame he was left with the worst Robotnik.”

Maria… right. The doctor's cousin. Neither of them knew what she was like, but it was clear by Shadow’s grief, she meant a lot to him. So much so, even in her absence, she had such an influence on the hedgehog to sway his mind away from erasing humanity and the world altogether.

“Don't say that about yourself, Father.” Sage's voice came out of the computer sternly.

Robotnik raised a brow, but offered an unconvincing smile, waving his hand,

“In any sense, I'm hoping to use this quill to power Sage. However, Shadow's abilities may be a lot less controllable than Sonic's…This chaos energy is much less predictable and unstable, I would know. And I'd hate to give such an overwhelming processor to you, dear. We don't want you blowing up or anything.”

“No, that would not be the desired result.” Sage agreed.

“What if we used some sort of power converter to transfer some of that energy into a more stable and concealed core?”

Robotnik looked annoyed,

“I was getting there,” He grumbled.

“Are we sure any converter would be able to handle that energy? Let alone make a device that could contain it?”

Robotnik looked to Sage and dramatically slapped his goggles back on,

“Only one way to find out!” 

Robotnik gripped the circular core between his broad hands. It had a gray outer shell, but with the extracted chaos energy, Stone could see red peeking out between the angular gaps. In the middle, like all his projects had, Eggman's logo was plastered. That devilish grin and white, captivating eyes balanced the design. 

“Now, Sage, you're going to be offline for a moment. I have to transfer your program to the Central Processing Unit. And meticulously implant it into the body we've constructed for you. We don't yet know how it… or you will react to the energy being used. If something goes awry, you know what to do.”

The doctor's voice sounded unnaturally anxious. It's not that the doctor didn't ever experience anxiety, especially with his work, but he usually combated it with his unreasonable confidence and ego. But Stone presumed no other creation made by the doctor was as important as this one. As well as delicate. Stone wasn't sure they had it in them to try again. They were already working with limited materials; this test run needed to go perfectly… otherwise, Sage would be shut down for longer than a moment.

“I’m ready when you are, Doctor.” She expressed confidence. 

Robotnik looked at Stone and nodded. Stone nodded firmly in response, hooking a multitude of wires to Sage's current processor as the doctor clicked away on the keypad, Sage watching intently. They hooked up the processor, the doctor's robotic hand continuing to type fiercely away at the keyboard. 

After an impressively swift navigation of the computer's storage and the program's accessibility, Sage's presence on the screen was replaced with black. Both of their hearts leaped, shooting their head back to the CPU, watching intently for the confirmation that it had been successfully transferred into the compartment. 

A small red light ignited, and a sigh of relief echoed throughout the underground lair. 

“Alright,” The doctor said, breathlessly, “It's go time.”

He unhooked the device from the computer and carefully cradled the processor in his robotic hand. 

Stone rested his hands on the chest of the robotic body and pushed one of its plates down. When he removed his hand, the white plate lifted and moved to the side, revealing a perfect compartment for the processor to rest. 

Robotnik shouldered him out of the way, kreening over, and delicately placing the processing unit inside the compartment. While his organic hand shook with adrenaline, his metallic hand remained steady. He connected a multitude of wires and internal parts around the unit. Stone watched intently, and none of them made a sound.

Robotnik let out a large huff of air once he finished, sliding the white plate back over, hiding the processing unit. He stepped back and shuffled over to the computer, typing in a few more commands, and throwing his head back to Sage and Stone.

Stone felt his heart spike, he wasn't sure if it was due to the intensity of the moment or the fact that he hadn't breathed in a hot minute. Everything they had worked for for months all came down to this moment… all of Sage's dreams- all of their dreams of becoming a family. It all needed to happen now.

The doctor's mustache twitched in anticipation, awaiting for the sound….

And there it was, buzzes and whirs filled the silent lab. She was booting up. Stone and Robotnik looked at one another with uncertainty before turning their attention back to Sage. Her body was clicking into place as a few red sparks peeked out from her core. It got louder and louder until…

Stone watched breathlessly as her single red eye slowly peeked open. Her pupil dilated in and out, twisting and turning. Looking up and down, left and right, and in a circle. She took a large blink once fully calibrated, her limbs groaning as she attempted to lift her body, her metallic joints grinding against one another. Her head turned around the room, glancing at both of them. Speechless.

“Stone…” the agent snapped out of his stupified state, “help her up…” The doctor trailed off, his hands still on the computer, but his eyes sharply focused on Sage. 

Stone nodded, carefully approaching the bench she lay upon.

He leaned over, his body shivering in anticipation. 

“Come on..” he offered his hands gently.

Sage remained speechless, Stone almost worried her voice box was broken. She blinked robotically before turning her head to look down at his hands, analyzing them. She slowly lifted her arms and hesitantly placed her small metal hands into the palms of Stone's warm and gentle grasp. 

He slowly wrapped his fingers around hers, her eyes widened in amazement at the contact, something she was never capable of before.

Stone took a few steps back, carefully tugging Sage off the bench. Sage recognized his gesture, but when she went to stand, her legs shivered and she fell forward.

Robtnik flinched, his eyes growing wide, but Stone was quick to react.

He let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around the child, breaking her fall.

“Careful, habibti !” He whispered, startled. 

She had her arms wrapped around his, slowly moving from his embrace,

“I… I've never walked before.” Stone had forgotten that all her life she had floated and not had to cooperate with the unparalleled forces of gravity. 

Her voice was even more timid than when she was on the computer, she seemed scared. Stone couldn't blame her; being alive was overwhelming. 

“Here, I can help, take my hands again.” He instructed.

She hesitated but did as he said. He lifted her gently and let her feet touch the ground.

She hung loosely from his grasp, him pulling back so she could stand straight.

"Alright- just move one foot in front and push with your other and repeat…”

She started clunky, her feet tripping over each other, but after a while, it was clear she was learning fast.

“There you go!” Stone cheered, slowly losing his grip. 

She started to walk faster. Stone turned her body around to face the doctor, completely removing his support from her.

He knew he had the stupidest smile on his face, but the doctor seemed more preoccupied than to comment on it. The doctor looked like he was going to spontaneously combust, his face red and mouth agape. And most painfully, his eyes glistening with tears threatening to fall.

Sage stuck her arms out as she attempted to balance, occasionally lifting her head to locate the doctor in her trajectory. She started walking faster, and faster, until she eventually slipped into a slight jog. Robotnik slowly lowered to the floor as she got closer, his face looking more and more pained with each step. She reached her endpoint when she threw herself into Robotnik's embrace, to which he quickly wrapped his arms around the AI child. Gripping her tightly as he cradled his creation. He shut his eyes tightly, tears collecting along the lenses of his glasses, which hung along the end of his nose. 

He took in a shaking sigh,

“Oh my dear daughter!” He choked, “The interstellar medium of my galaxy!”

He held her before him, getting a good look at his greatest achievement. Sage looked just as distressed as he did, her eyes dilating in and out as her lips quivered. 

An uncontrollable smile embraced Robotnik's lips as he released a series of chuckles. Stone wasn't used to hearing the doctor laugh, not unless it was deceitful or overly dramatic. But this laugh… it was different. It was delightful. It boomed throughout the lair, cutting off when the doctor became breathless and resuming when his lungs eventually refilled. 

He placed a multitude of dramatic kisses upon Sage, practically holding her in a headlock. Luckily, she seemed unbothered, hugging the doctor in response. Seemingly trying to retreat into his affection. 

“Oh! I feel so maternal!” The doctor wailed, looking back towards Stone, who was now a sobbing mess.

Robotnik's wet face folded into an irritated one,

“Stop crying in the corner like a weirdo and get over here!” He barked.

Stone didn't take another second of delay before sliding to the floor and wrapping his arms both around the doctor and their new daughter. Nearly knocking them over with his unexpected, gleeful force.

They were now a pile of two grown men and a metallic little girl experiencing a mixture of laughs and cries as their embraces became tighter and tighter. Sage shifted between the two as they both offered her their gentle affection. 

Their hearts pounded as one as they began to cheer; it was a success. Of course it was. There should not have been any doubt. Robotnik enthusiastically grabbed Sage and lifted her into the air before his misplaced hip led him to lower her back down. He grabbed his femur with a grunt as Sage ran back to him, clinging to his leg. 

“Goodness! Am I going to have to pry you off of me like a leech each time?” Robotnik teased, petting the top of her head.

Stone could see a gleeful smile hidden on her face. He couldn't help but let out a shaky exhale as he smiled at the doctor, who did his best to avoid his eye contact as he grinned infectiously. 

Stone couldn't believe it… she was here… they were all here. 

They were finally.

A family. 

Chapter Text

Stone felt his spine shiver at the change in air flow within the Doctor's and his shared room. He could conclude there was an additional presence that was not there before. He peered his eyes open reluctantly, only to be greeted by a sharp red glare. His heart lurched into his throat as a yelp escaped him. 

He shot up from his sleeping arrangement only to be face to face with Sage.

He let out a relieved sigh, his heart still drumming against his chest.

“Oh- Sage… goodness, you scared me.”

“I am sorry, I only intended to wake you.”

Stone blinked, dazed and confused, peering out the blinded windows.

“The sun's only just beginning to peak over the horizon-?”

“Yes, that is a signifier of morning. A time of day in which it is expected of humans to exit their bodily dormancy. Is it not?”

“I…I mean, I guess, but morning can be anywhere between 6 am and the afternoon… and if we want to be really specific, it could start at 12 am.”

Sage blinked, like she saw no dilemma presented in his statement.

He let out a sigh and felt the doctor stir beside him. He grumbled something inaudible and rubbed his eyes, looking at Sage.

“Who needs an alarm clock when you’ve got a kid, huh?” He tapped Stone's arm, who offered an amused smile.

“So are you going to get up?” She asked curiously.

“I don’t remember programming impatience into you.” Robotnik teased, groaning as he sat up.

“I’m not impatient, I simply want to explore the world. There is so much to experience and so little time.”

“That’s impatience. And you’ve got time.” Robotnik assured groggily, wrapping Sage in his arms and dramatically pulling her back into the depths of the comforter.

He curled up with her, retreating back into his slumber rather quickly. She looked to Stone in desperation.

“It appears I was tricked.” She explained.

Stone nodded amused, and wrapped his own arms around the doctor and Sage, further trapping her.

“Just give us a few more minutes, pebble.” He mumbled.

This was the first night any of them had gotten a decent night of rest. After months of insane sleep schedules to finish Sage's body, they both thought it best to finally take a rest. A proper one.

However, it didn’t seem to sit right with their newly constructed robotic daughter. 

“Ok, I will set a timer.” She insisted.

After about 5 more “a few minute” timers went off, Stone and Robotnik finally caved into Sage's demands and reluctantly agreed on starting the day. 

A bowl of cereal was about all the effort Stone could put into preparing breakfast. It didn’t matter anyway, the doctor seemed worn to a frazzle still, his spoon not even getting close to his mouth before the contents spilled along the table and his mustache.

Stone instinctively wiped away the remnants of the doctors' failed attempts at consumption, Sage watching both of them, her eyes expressing curiosity.

“Are you always this quiet in the mornings? Is this a common human practice?”

Stone let out a long yawn and rubbed his eyes,

“No… nothing like that. Just sleepy.”

“But I do not understand. I ensured you’d at least undergone approximately 8 hours of slumber. The required amount for the human mind to properly function.”

“Yeah, well, one good day of sleep doesn’t account for the months of convulsive siestas, ” Robotnik emphasized, finally getting a spoonful of Honey Wheats into his mouth.

Sage considered the doctor's input.

“Fascinating.” She concluded.

Stones' eyes shot between the Doctor as he resisted a smile; she was already sounding so much like him. 

“So what activities will you indulge in throughout the day to pass the time?” She inquired once more.

Stone turned to the tattered oven, missing the entire interior and the half-functioning fridge behind him.

“Er- well. We sort of had to strip most of the appliances in this trailer to create a proper form for you. The doctor and I have been living off of non-perishable goods for a few decent weeks.”

“Which I had no trouble with,” Robotnik leaned in close to Sage, lifting a hand to hide his words,” I survived on ramen and microwaved burritos for almost an entire year after nearly dying!” He whispered enthusiastically.

Sage's face remained unchanged,

“That sounds very detrimental to your health, Doctor.”

Robotnik's mustache dropped as he slumped and returned to his bowl of cereal,

“You’re both a bunch of wet blankets.” He grumbled.

“So I am made of an oven and refrigerator?” She ignored the doctor's comment.

“And other things. But yeah, that refrigerator had a very attractive compressor.” Robotnik paused, looking at Sage quickly,” Don’t repeat the strange things I say.”

“Ok, Doctor.” 

Robotnik tapped a few buttons on his food processor, creating a very vivid hologram,

“Why don’t you finish your breakfast?” He offered. 

Sage flashed a quick smile before eagerly picking up a spoon.

“Hey, Sage? Can you come here for a second?” Stone called from under the sink in the small trailer bathroom. 

Sage slid down from the booth seat and skittered to the agent to fulfill his request. 

“Yes?” She spoke attentively.

Stone slid out from under the sink's cabinet, holding a colorful bunch of items in his hand.

Judging by the way his face gleamed, it had to mean something of importance. 

She inspected further, taking one of the strange trinkets and analyzing it.

They all seemed to be made of some sort of cheap plastic that was injected with glitter in colors of pinks, blues, yellows, purples- nearly the entire color wheel. Their shapes were what intrigued her most. Some of them were in the misshapen interpretation of stars, hearts, flowers, and butterflies. She looked back up at Stone for answers. 

“They’re hair pretties,” his words were enunciated with glee, “Like hair accessories.”

“For what?”

“For looking pretty.”

“Why are they here?”

Stone turned around back at the sink's cabinet,

“I don't know, I know the doctor rented the camper out to some folks when he wasn't using it. Said it was a business strategy,” He shrugged, “they were bound to leave something behind.”

He pulled out another item, some sort of pallet consisting of the same explosion of color and glittery pastes.

“And what is that?”

“Makeup- sorta. Kid-friendly makeup. It's easier to remove, more colorful, and overall more of a toy to just have fun with. And it looks hardly used.”

She took the glamorous items with intrigue,

“What should I do with them?”

Stones' smile grew brighter as he leaned in and pointed back at the doctor,

“Go ask him.”

Sage looked back and nodded firmly, approaching the doctor with her glittery adornments.

“Father,” Robotnik looked at her with immediate attention, “Would you care to be pretty?”

Robotnik's eyebrows raised as he slammed his hand down,

“Would I ever!”

Stone had gone off to collect the list of materials missing from the trailer, including pieces of the oven, refrigerator, sink, and TV. It left plenty of time for Robotnik to get a special transformation from his tiny assistant. 

The slimy nature of the childish makeup felt nauseating against his skin, but he could not resist the focus and intensity in Sage's eyes. He still wasn't even sure how he had succeeded at capturing and programming such innocence and curiosity into a machine. He knew his mind was impressive, but even still, he continued to surprise himself. 

She was his crowning achievement, his chef d’oeuvre. He truly could not comprehend ever reaching any further horizons than the ones he's already explored.

Sage ceased her glamor operations and reviewed her work. Satisfied, she set down the cheap, flimsy make-up brush and picked up a ridiculously pink princess mirror with a slight crack spanning across the frame. 

Robotnik examined her oeuvre with intention. He turned his head side to side, looking at every angle and piece of rinky-dink adornments that riddled his greying orange stache like a Christmas tree still up during the spring. Ladybugs, moons, and tiny fabric bows balanced the art piece across both edges of his marvelous mustache. He curled his lips in approval. 

He puckered his mouth and raised his eyebrows to further see the extent of her work. His lips were coated in a slimy, glittery heap of lime green cosmetic abomination while his usual dark circles were shaded with a chalky, glittery red dust. 

“I have never looked this good!” His voice depended in seriousness, “ As the kids would say, I am absolutely serving right now.”

Sage's eyes glowed with pride,

“I'm glad you like it, Father. Truthfully, I had no idea what I was doing. The colors and patterns were overwhelming me.”

That much was obvious. If you had asked any other Robotnik beforehand, he would've scoffed at the idea of letting a being with a still-developing mind come anywhere near his looks and appearance. Their grubby little hands and drooling, thoughtless faces disgusted him. He looked ludicrous, yes, but he found it amusing. It was clear she had no idea what she was doing; he could've easily programmed such skills into her, but instead, she was driven by stimulation. The colors and shapes, she decorated him like a grandma on a sugar rush that was given access to Dollar Store arts and crafts. It was so…. Human . 

“Do I get a turn?” She asked curiously.

Robotnik lifted his gaze and squinted,

“Only if you're ready to become a star, darling .” He expressed dramatically, snatching the mutilated makeup tray and examining his options. 

He began his work, taking it just as seriously as any other project he worked on. Which was to say… not very serious at all.

“ BZZZT…. BZZZT. .” He replicated the sound of his machinery as he clipped a duck charm to the swirl in her hair. He continued his work as well as his impressions, Sage watching him with intensity.

“Why do you do that, doctor?”

“Do what? BZZZT !” He clipped a star to her hair.

“Mimic the common sounds of machinery when you yourself are human?”

“Ha! I wouldn't say I’m all human, at least now. I require machinery to function the same way you do,” he flexed his mechanical arm as his cybernetic eye twisted in and out of focus. 

“Yes.. but… You are still human. Yes?”

Robotnik frowned.

“Sadly.”

“Sadly?”

“Sadly.” He reiterated. 

“Why is this an upsetting revelation?”

Robotnik dipped his finger into the cosmetics and placed a nice pink glittery circle around her cheek,

“I love machines.  If I could replace every bone and organ in my body with titanium, I would.”

“But… why?”

Robotnik kept his focus, placing a glittery purple against her eyelids,

“ I mean, look at me. Do you know how many times I've been torn down and put back together? Unlike machines, I can't replace or upgrade any part of me. Each failure leads to an even more intense deteriorating state. I've lost an arm, an eye, my hearing, my dignity, I'm riddled with burns, and if I want to stand up, I'm going to have to wait for Stone to get home. Because there is no way I can get up now with my compromised skeletal system. These aren't easy things to replace, and they make living a hell. If you were to ever injure any part of you, all we'd have to do is find another refrigerator.” He joked. “I mean, look at us this morning, we could barely get up while you sat there wide awake and chipper.”

“Well… I process differently.”

“Exactly, and that is what is so magnificent about machines, they are limited by very few factors.”

“But… humans have free will. That has to be freeing in some way, doesn't it?”

Robotnik snorts,

“Oh my dear daughter… if only you saw what giving humans free will did to this world, you'd understand why that's not any more than a gift than it is a calamity.” She lowered her gaze, “ These emotions, these choices, these sacks of meat, they are detriments to our survival. Not just as a species, but as a concept. Humans will drive themselves to extinction, and all that will be left behind are the machines built to withstand their destruction.”

Sage looked upset,

“Then why did you make me so human? Do you hate me as well?”

Robotnik paused, realizing his rambles had gone too far. He knew he had a mouth, but he never cared to upset people. But this was his daughter…

“Oh… no… Sage I-” What was he to say?

“I may not have the same experience with humanity as you do, Father; however, the more I learn about it, the more I desire it. The freedom, the love, all things I desire to experience. I was given only the basis of understanding of these concepts. But I want to feel them. I want to…” She trailed off.

Robotnik couldn't help but offer a weak smile,

‘Hm… maybe you're right… Maybe a better way to say it is, I just always felt more connected to machines,” She looked up, “Cause I always desired those things as well, and I never got jack. ”

He put the finishing touches on her now multicolored and ridiculously glittered face.

“Perhaps we can work together and achieve these desires together? You have Stone and I now, Father.”

Robotnik smiled apprehensively and lifted the mirror,

“Maybe so, but more importantly-”

Stone entered through the creaking camper door carrying a pile of different machine parts, covered in dirt and grime as if he had just dug through a junkyard. He gazed dumbfoundedly at the presentation before him.

“Agent, tell us: Are we serving?” Robotnik asked intently. 

The infectious smile of the agent started to form along his lips,

“Yes. Makeover makeover… look at you guys.”

Not many things that happened were ever planned with Robotnik, they simply happened in the moment. Such moments, like now, were often triggered by some funky groove the Robotniks just could never resist.

And before Stone could even process what they were doing, he was engaged in a foxtrot with the good doctor.

Such dance breaks weren't uncommon with the doctor. When he first started working with him, he'd walk in on a very intensely choreographed jam session. The doctor usually got upset with him, he hated to be interrupted. He always presumed the doctor was just embarrassed he had been caught doing such a joyous task, but the doctor only stopped being upset with him when Stone would join in instead of just staring. It started with simple sways and a tapping of his foot, but eventually they would be hand and hand in a saunter. 

Stone never took it as romantic, it was simply something that would just happen. They were not safe from the overwhelming sense of euphoria that music would give to their auditory complex. Such a feeling had to be shared, or it would get overwhelming.

What had initiated this specific urge was the tune “It's a Beautiful Day” by the Club des Belugas, an older song, and very jazzy. The doctor always enjoyed songs like this. 

With the added fact that they were halfway into working on the oven, both of them were covered in grime and sweat from their work. Stones' hand rested nicely in the doctor's large, gloved hand, even if it would slip occasionally from the grease coating his hand.

“Bop Bop De da dum… Bop Bop De da dum, it's a beautiful day…”

The song hummed, Stone doing his best to follow the doctor's surprisingly gentle prances.

Their strides started long, Robtonik looking off to the side as he hummed the tune, doing his best to avoid his assistant's absolutely infatuated gaze. He stopped suddenly, and their feet fell into a grape vine step, crossing over one another as they quickly tapped from side to side across the trailer's floor. Robtonik slipped in a twirl, which the agent quickly did his best to partake in.

Their hands clasped back together, their steps more confident, and their bodies much more guided. 

The song burst into a jazzy chorus, Stone felt his heart leap as their dancing became faster, kicking their feet up, the assistant did his best to keep the doctor upright. 

Despite Robotnik's many injuries, he was still impressively strong. Stone felt the doctor kick his feet close together, his stomach turning as he felt his body tumble over, only to be quickly stopped by Robotnik's robotic arm.

Stone couldn't hold back an enthusiastic whoop, the doctor had dipped him. He pulled the agent back up into their usual dance, a large, mischievous grin across his face. 

The music swelled, and so did their hearts, a rush of adrenaline running through the agent as they continued their dance. Their guffaws dulled the noise of the radio.

They twisted their bodies, pulling inward and pushing outward. Stone could hear the beginnings of the end of the song. He didn't want to stop, he didn't ever want to stop dancing with the doctor.

His heartbeat quickened as the song came to an end, his smile so overwhelming it was pushing up against his eyes, leaving only slight visibility to view the doctor through. 

Their side-to-side dance routine eventually ended in an embrace. Stone's arms wrapped over the doctor's shoulders as he gripped the sides of the agent. Stone grinning ear to ear as the doctor chortled, spinning both of them around. 

What happened next was something Stone never imagined could happen in a million years.

He was so captivated by the rush of the moment that he hardly even processed how the doctor aggressively squished the sides of his face and yanked the agent's face towards him. 

Within a split second, Stone felt a dramatic, sloppy kiss be placed on the side of his face right on his cheek. 

His heart lurched into his throat, his face burned as he pulled away from the doctor, his mouth agape and lungs suffocating.

The doctor looked just as dumbfounded as he was, as if he didn't have any control over the matter either. His pupils were wide and his mouth agape. 

They gazed at one another in astonishment for a short while, Stones' large eyes searching for an answer. Eventually, the nervousness brewing in his stomach burst out through his vocal cords. He began nervously giggling, his eyes still stuck on the doctor. He keeled over, gripping the doctor's arms as he fell into a fit of chuckles. Robotnik looked frazzled and disarranged, but ultimately fell into the same giggle fit as the agent. 

They stumbled around as they used one another for support. They both ended up on the floor, kicking their feet up in the air like school girls as the chortles continued. 

None of them could get a word out to even explain what exactly had just happened. Knowing the doctor, he probably wouldn't want it to be brought up again. But that didn't take away from the fact that it happened, and they both knew it. And as their bodies seized in laughter across the floor, it was clear that both of them found some semblance of joy in the outcome. 

The doctor crawled closer to the agent as he wheezed, hiding his beet-red face in Stone's shoulder. Stone wrapped his arms around the doctor, overjoyed and overtaken with laughter.

“And that one?” Sage pointed to the pattern in the sky,

“That's the big dipper,” Robitnik mumbled.

“And that one?”

“The little dipper.”

“Is there a medium dipper?”

“Nope.”

“What's that one?”

“Those are just stars.”

“Wow…” Sage muttered in amazement.

They had set out a spacious blanket and treated themselves to some stargazing.

“Want to know what's even cooler, Pebble?” Stone shuffled to meet her gaze. “You don't get a view of the sky like this just anywhere. So many places are filled with light pollution that it's hard to see even the largest stars.”

Stars danced around in her red pupils, her mouth open in amazement.

“Psh, there's no need for the view of the stars. That's why we have so much light, we don't need to rely on the stars to light the night anymore.” Robotnik grumbled beside them, his eyes closed peacefully as he wrapped an arm behind his head.

“Nonsense, father. They are beautiful. That is their purpose.”

Robotnik peeked an eye open and glanced at Stone, who offered him a shrug.

“And you are right, doctor, the stars do look very nice in Stone's eyes.”

Robotnik's eyes shot open as he sat up quickly,

“Alright, time for bed.”

“But I'm not tired.” She objected.

“You can't be tired. But your processor could get overwhelmed,” he poked her chest,” you've got a lot of power in there, I don't fully quite understand. I don't want to risk anything.”

She looked as if she was going to object further before Stone slid his arms under her and lifted her up.

“I'll take you to bed, Pebble. Now come on.”

“Well… alright,” She conceded. 

Stone finished constructing the kitchen table to the bedside alternative. He fluffed up a pillow as Sage crawled into her cushioned resting spot. He whipped a blanket into the air and gently rested it along her body, tucking her in tightly.

“Agent?”

“Yes?” He responded, preoccupied with ensuring the blankets were tucked in tight enough.

“Do you know any lullabies?”

Stone shot his head up, and he blinked,

“Huh?”

“Lullabies, you know, like soothing melodies specifically designed to lull a child to rest.” She explained. 

“Oh…” Stone hesitated, looking to the side, “Yeah, maybe… why?”

She hesitated,

“Can you sing one?” She requested.

He let out a weak laugh,

“I'm not a singer…”

“But you seem skilled at nearly everything,” She stated.

“Yeah, but not singing.” He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt nervously.

Sage awaited his response, he let out a defeated sigh.

“I know… one… I think… My sister used to sing it to me when I was really little.”

Sage tilted her head in curiosity.

Stone took a deep swallow, breathing deeply,

“ Mama zamanha gaya…” He began, his voice pitchy and shaky, “ Gaya baedeh shiwaya, Gayba al’ab wa hagat, Gayba maha shanta~ ” the familiarity of the words rolled off his tongue seamlessly, he was surprised he even remembered the words.

 “ Fiha wezza wa bata, Bi ta’mel- ‘Quack quack quack’ “ she smiled as he did an impressively well-done duck impression.

“ Arfel wad el esmo adel gah doctor waamloh eh? Eh? Eh? ” He tilted his head, raising a brow, “ Laa regleh bao zayel fatal bas shewaya gowa eneh. Rah nidiloh ho’na kbira. Aref edal el ho’na leh? Ma bieshrabsh el laban el sobh we kol eshabo dehko aleh .” He frowned sadly, “ W Howa men yomha shereb w byekbar wetrabalo aadal fi ideh ~” 

He finished the tune, his throat unexpectedly tight, his heart overwhelmed with memories. He blinked lightly, lifting his gaze to look back at Sage.

She looked confused, but pleased.

“Why did the mother bring home a duck? And why did it suddenly switch the narrative to a frail boy who didn't drink his milk?”

Stone let out a light chuckle, realizing how strange the tune could sound to an outsider.
“Lullabies or any child's tune tends to be strange and… not make much sense.” He scratched his beard, “I think it's a story trying to inspire kids to drink their milk more. For good bone health and stuff… All that matters really is that it's catchy.” He chuckled.

Sage nodded in agreement,

“Thank you, agent.”

Stone smiled warmly,

“Goodnight, Sage.” He hummed.

Her red eyes dimmed as the sounds of her machinery ceased. Her eyes shut gently as her body grew limp. 

Stones' lips curled into a smile as he gently ran his hands along her soft, white hair.

He took in a breath before turning around, only to be faced with the doctor.

“You never told me you had a sister.” He sounded slightly more sincere than usual.

Stone shrugged awkwardly,

“Never saw a reason to. I don't remember her very much anyway.” 

Robotnik's eyes searched the floor, 

“Older?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you don't know what happened to her?”

“No, sir…But she was there to take care of me. She had memories of our parents, but I have no recollection. I'd like to think she's living a peaceful life, such as I.”

Robotnik scoffed, looking unsure.

“And you still miss her?”

Stone wasn't expecting so many questions about his estranged sister. He swallowed tightly.

“Of course I do. I guess I more miss what I can't remember… but I've moved on. I had to.”

Robotnik's mustache twitched unpleasantly. Stone wanted to change the subject badly, he had grieved the absence of his sister enough when he was a young boy. He didn't like how much it still hurt,

“Would you like me to sing you a lullaby as well, doctor?”

Robtinik frowned, glaring at him and huffed,  turning around to go to their bed and rest.

Stone noted he didn't say no. 

Chapter Text

“You know I hate the beach,” Robotnik grouched as he took careful steps down the dune sands,” My morphology is best suited for areas with limited UV exposure. High levels of pheomelanin make it nearly impossible to exist within a speck of the sun's vicious, untamed Ultraviolet gaze because of this fact. And not to mention, sand will get up all in the wrong places and is especially annoying to clean out of gears!”

Stone clutched Robotnik's arm tightly, doing his best to prevent him from sinking into the cold sand as they traversed down the unstable dune,

“I know, Doctor, we will take precautions, we always do. But you promised Sage she could go anyplace she wanted today. And she wanted to see the water.”

Robotnik frowned as he yanked his foot out of the consuming sands, narrowly tripping over a large root that stuck out from the ground,

“I’m actively regretting that arrangement.” 

Stone had heard of a small inland lake area near their abode from the locals who roamed around from time to time; he had always wanted to visit the area, but never had any incentive to do so. He was thrilled when Sage expressed interest in the area.

A freshwater beach definitely had a much different vibe than an oceanic one. The air was cold, and so were the sands. Native grasses sprouted out of the ground at every opening, snagging the sides of his legs as he trudged through them. There was no salty air that harassed your senses, and the seagulls seemed less vicious.

It was overall.. more peaceful. 

Stone knew it would be; that’s why he chose the area. While there were still a select few families spending their evening in the area, it was relatively very open, and finding a nice spot near the water was no hassle at all.  The doctor and Stone respectively embraced their seclusion from other bipedal folk.

Stone threw the umbrella down with a powerful force, piercing the granular ground. He laid out a lawn chair for the Doctor and gingerly assisted him into the seat.

Sage was a little bit up ahead of them. She wore a turquoise full-body swimsuit that covered every part of her but her feet, hands, and head with a big white and yellow flower pattern in the middle. She also wore two adorable pink floaties. The Doctor wanted to take precautions in not only protecting her joints and preventing her from submerging herself too far, but also hiding the small features that could trigger some sort of comment from passersby. 

Stone himself was also wearing a wetsuit. It was black with purple highlights. He liked to be prepared for any setting to the best of his ability; a wetsuit would not only protect his skin and provide adequate thermal insulation, but would also allow for a much more comfortable and successful navigation of the wet terrain. After his last interaction with water, being in the River Thames, he felt it necessary to take these precautions. 

Robotnik himself, however, sadly didn’t look much different from his usual attire. He wore tacky swim trunks decorated with flamingos and a white tank top with a picture of some random punk band Stone had never heard of, and didn’t think the doctor knew of either. It was titled the ‘ Egg Crackers ’.

He could already begin to see the foundation of a line of tan along the doctor's pale body, he wasn’t joking about how sensitive his freckled skin could be.

As Stone helped the doctor properly lather himself in the required sun protection agent, they both watched Sage with a shared serenity.

“You have to admit, sir… she already seems to be enjoying this trip.”

Robotnik let out a huff,

“She hasn’t spoken since we got here. She ran so far up ahead of us, I was almost worried she'd get snatched up by a seagull or get eaten up by the waves. But she’s just standing there… observing them.”

“Watching,” Stone corrected him. 

“Whatever. Perhaps she’s analyzing the intensity of the waves… the possible force of a current…. Maybe even calculating at what angle the wave will break.” He scratched his chin, marveling.

“Or. Perhaps sir. She is just enjoying the scenery.” Stone offered.

Sage approached the two of them, waddling awkwardly due to the tightness of the suit and the bloating of her Floaties.

“Father?” She inquired.

“Yes, my sweet summer's day apple crumble pie?” Robotnik placed his whole attention on Sage.

“Am I designed to be impervious to the various threats water can present to technology?”

“Of course you are, dear daughter!” He threw his hands in the air as Stone did his best to cover the doctor's face with sunblock.” However, you must approach this with caution. I am unsure how your body could react to being fully submerged, especially with this-“

He tapped the exposed side of her head,

“Don’t want your cranium filling up with too much water. Or I’ll have to hang you upside down from a clothesline with the laundry and rattle you around.” He frazzled her hair playfully, “Take Stone with you, he’ll make sure you won’t take any of those risks.”

“Will you not go in the water with us?”

Robotnik made a hissing sound through his teeth,

“My bones are creaky and old. I don't need a cold blast of H2O to make my immobility any worse. I refuse to submerge myself in anything colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.. Or 15.5555556 degrees Celsius.” He conveyed quickly.

“Your tenacity is legendary. But I do wish you’d reconsider…”

“Come on, Sage,” Stone quickly offered, leaning in closer, ” maybe if we have a lot of fun, he’ll want to join in later .” He whispered with a smile.

Her expression lifted slightly, seemingly approving of Stone's scheme.

“ Yes, let's .” She did her best to whisper as she skipped off to the waves. 

Robotnik waved them off as Stone gave him a lighthearted shrug.

The water felt strange against her metallic body. She noted how her suit both absorbed and prevented the water's attempted incursion. She held Stone's hand as they trudged deeper and deeper into the water, slowly consuming their bodies as waves splashed against them.

Each time a wave broke against the agent's body, he would flinch, his body extending further to combat the change in water level. 

He winced, releasing a hiss as another wave splashed against him, this time reaching his chest,

“Cold- huh?” He asked through stuttering breaths.

She processed for a moment,

“It is roughly 16 degrees Celsius… does that mean Father will join us?”

Stone winced once more as a wave hit him,

“I doubt it, but there's hope.”

He noted how the water was nearly at her neck, her floaties about the only thing keeping her afloat. Her toes stood against the ground as it lowered below her.

He passed her a flotation device he had carried out into the water, which was shaped like a duck. 

“Here, I'll push you on this,” He offered as he watched her clumsy attempt to board the rubber vessel. 

After a long struggle, she situated herself on her transport, Stone grinning widely as he grabbed the side and tugged her out further into the horizon. Eventually, he let her go, sending her down a gentle current, spinning, as the waves broke her course. 

She turned her head to eye the agent and watched as he took a sharp inhale and disappeared under the surface of the water.

The sediment kicked up by the waves made it hard for her to see where the agent had gone off to; she examined eagerly, awaiting his return. 

She heard a splash behind her, whipping around to see the agent pop out of the water, looking shocked.

He shook his head, some of the water splashing against Sage as he embraced himself and shivered,

“HA- HOO- it's freezing!” He expressed through gritted teeth.

She couldn't resist a quiet giggle that escaped her. 

“And yet you still swim?”

“Well, I'm already here, aren't I? I just have to…” He began kicking his feet, “Move more and I'll warm up eventually.”

He used his foot to lightly tap her floaty, sending her into a spin as a smile eluded her. 

He grabbed the rubber duck and yanked it along with him as he swam even further, 

“Woaaaah-” he quipped as he spat water from his mouth.

Eventually, he took another deep inhale and disappeared under the water as Sage began to move. He popped up once again, and then under, and back up, over and over. Sage found amusement in guessing where the agent would appear.

Suddenly, he lunged out of the water, playfully snatching her from her post and dragging her back into the water with him.

She let out a delighted squeal as her body hit the water, her floaties preventing her from sumberging, pushing up against her neck and face as her arms flailed.

Sage looked back to the shore and noticed Robotnik standing on the edge. His feet were only barely coming in contact with the small waves that made it to shore. He was observing her intently.

Stone was right; if she had enough fun, how could the doctor resist? He'd join them eventually… wouldn't he?

Sage realized Stone was circling her, amusement sparkling in his eyes,

“You're like a little bobber for fishing,” he made some sort of plopping noise with his lips as he tugged at her legs, causing her body to experience buoyancy. 

She looked down at her feet, eyeing them intently as she kicked them vigorously. A noise she didn't think she could make escaped her vocal processor. Stone seemed just as shocked as she was.

“Woah! What was all that?” He chuckled.

She spun herself around, keeping her gaze on her feet,

“I'm floating again.” She explained.

“Yeah! That's right, you are, huh? How does it feel? Is it any different than when you were in cyberspace?”

Sage floated aimlessly,

“Very different… It's just as hard as walking.” 

“Ah, just another thing you'll learn, and soon you'll be able to float like me,” He said, quickly diving back under water and scooping her up on top of his shoulders.

She held the top of the agent's head as she looked back at the shore, noting Robotnik had his whole ankle now submerged. She'd have to do something much more intense to entice him further.

She started to wriggle atop the agent's shoulders until she kicked herself off, plunging into the water.

“Woah! Careful Habibti!” He uttered in a panic.

Sage spat water from her compartments as she felt the agent lift her from the water, placing her back atop the rubber duck. She glanced and realized Robotnik was now in the water at knee height, looking more distressed.

She glanced back at the agent before quickly jumping back off the perch and into the water.
“Sage!” He chuckled nervously, picking her back up and putting her right back, “What are you doing, silly?”

Sage turned her head back to the doctor, the agent's eyes following hers.

“Ah…well, you don't need to go jumping into the water to get him out here,” He laughed, frazzling her hair,” I'll be right back.”

Robotnik had kept his eyes on Sage for so long that he had hardly noticed the slim, soggy figure approaching him.

He groaned as he attempted to quickly retreat back to the shore before realizing his feet had been captured by the sand.

He tugged at his leg as the sand dispersed with the water, nearly toppling over when it released him, before the agent caught his hand quickly,

“Woah, Doctor- what’s the rush?” He asked innocently. 

“That little siren, she was luring me out here, wasn’t she? So you could come and snatch me up when I wasn’t looking,” he humphed. 

Stone grinned, looking back at her,

“Yeah, clever girl. She says the water is 16 degrees Celsius.”

“That’s only .4444444 above my limit!”

“But it is above your limit, come on, sir,” he sounded particularly nagging. And his current state made him look like a sad, wet puppy, too difficult to decline.

Robotnik groaned dramatically,

“Fine! But I’m not staying for long!”

Stone smiled, Robotnik couldn’t tell if the sun was simply kissing his skin or if he was glowing.

He offered his arm as an assist as Robotnik begrudgingly took it, slowly creeping further into the water.

His face jeered with each step he took. He could even feel Stone shivering beside him,

“Why even go in the water if it’s this uncomfortable for you?” He gripped.

“It’s fun, Sir,” he responded.

Robotnik rolled his eyes, his skin crawling as the water started to reach his thighs. He eyed Sage,

“You shouldn’t have let her out there. A pufferfish is going to snatch her up as a snack.”

Stone snorted,

“You know that’s ridiculous, Doctor.”

“What’s ridiculous is this water! It’s freezing! If it can be this ridiculous, then so can I!” 

Stone playfully rolled his eyes, and Robotnik frowned,

“I saw that agent. Don’t think I didn’t.”

“Sorry, sir.”

They trudged further,

“You know this whole area is like one big toilet bowl, right? You’re swimming in fish and animal urine and excrement. Probably human, too. Is it still fun?”

“Everything is practically a waste bowl with that logic, Doctor.”

“All I'm saying is it’s cold and also gross. I see no appeal.” 

Despite his grouching… Robotnik was beginning to feel a lot more comfortable. The cold was still unbearable, but his body felt… lighter. It felt a lot easier to navigate.

Stone seemed to notice that his shoulders relaxed the deeper they went. 

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” He commented.

Robotnik tried to sneer, but the overwhelming comfort he experienced from the water's buoyancy was too distracting,

“It’s still… fish pee…” he mumbled.

Once they reached Sage, she gleefully hopped back into the water, swimming (although it seemed more like flailing) towards the Doctor, who welcomed her with a deep embrace.

“Don’t tell me you like this, too,” Robotnik pestered.

She grinned slightly as she clung to him like a baby bat, refusing to let go.

“Oh great, the sirens got me. And it looks like Filleted Doctor is on her menu tonight.” Robotnik muttered to Stone

“What's that goofball doing now..” Robotnik spoke through a mouthful of his egg sandwich lunch.

Stone sat up from where he had been absorbing the sun's rays and peered ahead of him. Sage was standing on the edge of a small inlet just separated from the main body of water. It was still and much more peaceful than the pounding waves, a much-needed alternative to the adventure they had just had.

She splashed her hands quickly into the water, toppling over upon impact.

Stone and Robotnik eyed one another, curiously making their way over to her.

“What's going on here?” Stone was the first to ask. 

Sage pointed fixedly on these tiny movements within the clear water…

“Minnows? That's what you're wasting your attention on? ” Robotnik snorted.

Sage's eyes watched the small fish with deep fascination. She lunged her hand in once more, the school dispersing quickly to avoid the attack. 

“Are you trying to catch them?” Stone chuckled lightly.

“Yes… But they appear to be quicker than I once calculated. They can detect my shadow above the water, and even scatter at the slightest ripple movement.” She lamented. 

“Ha! Fast, maybe, but their brains are about the size of a sand grain.” Robotnik flicked a speck of sand from his arm. “When dealing with an enemy that's full of brawn but lacks brains, you need one simple tool to outwit them…”

“And what is that, Father?”

Robotnik limped over and grabbed a red bucket that didn't belong to them,

“Outsmart them, present them with a concept they've never been exposed to before. Their arrogance on the matter will leave them exposed to a more ostentatious attack…” He gently laid the bucket into the water, allowing it to fill, “and you await the right moment…” He sprinkled a piece of his sandwich into the water, “ for their futile existence to draw them right..” Robotnik waited, curious and cautious fish entering the bucket, pecking hesitantly at the bread crumbs, “to take the bait-” He snatched the bucket quickly, water splashing around them as he presented his catch with a gelastic grin.

At first, not much could be seen with how the water rocked against the edges of the red bucket, but as the ripples began to disperse, a tiny twinkle could be seen within the red backdrop.

Sage let out a slight gasp,

“You did it..”

“You sound surprised?” Robotnik brushed his mustache with his fingers.” You forget some of my most recent encounters involved a particularly fast, dimwitted, fast-talking, nonsensical, wretched blue rodent,” Robotnik grumbled.

“It's a wonder you were never able to catch him,” Sage muttered, her eyes still fascinated by the small fish captured in the bucket.

“Hey! I caught him plenty of times! He just… always found a way out of my grasp.”

Just as the doctor explained, a small minnow hopped out of the bucket, flopping against the ground.

“Yeah, exactly like that.” Robotnik sniveled, Stone placing a comforting hand on his shoulder only to be smacked away.

Sage picked up the small minnow, which flopped desperately against the dry ground. She found it interesting how it felt moving in her hands. Her eyes traveled between the water and the bucket, contemplating. Eventually, she tossed the small fish back into the inlet, meeting the water with a small plop .

“Woah! What did you do that for? He was yours to examine!” Robotnik jeered, offended.

Sage shrugged innocently,

“He made a valiant effort to escape, I thought he deserved his freedom.” She looked back down at her fish bucket, “After all, I still have plenty of others to examine thanks to your commendable display of entrapment.”

That seemed to please the doctor, who adjusted his posture to seem more boastful. 

“In that case, carry on with your fishy expedition.”

The rest of their day was filled with smaller activities, searching for pretty rocks, building sandcastles along the doctor's belly, and chasing seagulls. Their day was cut short when Robotnik got particularly frazzled at a seagull that pecked at his head. Leading to him wildly chasing after it, attempting to snipe it down with his robotic glove and its built-in blaster function. He luckily ended up missing, only because he had tripped and fallen over. 

That and the setting sun were a good indicator for them to start heading home. 

Burnt and still covered in sand, Robotnik gently set Sage along her bed, using a brush to remove any sand particles within her joints. The suit had done a decent job, but a few stragglers made their way through.

Stone was half-dressed and sun-kissed, passed out in their bed. Robtonik assumed he only had the energy to put some pants on before conking out. If he weren't so exhausted himself, he'd definitely berate the agent for allowing so much sand into their bed, but that was a conversation to have tomorrow… It seemed the day took a toll on all of them. 

Robotnik gingerly lifted her arm as he removed the granular substance from her hinges.

“Father, may I ask you another question?”

“That seems to be all you do,” He teased lightly, “Shoot.”

“It's about today…And I guess by association, all other days I've existed in the physical world.”

Robonik continued brushing, his stache twitching to imply he was listening.

“The only exposure I ever had to this world and humanity beforehand was through you. With the way you described it, I presumed it to be cold, unwelcoming, unimpressive, uninteresting,  unrelenting, ruthless, apathetic, barbarous… and any other synonym for heartless and empty. But through my experience, although limited… it was none of those things.”

“I saw beauty today,” She said wistfully, “The world was beautiful… its waters, its lands, its horizons, its creatures, big and small. All of it was magnificent. How could you despise it so much? Even after all that is offered to us so graciously?”

Robotnik raised an amused brow, his voice caught on a deep vibrato,

“The world's not kind to everyone, Sage. Especially not people like me. Not even creations like you. Your exposure is limited, and the beauty of this world will only highlight how ugly it can get. What we have prevented from being a paradise for us.” 

Sage pondered,

“If that's so… then why not focus your efforts on preserving what is good in this world? The beauty? Why embrace its ruthlessness? Is it easier that way?”

Robotnik stopped his scraping, slowly lifting his gaze. To Sage's surprise, there was no hostility or defensiveness to it. His hazel eye carried a deep sense of pity, and he almost looked exhausted. As if he, too, had pondered this question one too many times before.

He offered her a quick smirk, setting the brush down before ruffling her head, 

“You're a smart girl...” His voice carried an uncharacteristic fondness in it. He sounded genuine, and yet offered no real response to her question.

“Goodnight, Sage,” He mumbled quietly, her commands sending her into an authorized slumber before she could pester him more.

Chapter Text

Stone stretched his back, a grunt following a dull pop. Sharing sleeping quarters with Robotnik, while having its pros, revealed its cons quite quickly. The two men were, as Robotnik explained, “living pipecleaners ” when it came to sleeping. As in, their bodies contorted and latched together in ways they didn’t think were plausible when unconscious. For almost half the nights, Stone woke up hanging off the bed. This particular night, he was face down with the doctor lying on top of him… horizontally. 

But the doctor seemed comfortable, so Stone decided it was best not to complain. Their sleeping arrangement was just another thing Stone was willing to adapt to after all these years.

He scratched his lower back as he opened the fridge to examine its contents. Or, more accurately, identify what was lacking within the cold storage box.

“Hmmm… Doctor, Sage, any ideas what we should have tonight?” He hummed, turning his head following his offer.

Sage and Robotnik were lying on the ground, feet in the air, gently swaying back and forth as they decorated a sheet of paper with a multitude of multi-colored crayons.

Sage seemed to be attempting to draw the three of them together, and Robotnik was helping her color in an explosion.

“Why are you asking me? I’m a doctor, not a cuisiner,” Robotnik grumbled, keeping his focus on the red and yellow waxy explosion before him. 

“I only ask because it appears our fridge is quite vacant…” Stone stuck his head in deeper, as if there was possibly some sort of morsel hiding from him.

“Well then, go get groceries,” Robotnik expressed with a sassy inflection, making the “duh” hand movement to Sage, who offered an amused smile.

“Yeah, perhaps I’ll take my bike down to the grocery outlet later today,” he closed the fridge,” maybe you’d like to join me, Sage?”

Robotnik stopped coloring and shot a furious look at Stone. Sage's eyes expressed intrigue,

“I’ve never been on a motorbike before.” She explained, Stone knew that was childish code for showing an interest in something. 

“And there’s a reason for that, you’re not going,” Robotnik grouched.

“Why?” Both Sage and Stone sang in sync, Stone sounding slightly more upset than the child.

Robotnik looked accusingly at both of them, 

“What do you mean, why?!” He mocked,” Do you understand how dangerous it is to navigate the roads on such a flimsy device? You’re completely exposed and at the mercy of much larger metal death machines who might not have the patience for a gadfly like you on the road!”

“But, sir, you know how careful I am! Plus, I’ve been riding for years! And you manned plenty of metal death machines!”

“Well, those metal death machines were intended to be metal death machines! Destruction was a desired result! I don’t think I have another refrigerator to spare when my poor daughter inevitably eats asphalt because you’re a crackpot on turns!” 

“Doctor,” Sage placed a hand on Robotnik's arm, he quickly turned to attention,” did you consume the asphalt in the past? Is this why you are so averse to the idea?” 

Stone snorted but did his best to hide it by clearing his throat. Robotnik's eyes bored holes into him, his mustache twitching offensively,

“Only because he made me!” Robotnik pointed a dramatic finger at his agent.

“I did not!” Stone interjected rather quickly.

“You’re a loose cannon on those roads! A maniac, a wacko! Your turns are hysterical, and if I hadn’t worn a helmet that day, my brilliant brain would’ve made a mushy painting across the yellow striped boulevard that could have counter Picasso's work!” 

“I had to beg you to wear that helmet!” Stone’s voice pitched but was caught on a chuckle,” and we were escaping a deal gone bad! And I told you to lean with the turns, but you leaned in the opposite direction, causing the bike to fumble over due to the imbalance and send us both tumbling!”

“That form of navigation is unnatural! My body was simply responding to the unfamiliar stimuli and attempting to return balance to my body!”

“Father, I still desire to ride this motorcycle,” Sage interjected dully.

Robotnik looked like he was going to resemble the drawing on the paper very soon, but Sages' neutral and yet curious expression seemed to offset his rage.

“Come on, sir. It’ll be nice for her to get out and to experience even more delightful emotions,” Stone offered with a ridiculously wide smile.

Robotnik picked at the waxy paper coating the red crayon,

“I only worry…. All those people…”

“But at the lake, I existed within the vicinity of plenty of other humans.”

“Yeah, well, that wasn't in a closed-in vicinity… if anyone made any sort of comment or looked at you for too long, I easily could’ve taken care of them.”

“Like how you took care of that Seagull?” Sage jested.

Robotnik frowned. Stone had made his way behind him and placed an assuring hand on his shoulder. 

“Come on, Doctor… you know if anything happens, I’ll protect her. She’s safe with me, the same way you always have been.”

Robotnik's pupil swelled slightly, his brows knitted in consideration as he placed a finger along his chin,

“I suppose… while not exactly statistically significant with the limited occurrences in which that statement is applicable,” He rambled,” you have a point.”

“So will I be allowed to join Stone on his expedition today?”

“On one- two- no THREE conditions,” Robotnik said sternly. Stone slipped over to Sage and sat cross-legged in front of the doctor. Both of them looked at him with eagerness in their eyes.

“One…. Stone, I want you to make a chicken pot pie for tonight,” Stone began nodding enthusiastically to his terms,” two, give me a few hours to construct the proper gear for your travels,” he pointed to Sage, who nodded,” and three… I want a frame for this.” 

He tapped the finished drawing. Sage lifted it proudly and presented it to Stone. It was the three of them holding hands, standing atop an Earth that was exploding. Stone could feel a tear of pride slip down his cheeks as he agreed to Robotnik's conditions and praised the child's extraordinary artisan skills.

Robotnik huffed as he released the latch to his underground layer, hauling himself out of the pit carrying two distinctive contraptions he had just finished composing. One he had had in the works for quite some time now… he thought it appropriate to finally use it on the field. And who better to test it than his loyal sycho-friend?

The sound of Stone's motorcycle warming up hummed against the quiet afternoon, the scent of petroleum filling the air. 

He limped over from behind the camper to be greeted with one of the most adorable displays ever to capture his vision.

Stone had his motorcycle already out of storage. His legs sprawled across the bike's body, his feet barely touching the ground. 

Sage was placed firmly in his lap, her hands on the bike's handles as Stone's own hands helped her navigate the apparatus, her movements hesitant and curious.

Stone wrapped his fingers around hers, firmly gripping the handlebars and twisting them ever so slightly. A loud revving of its engine sputtered and rattled the bike as Sage jerked back in surprise, followed only by an amused chuckle from the agent.

While the image before him did make his heart melt into his stomach, inciting a sickening feeling he had grown to not mind, he had more important things at hand.

He hid his inventions behind his body as if they were a gift and cleared his throat loudly. The two turned their heads in sync,

“Oh, hey, Doctor!” Stone said cheerfully.

“Father, I’m on a motorbike,” Sage expressed with flat enthusiasm. 

“Yes… I see that” Robotnik used his free hand to scratch his chin, “ but something is missing…” 

He quickly pulled his arm from behind his back, clumsily plopping a white and red helmet onto her large, adorable head.

She wobbled as she recalibrated her balance, lifting her hands so she could adjust the protective gear.

“This’ll ensure your cranium stays safe with this maniac's driving.” 

Stone smirked as he helped Sage stay upright.

“It’s perfect, Doctor.” Stone insisted.

“It is a bit limiting.” Sage pointed out, her voice severely muffled.

“See! She thinks so too!” Robotnik huffed in annoyance at Stone,” Luckily, I’ve implemented a speaker system within both of your helmets. Communication should be easier than if you were to try and shout over the roaring of the wind.” 

“You always think of everything, doctor!” Stone helped Sage adjust her helmet as it remained lopsided.

“Yeah, yeah, enough with the groveling, I have one more surprise. It's for you– Stone.”

Robotnik had no idea why his voice faltered near the end as it reached the agent's name. Why was he suddenly flustered? He was the one gracing Stone with the opportunity to man one of his finest creations, he should be the one abashed!

Stone raised a brow, expressing surprise,

“For me?”

“Yes- um- Stick your hands out.” Stone blinked, pausing for only a second, “Did I stutter?!” Robotnik barked.

Stone swiftly extended his hands outward, his face stiff with alarm.

“And uh- Sage! Cover his eyes, he’s a peaker, I don't trust him.”
Sage clumsily stood atop the bike seat and did her best to cover the agent's eyes, her head still toppling over with the weight of her helmet.

Robotnik revealed his work from behind him, swiftly unhatching the gauntlets as he slipped them into the agent's hands, ensuring his fingers fit tightly into the metallic gloves. 

“Ok… Open!” Robotnik commanded. Stone opened his eyes but was still immobilized by Sage's tiny hands. “Oh, Sage, sweety, you can remove your hands now.” 

Stone blinked, free of the darkness and the pudgy metallic border that sealed his eyes. He looked down at his arms, his lips curling in fascination. His jaw clenched as he examined Robotnik's work with intensity. His eyes expressed what Robotnik could only assume was bewilderment, his eyebrows pressed together in shock.

“Are these… my old gauntlets?”

“Gauntlets? Yes. Old? No. These are the new and improved versions, baby!” Robotnik boasted.

“They're- amazing doctor-”

Robotnik trilled his tongue, placing a finger along Stone's lips to silence him,

“That's not all. Do me a favor and flex your hands inwards, press the button on your palms, and then release it swiftly.”

Stone hesitated, but moved his head back down to his gloves as he curled his fingers inward, extending them outward with force. 

The agent let out a gasp of astonishment as large, black, metallic claws protruded from his fingertips. He examined them as if gawking over a newly done pedicure.

“Neat, huh? Thought they may come in handy if someone gets a little too close for comfort out there… You know how humans are.”

Stone's eyes sparkled with gratitude as his lips bordered on a pout. Robotnik sneered at his pathetic display,

“Yeah, yeah- make it up for me with dinner tonight.” Robotnik huffed.

Stone nodded, making the proper assumption to curl his hand inward to detract his claws. He slipped his jet black helmet on and lifted Sage gently as he placed her behind him in the passenger seat cushion, grabbing her hands and ensuring she held tightly onto his waist.

“You hold on tight to me, ok, Pebble?” Stone asked over the drumming of his engine.

Sage's helmet bobbed as she replied with a nod. 

Stone gave one last look at Robotnik before waving him off, lifting his feet from the ground as his motorcycle gently navigated towards the open road, gaining speed once it came in contact with the pavement. 

Sage was not prepared for how exhilarating this trip would truly be.

From the moment they started moving, an electrifying rush surged through her. In the beginning, it had scared her; this sudden overwhelming feeling was nearly too much to bear, her fingers gripping tightly against the agent's sides, her head firmly pressed up against his spine.

He tilted his head back slightly, his voice suddenly flooding into her helmet,

“Are you doing all right?”

Despite their direct connection, his voice was still hard to translate over the paralyzing stimuli that surrounded them.

It took her a moment to process his question, her functions focusing on calculating possible dangers around them… There was a lot,

“I've never felt this before.” She admitted.

Stone took a turn, her fingers clutching even tighter against the agent's sides as he leaned with the curves.

He rebalanced himself,

“It's scary and overwhelming at first, but once your body accepts you're safe, it's one of the best feelings you can experience!”

He sounded too confident to be incorrect. She shut her eyes tightly, doing her best to convince her computers that her current situation did not render a calculation of survival. 

She removed her gaze from the jacket of the agent and turned her head hesitantly towards her surroundings.

Flashes of red, yellow, and white street signs zipped past her vision. As the season approached closer to spring, everything was being consumed in a lush green, making the dance of colors before her even more breathtaking. 

Her fear slowly started to resolve, a new feeling filling the space. 

Instead of focusing on all the ways she or the agent could be harmed, her processors began noticing the factors of the environment around her. The wind coming in contact with her metallic form, pebbles drumming against it as they were kicked up from the ground. Her black dress rippling against the wind, contorting as it came in contact with the breezes' vicious strikes. The dewey air slowly fogging up her visor, and the warmth radiating from the agent's body as the cold climate braced against him provided a sense of security to the robotic child.

Her electrifying fear had fully subsided, replaced with a feeling so raw, so galvanized, so charged…

Small giggles started to escape her; she wasn't sure why, but the feeling inside her insisted they be let out. Her laughs became louder, more confident, more boastful. 

Stone tilted his head, no doubt grinning under his helmet. 

He revved the engine as the motorcycle accelerated even faster, a delightful whoop bursting from the agent's chest.

Sage let out an enthused squeal, her body still rushing with unfamiliarity, but welcoming its enthusiasm.

She was then able to deduce the newest feeling she had just been exposed to: Thrill. 

To Sage's disappointment, the excitement swiftly came to an end as Stone pulled into the small parking lot of a tiny outlet store. As the humming and drumming of the motorcycle's engine died down, Sage lifted her heavy head and read the sign before her.

Morey’s.

Sage felt Stone's hands slip under her arms as he lifted and helped her down. As she went to remove her helmet, Stone stopped her,

“Hey, how about you keep that on for now, alright?”

Sage lifted her head, confused,

“But why? We are not on the road anymore.”

“Just keep it on… for safety.”

Sage noted that under his leather biker jacket, he wore a hoodie in which he promptly folded the hood over his head. 

His demands confused Sage, but she concluded it must be a tactic made by the agent to conceal their identity. So she kept her helmet on.

She held his hand as they entered through the metal doors, a bell chiming to alert of their presence,

Despite the fact that there were not many people within the outlet, they all seemed to be glaring at them with a shared uneasiness. Their movements around them initiated suspicion. Sage soon realized their precarious attitude was not admitted by her presence… but by Stones.

Despite the way the locals' eyes bounced off of him, Stone seemed unbothered, almost oblivious, but Sage knew better. She knew he was fully aware of their glares.

“Alright, looks like we need…” he grazed over the tiny wrinkled sheet of paper as he tried to read Robotnik's handwriting, “Carrots, peas, potatoes, milk, chicken stock, and crust. We have some leftover chicken at home, so we should be set!” He offered a cheeky smile. Sage nodded and continued holding his hand.

As they made their way to the back where the frozen section was, something sparkly and dazzling caught her eye. 

She stopped in her tracks, Stone suddenly being tugged back to where the child had planted her stance. 

In front of her was a rack of small pink short-sleeved t-shirts. In the center of it revealed a turquoise penguin design wearing ear muffs, cursive words orbited around it:

I'm Cool!

Cheap glitter chipped off the fabric, along with cheap plastic jewels. 

Stone gave it a glance, a very amused look befuddled him.

“You like that?”

Sage blinked, her eyes enticed by the silly penguin,

“I've never had a short-sleeved pink t-shirt with a penguin on it before…” She mumbled.

Stone chuckled, removing one from the rack and placing it up against Sage's chest. She looked down, examining the work more clearly now.

“Hmm… yeah, it looks good on you. And looks like it's gonna fit. Do you want it?”

Sage looked up, hopeful,

“Can I have it?”

“Of course you can,” He smiled. 

She took it in her hands, the shirt flopping against her grip.

“I didn't want to admit it to Father, but I was getting tired of wearing the same black dress every day.”

“Maybe I'll make you some new outfits, then,” he offered, ruffling her hair,” Now come on. We have to actually buy what we came here for.”

Sage continued to maintain her gaze on the sparkly apparel before her as Stone swiftly selected a bag of frozen peas from the freezer.

Her gawking was suddenly interrupted when she detected an unwanted presence approaching them. It seemed Stone acknowledged them too, lifting his head and offering his best inoffensive smile,

“Can I help you?” He chirped. His grip became noticeably tighter against Sage's hands. 

Sage located a badge along the balding man's shirt… Morey. This must be his store. He fumbled over his words as he approached them,

“Oh yes- sorry it's just um…” his eyes traveled to Sage, he took a hard swallow, “I'm sorry but Im going to have to ask you and your daughter to leave.”

Stone kept a smile plastered on his face, but it noticeably fell, 

“Oh, it's no problem, we were just here for a few things-”

“No, I mean… now.”

There was a suffocating silence that surrounded them. Stones' face contorted into a politely confused one,

“Why?”

“It's just… a few of my customers have expressed being uncomfortable…”

“And why is that?” All politeness dropped from Stone's expression, his voice bordering on hostility.

“Well… I guess ah-” The owner became visibly more uneasy, “I guess the whole-motorcycle probably scared a few people-you know, because it’s loud and just-wearing all black and a hood, you can understand why some might… find you suspicious.”

Stone seemed unconvinced,

“I'm just here with my daughter,” he countered. Sage noticed Stone flexing his gloves. Was he preparing an attack? Was this man a danger? Sage started to calculate the probabilities..

“Look, I understand that, sir…But I mean,” he offered a nervous chuckle and in a hushed tone, “ not many people around here are… used to seeing someone who looks like you. ”

Sage scanned Stones vitals, his heart was racing and his blood pressure high. This definitely was a threat, Sage felt something surge inside her… something programmed into her she had not yet before used.

“I see…” The agent's voice bordered on a growl.

A paralyzing rush outpoured from her, a red radiating glow filled her vision as words appeared along her visor,

THREAT: IDENTIFIED. PROTECTIVE PROCEDURES: ENGAGED. 

Her grip tightened against Stones as she glared at the threat before her.

Suddenly, sparks burst all around her, lights, and electrical systems deactivated and sputtered as they were engulfed in a red electrical blast. 

Screams followed the wave of electricity, the shop owner's face becoming petrified as he instinctively laid a punch across Stone's face.

Stone stumbled, holding his right eye as he swiftly hooked his leg under the man, causing him to trip and fall.

Frozen peas still firmly placed in his hands, he grabbed Sage tightly.

“We need to go!” He shouted, running out of the store as the sprinkler systems started to go off.

They hastily exited the store, throwing themselves onto their motorcycle as distressed customers exited the Morey’s.

They zipped off into the horizon before they could cause any more trouble.

Stone had pulled over near a small pond once he confirmed no one was chasing after them. He thought it best to settle and do his best to understand what had just happened. He assumed Sage needed to process it all as well.

He hissed through his teeth as he removed the frozen pea bag from his left eye, the chill it left behind providing him with a slight sense of relief against the throbbing pain.

“Is it bad?” He turned to Sage, who now sported her pink sparkly penguin shirt and was throwing frozen peas to the ducks that surrounded them.

She scanned him,

“There is a slight purple discoloration forming below your upper cheek bone, other than that..” she shrugged.

He sighed and placed the frozen bag back onto his eye, taking out a few peas and tossing them to a male duck that had begun pecking at his shoe. 

But something was eating at him… something other than a duck.

What had happened? He knew that wasn't any normal power outage… it was reminiscent of one of those wretched hedgehogs' super sonic blasts… immobilizing every electrical device in its vicinity. The only person here capable of such an event was… Sage.

“Hey… Pebble?” She turned her head and looked at him with some of the most innocent eyes. He took in a breath, “Was that whole… Shabang, you back there?”

She turned her head, her body language expressing guilt,

“Yes… It was.”

She said no more. The only sound surrounding them was the curious and demanding quacks of the ducks.

“You know… I was ok. You didn't need to do that… I was just going to leave.”

“I… must have misidentified the man as a threat… You seemed agitated. I don't know what came over me…a protocol inside me awoke. I've never used it before…a protective procedure.” She explained.

Stone smirked,

“I'm the one who's supposed to protect you,” He teased lightly.

“I understand… it should remain that way. Seeing as my judgment was misplaced. There must have been a misinput in my analysis. I apologize for compromising the situation.” She sluggishly tossed the frozen peas. 

“Hey… It's not your fault.” He assured warmly, “ I guess the guy was a threat in some way, but… not one that required such force.” He chuckled.

The way her lips pouted told Stone she was thinking hard about his comment,

“I just… I do not understand. Why were the people there so hostile? What did we do to issue an order to evacuate the vicinity?”

Stone swallowed hard… how would he explain such a concept to a child? Let alone one who only experienced the real world about a month ago…

“Listen, it's… complicated,” He began, “A completely human invention… one that… warrants different responses from people.”

Sage's eyes searched for more answers.

“It's essentially… I guess, um… profiling,” He admitted, “You know how he pointed out the clothes I was wearing?”

“Yes, I don't understand the connection.”

“Well, there's a cultural history around a person who wears all black and kind of covers their face. They're associated with like- trouble makers or criminals, I guess. It can make people assume you're up to no good.”

“But the issue didn't seem to be with your outfit… What did the man mean when he said that not many people around there were used to seeing someone who looked like you? You are human, aren't you?”

Stone dreaded the question; he sighed,

"Well… the same way people make assumptions over the clothes you wear… they do the same for peoples…nations of ancestral origin.” He tried to explain lightly. 

“I don't… understand…”

“I don't blame you. It's dumb, humanity is judgmental, and based on generations of hatred and labels. Placing people into a restrictive box full of dangerous stereotypes meant to create this illusion of superiority between groups. Emphasizing one as having more worth than the others. And these ideas, this profiling, enforces an unruly hate upon those who match the description.” Stone didn't like how genuinely bitter he sounded.

“That… doesn't make any sense. To make such predictions based upon such trivial factors.”

“Tell me about it,” Stone sighed, “ humanity doesn't make sense. It's illogical and absurd.”

“Is that why you had me keep the helmet on, so I wouldn't be judged the same way you were?”

He nodded slowly. Sage looked disappointed, it hurt Stone. But what else could he say?

He offered her a few more frozen peas, she took them gracefully and eyed the impatient ducks whose tails wagged in anticipation. 

“Ducks don’t profile,” she observed, “ they do not care what hand offers them the peas, only that they are getting a snack. That is logical,” she hand-fed one of the ducks, “ humans should be more like ducks.” She concluded. 

Stone couldn't help the lopsided smile that crawled across his face,

"Yeah… they really should be,” he wrapped his arm around her, patting her shoulder, “You're a smart girl, Sage.”

They sat there for a moment longer, the frozen peas in the bag becoming mushier. Stone sighed, removing them from his eyes,

"Looks like I'll have to pick up some takeout on our way back… the doctor won't be happy about today.”

Sage frowned.

“I'm sorry.” She reiterated.

“It's alright…you were doing only what was programmed into you. Let's just get home, ok? We'll figure it out… we always do.”

Also special thanks to @duckngk on tumblr and instagram for the incredible commision! Literally crying over here (also did not intend to make the duck connection...) Please go get yourself some amazing sketch commisions and support a Palestinian family in the process!

Chapter Text

“She blew up an outlet store?!” Robotnik's voice boomed against the open environment. After returning home and seeing his agent's state, Robotnik insisted that Stone and he step outside for an “adult conversation,” leaving Sage inside the camper.

“It wasn’t an explosion, more of an electrical surge-“ Stone tried to counter.

“I don’t care what it technically was! On any other day I would’ve approved of socking that asshole but this! This went too far!”

“It’s not her fault, sir!”

“I didn’t say it was her fault,” Robotnik sneered,” it’s yours! You said you’d protect her! I knew this would happen! You should never have manipulated me into thinking this was a good idea! The world is too cruel for a gentle soul like hers!” 

With the added injury, Stone's eyes looked extra doleful. 

“Doctor, I had no idea she was even capable of such a force,” his voice splintered as he hushed his tone,” if you had made me aware of it, I could’ve dealt with the situation better.”

“Oh, so it’s my fault now?”

“I didn’t-“

“Of course, she was going to have protective measures! How else would she defend herself? Clearly, I can’t rely on you to do that!” 

“I subdued the guy, and we got out of there safely! Doctor, this isn’t productive-“

Robotnik was fuming. His heart drummed at a dangerous rate against his chest. Everything else around his vision blurred except for Stone. Robotnik's pale complexion was painted in a deep pink shade. It burned. He clenched his clammy fists, gritting his teeth.

“Don’t lecture me about productivity! I told you not to take her with you! I told you bringing her into a restrictive environment was a bad idea! I told you! And for once in my life, I’m infuriated that I was right! You’ve destroyed my trust and put a target on our daughter's head!” 

Stone looked like he was about to cry, tears teetered along the edges of his eyelids, threatening to fall,

“Ivo-“

Stone had never referred to the doctor by his first name. He had no idea why he did at this moment. It was a moment of weakness, of vulnerability, his name unfamiliar to Stone's tongue. At any other point in time, it would have been a moment of tenderness, of compassion and sentimental intent. 

But not in this moment.

He never regretted saying a word more.

Robotnik's head snapped around to glare at Stone. The agent almost thought he saw fear in the doctor's eyes. Pure, prettified, immobilizing fear.

 Before he could begin backtracking on his words, he felt a neck-breaking jolt as the doctor grabbed him by the collar. Yanking him down below him. Pulling him in closely to the point he could feel the doctor's breath against his freshly bruised cheek. 

“Don’t.” He hissed.

Stone could hear the drumming of the doctor's heart through his grip. Robotnik's eyes burned through his skull, preventing him from saying anything more. His mouth curved permanently in a teeth-gritting frown. His breathing hitched, his grip not getting any looser.

“Dont.” He reiterated, much more quietly this time.

Stone took a hard swallow. They both visibly shook from the adrenaline and intensity of the moment.

Eventually, Robotnik let go of his collar, stepping back as Stone readjusted his posture. His clothing was now contorted from the doctor's intensive grasp.

Stone took in heaving breaths, his eyes caught on the floor as he fought back tears. 

He had never disappointed the doctor like this.

He had never failed him.

Robotnik didn’t say another word. Both of their breaths stuttered. Robotnik gripped his face with his hands as he rubbed his temple.

He threw his hand down, turning back to Stone but not looking at him.

“I’m going to my lab. Don’t bother me. And make yourself useful and chop some firewood.”

He grumbled before shoving past Stone. A shoulder jab from him had never been so painful.

Stone stood there for a few moments longer. Finally, he allowed a few tears to slip down his cheek. He went to wipe them, forgetting the bruise that swelled against his lower eye. He winced and took a hard swallow, sniffling as he tried to regain his composure.

He took the axe from the log placed just by the fire pit and did his best to make himself useful. 

With each swing of his axe and splintering of the wood, he berated himself internally.

CHOP

You should have listened to the doctor..

CHOP

He’s always right…

CHOP

Everything was going so swell…

CHOP

And you had to ruin it..

CHOP

And put this peaceful life at risk-

“Agent?” Sage's small voice startled him from behind. Jumping as he gripped the axe tightly to his chest.

“Oh- Sage-“ he took a breath,” Pebble, please don’t sneak up behind me when I have a weapon on hand…”

“But I didn’t sneak, I called your name a multitude of times. It appears you could not hear me.” 

“Oh… I’m- sorry, Sage, just a bit…” he couldn’t find the words. His mind swiftly slipped back into its dissociative state. He almost went back to chopping before Sage spoke again.

“I heard father yelling…” 

Stone paused, taking a hard swallow,

“Yeah?”

“He was mad… wasn’t he?”

“Oh… don’t worry about it, Sage, he just… he’s just scared, is all. He gets like this..” he set up a log.” he’ll get over it..” he took a hard swing, it splintered in half.

“Your voice does not carry confidence.”

Stone sucked in a sob,

“Hey, how about you help me carry some of the chopped wood over to the fireplace, huh?” He offered, trying his best to change the subject.

Sage eyed the splintered wood and nodded, carrying an impressive amount of logs over to the fireplace. To Stone's dismay… She finished the task quickly and efficiently. Of course, she did; she was of the doctor's creation.

“I am sorry I caused all of this.” She said sincerely, “I should have controlled myself better-“

“Sage. Stop.” Stone lamented, “It’s not your fault.”

“It's not yours, either…” She pointed out.

“I was the adult in the situation, I should’ve handled it better-“

“I am as unpredictable to you as I am to myself. It does not appear practical to point fingers at one another and debate who to blame. Clearly, the guilty party in all of this is the man himself who initiated the conflict. How come you and father do not see that?” 

Stone paused, the axe feeling weak in his grasp. She was right…. Of course, she was. 

He almost wished she wasn’t. It was so much easier beating himself up and taking the blame than actually considering Robotnik was unruly and unreasonable with his assumptions and actions... It was harder to be angry at Robotnik than it was to be so with himself. 

“It’s just… a lot easier to place the blame onto someone in your circle… And you can actively beat them down for the mistakes. It returns the power. Makes you feel like you have more control over the matter. And the doctor likes having control. If he doesn’t… he’s terrified.” He explained.

“And so he chooses you as the man to fall back on? That…. That doesn’t seem appropriate.”

“He’s my boss, Sage. That’s just how it’s always been.”

Sage's eyes expressed a mixture of both shock and discomfort.

“Boss?… But I…. I thought you…. We were more than… “ She frowned.” Are we not a family ?” 

Stone closed his eyes, immediately regretting his statement. He was saying all the wrong things today.

“We… we are Sage it’s just… it’s…”

“Complicated?”

“Yeah… complicated.” 

She thought for a moment, her head peeking up,

“Maybe I can speak with him. Show him his frustrations are misplaced. He will listen to me-.”

“No… Sage… no sweetheart…” he knelt down,” let him cool off for now… he needs his space. To think straight… trust me on this… ok?” 

Despite Sage's disappointment, she nodded. 

After calculating what the best course of action she should take now, she rushed into Stone's leg and hugged him. Something she had learned humans found comfort in.

Stone felt a sob leap into his throat, but he bit the sides of his cheek to prevent an emotional dam from being ruptured.

He embraced the small child, gently patting her on the back. 

She nuzzled neatly into his leg. He tried to offer a chuckle, but even that splintered. 

He cleared his voice,

“ Ok… I’m ok…. Thank you, Sage .” His throat became raspy from how sore it had become from combating a sob.

“We will figure this out,” she whispered confidently, “ we always do.”

Stone couldn’t help but smile,

“ We sure do… ”

Stone and Sage sat closely by the fire. It had become dark now, much later than they were used to staying up. But it seemed like none of them had any interest in sleep.

Sage plopped a few pieces of wood into the fire along with some dried pine needles. Stone used a metal poker to prod the logs up straight.

The sound of the crackling fire and active nocturnal wildlife was interrupted by a loud creak from behind the trailer and a few grunts.

Robotnik had finally left his deep, dark hole.

Stone felt his stomach drop all over, wanting nothing less than to speak with the doctor again. He couldn’t risk saying anything more wrong. 

Sage seemed eager to catch Robotnik's eye as he made his way around the camper.

Stone hung his head low, pretending to be preoccupied with keeping the embers alive.

“Father, it is good to see you,” Sage chirped.

Robotnik grunted, clearly avoiding Stone's gaze as well. Sage approached him with a neutral confidence,

“Do you care to join us by the fire?”

Robotnik sighed,

“I’m tired, Sage-“

“Please join us by the fire.” It almost sounded like a demand… one Robotnik decided best to not disobey.

He let out an elongated sigh as he reluctantly limped over to the fire, plopping down in his respective lawn chair just across from Stone. Stone still kept his gaze averted. The bursting of the embers did not create enough noise to fill the void of silence between the two. 

Sage glanced between them, giving Robotnik a glare he was not familiar with. He furrowed his brow, shaking his head.

After a couple more moments of silence, Robotnik reached into his sweater and fumbled with his pocket,

“You want to see something cool, Sage?” He prodded.

Sage couldn’t resist her naturally curious programming, and she nodded.

“What color is the fire right now?” Robotnik asked.

“Generally, it is a mixed display between reds and yellows as they contort around one another. Red usually represents a much cooler flame, while yellow and even white represent much hotter, more intense flames. This is usually visually examined within the center of the blaze.”

“Good… now what’s this?”

He opened his large hands to reveal a string of some sort of wire…

“Is it… copper wire?”

“Bingo. Now watch this.”

He tossed the copper wire into the fire. As the flames consumed it, they quickly shifted in hue. From a dance of red and yellows to a waltz between green and blue. Sage's eyes sparkled in amazement.

“That is… incredible to see with my own eyes.”

Stone couldn’t help a smirk that engulfed his face, even if his head still hung low and his hands clasped together nervously.

“You know why it changes color?” She, of course, did, but wanted to hear what her father had to say. He leaned back in his chair as it creaked,” When you expose copper to heat, like a fire, it excites the copper ions within the wire. This excitement emits specific wavelengths of light when it’s heated. Causing this blueish green tone. It doesn’t last very long, however…” he mumbled as the fire slowly died back down to its original shade.

 “Life is fascinating…” Sage mumbled,” Isn’t it, Agent Stone?”

She had noted his complete silence since the doctor had arrived. He looked at her slowly and offered a polite smile, his beard molding with its shape. His dark brown eyes captured the fire just as nicely as they did the stars.

Sage made her way over to the agent and placed herself into his lap. He offered an even warmer smile and held her with compassion.

The rest of the night consisted of painful small talk. Sage couldn’t get a proper word out of either of them… she eventually came to the conclusion that perhaps her presence needed to be removed from the situation. Just as they had removed themselves before to have an “adult conversation,” perhaps now was the same.

She imitated a yawn, something she had seen them do when they expressed exhaustion. Robotnik seemed to smirk, he must have realized that she had no reason to yawn, she didn’t experience that sort of fatigue.

Despite Robotnik seeing right through her, Stone took the bait,

“You want to go to bed, Pebble?” He asked gently.

She nodded, rubbing her eye. Stone lifted her carefully, swinging her along his shoulders.

As he carried her back into the trailer, she glanced at Robotnik, one she hoped he could read.

At first, he almost looked slightly agitated, but judging by how his shoulders sank, he gave in to her silent demands…

After a few moments, Stone stepped back outside, his head directed towards the ground as he swiftly pranced down the steps.

As he took his seat, he poked at the fire, pushing around the logs as they spat out a swirl of flaming ash into the air.

Robotnik took a swallow. Sage hadn’t stopped making faces at him the entire time. What was her issue? If she wanted him to apologize, it wasn’t going to happen. He simply made a statement that could be perceived as fact from a particular point of view.

But… maybe… he had overreacted. A little. But he couldn’t let Stone know that, or anyone, for that matter. The doctor was never wrong.

But he should say something… he hated silence, he needed to fill the noise with anything he could,

“Your eye looks worse.” He grouched.

Stone frowned a little, delicately placing a finger along the purple bruise,

“Sage said it didn’t look that bad,” he pouted.

“Perhaps it’s the harsh lighting… You know… from the fire.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

Silence again. Ugh. Of course. He’d have to do all the work.

“I’m…” he took a dramatic swallow,” I guess I’m… sorry for snapping at you earlier.” 

Despite how sickening a task it was to apologize, he expected to be immediately gratified by his agent. 

Maybe a 

It’s ok, sir.

Or a

You don’t have to apologize, I understand. 

So he waited…. But Stone said nothing. Didn’t even nod. He looked, removed from the conversation, from Robotnik.

Shit! 

A panic sparked inside Robotnik's chest. He wasn’t used to this sort of silent treatment from his agent, not unless he commanded him to be silent- 

Was he actually mad? 

Was he genuinely so upset? 

Of course he was! 

Was he stupid? 

Robotnik cursed to himself, his brain scrambling on what more to say. 

He shivered… he assumed he should say the truth.

“ I may have overreacted…” he waited again, this time, his agent responded with a shrug,” I guess things have been so nice…I got scared at the concept that it could be taken away from me. But, that’s not your fault, no.” He scratched his chin.

Stone finally looked up at him, his eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity.

Robotnik continued,

“ It's just, when I heard that name… You say that name, I thought…” he grunted,” I don’t know. I hadn’t heard my own name spoken by anyone before… not until my grandfather came around. At first, I thought it was a nice gesture, a tender and vulnerable moment. Using such a title as a first name usually establishes a connection between someone… or at least an attempt at forming one. But, I guess my grandfather accounted for that. Just another thing he used against me, him and his sweet nothings,” he grumbled,” I assumed, when you said it, my name I… I guess I presumed you were doing the same thing.”

Stone's eyebrows knitted tightly together.

“Doctor, I would never do that… I don’t know why I said it… Maybe I was desperate to be heard. But I never intended to trigger anything within you. And I especially didn’t intend to use it as anything deceitful.”

“Yeah… I presumed once I cooled my head off…but it got me thinking about my grandfather… It made me realize something. Something about myself.”

“And what was that, sir?”

Robotnik caught Stone's gaze, he took in a weak sigh,

“The Robotnik lineage is just destined to be dismantled from the inside. Anyone associated, or showing any sort of connection linked to that name, is only fated to suffer under its fragile, pathetic narrative.”

“Doctor-“

“My grandfather loved Maria too much to leave her behind. But he loved his work as well, so much so that when they tried to take it away from him, he acted in desperation. And that desperation led to not only his work being taken away… but his Maria, too. Right in front of his eyes. I wonder if he regretted getting her involved in the first place. Perhaps he should have pushed her aside. If he had never brought her there, introduced her to Shadow, would she still be alive? How much more different would my life be? Sure, he wouldn't have that pure, genuine connection with my cousin… but she'd be alive.”

“Doctor, what are you trying to say?” Stone's voice came out sternly.

“I guess… I’m trying to say, maybe today…my anger, my coarseness, was all a projection. Because deep down, all of this is linked all the way back to my bloodline. Fated to destroy ourselves and others because of how unhappy we are with our own lives.”

“Doctor!”

“I didn’t have to put that program into her, but I did!” He leaned forward, teeth gritting,” I did because I don’t know any better. Because I arrogantly longed for my early days of creating weapons, these blood-thirsty governments would marvel and drool over. I made my own daughter a weapon . And then dared to be enraged when she acted like one. And panicked at the thought of taking accountability for it. I was willing to use a power source I did not fully understand because the idea of it fascinated me. The discoveries to be made enticed me. And I selfishly used my daughter as a test subject… just another variable. And I dragged you along with it, too, and didn't even have the courtesy to discuss it with you.”

He hunched over, letting out a disgruntled sigh,

“All I’m saying… is that if I lose her… if I lose my daughter… it’ll be all because of my actions. What I did. And I know I won’t be able to cope with that. I won’t be able to accept it. I’ll go insane, end up hurting the people I once cared about, just like my grandfather did. And I’ll end up pushing away the few people who maybe could have cared for me.  A trend I’ve engaged with far too many times.”

“I’m not a good person. Never prided myself on being. But I almost wish… maybe I could be good for her..” he paused,” maybe be good for….you too. But that…. Doesn’t seem plausible. Not anymore. Not with all I know now. Not with who I am.”

He shut his eyes, unwilling to face his agent before him. He was a coward.

The light crackling of the fire started to die down. He heard Stone take a few hefty breaths before opening his mouth,

“You’re not… a good man… exactly, Doctor,” Robotnik frowned,” but you’re not all bad, either.”

Robotnik weakly lifted his gaze, curious as to what the agent had to say. 

“I mean,” Stone chuckled lightly,” I don’t think the Robotnik I knew a few years ago would have even had this conversation, let alone admitted to half the things you’ve told me today.”

Robotnik tilted his head in agreement. Stone began again,

“I always liked being 'bad' with you. I felt like that’s what the world deserved, my bitterness. My anger, my hatred. But… I also liked being ‘good’ with you, too. That’s when I realized… it didn’t really matter what we were doing together. Whether it was plans for world domination or an intense game of Polish poker, the only constant was that I was with you. I didn't prefer one over the other, I simply just…. I liked being with you.” 

Robotnik couldn’t tell if the wind had shifted, causing the fire to blast his face with heat, or if it was some other physical response he wasn’t willing to acknowledge.

“Yeah… I guess I,” he gulped,” like being with you too…” 

Despite his gaze tearing away from the agent, he could feel his infectious smile beaming against him. 

“I’m sorry I tried pushing you away… and blamed you for everything… and yanked you by the collar… and being an overall asshole,” Robotnik rambled.

Stone laughed,

“It’s fine- I mean, it wasn’t but. You understand what I mean, sir.”

Of course I do.

Robotnik thought. Despite how confusing Stone still was to him, he had learned to read him quite well.

He heard a shuffle, like Stone had sat up from his chair. When he peeked back up, Stone was in front of him, his backside illuminated by the fire. 

The agent knelt down and wrapped his arms around the doctor in a secure embrace. 

Robotnik didn’t like how weak it made him feel. As if his muscles had just given out, and his bones had been liquified.

He wasn’t exactly entirely sure he deserved this courtesy from the agent… but that never seemed to matter to Stone.

He always stood firm… no matter what. Robotnik hadn’t realized how truly blessed he had been with someone as tolerant as his agent. 

He couldn’t afford to lose him…

Why was he only realizing this now?

Why was he always entirely too late?

He realized he had not moved despite the agent's arms still embracing him.

He weakly lifted his hand, placing it along the backside of his agent. He slumped his head so that it rested against Stones.  Instinctively nuzzling into the comfort provided.

Somehow, the embrace was warmer than the fire before them.

God. He couldn’t afford to let this go…

“Yay.” A tiny voice interrupted their tender moment, both of them jumping from one another’s grasp.

“Sage! You’re supposed to be in bed!” Stone sputtered nervously.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“You can not not sleep,” Robotnik grumbled,” you have an off switch!”

Sage blinked, looking to the side, attempting to find an excuse. It seemed like she gave up.

“So, have you two made up?” She asked curiously.

They both let out a sigh, 

“Yeah- maybe?” Robotnik looked at Stone, who nodded,” Yes, we have,” Robotnik reaffirmed. 

“Good…” Sage stood there for a second,” Does that mean I can rest with both of you tonight?”

Robotnik snorted,

“Yeah, guess this means none of us are sleeping on the couch, huh?”

“The floor seemed like a better option at the time,” Stone teased, Robotnik looking a bit frazzled.

“W-whatever… we’re fine now. I’ll take Ms. Sneaky here back to bed. Don’t take too long.” For once, his demands didn’t come out like an order.

Stone smiled and nodded. Sage gently guided Robotnik to his bed.

Stone slipped into bed after taking some time to put out the fire. He needed a moment to ponder all that had just happened.

He couldn’t deny he was still a little upset with today… but he was also elated that the doctor even attempted to take accountability, something he had never done before. 

Who knew all it took was three near-death experiences and one little girl?

He tucked his feet under the covers, glancing at Sage and Robotnik as gentle snores followed his rising chest. He couldn’t help but smile at the picture before him.

He settled down, twisting his body and gently resting his arms across Robotnik's scar-riddled body and Sage's aluminum build.

The smell of smoke lingered upon Robotnik's cold knitted sweater as the agent pressed his face up against the fabric. 

He so desperately wanted to relive that embrace. Robotnik's body practically molded into his. 

It was so genuine. So warm. So… different from any contact he had made with the doctor before.

He had no idea how the doctor could continue to fascinate and surprise him, even after all these years.

He was truly…. Magnificent. 

 FANART CORNER!! I literally explode whenever I get work inspired by my fic,

THANK YOU: @your-local-zone-traveller on Tumblr

THANK YOU: @ninjakarkki on Tumblr and AO3 :D

Chapter Text

Stone gently unclipped each drapery pair from the clothing line and folded them into their respective baskets.

The radar suspected heavy rain today, so Stone wanted to be prepared even if it were to pass them. He’d hate to have to redry their clothes; access to a laundromat was miles away after all. 

The wire bound against his plucks as each attire removal lifted the weight it had to carry.

He whistled through his teeth and did his best to join the chorus of vociferous and operatic songs sung by the native birds that morning. 

A mourning dove hummed above him, cooing its melancholy song with cadence.

It flew away in an instant when a noise disturbed it, Stone turned around to see Robotnik lugging himself down the stairs. His mustache frazzled, wearing a loose red t-shirt, and very obviously still groggy from the late morning.

As he approached Stone, the agent recognized how oddly contorted the doctor's shirt looked… like some alien mass was connected to him. He squinted his eyes in an attempt to make a proper assumption about the situation, but the doctor interrupted him abruptly.

“Stone, I’ve come to make an announcement.” Robotnik looked at him with intense seriousness, holding his stomach gingerly. “I’m going to have a baby.” 

Just as he had broadcast this declaration, Sage fell out from under his shirt, her metallic body clanking against the ground with a FWUMP ! She lifted her head to search for Stone’s expression, the red light in her eyes expressing amusement.

Robotnik dramatically lifted his arms in praise, hailing some sort of otherworldly force, his mouth wide with astonishment.

“It’s a girl!” He proclaimed, elated.

Stone turned his head as if searching for an explanation, his lips caught in his shock. He could not find the words to express his confusion, so he replaced them with laughs.

He placed his hands on his knees,

“What?” He chuckled.

“Just some morning goofs,” Robotnik chimed, despite his exhaustive gaze; he clearly was feeding off of Stone's hilarity.

Sage twisted her body back around so that she was on her stomach again. 

“I couldn’t hold on for nine months, I’m sorry, Father.” 

“That’s alright, I didn’t feel like carrying you for nine months,” he remarked, wiping his nose as he leaned down to Sage and whispered something in her ear.

She glanced at Stone but gave her father a firm nod, clumsily situating herself back upright before scurrying off towards the conifers.

Stone shook his head as his smile widened, doing his best to return to his composure, and still, wet laundry,

“Whose idea was that?” He inquired.

Robotnik shrugged,

“She wouldn’t let go of me this morning. Gave me an idea. Thought I’d be funny,” he scratched his chin.

“It was excellent, Doctor. You never fail to amuse me.” 

“Yes, I know I'm hilarious, but don’t forget you're the pantaloon in this arrangement,” He boasted, his face quickly flashing with nervousness, “ but I do have another announcement. More serious this time.”

Stone folded in a shirt, placing it up against his chest, his expression searching,

“And what is that, Doctor?”

Robotnik fiddled with a small item in his hands, his cheeks lightly powdered with a peachy pink.

“No doubt I've withstood some pretty intensive feats. I've survived this long because I was prepared for every possible outcome. And of course you- but hiring you was a part of the contingency plan… so technically it was all still thanks to my genius brain.”

Stone’s lips twisted in a smile, patiently setting the folded shirt down,

“Correct as always, doctor.”

“All that to say… I've made us trackers.”

Stone's eyebrow lifted,

“Trackers?”

“Yes… In case something were to happen to any of us… with all that could occur. It's a nice safety net and too complicated a device for any asinine creature besides us or Sage to superintend.”

“You told me when I was first hired that you implanted a tracking chip into my leg when I was sleeping.” Stones' voice wavered on a timbre

“HA!” Robotnik's hazel eyes bulged from his head,” No, of course I didn't do that! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for malpractice in the name of science, but I just said that to mess with you. And make sure you were always on your best behavior, even when I wasn't around. Just a little fun psychological manipulation,” He seemed too proud of himself, as usual.

“But- how did you always manage to find where my location was?” Stone expressed astonishment.

“I tracked your phone, dummy .” He grumbled.

“Oh… right..”

“Still as gullible as always,” Robotnik grinned, his eyes sparking with amusement. 

Despite the shocking revelation, it felt nice seeing the doctor with so much life. 

“Anywayssssss-uh.” He mumbled, “ I had to make these trackers discrete, some sort of… everyday object.” He extended his hand out, “Don't think too hard about what it could mean..”

Stone couldn't help but express suspicion as the doctor plopped a small circular metal object into his hand.

Stone examined his palm, in which the object resided.

“It’s a…. Ring?”

“A tracker…. Disguised as a ring, yes.” Robotnik corrected him, his ears flushed with a gentle shade of pink. 

Stone hummed a response, he examined the metallic wonder.

The base was of a silver copper alloy, with occasional dark lines etched into the sides, travelling up until they circled a small purple dot within the middle of the design. It was a crystal… amethyst, perhaps. Or it could just be a purple piece of glass. Stone didn't mind either way.

“How did you even manage to create such a small artifact with such capabilities? I had no idea you doubled as a jeweler.”

Robotnik grimaced,

“I made an entire child out of household appliances, a ring tracker is nothing- just put it on!” He fussed.

Stone immediately did as the doctor said, noting that the ring was too large for his pinkie finger but too small for his thumb. 

He started on his right hand, his pointer finger too large… his middle was still too large… and while it fit onto his right ring finger, it felt uncomfortable against his knuckles.

Stone's suspicion began to rise once he noticed how intently the doctor was watching him figure out which finger to place the tracker on.

Stones' heart thumped… he told him not to think too much about it… But what if…

He tried his left hand, raising his gaze each time he attempted one of his fingers. That was until… he reached his left ring finger.

There's no way…

His heart drummed. The doctor never worked with coincidences; everything he did was intentional. Even now… the fact that it felt so wrong on his right hand… and the only possible perch for it left being on his ring finger… that was intentional… right?
Stone swallowed as he slipped the ring onto his finger. It fit perfectly . Too perfect… it was loose enough to move but firm enough to remain attached and limit the risk of it slipping from his hand.

This had to be intentional.

Robotnik told him not to think too hard… but that's all he could do. His mind was spinning.

He wasn't sure how long he had been staring at the ring… why a ring? The doctor chose a ring, and then somehow fit it perfectly to his left ring finger. Such a scheme would require detailed information… it had to be intentional… it had to mean something.

When he went to take a swallow, he realized a bulb had formed in his throat. His face started to heat as warm tears formed along his eyelids.

He couldn't hold back the pout that sunk his lips as he went up to gaze at the doctor.

Robotnik looked frazzled, his wrinkled face aflushed.

He hunched, embarrassed, lifting his robotic hand to cover his face,

“I said, don’t think about it too hard… don't look at me like that.” He mumbled.

It was then that a copper sparkle caught Stone’s eye, and it had just occurred to Stone that Robotnik's robotic arm was on his left… and there was his ‘tracker’, resting neatly against his robotic ring finger.

The knot in Stone's throat grew larger, his expression contorting into one of delightful anguish.

“ Doctor -” He sobbed.

Robotnik cringed, his face red hot, hiding himself in his hands,

“ Don't do that !” He mumbled into his palms.

Stone tried to laugh through the tears that spilled, he fidgeted with the metallic wonder, he had to know for sure,

“Does this- mean anything- Doctor?”

Robotnik looked perturbed, twirling his mustache nervously,

“Nothing legal… All a ring is is some scheme created by jewelry companies to get more business. They can claim it to be Symbolic and sentimental, but what it really is is a money maker. Monopolizing love, humans like to capitalize on any emotion one might have… especially strong ones like this.” He seemed to be rambling and avoiding the question. Stone just responded with a hum, unable to tear his eyes away from the ring.

Robotnik looked him up and down nervously,

“But… you can interpret it anyway you like… I guess. I can’t stop you, " Stone looked up, hoping to catch the doctor's gaze. He shifted his head to the side,” We do live together after all… and have a child… I guess that usually accounts for something of this sort…BUT. Don’t forget its practical use,” The doctor pointed sternly at Stone.

Stone nodded, sniffling away the remaining tears. 

He couldn’t hold back his excitement; he threw himself into the doctor's arms, nearly knocking him over.

The Doctor winced, his face physically burning against Stone's own bodily warmth.

He let out a flustered groan but did not back away from the touch, hiding his face in the agent's shoulders reluctantly.

Stone pulled the Doctor in with his shoulder and placed a dramatic smooch along the doctor's rosy cheeks just as the doctor had done to him those few nights ago. 

Robotnik let out a flustered squeak,

“Slow your roll, agent! Don’t get too excited now!” He pulled Stone from the embrace.

“Sorry, doctor-“ 

Sage returned from her expedition with pine needles caught in her hair and sap sticking to her clothes, interrupting their strangely intimate moment,

“Father, I found porcupine quills,” she proclaimed,” would you like to lick them?”

Robotnik sighed with relief at the intervention and crossed his arms,

“No, they're sadly not the same…” he lamented.

She glanced between the two, the sounds of her gears clicked and cranked until she blinked,

“Both of your vitals are elevated to concerning levels. Especially you, father. It is imperative you sit down before your blood pressure climbs any higher.”

Stone stifled a laugh. Robotnik huffed as he made his way over to the lawn chair,

“You can blame Stone for that,” he grumbled.

“Are you sure licking a porcupine quill won’t make you feel better?” Sage offered eagerly once again.

“I’m not licking that!”

Light rain tapped eagerly against the small windowsill beside their bed. The window didn’t close all the way, allowing for the musky, earthy scent that rain carried with it to fill their senses.

The light tapping was dulled out by the dramatic cries and pleas coming from the small, bulky TV that sat atop a small perch.

“ But it is you! It is you whom I choose, my María!”

“Then prove your love to me, my Carlo!”

The two actors threw themselves into a passionate embrace.

Stone and Robotnik both proceeded to swiftly slap their hands over Sage's vision. 

“I cannot see,” she informed them.

“Good, your innocent eyes do not need to be exposed to such impiety ,” Robotnik mumbled, popping a popcorn kernel into his mouth using his free hand.

“Why do people kiss?” Sage inquired, peeking through the agent's fingers.

“Hey! No peeking!” Stone quickly closed the gap between his hands.

“I apologize, but the action intrigues me; there is no evolutionary need for such a performance.”

Robotnik sniffed, holding back a slight grin, one that implied he enjoyed answering her query.

“Well, lips are one of the most sensitive areas, and are actually carriers of the most nerve endings in our body. So I guess we evolved to seek that positive sensation, however, these shows tend to exaggerate the passion behind a kiss,” Robotnik snorted,” half the time it just looks like the actor is eating the other's face. Like two hungry hippos mistaking the other for a nice roast beef sandwich.”

“How do you know what is and isn’t the correct way of partaking in this physical action?”

Robotnik slowly turned his head,

“What’s that supposed to mean, missy ?” 

Before Sage could explain herself, a light knock was heard from outside the camper.

Stone sat up quickly, Robotnik shrank behind him, as Sage perched her head up curiously.

They stood by… waiting…. Three knocks interrupted them once again.

“ Who the hell's out there?? It's pouring out!” Robotnik hissed silently to Stone.

Stone curled his lip as he did his best to peek out from behind the small curtain.

He could see a man waiting outside their door… the only other thing he could identify about the man was his rain poncho.

Stone slipped out of the bed, grabbing one of his gloves and swiftly hiding it between the folds of his clothes.

“I’ll answer the door… You and Sage stay hidden.”

The agent's voice was uncharacteristically deep and tense. Much more profound than what Sage was used to hearing from him.

Sage shrank inwards towards her father, who straddled her protectively, slowly shifting under the covers as Stone made his way to the door.

The knocks at the door continued, and the man would not let up.

Stone took in a deep inhale before slipping on his best friendly expression, and hesitantly opening the door.

The man before him had his hand raised as if he were preparing to knock on the door a few more aggravating times. Hidden under the pouring rain and the dark blue poncho was a sight Stone was all too familiar with… a uniform he all too despised.

“Ah, good day, officer. Quite the weather to be out patrolling in?” Stone wasn't sure what accent he was trying to perform, but he had to hide as much about himself as he could.

The officer blinked, almost like he was surprised by Stones' hospitality. He readjusted his belt and offered a crooked smile,

“Ha, was startin’ to think no one was home.”

“Not many people come around these parts, wanted to make sure you weren’t some delinquent or prankster, you know how the kids are today.” Stone chuckled.

“Yeah, I was surprised to see your trailer in this area… do you have residency in this lot?” His voice lingered on suspicion.

Stone knew what the officer was trying to do. He was all too familiar with the “knock and talk” tactic.

But Stone was smarter than this blue mutton-headed swine.

Stone stuck out his lower lip and nodded,

“Oh yeah, been here for years. I’ve got the paperwork if you need it.”  

“Does anyone else live with you?”

“Just my wife and kid.”

“Are they home?”

“No, they had a girls' day. Not the best weather for it, though,” he laughed, prompting the officer to do the same.” I assume they’ll be back soon. And I’ll hear all about the rain.”

The officer smirked, nodding his head in agreement.

“Yeah… Do you mind if I come in?”

Stone swallowed, he knew better than to invite an officer into his and the doctor's secret hideout/ home, but denying entry also raised suspicion. Luckily, he knew how to play off of these blue collared spouse nagging egomaniacs. 

“Ah… I’d love to officer, I really would, especially with this weather. But I’ve already got my hands full for an afternoon of reaming from the misses, and I’d hate to add to that with a wet, dirty floor. If I let you in, I’m afraid you’d be coming back here on suspicion of a homicide with me as the victim.”

A chuckle originated from the officer’s gut, Stone knew that would hit him funny.

“Oh, trust me! I know all about that.” 

“What’s all this about anyway? I don’t recall doing nothin’ wrong…”

The officer pulled his hood over his head,

“Ah… I’m sure you heard about the Moreys incident?”

Stone let a huff escape his cheeks,

“Oh yeah…It's all folks talk about around here, heard it was a gnarly explosion.”

“Well, more of a power outage. But we’re looking into it.” 

“So what’s that got to do with me?”

“Oh, nothing specifically targeting you, sir. We are just sweeping the areas. The culprit rode a black motorcycle and had his- supposed - daughter with him. But no one could get a clear look at either of them except the man.” 

Stone didn’t like the uncertainty in the officer’s statement when describing Sage’s relationship with him…

Stone leaned his body against the doorframe, doing his best to look concerned and interested.

“You wouldn’t happen to own a motorcycle, would you?”

“Me? Oh no. But when I was a boy, I rode a lot. Good times….” He reminisced on a fake memory.

“Right…well, have you seen or heard any motorcycles pass in the last week?”

Stone thought,

“Hm… not that I can recall. Not many people come through here, let alone with a motorcycle.”

“Right…” Stone could tell by the officer's smug expression, something was on his smooth mind,” what’s with the eye?”

Stone did his best to hide his panic. He wouldn't let the officer feed off his fear.

He placed his finger gently over his right eye, regretting not finding a way to hide the black bruise beforehand.

“Ah…” he had to think of something quick,” truthfully, I was reaching for a pan up on a high cupboard… fell right onto my eye,” he chuckled,” Hope you don’t think it was the misses. She’s crazy but not that crazy.”

“No, no… nothing like that…” The officer eyed him up and down, but Stone refused to sway, continuing to guard the door.

“Is that all you need, officer?” He confronted, his voice lingering on annoyance.

“Yeah…” he hung on his words,” sorry to bother. You have a good night, Sir.”

“You as well.” Stone offered a courteous smile as he waved the officer off, doing his best to calmly close the door in front of him, peeking through the window to ensure the officer left.

Stones' hands shook viciously with adrenaline, his forehead pressed up against the door frame. He took in a shaky breath,  unable to turn his head to face Robotnik and Sage as they exited the room,

“ I knew it- I knew this would come back around to nip us in the butt-“ Robotnik stopped himself, trying his best to not repeat the events of the last few days. Though it was hard not to vent his frustrations onto someone else. 

I didn't help how distraught Stone looked,

“I should have covered my eye…” he mumbled, guilt drowning out his words.

“ I shouldn't have gotten comfortable. I knew they wouldn’t let be! They never do!” 

“He could return on probable cause with such evidence..”

“I should have deployed my Badniks and taken care of that big-mouthed, business-invading, numb-skull Morey !” Robotnik cursed,” What do we do? What do we do now?” Robotnik demanded. Stone’s mind too isolated to respond.

Robotnik turned to Sage, her expression uncertain and bordering on concern. He knelt down and grabbed her shoulders firmly,

“What do we do? I equipped you with strategic capabilities. So what do we do? What course do we take?” He ordered.

Stone's expression slipped into one of distress. But his jaw remained shut, his eyes searching and hoping Sage presented them with some sort of direction, none of which they could construct at the moment.

Some sort of statistical analysis. A strategy. A course of action. Anything . 

Her eyes flickered between the two, her head slightly lowered, abashed.

Her processors could be heard clicking and clacking as she reviewed probabilities and different proposals at an impressive rate. Hundreds of analyses within a split second. The two held their breath, ONE of them had to have a resolution to their dilemma.

She opened her eyes, her lips stuttering,

“I have run every single possibility and scenario available…. There are too many variables to provide a clear answer to your concerns. There is simply no way to locate a precise course of action to take. The situation is still too unclear and unpredictable-“

Before she could finish her analysis, Robotnik threw his hands to his head, groaning in frustration as he turned away from her, facing the door.

Sage shut her mouth quickly, realizing her words were only upsetting her father. If she could not provide advice he liked, perhaps she should not speak at all.

Robotnik mumbled something to himself as he tore at his thoughts.

Eventually, he let out a frustrated wail,

“DAMMIT!”

He threw his roboticized hand down with a powerful force, breaking a large chunk off the kitchen counter. The debris riddled the floor with rhythmic crackling until it died down along with the doctor's boom.

Stone flinched at the doctor's actions but remained standing firm, his eyes lowering to the ground as he took a hard swallow, tears welling in response.

The stippled breaths of the Doctor and the agent were the only noise filling the tense room. Thunder rattled the camper as it roared outside. 

Sage couldn’t take the silence anymore. She knew what had to be said, what needed to be acknowledged.

“I did this.” Her voice sank.

Robotnik removed his hand from his forehead, his eyes looking horrified at her, but doing nothing to deny her claims.

“ Pebble -“ Stone began.

“No,” she affirmed,” you had the situation under control. You had analyzed the best course of action to take. But I interrupted your analysis, and I acted immaturely against your better judgment. Believing my programming to be superior to your human evaluation. I acted on impulse, I did not fully understand nor take the time to evaluate. I perceived a threat and responded un-accordingly to the actual danger it presented. I failed to run a valid strategic examination, I failed to fulfill my basic programming. And in turn. I’ve put you both in danger. I’ve created a problem that was not there before. I failed my programming, my purpose. I was…ineffective. I… failed you.” 

Neither of the two men could find the words to overrule her claim. Pain consumed their faces.

Sage felt a sudden overwhelming surge, causing her vocal processors to glitch and fragment, her mind suddenly flooded with horrible thoughts,

“ There was an error to my code and I went against my programming, I deserve the punishment equating to such actions and should immediately be overridden and dismantled and have my programs rewritten- ” before she could finish her declaration, the distressing surge inside her core made its way to her eyes, inspiring a gutful reaction as she threw herself into her hands and found herself sobbing, unable to perform anymore anaylsies let alone communicate. She felt completely exposed and decommissioned.

Horror struck the two older men's faces,

“Sage!” The agent reacted immediately. Sliding to the floor as he took the young robotic girl into his arms, trying his best to tear her hands away from her eyes in hopes of drying her tears.

She wanted to respond to the agent, wanted to question what this feeling was, but it was simply too overwhelming; it prevented any sort of process from being committed by her. Other than the one she was experiencing now. 

Stone looked to Robotnik in desperation, hoping he could provide some conclusion to dissolve Sage's assumptions and provide the crying child some comfort.

But Robotnik only stood there, frozen, his eyes bulging out of his head. Expressing nothing but horror and shock.

Stone knew he wasn't good at handling emotions, especially his own, but this was his daughter. He had to do something, he had to have that paternal instinct for comfort, right?

Stone's stomach dropped once the doctor broke away from his gaze, his eyes to the floor. Robotnik slowly turned away from both of them in a trance, opening the door and leaving the agent with the sobbing child.

Sage's wails became louder once the doctor had shut the door, no doubt presuming this reaction came as a result of Robotnik being upset with her.

Stone did his best to hush her cries, circling her back in a comforting manner, his mind wandering as he tried to interpret the doctor's reaction logically.

Emotions fluctuate through him: sorrow, despair… and rage. How could the doctor leave them? In this moment of need? Leave Sage? What was he doing? 

He couldn't just abandon his problems- his family. Stone had hoped he had gotten over that…

The doctor was better than that now… wasn't he? How deluded had the agent become?

But maybe, despite everything, some people really never changed. 

Chapter Text

After the most agonizing and emotionally overwhelming 40 minutes since Sage's breakdown, her cries started to diminish. 

She was completely silent now, her face shoved firmly into the agent's shirt, almost like she was trying to burrow into his comfort and escape her current plane of existence.

Stone's head felt heavy, as did his eyes. His mind's thoughts were swiftly replaced with fuzzy static. He still could not rack his brain as to why the doctor had just… left them. Maybe he’d come back cool-headed to provide some better insight, but… that didn’t remove the fact that it still hurt.

Maybe it was best he wasn’t here. Stone had been prone to many of his explosive outbursts; he’d hate for Sage to witness that at such an early age— at least more of what she already saw.

Despite spending the past half an hour hushing the young girl, his voice came out weak and groggy,

“ Are you ok ?” His voice fragmented in a whisper.

Sage nuzzled into his shoulder, hesitant in a response. Eventually, she nodded slowly,

“I’m sorry I reacted that way… I’m not sure what happened.” She mumbled into his shirt.

“You were overwhelmed and upset… an emotional response like that is expected. It’s ok,” he assured, gently running his hands along her soft, white hair.

“How am I to be logical and analytical if I continue to let these emotions control my actions… Perhaps father should reprogram me.” She muttered defeatedly.

“No, Sage,” he whispered, sternly,” we don’t want you to change. We love you the way you are, every bit of it. These emotions- and learning curves they’re just… a facet of being alive. Of being a kid.”

“But I am no ordinary child… You know this.”

“No…. But you’re still a child. Maybe that's varied in definition, but you’re a kid. Our kid. And as your guardians, we are responsible for guiding you through these unfamiliar roads. Don’t think this is a task you are only allowed to complete on your own. Any mistake on your part is a mistake on ours as well. But we’ll make do, together. We are family.” He assured.

Sage unshielded her face from his shirt, her pale cheeks stained from mechanical fluids that had once acted as tears.

“Then why did father leave…”

Stone's heart dropped. 

“I…. I don’t-“

Just as he pondered a response, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard from outside the camper door.

The doctor reentered the abode, drenched in the rain that had just ceased. His eyes carried a familiar, exhaustive gaze, lingering on sadness.

Stone wasn’t sure how to feel. He presumed angry, but the situation was too complicated for one vague emotion as a lone descriptor. 

Sage attempted to avert the doctor’s gaze, her grip tightening against the agent. 

Stone did his best to give the doctor a constructive glare, his eyebrows pressing together in contemplation.

Stone was lucky that Robotnik seemed to read his expression properly this time; he let out a sigh before speaking again.

“Sage…” his voice came out atypically soft and gentle,” can you come here for a second, sweety?”

Sage turned her head uncertainly, but with a slight nudge from the agent, she slipped from his grasp and timidly shuffled over to the doctor. Stone wasn't sure exactly what the doctor had planned, but despite his unidentifiable emotional state, something about the way the doctor spoke omitted that feeling from him. Her head hung low, and her hands nervously fidgeted with her skirt.

She stood firmly before the doctor, doing her best to keep her posture as the doctor slowly crouched down to meet her at her level, letting out a few uncomfortable grunts.

He took a swallow and nodded his head,

“Close your eyes,” he whispered.

She didn’t want to disobey any more orders today. So she complied.

It was then that Stone had noted the doctor's arm had been hiding suspiciously behind his back. He had something… something for Sage. A smile began to curl along his lip as the doctor pulled the concoction from behind him. He carefully pressed it up against Sage, who reactively took hold of the device.

“Ok… open.” 

Sage slowly peered her eyes open, giving them a firm blink as she examined the object before her.

It was a crudely crocheted stuffed penguin, just like the one on her sparkly pink shirt she had gotten at the outlet those days ago. 

Its eyes were composed of two buttons: one red and clearly larger than the other, and the alternative being a nice small pink glittery button. Its beak was nearly inverted and lopsided. To be blunt, it was ugly. But despite its flaws… There was something so genuine to its creation…

Sage did her best to examine each end of the stuffed animal, flipping it upside down and twisting it all around.

Robotnik's eyes searched for a clear response. Sage looked up to the doctor with slight astonishment,

“You made this… for me?”

Robotnik looked down, abashed,

“There was an attempt… Stone tried to teach me how to crochet in the C.R.A.B… clearly I didn’t pay much attention.” Stone let out an amused huff, his smile returning to its typical warm aura. “I’m more familiar with intergalactic sources of god-like abilities than I am with textiles…”

Robotnik eyed her from the side with hesitation, 

“So… Do you… Like it? Will it help you stop crying? I know typical children find great amusement in such oddly depicted pieces of replicated wild animals…” He asked naively.

Sage blinked curiously up at the doctor. She offered a warm smile,

“I….I love it.” She assured, glancing back down at the plushy and wrapping it in her arms, “I thought… you were upset with me,” she admitted.

Robotnik's brow furrowed,

“What? What made you-“ he looked up at Stone, who lifted a brow subtly, Robotnik's face went pale,” no! No, of course I wasn’t upset!” He grabbed her by the shoulders firmly,” You’re my most marvelous creation! Even your flaws are unintentional fascinations! You continue to exceed my expectations and provide insight not even I could conjure up! I would never be upset with you, my dear daughter.” His voice deepened,” If I ever were, I’d just blame Stone instead.”

Stone laughed but knew that it wasn’t exactly a joke-

Sage hugged the penguin tighter, lowering her head and hurtling her body into Robotnik's, seeking that comfort she once thought she was unworthy of.

Robotnik wrapped his arms hesitantly around her, concerned about her fragility, worried she might break again. He looked up at Stone with uncertainty, a sight foreign to his eyes.

Stone closed his eyes shut and took a deep sigh, sluggishly shifting over to the two, and placing an arm on both of their shoulders.

“How about we just head to bed.. huh? It’s been a long day…before we can think ahead, we must first confront the present.”

Robotnik scoffed,

“Ok, Yoda…” he grumbled. 

Sage didn’t say another word, but kept her face firmly pressed up against Robotnik's shoulder, refusing to let go.

The doctor sighed and, with the help of the agent, hauled him and his roboticized daughter upright.

Sage slumped against his hold, melting into the comfort and nuzzling her way into her father's shirt.

Stone and Robotnik looked at one another with pouty expressions. Stone hummed his “awws” as his lower lip extended outward, his eyes tiredly glistening at the sight. 

Robotnik shut his eyes tightly, sucking in a sob as he proceeded to pet the child’s back, allowing his forehead to press up against hers.

“Alright, you little barnacle… It’s sleepy time.”

Stone instinctively let out a large yawn, tears forming along the lids as he rubbed his eyes, following the doctor and Sage into the small room. 

They held one another extra tight that night. As if all of them knew this was going to derail into something much larger, the three of them were the most intelligent beings on this planet; they understood what was to come. And yet not a one could conjure up a plan to combat that inevitable fate…not one at least that was accessible.

The doctor held them both in an almost suffocating hold, at least for Stone, who had lungs to suffocate.

Sage was logged between them, her eyes shut peacefully in her shut-down, securely cradling the gift given to her by her father. Stone himself could feel the stress of the day weigh on him. It made it particularly hard to remain awake.

His head felt heavy with thoughts… fears… stressors.

A battle between his racing mind and a physical need for rest preoccupied him as he awaited to be greeted with the merciful wave of sleep.

Just as he felt slumber overcome him, he swore he heard something. Something uttered from the doctor… something he’d never thought he’d hear the doctor say…Something he knew he'd deny the next day. 

“… I… love you… both.”

His breath brushed up against Stone's neck. A swift chill rolled down to his feet. His lips itched to repeat the phrase back. The shock of it all sent his body into an even more catatonic state. 

His words draped over the agent like a weighted blanket, overwhelmed by its comfort and mirth, Stone felt his body swiftly collapse into sleep.

It all happened so fast.

As the weeks blurred together, it was clear their biggest problems were only beginning.

The investigations didn't stop, and Stone would occasionally tune into the radio and listen to the broadcast on the story and monitor the situation. Unluckily and luckily for him, nothing else happened in this sorry excuse for a gas station rest stop for any other news to climb across the grapevine. The locals were obsessed with the bizarre occurrence; apparently, Sage's power surge had not just knocked the outlet's electricity out, but also anything within a 10-mile radius. The excitement of the mysterious attack elicited more and more investigations, getting even higher institutions to participate in the scoop. 

Such a powerful attack was bound to draw the government in… but Stone and Robotnik knew who they would really send.

They were a part of a similar experience years ago, after all.

It didn't take long for Robotnik to get notice from his Mininiks of G.U.N. activities in the area. They knew why they were here; they tried to present their activities as superficial, but they couldn't trick the smartest people on the planet for long. And G.U.N. knew that… It was about time the agent and doctor had a conversation about what to do next with the inevitable threat on the horizon. 

That morning, Sage, too, had notified them of foreign activity close within their vicinity, and the timeline to do something was shrinking. And the panic was finally setting in. 

But the resolution the doctor had settled on was not one the agent was as readily willing to accept as he had previously with any of the doctor's plans. In fact, he was actively against the proposal.

“Doctor! You can't! This is the only idea of yours I will ever claim foolish! I won't allow it!” Stone felt his body vibrate in panic at the doctor's suggestion, finally processing it in his mind.

“You’re my agent! I'm the one who decides what and what isn't allowed!” He spat defensively.

“Doctor- we cannot split up– after everything I can't-” Stone felt his gut shrink inward, “ I can't do that again .” He whispered defeatedly. 

Robotnik's sneer looked as if it was trying to hide a more vulnerable expression,

“I'm not giving you a choice, agent, and neither are they, ” He grumbled,” I have to stay behind. They are interested in me, not you, and they cannot know of Sage. They won't be able to fathom such a leap in technological advancements! And that perplexity will shift to fear, and fear to violence. You saw what they did with Shadow- you saw what steps they took to contain him and his paradoxical capabilities. What they did to my cousin- I cannot risk becoming like my grandfather! I refuse to become like him!” He declared.

“They don't even know you're alive! We have to keep it that way!”
“ If something bigger is to occur, you are the one who would actually be capable of protecting her! You've always slipped under the radar nicely. You and I both know that I am incapable of taking care of Sage,” he affirmed, “Im weak- Im broken- a burden. Those agents won't stop hunting us until they discover the origins of that explosion.. And then what? In the end, it'll all lead them to me. But if you can take Sage far away from this, we can have a chance at keeping this family together, at keeping her safe.”

“By breaking it apart?” Stone lamented defeatedly, “Doctor, she needs you-”

“ And she needs you to keep her safe. We are in this mess because of me. I've made my bed, for years all I've done is rearrange those sheets and fluffed the pillows, but it's about time I slept in it.” Robotnik's shoulders hunched lower than usual, and he took careful steps towards Stone and hesitantly placed his robotic arm along his shoulder. Despite its artificial build, it shook in overwhelming emotion. Unable to look him in the eyes, he muttered carefully, 

“Stone… you've proven yourself capable many times- exceedingly capable at that. You've protected me and provided for me in impossible situations… I can't even take care of myself; I never was able to. From the simplest tasks to the most demanding and ludicrous, you always managed. I need you to manage again. I need you to keep her safe, something I am incapable of. I am the target. They'll never stop looking if I come along,” He took a deep swallow. “ You're smart enough and skilled enough to find a way to get me out of any pickle I find myself wedged between. So until then, your orders are to strictly protect my..” He paused, “ Our girl.” His voice broke. 

Stones' brows perched sadly, a frown causing a shiver along his lips. 

“Doctor… I-”

“No.” Sage's small voice caused both of them to jump. They had no idea how long Sage had been listening in on their conversation. A sickening realization sank into the two.

 She looked upset, no… offended. 

“Sage-” Robotnik attempted to explain.

“No!” She sounded more demanding. Robotnik's face went pale as Stone stepped back, aghast.

“Your safety is of my utmost priority. This procedure goes against my programming. I cannot allow you to remain behind to give me and the agent an advantage at avoiding G.U.N. You must find an alternative route.”

“Well, then change your top priority to your safety!” Robotnik demanded sadly.

“I refuse, protecting you is embedded deep within my programming-”

“I built you!” Robotnik snapped, “I demand you rewrite my orders, obey my commands!” He hissed. Stone had never heard Robotnik speak to Sage the same way he did to his other creations. He was desperate.

Sage froze, her eyes inverting inwards as she uncontrollably gave in to his demands. Her mouth shut quickly. Her large, red eyes bore painful holes into the doctor. Her furious expression molded painfully into one of despair. 

“Why…? Why does it have to be this way? Why can't there be another way? Why can't I…” Stone could tell how frustrated she was with herself… no alternative routes were available, she had been running reports for days, and all results were null. The risks of each proposed outcome were far too great. So, they relied on the doctor's suggestion. But unlike her previous analyses… this one was so… unfair. 

Robotnik blinked, his previous executive demeanor swiftly dropping. He looked down pitifully, clenching his fists.

“Sage… It's…”

“I do not understand your logic… Your rationale… why?” Her voice glitched.

Robotnik let a huff of air escape through his nostrils.

“It's a… Like.. a confidence interval.” He tried to explain,” Stone here has proven to accomplish repeated successes when it comes to dealing with parlous instances like this. No matter the time frame, we've always been successful in our goals… at least when it comes to regrouping and survival. It is therefore appropriate for me to assume that this instance will fall within the same parameters of success. By letting me confront G.U.N. head-on, we stop this cat-and-mouse chase in its tracks. We can skip all that mumbo jumbo and figure out what will happen from there… If something is to happen to me, I am at least confident that I will have two ingenious foundations of mine to fall back on. By removing the anchor, you can drag yourself to shore and retrieve it when the time is right. But right now, you have to let go and leave that behind. If you are to survive and even make it to that step, we have to take that leap. Do you understand?”

Sage could not face him, her head lowered in understanding,

“While your expressions are odd… I can understand your conclusion from a particular standpoint. But I do not like it.”

Silence returned to the room, Sages' lower lip shivered,

“We were just beginning… my dream… a family born of love and not genetics. We were finally a family… I'm not ready to abandon that so soon… I dont… I dont want this to end.” 

“It's… It's not ending,” The doctor did his best to make his voice convincing, “It's just…a pause, like a scratch on a burnt DVD of La Ultima Passion . “ He attempted to explain cheerfully, “ This could all blow over; we don't know. That is why we must take these precautions. If something is to happen… Stone will keep you safe. You'll have him. And I know you two will find a way to reunite us again…” He grabbed her face as gently as he could, “ I am only going forth with this because I trust you… I have faith in your capabilities.  I have confidence in you. I understand your potential. While you have my ingenious mind… You also have something I was never capable of, something special about you…”

Sage weakly lifted her hand to her chest, gripping it tightly.

“This core… my ‘heart’. It is for what data cannot do…This is what you have entrusted to me?”

Robotnik took a shaking breath,

“Clever as always…”

Sage hesitated for a moment more, raising her head slowly,

“If I hug you now… it is not the last time, is it? This heartfelt gesture is not a farewell statement, right?”

“Of course… We'll see each other again.” He scoffed, “Trust me, Stone always finds a way, even when I didn't want him to. He's like a blister, he keeps coming back.”

A small laugh was caught in Stone's throat as he did his best to keep down the sob that had formed.

“I trust you… father…” She looked up at Stone, “ and I will always have hope left for you…” She thought for a moment, “ Baba.” She concluded.

Stones' eyes widened, and that sob was choking him now,

“ Oh ..” He muttered, dazed.

Robotnik snorted,

“You shouldn't have called him that, you know Stone is a sensitive one.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, agent,” She mumbled genuinely.

Stone shook his head as tears actively seeped from his eyes, 

“No, I just…” He sniffed, lowering his body towards both of them, “I'm just a gentle soul.”

“Sure, if that's what you want to call it..” Robotnik teased.

Their arms encircled one another, their bodies entwined tightly. Nothing more could be said. All they needed now was the existence of the other before them, in their arms.

“This isn't fair..” Saged whined.

“I know..” Stone did his best to reply.

Robotnik shifted as he held his creation tighter,

“I’m sorry I couldn't change the world for you… My dear..” he mourned bitterly. 

After everything, why did it always fall apart? 

“There is still time.” Stone reminded him, though he wasn't exactly convinced of himself. 

Their encirclement was cut short when Sage stepped back, her eyes flickering. She blinked rapidly until they returned to their regular state, and her eyes glistened sharply.

“They're approaching… they will most likely be engaging soon,” she informed them.

How cruel and unusual his punishment always was.  

Stone shot up quickly, helping the doctor to his feet. Robotnik gripped the agent's shoulders tightly, whispering intently in his ear,

“Take her to the lab… stay down there unless I give the call. If something goes wrong… You must get out of there; don’t let them follow you. Dont let them take her. Do whatever you need to do.” 

His orders dug deeply into his mind, his heart swelled as he nodded earnestly, his tears drying just as quickly as they appeared. He offered a hand to Sage who looked between them with uncertainty.

Stone did his best to soften his gaze, to give her some ounce of assurance of their situation; she will be safe. 

As she took the agent's hand, she stopped.

“Wait,” She rushed back into their room, coming back out with the crudely crocheted gift the doctor had given to her a few days ago. 

The doctor's stache took the shape of his smile as he nodded softly.

As he watched the agent and his daughter run out the doors, swiftly making their way to the entrance of their secret lab, a foreign feeling arose within him. One he had always despised. 

Anarchy. 

His mind was lawless, confused, and foggy. He wasn't entirely sure what G.U.N. would do if they knew of Sage, and how they would react to not only him… but his creation. 

A power they once could not control was now accessible within Sage.. If they got hold of her. 

She would no longer be the personable and adorable program Robotnik had first envisioned. 

Robotnik sneered as he peeked through the window, a collection of black trucks pulled into their comfortable domicile… they did not belong here.

He refused to let this horde of mouth breathing troglodytes intimidate him. He refused to spare them any other sentiment besides rage. He shut the blinds quickly, limping over to the door. He wasnt going to play games, not now. If he were to do this successfully, he needed to show them what kind of man he was now.

He ripped the door open to be met with a group of G.U.N. agents who all reached for their weapons when he made his appearance. 

One woman before him stood astonished, her hand raised as if preparing to knock on the door. Despite her startled look, she soon adjusted herself, a sneer forming along her lips.

Robotnik recognized her… but he couldn't recall from where. 

“Despite my alopecia you dolts don’t seem to ever want to get out of my hair. Like lice in a kindergarten,” He sneered with a lopsided grin. 

The woman raised her hand, instructing the other agents to lower their weapons.

“I want to say I’m surprised by your survival, but with the track record you have, I am not at all shocked to see you are the one responsible for all of this.”

Robotnik crossed his arms, raising a brow,

“Yeah, yeah. What do you want?” He refused to waste his breath on these goons.

She tilted her head, raising a badge,

“Commander Rockwell. We've been sent here on multiple tips of possible suspicious activity in the area. It appears those hunches were correct.”

“Great! You caught me! The evil genius still lives!” He twirled his mustache, “But in truth, that man is dead. I dont know if you watch the news or you were too busy reminiscing about your failure from that piece of white bread Tom Wachowski into handing over the one key you sought to protect,” She glared, “But Im a hero now.” He boasted. 

She scoffed,

“Hero? You almost blew up the entire planet and initiated a planet-wide genocide!”

“A genius never takes credit for another's work; that was my grandfather's. I only wanted to conquer the world and turn you all into slaves that manned my machines,” He insisted,” But that dream is long gone. I only wish to spend the rest of my days complaining about the youths' cut jeans and watching Wheel of Fortune.”

“You can understand why we might find that hard to believe.”

“Listen. Im old, I've blown up what… twice now? I have no interest in Villainy anymore, so you can take you and your G.I. Joes somewhere else-”

“You think that's why we are here?” She jeered, “ I couldn't care less about your personal life. I couldn't care less that you're still alive. But what I do still care about are the weapons you continue to create, even after your continued failures.” She spat, slowly making her way up the stairs. Robotnik had no choice but to shuffle backwards, and the agents slowly piled into his abode. 

“Are you aware of what happened at Moreys ?”

Robotnik fumed,

“If I have to hear that loser's name one more time-”

“You'll what? Blow up his store?”

“Get to the point,” He sneered.

“Guardian Units of the Nation doesn't bother itself with local delinquency… However, that explosion you caused had remnants of Chaos Energy… displayed quite a significant spike at that.”

Robotnik's ears started to ring, his face sunk. The commander looked him up and down, tilting her head,

“Any idea how that might be?”

He swallowed hard, his voice deepened,

“What happened at Moreys was an accident.”

“If that's the case, then our concerns should be even higher. Whatever weapon you've created, it's now obvious you have no actual control over it. And it must be abolished and contained-”

“Oh, because that went so well for you last time!” He spat.

“It's better safe with us than you,” she combated.

Robotnik let out an exaggerated laugh,

“Oh, right! I forgot that the agency that forced a grieving man to build them a planet destroyer and locked away a vengeful alien creature with unfathomable capabilities was better suited to handle this than literally the smartest person currently alive!” He howled.

To Robotnik's dismay, the commander impressively did not sway from his words. Rockwell's eyes grazed over him as her lips stuck outwards, examining the camper hull,

“Have you been living peacefully? Have things finally been nice for you? Has the hustle and bustle of world conquering finally subsided and died down?” She inquired.

Robotnik shut his mouth. What was she getting at?

“ What Im offering is simple. You can keep this life, this peace. But only if you hand us over the weapon. If you hand it over, I promise you'll never have to see another GUN agent in your life. You won't be charged, you won't be fined, you won't be monitored, you'll be left alone to live out your days just as you desire. We can erase you off of everything, and you can live in obscurity, just as you desire.”

Anger burned inside Robotnik's chest,

“After what you did to my bloodline, what makes you think I trust a word you're saying?”

Her face remained unchanged, 

“It's either that… or we take the weapon by force.”

“ She's not a weapon,” He snarled. 

The agents eyed one another with confusion, Rockwell's face curled into one of arbitrary disgust. 

Robotnik's mind raced, thoughts overwhelmed him as the noise around his environment slipped into static. His gaze became red, his hands clammy, his fear overwhelming…

“ We won't ask again.” Rockwell explained, “Hand it over.” The agents behind her slowly lifted their weapons, locked all on Robotnik

The doctor clenched his fist. If they wanted to see a weapon… he'd show them a weapon. 

“Hand it over, you lunatic!” One of the agents from the back shouted.

Robotnik's head snapped to the voice, and without a second thought, he raised his robotic hand and sent a deathly electric blast towards the dope, who fell backwards upon impact.

Chaos erupted around him.

“Stone! Get her out of here!” He shouted into his comm.

Relief overwhelmed him as he heard the familiar revving of his agents motorcycle fill the noise. Stone burst from the underground lair with Sage tightly strapped to him, zipping quickly off into the horizon.

“Follow them!” Rockwell shouted, pointing in the direction of the agent.

“No-” Robotnik sneered, charging for Rockwell.

He felt the air within his lungs escape him as he felt a powerful force shove him aggressively against the wall, causing his surroundings to rattle. 

Pain shot through his spine as he let out a piercing gasp. He felt an intense pain as his robotic arm was apprehended behind his back and swiftly ripped from his body. 

The taste of iron traced his tongue, his heart spiked as his limb was removed from him. He collapsed to the ground, cradling his amputated limb, letting out an agonizing wail.

The agent who had disarmed him laid his knee upon his back, inflicting more torment onto his brittle bones.

Tears burned against his face as his wails transmitted into desperate pleas,

“Please, please-” He whimpered, “She's only a girl-” He bargained.

He watched horrified as a group of trucks raced after his daughter and the agent. He took in one last sharp inhale as his throat strained,

“She's not a weapon! She's only a little girl!”

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Chapter Text

Stone hadn’t felt this sense of raw desperation in a while.

He had gotten so used to the comfort of domesticity and the quiet, humble humdrum of regular normal life that this feeling now felt so foreign to him.

This despair, this panic….it made his skin crawl, his stomach invert, heart racing, his mind fogged and focused on one singular thing…

Protecting his daughter . 

They zipped through the dirt roads. Stone winced as the wind tore through his clothes and skin, doing his best to shield his eyes from the debris that collided against them as they raced through the uneven roads.

Sage clung to him securely. He desperately wanted to check in on her current state, but the situation they were currently in restricted him from taking away any focus from his current objective.

It had all happened so swiftly, once Stone had heard the doctor scream for him, he knew he couldn’t waste a second more before getting Sage out of there.

Even if it went against his principles. His top priority has always been to protect the doctor. The doctor had always come first, but now… There was something more important in their lives that needed their protection… they all had to make sacrifices.

Stone whipped his head around quickly as he examined his current situation. A group of black jeeps were racing after him, the same jeeps he once operated in… disgusting .

He sneered before turning his attention back to the road, gripping the acceleration tightly as the bike lifted against the sudden force that exuded it. Their bodies jolted as it met the ground once more and sent the two soaring down the path.

The overwhelming scent of petroleum filled his nostrils, rubber burned against the road, his eyes growing teary as his senses became assaulted. 

Stone could use his mobility as an advantage, a large vehicle like a government jeep, while intimidating, could only maneuver in so many ways.

He didn’t let the impending pack of stooges rip his focus from him.

His mind worked swiftly, examining the perfect route, navigating around the other metal bodies that hoarded the road, refusing to be caught behind a single one.

Suddenly, against the deafening noise, he could hear sirens approach him.

Great. 

Red and blue lights filled his vision, and he felt Sage grip him even tighter as the lights started to consume them.

He wouldn’t stop for anyone . 

“ Evacuate the vehicle!” The swines ordered.

Stones' eyes shot quickly to the police vehicles that started to approach him from different directions. They were going to try to cut him off.

A cop car pulled out ahead of him, its steel body rattling as it came to a sudden stop.

His heart lifted as he kicked a mechanism behind the foot pegs, a loud click following the action.

“Hold on!” Stone shouted, hoping Sage could decipher his voice over the noise. 

As he approached the vehicle, the face of the officer became more visible, looking distressed and frazzled, the gun in his hand pointed unstably at the agent. 

Stone used his body to weigh down the motorcycle before swiftly lifting his body upwards.

The officer rolled out of the way as Stone lifted the bike just high enough to grind over the hood of the enforcement vehicle. When he met the ground again, he narrowly lost his footing, letting out a painful jeer as his foot ground against the gritty road before he kicked his balance back into place and continued zipping down the interstate.

Stone glanced behind him to ensure Sage was still with him, his head snapped back when he noticed something unfamiliar.

Red sparks started to form around the child’s body.

“Sage?!” He tried to get her attention.

He felt as her fingers dug into his skin. The red lightning danced around her until it found some sort of electrical source to consume. As they zoomed past street lights, they burst and shattered around them, the sparks ravaging anything they could absorb. 

He could hear the screeching and popping of tires behind him as a few of the vehicles became immobilized by the sudden wave of shattered glass.

While most of them had been civilian vehicles, they did well as a barrier against the real targets.

He couldn’t resist the pride that surged within him; she truly was such a marvelous and intelligent creation.

He wouldn’t allow them to have her.

He couldn’t. 

Eventually, the gravel roads were replaced with pavement, and stop signs were replaced with traffic lights as Stone made his way into a more city-like landscape. While it provided new challenges to evade, it also gave him an opportunity to lose the remaining agents closing in on him.

A blinding light suddenly overwhelmed them. Stone winced as he looked above the clouds to see a G.U.N. helicopter illuminating his position.

He gritted his teeth as his heart strained. He’d need to find a junction- a bridge- something he could use to lose the spotlight that had encircled them. He needed to put an end to this chase, and soon. 

He heard a surging buzz behind him as that same red light illuminated his back. He twisted his attention to Sage, her expression contorted in distress and frustration, one of her hands lifted high in the air, pointing directly at the copter above them. In her hand, a red orb of light began to form. His heart sparked,

“Sage no!” He snapped quickly, pulling her hand down as the burst of light instead came in contact with the concrete below them. He let out a panicked grunt as he attempted to rebalance the bike, narrowly tumbling into a few oncoming cars.

He caught his breath, his heart thrumming in his ears. Sage's eyes filled with guilt and confusion, her hand returning to the agent's side.

He took a stiff swallow,

“We can’t cause any more damage! Ok? They already think you’re a weapon-“ he shouted over the howling wind, hoping Sage had managed to heed his warning.

The only reply she gave him was shoving her face into his back, trying to hide from the world that had turned on her. 

The chase continued for a while; occasionally, they narrowly got the upper hand on the agent. This spotlight was causing him trouble; they were shoving him into a corner. If he allowed this chase to continue for a moment longer, he’d never escape.

He took a sharp turn, leaning dangerously close to the abrasive road, extending his clawed gloves to achieve such a tight turn. His metal clutches sparked against the road as he grinded along it. His stomach churned as he heard a few of the vehicles collide or come to a screeching halt behind him.

Perfect . He’d have a few moments to take advantage of; he couldn’t miss his chance.

Darting towards a small, stacked interchange freeway bridge over a small river that flowed perpendicular to the city landscape, he gave one final command to the child behind him,

“Sage! No matter what happens! Hang on! Tight!”

She did as he commanded, the air in his lungs narrowly being crushed out as she clung tightly to him.

He’d have one chance at this…

He swallowed down his nerves as he made his way on the lower road, waiting for the exact moment to…

“Hang on!” He howled.

Just as he was covered by the upper bridge, he turned the bike sideways, sending them over the edge of the railings.

Adrenaline pumped through his veins as the world around him became slow, the only sound he could decipher being his breathing. He stood firmly atop the bike as it hurtled down towards the rushing rapids, eventually leaping from the seat.

He retracted the claws within his gauntlets and reached for the side railings.

His body screamed as the claws came in contact with the cement infrastructure, his arm narrowly popping out of place. He began sliding as the claws struggled to find a good anchor. He extended his hands desperately until his body jolted, his claws finally finding a perch.

He let out a strained gasp as he dangled from the edge, ensuring Sage was still hanging tightly to him.

He watched in pain as his bike was consumed by the tearing rapids of the river, but it was for the best; they couldn’t track them.

He winced as he let out gasping grunts, his muscles shaking as he attempted to maneuver his and Sage's body weight under the bridge. This desperate crawling, his screaming muscles, suffocating breaths… it felt so familiar to him.

He hauled his body under the cement bridge, his body pleading for collapse once he managed to curl his body under the small cement perch. Extending his leg, he utilized the other cement bars for support as he did his best to keep the two upright, his back up against the other railing.

His legs shivered as they used all their strength to keep the two under the bridge, wedged between two cement rods.

The scent of city river water and sulfur made his already twisted gut convulse. The taste of acid overwhelmed him as he hastily took Sage in his arms and cradled her tightly.

His body shook with adrenaline as he attempted to quiet his breath, placing a finger over his lips as he instructed Sage to be silent, which did not seem like much of a challenge at the moment.

The ground above them rattled as cars approached their location, coming to a halt as they blocked any further oncoming traffic. Water droplets tumbled below them.

Doors slammed open as a group of voices opposed the noise of the rushing traffic. 

They were last seen traveling along this freeway!

Where did they go?

They disappeared! 

Do you think he used a ring?

Search the waters! 

Flashlights and the large headlights danced over the water as they searched for any sign of their escape. Stone held his breath, hoping his motorcycle had been swept far away by now.

Sage shoved her body closely into the agent, his body vibrating as he did his best to soothe the child. He shut his eyes tightly, hoping the universe would be merciful to him today.

He tucked his forehead between Sages, shivering gently as the shouting voices continued, and the lights blazed against the darkened landscape.

Once Stone ensured the area had been vacated by the lack of noise and blinding spotlights, he and Sage made their way carefully down.

Leaping into the waters below, they treaded through the powerful rapids. Stones' muscles screamed at him, doing everything in his power to resist collapse. 

Walking the late-night cityscape, drenched and weak, Stone located a bus stop, relieved to find some form of transportation.

Neither of them had spoken a word. Not at the river, not at the bus stop, not on the bus. What was there to say? The agent could hardly grapple with the past few moments already. 

He let out a deep inhale through his nose as he sat down in the bus seat, placing his palms over his face and wiping away the water and sweat.

Throwing his hands down, he let out a shivering sigh. 

Sage sat quietly beside him, her eyes unblinking and hands clasped neatly together. 

He did his best to ignore the aching of his bones and the despair forming in his mind as he turned to the young girl quickly, placing both of his hands along her face.

“Are you ok, Pebble? That water didn't mess with your server's, did it?” He gently brushed aside the wet hair that adhered to her face, gently caressing her cheeks with his thumb. 

She hesitated, refusing eye contact, but slowly nodded her head as her gears creaked. 

He let out a small sigh of relief, hesitating before pulling her in closer. She folded into his affection. 

The bus steamed and began its descent down unknown routes as their seats rattled, providing some noise to their suffocating silence. 

The lights along the edges of the bus flickered anytime the vehicle was greeted with a bump. They were dim and warm, allowing him to at least visibly see some of the child beside him. 

Stone could feel the adrenaline finally trickle its way out of his body, leaving behind an overbearing sense of instability. His heart slowed, allowing him to count the beats in his mind as his eyes fluttered weakly, attempting to keep him awake. 

His body felt as if it was to fuse with the bus seat, sinking him into it.

Just as his mind began to be sucked into the darkness, Sage wriggled beside him.

“Stone?” She whispered weakly. 

Stone opened his eyes, taking a few dramatic blinks before slowly turning his head, his muscles straining.

“Yeah?”

“What is going to happen to Father?” Her voice fumbled.

Stone took a dry swallow, closing his eyes defeatedly.

“ I don't know. .” He croaked, admittedly. 

Sage turned her head slowly, processing his response.

“He will be ok… won't he?”

Stone wasn't sure how to respond; he couldn’t lie. 

“I'm not sure..”

Her mouth shut disappointedly. She glanced out the window, the red light in her eye bouncing off the glass. She hugged the soaking stuffed penguin tightly. Stone was impressed that she even managed to keep hold of it. 

She hesitated as she inquired about one more question,

“What do we do now?”

I don't know. He thought, a pit forming in his gut. What were they to do? Their lives had been stripped of them so fast, the transition between the comfort and peaceful life to one on the run and separated was jarring. He felt lost; he felt so alone again. Why did life always seek to segregate him and the doctor? Didn't it know how useless it was without the doctor beside him?

But beside him sat a child… a child that needed that assurance he had always provided himself in times like this. 

He took a swallow and offered a dry laugh,

“This isn't the first time I've had to rescue the doctor… it won't be the last,” He tilted his head,” it may be different now… but the desired results remain the same… Well, get him back.” He did his best to offer her a confident smile.

She blinked, her eyes drooping in sadness,

“Where do you find such confidence in such unascertained conditions? How do you find the drive to continue?”

Stone swallowed hard,

“I don't have any other option, do I? I need the doctor…without him…” he paused, clearing his throat, “The world has to continue, time doesn't stop even in the most hopeless instances. So I have to choose what path I'll decide to navigate. I don’t have another choice but to have faith; without it, I'll get nowhere. It's what got me through those 200 days without the doctor… what pushed me to search for him in the Death Eggs debris, to do everything in my power to revive him… to take care of him… to ensure he was still there in this world or beside me.” He closed his eyes, “I've worked so hard up to this point, I can't afford to lose all of what I have achieved.”

“So… you don't have any other choice but to be confident…because the alternative would be defeat?”

The sides of his lips stretched,

“Yeah… in a way…taking care of the doctor is my purpose… I’m no one without that.”

“That can't be true… You are human… your own individual.”

“True, I guess I just… don't feel whole without the doctor…”

He stopped himself; this wasn't an appropriate conversation to have with a child, even if she was an artificially intelligent machine. He cleared his throat,

“This all reminds me of my first mission with the doctor,” He reminisced fondly.

Sage's head perked up tiredly as she expressed interest. 

“It was a trip to Antarctica… The doctor had gotten an invitation from an old colleague, well, more of an acquaintance of the doctor. They weren't exactly on even terrain at that point since Robotnik had gotten him fired due to his much more superior tech and work ethic- anyway,” he laughed, “He knew it was a trap, we both did, it confused me at first why he so readily went forward knowing what was ahead of us. But he told me that this would prove to him whether I was good enough to be kept around and fulfill my duties. If I managed to get him out of an obvious danger, then I'd be worthy to be along his side for however long I managed to stay.”

“But if you hadn't- the doctor could have died,” Sage said with confusion.

“Yeah, I was well aware. It didn't make sense to me that the smartest man in the world was putting his life in the hands of some straggler like me… but it made me realize that perhaps he saw something in me… something different. Confidence…” He took a steady sigh, “It ended in a shootout and a grand escape for me and the doctor. I had fulfilled my duty and managed to get him out of there unscathed. I couldn't say the same for myself, but the doctor gave me a rating of 6/10 in the end!” He gleamed

She blinked, processing the insignificant variable,

“What I guess I'm trying to say is… we will make do… we always have, I always have. I know it's a lot to take in… trust me. But life will and has to move on. What will greet us is not as clear as my mission in Antarctica, but that also means some good may be ahead of us as well.”

Sage's body leaned into the agent's chest as she nodded slowly. 

“I appreciate your analysis, even if it is not a valid evaluation for the current situation we are in and has multiple opportunities for error to occur… it does provide some use in comforting.”

He chuckles gruffly, rubbing her shoulder,

“Good to know my blabbering is useful in some way.”

Air escaped his nose slowly as he turned his head to look out the window, if not for the circumstances they were under… This could've been a lovely, peaceful bus drive. 

“What is our desired location towards which we are navigating? When shall we depart from this large transport?”

Stone sighed, leaning his head towards her,

“Until the driver kicks us off… let's just sit for a moment…”

Sage curled her feet inwards, hugging him tightly. 

He placed a weak kiss on her head, wincing as he resisted the knot that had formed in his throat.

He needed to be strong for her, for the doctor, for himself.

He didn't have any other choice. 

Chapter Text

Robotnik utilized the flaky bark of the hemlock tree to teeter the hammock they rested in back and forth. He raised the plastic blue and yellow Brontosaurus toy above him dramatically, summoning guttural noises from his throat.

“My Brontosaurus comes down and takes a bite out of your feeble Stegosaurus and munches victoriously on its flesh! Nga-Nga-Nga-Nga -”

He tapped Sage's dinosaur toy gently as he mimicked the vicious munches of a very hungry long-necked beast.

Sage's brows pressed together in annoyance,

“Father, Brontosauruses were herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs; they did not feast on flesh. Your portrayal of one is inaccurate.”

He snorted,

“These designs are inaccurate!” He deflected, “I mean, first of all, everyone knows dinosaurs didn't look like this! Multicolored and scaly? Come on! They weren’t even giant lizards, more like giant chickens. The only large lizards back then were the ones that existed in the water; dinosaurs are described as terrestrial creatures only . Plus, blue and yellow are tacky. If these toys won't follow historical accuracy, then why should I?”

Sage's face shifted into one of consideration, her eyes sparkled,

“So I am free to use my imagination in this display?”

“Yeah sure, shoot.” He huffed.

She hesitated,

“My Stegosaurus summons a ballistic missile as revenge and sends it after your Brontosaurus.” She decreed with exuberance. 

Robotnik shot up, 

“What! Ok, that's ridiculous! You can't do that!”

“I think you're upset because you did not think of a better offensive, and I am set to claim victory.”

“Pft, whatever! They're just plastic toys...” He grumbled.

Sage paused, recognizing her father's genuine frustration. She grabbed his toy and proceeded to chuck both of them off the hammock,

“A meteorite proceeds to fall on both of them, and they both die as they are quickly incinerated. Neither side is, therefore, eligible to proclaim victory.”

Robotnik blinked with wide eyes until his mustache curled in a smirk,

“Ha! Good riddance.” He grumbled.

She felt pleased with her father's change in attitude, flopping down beside him as the hammock rocked back and forth.

“Did you ever meet a dinosaur, Father?” She pestered.

He choked and slowly turned his head,

“How old do you think I am…?”

She shrugged,

“You've interacted with intergalactic creatures, I presumed you'd also interact with other strange creatures,”

Robotnik sighed,

“I think I'd prefer a dinosaur over that rotten blue rodent…” He tilted his head, “Though I guess I did technically interact with a dinosaur once.”

Sage perked up with interest,

“What Kind?”

“His name was Gerald.” He smirked.

Sage processed for a moment until she let out a slight chuckle,

“Oh, I see. Because he was old.”

“Yes, that and many other things.”

“Was he always that way?”

“Old?”

“No…”

Robotnik sighed, his voice becoming monotone as opposed to his usually boisterous self.

“I wouldn't know… but from what I can gather, he changed quite drastically after he lost the one person he loved the most…”

“Is love truly something that powerful to change a person permanently to that degree?”

“I guess so.” He mumbled, closing his eyes as he lay his head back.

Sage paused,

“What is… Love ?”

He peeked open one eye, grumbling,

“Love is an emotional status too vague and varied in its definition.”

“But if you had to describe it… what is it like?”

“You're asking the wrong person,” he chuckled, rocking the hammock.

“You've never loved anything?”

“My machines, maybe.”

“What about Stone?”

Robotnik turned his head slowly to look at the agent. He was at the fire cooking their morning breakfast, wearing a matching purple bonnet and apron with white flower patterns riddled across it. He was humming some odd tune to himself as he gleamed in the morning dewy light.

Robotnik sneered, his mustache twitching,

“I tolerate him,” he grumbled despite the tension that had pinched his heart. 

“And what about me? Do you love me, Father?”

He fully opened his eyes, glaring fondly at his creation, offering a slight smile,

“Yeah… of course I -” He cleared his throat, “Lo- Love you.” He croaked. 

Her eyes flashed blue for a moment, and she analyzed his response before crawling in closer to his embrace.
“Well. I love you, too, Father .”

Robotnik let out stiff wails as his body rebooted him back into consciousness. Sweat stuck to his forehead as the blood finally rushed back into his brain.

He reached for his dismembered limb as his nerves screamed, searching for the lost connection that had been torn from him.

Where was he?  

He looked around the room, dazed,

What had happened?

He attempted to sit upright, his body frail without the support he once had. 

 Where was Stone? 

He searched his surroundings.

Where was his daughter?

He took hefty breaths as he attempted to gather his ravaged thoughts. 

He searched for his optical lenses, desperately shuffling his one good hand around. 

In his search, his hand brushed up against the concrete wall in which he had been entrapped. 

There were scratches and images riddled across the wall… but they were hard to decipher with his faded vision.

He winced, using his good non-organic eye to properly visualize the white faded encryptions before him. 

They were old, faded, sporadic… and unnervingly familiar. He blew away the dust covering the illustrations. The chalk had coated the wall for so long that it had made a permanent residence there.

Robotnik's gut dropped as he stepped back, comprehending the image before him. These scratches were writings…formulas, more specifically. They were blueprints. 

He gazed, his mind suddenly becoming fogged as the methods danced around one another and formed an image…

The Eclipse cannon. 

The very weapon his grandfather had been imprisoned for 50 years to make… the deadliest weapon ever concocted by man. Something G.U.N had commissioned, but something his grandfather had utilized in the end. 

This was his grandfather's cell.

The very place he grieved for 50 years, the place he rotted, and the place he had plotted his revenge against humanity. 

He staggered backwards until his eyes stumbled across something peculiar…

Written in small letters away from the rest of the scribbles… There was a declaration that didn’t resemble the others. It was crossed out, like there was an attempt to remove it. But the words were carved into the stone, and he traced his fingers over the words to read them:

“All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!”

Robotnik felt a foreign emotion cross him, it caused his hand to shiver as he traced over another comment scratched into the wall,

“ I only wanted to help the people of Earth. I once thought the reason for my existence was to help mankind and bring them happiness through the power of science. Now I know they didn’t deserve what I could have given them.” 

His body became weak, his vision blurred by the tears that had begun to form in his eyes. It made him feel disgusted . The last thing he wanted to do was grieve for this man…But the man in these writings was not the Gerald he had known…this was a man he never got to know. The man who was taken from him.

His pain eventually devolved into frustration and anger. His tears grew hot with rage. They put him here on purpose. To taunt him, to mess with his psyche. To run him insane, just like they had Gerald.

What kind of sick tactic was this? 

Such a psychological torment was repugnant. It hurt him more that it was working. 

He stepped back from the scribbles, gripping his forehead as he recollected his thoughts, memories of the recent events flooding back to him.

Did they capture the Agent? Did they take Sage? 

The panic made him ill, and he sat down against the stiff bed as he shivered. The mental anguish and physical pain combined to create an unbearable feeling.

He didn’t want to be here.

He hadn't even detected the other bodies that had made their way to his cell.

“Good evening, Doctor.”

His head shot up against the scornful voice; it was that woman again. Rockwell.

His face burned, presuming they found great entertainment in seeing him so distressed, he wiped the tears from his eyes as he threw his body up against the bars, getting as close as he could to the commander's face. The two guards beside her flinched and lifted their weapons, but her demeanor did not change.

It annoyed Robotnik to no end.

“Where are they?” He growled. 

Her eyes traced over him, stopping at his mutilated arm until she repositioned herself, letting out a hefty sigh.

“Your agent managed to evade our forces.” She informed him.

Robotnik felt his body relax as he let out a relieved sigh, the grip against the bars loosening. 

“But don’t think this means we have stopped our pursuit,” she grumbled,” there is still a very dangerous weapon you have set loose out in the wild. They nearly shot down one of our copters.”

He snorted, grinning proudly,

“That’s my girl.”

Her lip twitched as she lifted her tablet,

“You know, when I read in your file that you were quite paternal to your creations, I assumed this was just another instance of that.” She set her tablet down and eyed him sharply,” But now I see you’ve created your own… child. And for what? Your entertainment?” She grimaced,” Who gives a child such power? Who turns their own kid into a weapon?”

Robotnik's heart flared, and he gritted his teeth,

“She’s no weapon! Some of her functions may not have initially been intended, but I had it under control!” 

“Your reports indicate the exact opposite characteristic. You’re sporadic, a psychological tire fire. Not just with your handling of Project Sonic, but also your use of the Chaos Emerald and involvement with the Eclipse Cannon.”

“I had just as much involvement with that cannon as your department did! If not less! Why aren’t they all in cells?” He growled.

“Because they’re not a mad, villainous scientist!” 

“Just because I’m more obviously evil doesn’t discern the fact that this Agency is just as, if not more, systematically malicious!” 

Her response hesitated, her eyes intensified.

“You’re messing with something you shouldn’t, once again.” 

He let out a guttural laugh, throwing his head back, offended,

“ Who says I can't create life, huh? Just a bunch of proteins bumping together. Anyone can do that. A true genius does it with code and electrons! And if I did create life, she would be brilliant and loyal and perfectly effective! And you know why? Because her dad is a genius! That’s why!” He proclaimed proudly.

She eyed the agents beside her before turning back to him,

“I did not come here to debate whether it’s moral for you to play God.” She slid a tablet between the bars. Robotnik hesitated before snatching it away, examining her proposition.

He chuckled,

“If you think I’m going to negotiate with you in any way, then you are more mad than I.” He tossed the tablet to the floor, narrowly shattering it. 

Rockwell's eyes bounced from the floor back up to the doctor,

“We have new commands… You, your agent, and your-” She hesitated, “Daughter can all return to the peaceful life you once had. We will let you go on probation and monitor your activity, of course. You can live out your family dreams in peace-”

“You call that peace? Having G.U.N eyes on us continually? Being treated like a rabid animal, caged and monitored at all times? PASS.”

“What other choice do you have? You're a criminal walking free. There is no justice in that. You set yourself up for this life when you went off the rails of your mission.”

“A mission I was assigned by YOU .” He reminded. 

She ignored his comment, 

“You can redeem your past actions by assisting us in our most recent operation.”

Robotnik scoffed and turned his head, but couldn't ignore the fact that he was slightly intrigued. She continued.

“The alien by the name Sonic and his friends have proven to be… complicated. While in some cases, they saved the day from destruction, they are the root cause of all of those complications. Their existence brings about uncontrollable weaponry as they aimlessly shed superpowered quills all over the country, reawakening godlike power sources that get into the wrong hands. That and with most recent events, allowing for the eclipse cannon to nearly wipe out the Earth because of a lack of compliance. Team Sonic is reckless, and they continue to be. Their actions make this agency look inefficient and weak. They’re an insult to our existence and purpose. They have been entertained long enough. Their presence influences more creatures from their planet to reside here, causing more and more catastrophic anomalies.”

“You should really thank them then, without them, you wouldn't have a job.” Robotnik provoked. 

She frowned,

“Sonic has the capability to do much of anything and has access to sources of power unlike we have ever seen… If something were to ever change in our relationship with the alien… we would need a tool to defend ourselves and control the possible threat that could be created.” 

“So you want me to make you a weapon? One that could control that wretched rodent?” He sneered in offense, “Don't you think if I could do that, I would have already? I hate that hedgehog, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a formidable adversary. You can't tie down something like that. Just accept defeat, it's a lot more peaceful that way.”

He sat down uncomfortably a top of the bed.

“ We can't afford to sit by and watch the world burn,” Robotnik raised a brow and shrugged, “ Do you want a future with your family, or a future in prison?” She taunted.

He hesitated for a moment… truthfully, he had no Idea what to do. Despite his irate behaviour, he was terrified. He was confused, and he was lost. He frowned and turned away from the commander,
“It's a bit hard to think at the moment,” He growled, throwing his arm over his face, “If I recall correctly… such a proposition was made to another Robotnik in this very cell years ago… and look how that turned out.”

He awaited a response, his skin crawling as dead air surrounded him.

Finally, the commander's voice broke the noise,

“I'll be back for an answer.” She hummed, turning away sharply and marching.

Robotnik eventually removed the arm from his face and glanced defeatedly up at the ceiling. Every corner of this cell had sporadic scribbles inscribed across it… So much space had been taken up; this cell didn't have room for another man to grow mad… he couldn't afford to become like his grandfather. He had tried so hard to avoid becoming like him… He couldn't spend the rest of his years in prison. He couldnt leave his daughter. He didn't want to leave the family he had formed. 

Why was he continually tormented with the prospect of a blissful life? Maybe he was undeserving of all of life's gifts. 

After a few hours, Rockwell came rushing back towards his cell, readjusting herself when she came into view, lifting her chin high,

“You say you're ready to negotiate?”

Robotnik peered his eyes open, groaning as he sat up in his bed,

“Yes, I'll consider your proposition,” He brushed his mustache.

Her eyebrows perched in confusion,

“Is that a yes or a no?”

He cut her off with a raise of his finger,

“On one condition.”

She swallowed, preparing herself for his demands.

“I can't create anything in this state. I’m blind, I've got one arm, and frankly, this environment is quite drab. It's definitely no lab.”

She scoffed, 

“We are not moving you.”

“Then at least give me my prescription back and my arm,” He grumbled. 

She eyed the soldiers beside her,

“Your arm is currently being examined for any possible weaponry-”

“What!?” Robotnik shot up, nearly toppling over,” You tell those mouth breathing pentagoons to take their paws off my machinery! They couldn't possibly understand the intellectualism of such a fascinating device! And I made that with scraps!”

“We can give you one of our prosthetics in the meantime-”

“HA! I didn't know this room was filled with jokesters! I'm not letting one of your sloppy inventions come anywhere close to me. It's either my arm or no weapon.”

“May I remind you, you're in a cage. You have no grounds to make such demands.” She pestered.

He growled but lowered his gaze, letting out a sigh,

“Fine, at least… Give me my ring.. .” He mumbled.

Rockwell hesitated, the men behind her sharing puzzling glances. 

She flicked her hand, instructing the soldier beside her to fetch his arm.

Robotnik removed his gaze from the rest of the people in the room, well aware of the eyes boring into him.

The soldier returned with the arm, handing it to Rockwell as she examined the fingers.

Sure enough, a ring sat neatly on the fourth finger closest to the pinky.

She couldn't resist the grimace that crossed her face, the other soldiers beside her gossiping to themselves and sharing appalled glances.

She plucked the ring from its finger, her lips curling as she slowly slipped it between the prison bars.

Robotnik lifted his head quickly and snatched the ring, holding it close to his chest, noting their deplorable expressions

He sneered,

“How about you all stop gawking and go do something useful. The quicker I have my arm back, the faster you'll have your weapon.” He turned from them, hearing the dazed shuffles as a few soldiers fled the room. Muttering to themselves intensely. 

Once he heard the last scuff of a shoe leave, he let out a relieved sigh, holding the ring close to him.

“Alright, agent… let's see if you still have it in you…”

He slipped his fingers between the ring and twisted a small mechanism that beeped and flashed for only a second.

He only hoped the agent was prepared for the task ahead of him. But he had confidence, he trusted him, he had to. 

Fanart CORNER YEAAAA!!!

Thank you so much @workwithkarosas (Carp) for the art! GOT to be one of my favorite pieces and this artist is so underrated, please PLEASE go check them out on Tumblr! Y'all give me so much motivation, thank you!

Chapter Text

The passing views and drumming of asphalt were starting to all blur together. The agent's grip on the steering wheel was loosening, just as it was on reality. 

Stone could hardly keep his eyes from sinking; they had been on the road for weeks. Maybe a month? Stone couldn't recall. He had started counting at first, but the days eventually merged into one. 

He was so focused on ensuring they weren't being followed that it took up the bulk of his attention. G.U.N wouldn't stray from its objectives and targets, at least not that easily. Stone knew how they worked all too well. They needed to keep moving. 

Everything changed after he had gotten a peculiar signal on his ring just a few days after the incident that had split them apart. Sage was the only one capable of accessing and delivering the pre-recorded message the doctor had left for him. It had turned out the ring tracker wasn't exactly as simple as Stone had hoped it to be. It couldn't afford to be. The doctor had activated a message within the band, instructing them on their next assignment.

Stone should have assumed. The doctor always made things more complicated than they needed to be. It could be viewed as a nuisance, but for Stone and Robotnik, it was a surefire way to limit any unwanted engagement. 

Stone winced; the sharp pain that had become a consistent aggravating impediment in his performance pierced against his cranium. The car slightly swerved as he regained his focus on the road, his eyes watering in exhaustion.

They had spent most of their waking moments hoping between public transits, hijacking stolen cars, and slipping through the inattentive masses. Stone hadn't even risked stopping, not unless he had to. He determined the safest option for now was to take short detours to rest in whatever transportation they had accessible to them. Unlike Sage, his feeble human body required some form of rest. Stone had limited himself to two hours. At first, it was a breeze. It reminded Stone of his early days with the doctor, spending long nights working on projects and listening to his rambles until he could no longer physically bear to do so. 

But that collective anxiety and exhaustion were finally burdening him, that and the added fact that Sage reminded him of his unhealthy state continually. 

He was always increasingly aware of her red gaze upon him; she never blinked, never removed her watchful eye. Almost like if she did, she would lose the rest of what little she had left. 

Completely consumed by his misgivings, Stone had hardly noticed how weak his wrists had become. And how heavy his head suddenly felt… and how the world around him slowly enveloped in darkness… and the bright light that was creeping closer and closer-

“ Stone !”

Within a second, the blinding light consumed his vision as the piercing bellow of a Semi creeped closer.

His heart leaped into his throat as he felt Sage's small hand take hold of his and yank the steering wheel towards her.

The rattling of the earth beside them sent his nerves into a frenzy as the light and screeching of the large vehicle disappeared just as quickly as it had arrived. 

Adrenaline flooded into his bloodstream as his shivering hands now gripped the wheel firmly. Sweat dripped from his forehead as the drumming of his heart deafened him. 

His eyes bulged and alert. He let out scattered breaths, finding it hard to fill his lungs before letting out one long exhale. 

The world around them returned to silence and the typical grinding of gravel below them as he regained his composure.

Stone peered hesitantly towards Sage, who had an expression on her face that he wasn't exactly sure how to read.

‘You- ok?” His voice was meek and frail, all of his body subdued. 

She didn't respond, and judging by the flashing red that had engulfed him, she was doing another scan. 

“Your vitals are concerning. A rapid heart rate exceeding 200 BPM when active and 100BPM while at rest. This can lead to a multitude of distressing physical responses like lightheadedness, high blood pressure, overwhelming exhaustion, and shortness of breath-”

As she listed off medical statistics Stone had grown familiar with, he let out an irritable sigh, raising his hands stiffly.

“I know, I know- Listen, I shouldn't have closed my eyes, but I'm awake now… It's fine…” his voice pitched as he threw his hands back onto the wheel, keeping his eyes on the road despite his whole body screaming for him.

Sage closed her mouth but kept her gaze upon him.

“Im refusing to accept that as an answer. Your physical condition has become far too compromised; my programming won't allow it to continue any longer.”

Stone kept a stern expression despite the tightness in his throat choking him.

“Then ignore your current programming,” he croaked, taking a slight turn. 

“You don't have the authority to issue such commands.” She informed him with a slight hint of bitterness. Her piercing red stare slowly shifted to a much warmer hue as her head lowered, and her gaze was removed.

Dead air returned to their environment, and Sage closed her eyes tightly before placing a hand along the agent's arm.

“ Baba, please .” She muttered carefully.

Stone's grip on the wheel grew tighter as his heart palpitated. He winced defeatedly and bit his lower lip. 

He let out a deep, shaky sigh before taking a hard swallow. 

“How about this…” he proposed, “If you can find me a motel that goes far beyond the beaten path in the middle of nowhere… I'll consider taking a break. I don't care how trashy it is, the worse the better in this case.”

Sage's eye flickered to a light blue before she shut her eyes, her gears turning as she accessed her global positioning systems.

Her eyes opened quickly,

“In 3.4 miles, turn right and cut through the parking lot…”

Utilizing one of his many aliases and a very sketchy environment, Stone had managed to secure a room inside what was probably the most horrendous Motel he had ever seen. He was convinced that at least one person was murdered a week here. However, Sage had followed his commands; it was horrible and run-down, but so out of the way that tracking them here would be nearly impossible. He wasn't even sure if this place was even still running.

Despite its horrid appearance, the AI child beside him expressed a deep fascination with its ghastly structure. It was amusing, but she tested his instincts as he did his best to prevent her from reaching for any strange stains on the wall and pulling her away from the peculiar individuals who inhabited this unpleasant alcove. 

One relief to the agent was the fact that the Motel at least had room service. In which he only discovered because one of the housekeepers was still in his room, mopping the carpets…

He was at least glad he wouldn't have to deal with bed bugs on top of everything else. 

Stone ensured the door could lock before letting out a sigh of relief, placing his palm against his face, removing the sweat that had formed along his brow.

He suddenly felt very dirty.

Senses he had previously ignored came rushing back, overwhelming him with unpleasant sensations.

It made him nauseous, his nails unconsciously tearing away at his skin.

“Im going to take a quick shower, ok?” He muttered weakly to Sage, who nodded, examining the single pull-out bed with interest.

Despite the cold water and questionable filtering system of the shower, nothing had felt so nice in quite a while. 

He at least felt more comfortable in his body now, but his exhaustion was extending his time within the shower considerably. 

He hadn't even realized how weak he was until he had to resort to sitting upon the shower floor for support as the water rained down upon him. His muscles shivered against the cold and with solace. Despite sitting in a car for most of his days, it had done a number on his muscles.

His entire body ached, exposed to repeated motions that broke down his condition.

He gripped his forehead as his head continued to throb, instinctively letting out a weak whimper as he fought back the nausea starting to form. 

Sage was right, as she always was. He was in horrible condition. Stone never thought of himself as a hypocrite, but surely if it were the doctor to do this, he would have expressed concern the same.

He was losing it.

He let out a deep exhale as the droplets embraced his vulnerable form.

What was he doing? Years of training, experience, and he was losing it all now? How could he have let himself stoop this low? He needed to focus. 

He couldn't afford this stubbornness he had developed regarding a very sensitive assignment. If he could barely take care of himself, how was he expected to take care of his family?

He had been without the doctor before… this wasn't anything new.

And yet, it still hurt. So profoundly. 

Stone had hardly dried himself off before stepping out of the washroom. His dirty clothes adhered to his wet body. 

He rubbed his eyes tiredly before glancing at Sage, wincing carefully.

“Sage… what do you have in your hand…?” He pried.

She lifted a small, white, furry object before her.

“It's a common mouse. I found it under the bed. I believe it made its nest in the mattress,” She hummed.

Stone blinked; he didn't have the energy to be shocked anymore. He nodded slowly, sticking his lower lip out as he let out a huff.

“Yeah… of course… yeah… that should've been expected.” He scratched the back of his head. “But you can't keep them. Come on, let them go.”

“But why?”

“You may not be able to contract a disease, but I can. And the last thing I want is a mouse with a possible infection chewing at my ankles at night…”

“Ricky wouldn't do that.”

Stone winced,

“Ricky…” he grumbled defeatedly, nodding slowly, “Ricky…” he repeated.

“But if you are concerned, I will ensure Ricky does not remain in the vicinity.”

“Thanks, Pebble.” He threw his body upon the small bed, the springs digging into his ribs as they creaked from the impact. He let out a deep groan into the worn pillows that reeked of mothballs. 

After some shuffling, he felt the bed contort as Sage maneuvered her body upon it. Stone turned to the side, allowing Sage to shuffle in closer to him. He weakly held her in one of his arms as he let out a deep yawn, his eyes growing misty. 

“Ok… let's review our current situation…” he mumbled weakly.

Sage nodded,

“Approximately four weeks ago, we received a signal within the wedding band father provided to you. Using the technology provided to me by father, I was able to access the message and encrypt its directions. Father has one remaining research base code-named “Sand Ocean” that is still connected to his worldwide satellite network and was not destroyed by G.U.N. after their many attempts at erasure.”

“Yeah… It's in Utah. He talked about it… once…” Stone mumbled into the pillow. 

“The reason for its desertion was previously unknown, but Father has informed me of an experiment he abandoned that remains there. A creature so dangerous as it was mysterious. Entering the lab was seen as a death sentence. Leading to high security enforcement and desertion in fear of what remained in that lab and its capabilities.”

Stone nodded slowly. He knew the doctor had plenty of secrets he kept from Stone, but something this large came as a surprise to him. 

“Do we know any more information about this… creature?” He inquired.

“Nothing that father provided, only that it is a being that surpasses any known ancient civilizations here on earth. Leading to the doctor concluding that it did not originate from this world… some sort of cybernetic being out of his control.”

“I can't believe the doctor interacted with something like this before… something even before Sonic. It's so unlike him to just… hide such an achievement.”

“I doubt it came as an achievement to the doctor. Due to its unrelenting and lawless nature, I doubt the doctor took the failure of being unable to command it easily. By entrapping it and abandoning it, it was his own way of taking back control. Taking responsibility for its freedom and identity, and returning once he had the tools to command it… Sadly for us, that day never came.”

“Let's hope that thing has rusted by now, then.” He offered weakly.

Sage shook her head.

“With its description, it appears to withstand all tests of time. We should expect fierce retaliation. However, if you are to rest and regain your strength, we may stand a chance.”

He smiled weakly, brushing his hand along her head gently.

“Thanks for looking out for me,” He muttered genuinely. 

“I can keep watch for you, if you are concerned.”

“Do whatever you need to do… you're the one with a functioning brain at the moment.” He chuckled. 

She rested her head under his chin, analyzing his weakening heart rate.

“Good night, agent. ”

“G’night… Pebble.”

She paused,

“I love you,” her eyes flashed in a blue hue. 

He smiled warmly despite his body quickly retreating into slumber. He placed a weak kiss atop her head.

“ I love you, too ,” he mumbled. 

Stone had slept a little longer than he had hoped he would, but he couldn’t deny the comfort and relief his body felt. Even if he still had to drag himself out of bed, inspired only by the child who had presented a muffin and cup of black coffee stolen from the kitchen for him.

With some classic deceit, he and Sage found themselves back on the road in no time, having not spent a penny, at least not a real one, almost like they hadn’t even been there in the first place.

He took a sip of his now cold and bitter coffee, scrunching his face unpleasantly as the taste interacted with his tongue. He swallowed it roughly before sticking his tongue out in repulsion. He begrudgingly took another sip of the flat beverage, hoping to force the caffeine down his throat.

“Why do you drink that if you so obviously despise it?”

Stone smacked his lips, a frown curled in dissatisfaction.

“I need the caffeine if I'm to prepare for whatever Robotnik has locked up in that lab…” He muttered, gulping down the dirty water before tossing the cup to the side, shivering. 

Sage gave him a curious glance before turning her head to look out the window. She had been particularly silent that morning.

“Er-How’d you sleep?”

“I don't."

“Oh yeah, right… I just-”

“If this is your way of inquiring if im ok, I am…” She paused. Considering a response.

Stone turned his head slightly, sighing.

“I don't presume good.”

Silence.

“I miss Father,” she whispered.

Stone lifted his gaze to view her in the rear view mirror, his brow pressed in sympathy.

“I do too… but we are one step closer to getting Robotnik back, and then everything will be ok.” He patted her leg gently.

Her eyebrows pressed together,

“And then what?” She asked, her voice deep and considerate.

“What?”

“What will we do after that? After we rescue Father… What possible future is there? A future like we once had?” She turned her head.” How can we be a family if we are constantly on the go? If I am… only seen as… a weapon… and you, a criminal? It is upsetting that something so perfect that we once had will inevitably be lost in the end. We are fated to only suffer now.”

Stones' gut turned; she sounded too much like the doctor…

“Woah… Sage-” He stumbled over his words. “It's not all hopeless.”

“Realistically, it is.”

He couldn't argue with schematics; realistically , he had no idea what they'd do. They would be criminals; they wouldn't be able to settle down, not unless they faked the doctor's death once again. But after the fourth time, it would become redundant. It seemed like no matter how hard they tried, they were always discovered, always found. Their perfect visions of life were ruined. Every opportunity given to them, stripped away. Sage was right. It wasn't fair. 

He sighed,

“I don't know, I don't know what we'll do. And I doubt the doctor knows either… But I don't care anymore. I don't care what our lives will be. I've suffered for so many years, fighting against the tide, spending hours calculating and scheming… All I want now, all I need now, are you and the doctor. I don't care where life takes us. I just need you with me. IF I have that, I know I'll be able to withstand anything.”

She considered his words,

“How do you always find such… irrational, baseless, and invalid ways of thinking that always find a way to inspire such hope inside of you? How do you keep going?” She asked genuinely.

He chuckled lightly, 

“We have to find new ways of getting ourselves through the day, even if it is based on illogical ways of thinking.”

She thought,

“Like drinking gross coffee?”

He nodded,

“Like drinking gross coffee. That's one of the only things admirable about humanity, its ever-so-stubborn human spirit.” He grinned.

She eyed the agent up and down before turning her head in assurance.

“I hope to feel that… one day.” 

By the time they had reached their location, their car was as good as busted. The vicious mountain desert terrain had not been kind to the vehicle. But in the end, it had fulfilled its purpose; just a few feet ahead of them lay a deteriorating lab being reclaimed by the sandy environment that surrounded it. 

“Woah..” Amazement slipped from his lips.

Sage scanned the area.

“The last human presence here was over 23 years ago. No one's been here since its desertion.” Her eyes clicked.” The foundation is most likely unstable. We must find the central computing system quickly and efficiently.”

“If this place is so old and unkept… how do we know the creature inside is even still there?”

Sage turned to him, giving him a toneless stare.

She lifted a tiny rock and chucked it with impressive strength towards the base.

Stones' mouth fell agape as the rock suddenly suspended in the air as it came in contact with an invisible forcefield. An imprint of red was left behind from the rock's collision as it quickly crumbled to the ground. 

“Luckily, in Father's message, he provided me with a code that can override this defense, and gave me access to his network, now referred to as the "Eggnet ". However, such a decision would then provide a risk of breaching the barrier keeping the creation of concern subdued. Are we confident this is the right decision to make?”

She looked to him for guidance, her stare reminding him that while she was an impressively intelligent machine, she was just as unsure and lost as he was.

“What other option do we have?” He offered.

She considered before turning back around and shutting her eyes.

Slowly, she lifted her hand towards the air, and a red particulate hue danced around her fingers as they slowly trickled towards the invisible walls. 

Slowly, the wall began disintegrating, that red glowing shield slowly corroding away until it slipped into nothingness.

She lowered her hand, her face expressionless.

Stone smiled, patting her head.

“Nice work.”

She snapped out of her trance; her expression changed to one of gleaming innocence. Stone was beginning to realize how “robotic” Sage was becoming each day that passed without the doctor. He'd do everything in his power to keep that child inside of her alive. He had to.

“So, what else do we have to look out for?”

“Nothing that father did not give me the capability to subdue.” She assured him.

All around him, Stone could hear a chorus of the humming machines as they were activated and swiftly sent back into dormancy.

Amazement was caught in his lungs. Sage continued to prove to be unpredictable and capable of tasks that no project the doctor had ever worked on was possible. A twisted thought crossed his mind.

What was she really capable of? What had the doctor… made her? Did he really make her a super weapon, or… was this a side effect of tampering with chaos energy?

No.

No.

His daughter was not a weapon. 

She was no more of a weapon than he was. Her capabilities and attributes did not define her design.

Besides, weapons were only ever necessary in conflict. If there had been no conflict in the first place, she would not have needed to become like this. To become so defensive and conflicted.

Just like the world had done to him and the doctor, it had made her the weapon they later claimed her to be. 

They stepped cautiously over the debris that had riddled the entrance. Stone presumed whatever was being kept inside had caused these damages in its desperation to escape. 

The layout of the lab was so familiar and yet so distant to Stone that it narrowly overwhelmed him. 

Like all of Robotnik's old labs, it was set up like a maze. Of course, a purposeful design to keep people out, and of course, to mess with them.

After a while, Stone learned to navigate the extended halls with ease. But this was different… just like everything in the building, it had been tampered with. Slashes and craters riddled the cement walls, having come about from some unforeseen force of great power. 

“Sage.. Is there any other information you have on this… thing?” He asked cautiously, resting his right arm atop his left as he used his gauntlets to light the way. 

“No… father barely had any information himself. Whatever he found was not easy to contain and nearly impossible to analyze.”

“Right,” he grumbled, “ just stay behind me. If this isn't one of the doctor's creations, then I doubt you'll be able to use your fancy powers to subdue it.” Sage's body language became stiffer as she lingered closely behind the agent's leg. It had suddenly occurred to him she was scared. After everything she was capable of, she was still scared.

Of course, she was; she was only a little girl.

“Hey-” He stopped suddenly, her metallic body bumping into his calf. She hung her head as she removed eye contact from the agent.

“Are you alright?” He asked carefully.

She fidgeted with her finger tips anxiously, nodding her head. 

“It's just… this has to go right…im… scared what will happen if it doesn't.” She admitted, “I’ve run every scenario and possibility, if something is to happen to you- If I fail to protect you…I will be left alone. And I… I will not be able to do this without you.”

“Nothing will happen to me…” He hummed with assurance.

“You cannot count on that claim. There are over 100 ways this interaction could go.” 

“Sage,” he placed his gloved hand firmly against her shoulder, “You're an incredible program and a very special little girl…I might not be able to count on my affirmations, but I can confidently count on you. I can count on myself, and you can count on me to keep my promise.”

Her eyes slowly traced up to the agent as a small smile crept along her lips.

As her eyes reached his, they suddenly shot to something approaching behind his shoulder. Her pupils grew thin as her eyes were consumed in a powerful blaze of red. Her gaze was sharp as she weakly whispered the agent's name. 

He turned around swiftly to catch a glimpse of what Sage had detected.

His stomach dropped as his eyes climbed the build of the tall figure. 

He hadn't even heard the machine approach, its movements stealthy like a hunter, one foot carefully in front of the other in a mesmerizing prance.

Its build was large and empowering, standing at about 8 feet tall. It appeared top-heavy, and yet its movements were so balanced and harmonious.

Its pointed feet slid seamlessly against the uneven floor, sending up sparks. Coated in a gunmetal gray, its form was angular and sharp. A pointed head with a singular V-shaped glowing red screen sat atop sturdy shoulders as its waist pinched inward like an hourglass. Its arms and legs resembled long, sharp blades that expanded outwards. The straight-bladed arms disconnected from the body but floated nearby. Their horrified expressions reflected in their artificial limbs. 

It stood frozen for a moment, clearly acknowledging the presence of two unknown entities suddenly within its premises. Appearing to calculate its approach.

Stone and Sage remained frozen, unfamiliar with the threat they were about to face.

Stone curled his fingers tightly over Sages, clenching his fists in preparation.

His heart pounded as his lungs pleaded for release; it almost seemed like the machine was taunting him. Remaining still and seemingly passive. But Stone heeded the doctors' and Sages' warning; this was a being unlike any other. Unpredictable and uncontainable. It didn't earn that title by being idle.

Stone considered his options, carefully and slowly retracing his steps. Sage shuffled beside him with caution.

The machine's gaze remained static, but just as Stone managed to maneuver towards one of the open halls, its head turned instantly.

He didn't even have enough time to react before the machine lunged for them, its legs hovering against the ground as its body leaned forward with unexpected force, its bladed arms and panel lines radiating a dark pink as its offensive grew closer. 

Stone extended his clawed gauntlets, tugging Sage out of the way as the machine lunged for her, its blade-like limbs leaving a deep scar against the hull. 

It swung again, its attacks precisely calculated.

Stone's body reacted quickly as he threw his hands forward, keeping his elbows tight and palms to his face as the large blade came crashing down towards him. He caught the blade between his claws. The unknown material of the creature scratched violently against his metallic gloves, sliding down slowly as his muscles strained in an attempt to resist its force and protect his body. 

Its expressionless build showed no ounce of struggle as it overpowered him, his knees quaking as he was forced to the ground. He wouldn't be able to resist it for much longer, but he needed to find some way to avert its attention.

He let out a strained howl as he used his remaining strength to throw the bladed hands above him, as he used his lower core strength to slide himself under the thin legs of the Guardian. 

He spun his body around, free from its restraints, and sent a gash across its ribcage. A seizure of red light engulfed the robot as Stone struck its core, rippling across its body. 

It made no noise other than the sound of splintering metal as his gloves tore through the exterior. Small red fragments trickled to the floor.

Just behind it stood Sage, who remained petrified.

“Go!” Stone shouted with exasperated breaths, “Get to the lab!”

The Ninja turned its head sharply to Sage as she swiftly sprinted down the labyrinth. Stone's heart sparked. He needed to draw its attention away from her. 

He sent a jolt down his arms as his gauntlets activated, covering him in a veil of purple.

He lifted his arms, his fingers digging into his palms as he set off a round of blasts towards the towering machine, his arms constricting with force. 

The Guardian lifted its arms and crossed them, prompting a red geometric shield to appear in front of it.

Stone ceased his fire, his brow pressed together, perplexed. He took the moment to run, knowing well that if he was to escape this machine, he would need a head start.

The Guardian dashed after him, its body contorting over the debris, its blades running behind itself as it charged an offensive strike. 

It threw its arms forward, the blade gently grazing Stone’s skin through multiple attacks.

He threw himself to the side as its blades came down into the floor before it leaped into the air. Its body spun in circles, eventually throwing itself down to perform more continued attacks.

From side to side, up and down, the blades screamed through the air, and Stone did his best to avoid their jests as he released another flurry of blasts from his gauntlets. Its movements were mesmerising, its attacks elegant like a dance. If he was not actively being mutilated by this machine, he’d find it magnificent.

It spun around with force once again, throwing down a powerful strike. A blow landed across his shoulder, knocking him off balance. The blade had been so sharp that Stone had hardly realized it had broken skin.

He threw his hand quickly over the gash, warm blood quickly coating his arm. 

The strikes did not cease; the Ninja advanced him once again. The only chance he would have striking the creature was as it was in the offensive. He evaded the lunges to the best of his ability, and one blade came careening down towards him. He jumped to the side and leaped atop the blade, quickly launching himself upwards toward the head of the machine.

He stumbled as he desperately clawed atop the Guardian. It whirred and creaked as it tried its best to dismount the agent from its shoulders. The bladed arms could not reach him, but the Ninja's swift and nauseating movements narrowly sent the agent hurtling forward.

He gritted his teeth as he dug his claws into its red visor, a red surge engulfing it. 

It pivoted slightly before reeling its body back and sending itself into a powerful whirl. Stone's grip on the object began to loosen until he was sent hurling into the concrete walls. 

Air shot from his lungs as consciousness narrowly escaped him. A dull crack followed his impact until his body fell to the floor.

His ears rang as he let out a strained gasp, pain shooting through his spine. A ripple of heat began embracing him. He cradled his arms, his eyes slipping in and out of darkness as he gasped for air. 

It stalked closer towards him until a powerful beam of red light struck it unexpectedly. 

Its body turned towards the blast. Sage stood firmly before it, her hand extended.

“ Sage -” Stone croaked.

It hurdled towards her. Using her small size, she evaded its attacks quite effortlessly. She pranced between its strikes until she managed to lead it to a pile of rubble. When its sharpened arms thrust towards her, they wedged themselves between the broken concrete. The machine tugged as rubble crumbled around it. Sage would only have a moment before it was set free.

She climbed the machine just as he had, grabbing the side of its head firmly as her eyes glowed in a deep aura, the palms of her hands containing a powerful beam of light. The guardian groaned until it had managed to shake her off. 

His heart staggered as the Ninja struck Sage. The sound of scraping metal followed, sending her toppling towards him.

He desperately reached for her, scurrying to her side as she lifted her head, expressing no pain despite the gash now drawn against her chest.

He gripped her tightly as he threw his body over her. The Ninja prepared its final offensive, careening towards them.

Stone sneered, his mind running rampant with possible maneuvers. The adrenaline dulled his pain, but his panic was overwhelming.

Before he could react, Sage freed herself from the agent's protective embrace. On her knees, she lifted her hands as a red aura engulfed her.

The guardian charged towards them until an unexpected wave of red light crossed its angular head. The Guardian ceased its attack, its body halting abruptly. It stood menacingly over them, engulfing their entire figure as it seized.

Stone clutched Sage tightly as he gasped for air, noticing she, too, had frozen in place, her body rattling. The only movement was in her eyes, wide and deep, her iris spun and flickered. Stone threw his head towards the Guardian. Its visor, too, glitched in quick increments. 

Sage collapsed to the floor as her hand lowered, wincing in distress as her metallic body quivered.

“Sage- Sage - what happened?”

He caressed her face with concern, shuffling them both towards the corner they had been pinned to as the machine slowly began moving again.

She blinked slowly, raising her head. 

“I… accessed the Guardian's network… I… cannot completely control it.” She explained, lifting her hand, “But I can subdue its aggression towards us.”

Within a flick of her hand, the tense stance of the Guardian ceased as it stood before them. Its large shoulders relaxed, and bladed arms returned to its sides.

Stones sat agape, his tongue stuttering over his words. 

“B- how-”

“It uses an ancient network linked somehow to the power of Chaos… with the limited power I have… I can communicate with it…”

Stone caught his breath, heaving in relief. 

“You're incredible,” he expressed, exasperated. 

They sat for a moment. Sage gripped her chest where the guardian had struck her.

“For a moment, I felt its rage. Its confusion. Its despair. The essence of its creation: hopes, dreams, everything that made them what they were. An ancient creation unbeknownst to this world, the Ninja. It is so much more than a machine.” She lowered her head. “The world it originated from no longer exists… it has nowhere to go…it is alone. I wonder how father even managed to...” She shook her head, stopping herself from speculating

“I can ask them to lead us to the central computing station,” she regathered her thoughts. “Whether they agree is not up to me.”

Stone nodded stiffly as his heart did its best to pace itself. 

She waved her hand once more, the Ninja's visor flickering as it computed her queries. The Guardian hesitated for a moment, its head creaking as it eventually turned away. Its body swayed as it bounded onward from them.

Stone scrambled to his feet, wincing as the blood from his shoulder continued to stain his clothes. He limped quickly as he followed its powerful strides, Sage close beside him. 

Stone slanted up against the entrance doors. An overwhelming sense of relief combated the pain that consumed him.

“It's here.” He groaned. 

Sage scurried quickly into the computer lab. Despite the cracking foundation, the network seemed to remain intact.

Why hadn't the Guardian destroyed it? Not that it mattered now. He was just relieved it even existed.

Sage did her best to reach high for the keyboard, her short legs not giving her any advantage.

Before Stone could lug his body towards her, the Ninja bent down, assisting her with care as she began typing frantically, sitting atop its blade like a perch.

The computer booted up, slowly processing the many different codes Sage was inputting into it.

Stone slowly turned his head, side-eying the large machine that stood before them stiffly. He groaned in displeasure as his lips curled in a sneer.

He kept his gaze upon it, still unsure of its hostility.

An overwhelming ensemble of beeps eventually ripped his attention away. 

Sage lifted her hands in success.

‘I did it,” she exclaimed in monotony. 

Stone approached the screen, his eyes bouncing off of the multiple points now highlighted on the world map.

“Woah… what are all of these… which one is the doctor?”

“I believe these are other works and locations the doctor worked in, perhaps some badniks that are still running. The doctor seemed to track anything and everything he could.” She reached her hand out. “I will need your ring to access his location properly.”

Stone stumbled as his fingers slipped his ring off, his heart aching as he passed it off. 

She tilted her head as she examined a carving within the interior of the ring, a code. An identifier of what small dot within the overwhelming wave of red was his.

As Sage inputted the unique number, the dots slowly started to diminish around it, until they all fell into one area. Stone had to double-check, his face folding in distress.

“He's… in Japan?” He muttered.

“An island off the mainland…” Sage expressed the same confusion, “I have no records in my database of such an area.”

Stone ran his fingers through his hair, the pain in his shoulder heightening.

“How the hell are we going to get to Japan? Let alone some top secret G.U.N. base?” He began pacing, “Even if we got there, the security on those waters would be too much…”

Sage turned to him, a new sense of life and determination in her eyes.

“I have a plan,” she gleamed. “With the data I have gathered, I now can confidently run possible scenarios and identify one that would have the highest probability of success. But you may not like it.”

“I'll take anything,” he leaned in close to her.

She nodded firmly.

“We have to get caught.”

Stone paused, waiting for her to elaborate. When her face remained static, he scoffed and shook his head.

“Caught? I- Sage, I don't get caught. They'd know something was awry. I've built my entire agent personality around being very covert-” He mumbled, taking offense at the suggestion.

“Then we'll be strategic about it. Obviously, we cannot just turn ourselves in, or wait around to be arrested. GUN knows we are smarter than that. But if we leave behind small traces, tiny mistakes we might otherwise have not made if we hadn't been so burnt out. Small slip-ups, even an agent could make after some time of running, they'll pin us down somewhere. With minimal suspicion.”

“How do we know for sure they'll send us to the same island as the doctor?”

“There is a high probability, but that is a gamble we must take. Even if we are not, we will still be held by G.U.N. and given more access to information and tools we otherwise could not receive on the run.”

She looked down,

“I am a weapon to them, a weapon only father can control. They need us together.”

Stone thought for a moment, a spark of hope slowly arising in his chest. He forgot what that had felt like. He couldn't help but smile, nodding firmly.

“You're right. All the commotion we made here today will give them a good start to the chase. All we have to do now is make sure they stay on our tail until they finally catch up.”

Sage smiled, enjoying the gleam on Stone's face that had been absent these past few weeks. She turned to the Guardian, in which she still sat atop its blades.

“And you… My friend. You are free now. I have disabled all that was meant to trap you here.” She rested her hand gently upon its blade. “All I ask now in return for your freedom, and escape from this internal prison you’ve suffered in for millennia, is that when we need you most, you shall come to our aid. Is that a reasonable request?”

The guardian remained expressionless, not giving any particular answer. It slowly lowered its blade so that Sage could step off.

It glared at the two of them before slowly turning away and bursting through the concrete walls until the daylight finally peeked through. It stepped through before disappearing into the sweltering heat.

“Well… guess that's our exit as well.”

Sage nodded slowly, taking his hand firmly.

“Let's get Father back.”

FANART CORNER YAY!!!!

@Jaspydunx coming in clutch as always with the PEAK

Commision I got from @cheap-slaw on tumblr that I cant get over.

Chapter Text

Robotnik stepped down into the dark, riddled lab that sat just below his super-secret hideout, where he and Stone had retreated after his heroic sacrifice. 

He had been working on a project for quite some time… an artificially intelligent program, one unlike anything he had ever created.

He would need to run a few more tests before concluding that his efforts had been successful in achieving his goals for this program; however, the tests he was to perform were… unconventional in his field of work.

He gripped the instrument between his fingers before taking a steady breath,

“Run program: S.A.G.E,” he commanded. 

The computer's light slowly faded into a deep shade of red until the silhouette of his program came into view.   

“Good evening, Doctor,” the small voice greeted him,” what can I assist you with?” 

He cleared his throat,

“Evening… Sage.” He eyed the guitar in his hand,” I would like to run a few tests with you today… ones that are a bit unorthodox. Do you think you’re up for the task?”

“I am programmed to withstand any task you assign me, Doctor,” she assured him.

He chuckled,

“Ho Ho Ho, eager are we? Don’t be so sure. This test will surely be one of your most challenging feets.”

The computer flickered slightly,

“I will do what I am capable of.” She concluded.

“Good…” he took a seat along one of the torn office chairs in the center of his crowded lab.

He readjusted his posture, his mustache twitching in irritation,

“Phooey… I haven’t played the guitar in years...” he strung a few cords,” let alone done it with one robotic hand,” he grumbled.

The computer remained patient as Robotnik took his time tuning the instrument until he let out a pleased huff.

“Alright, Sage, for this test, all I want you to do is…respond.”

The program waited for elaboration,

“Respond, how?” She inquired.

“In any way you feel is right at the moment.”

“I do not feel, Doctor. I do as I am commanded and provide results.”

He frowned,

“You’ll know what I am asking of you when it hits, those will be your results,” he shuffled in his chair.

“I cannot fulfill your commands if I am not given specific instructions, Doctor.” She reminded him.

“I told you this would be challenging, didn't I?” 

“…yes.”

He shrugged,

“However you choose to respond will be the results of this test, and therefore acceptable, I’ll know where to go from here. Just… process, analyze, react, and respond.” He spoke in a gentle tone, Sage had grown fond of hearing.

“Alright, Doctor. I will respond un-accordingly.” 

He smirked before pressing his fingers up against the cords of the guitar. He watched them carefully, muttering patterns as he traced over them before his fingers began strumming against the instrument with caution.

Sage wasn’t sure what beat he was trying to perform. It began with gentle strumming, a switch between the C and G strings. Did the doctor want her to analyze the cords? What made the music? What the tune was? That seemed too easy… so she let him continue.

Breaking away from her analysis, he strummed continuously on his guitar, his fingers occasionally slipping, creating a unique sound.

Eventually, he began to speak in a rhythmic fashion, his words uniting in a vibrato.

He was singing .

“Daisy… Daisy… .” He muttered humbly ,” Give me your answer, do… ” 

 She had never heard the doctor sing; it wasn’t like anything she had analyzed before. It was unique. He was no professional, but his voice met the standards for what singing was. Even if barely.

“ I’m half crazy, all for the love of you,”  

The tune from the guitar and the lyrics he hummed clicked inside Sage's processors. Daisy Bell by Harry Dacre, 1892. Also known for the first ever use of computer speech synthesis for the IBM unit in 1961. Was he testing to see if she knew its history and importance to technological advancements? That still seemed too easy… her circuits were frying trying to predict what the doctor sought from her. 

“It won’t be a stylish marriage, ” he smirked,” I can’t afford a carriage… ”

The doctor seemed amused by the lyrics… did he want her to analyze them? They seemed relatively self-explanatory.

“But you’ll look sweet, upon the seat of a bicycle built for two… ”  

The doctor continued his rhythmic strumming, humming the tune he had previously ceased vocalizing. 

His eyes glanced towards her screen; whatever he wanted her to respond with needed to happen soon. She couldn’t provide him with… nothing.

But what did he seek? Why was this the test? What would he get out of this? 

The tune repeated; no doubt he’d begin singing again, giving her even less time to respond.

But something about the tune, its history, the uniqueness of the doctor's voice, the intention behind each chord he struck… it awoke something inside of her. Something unfamiliar. 

Her vocal processors were suddenly taken over as the doctor resumed his solo. 

Analyzing the lyrics, she followed their pattern and began doing her best at singing along with the Doctor.

“ Daisy, Daisy…”

“ Give me your answer, do… ” she muttered.

The doctor's eyes began to sparkle,

“I’m half…?”

“…crazy.”

“All for the love of you,”  

His face gleamed with pride. Sage felt a spark of hope arise in her. She clearly had provided a response desired by the doctor.

Her vocal performance became more confident,

“It won’t be a stylish marriage ~ I can’t afford a carriage.”

“But you’ll look sweet, upon the seat of a bicycle built for two…”

“Of a bicycle built for two…”

Their voices joined within the final chorus,

“Of a bicycle… built…. For two~.” 

Robotnik begrudgingly shoved a set of blueprints into the commander's arm, not minding the way she nearly toppled over.

She gave him an irritated glance but examined his work.

For a second, he saw intrigue, amazement, all things he was used to when the squabbling folk examined his work. But her stunned expression quickly turned sour,

“Why in the world are there so many notes talking about all the ways Sonic could destroy this thing? I asked you for a creation that could withstand him,” she threw the blueprints to the side in annoyance.

“I told you this before,” he hissed through his teeth in a tantalizing tone, “ If there was a creation of mine that could contain that blue devil, I WOULD HAVE ALREADY MADE IT!” He enunciated his words dramatically, “It's not perfect, but it's your best shot! That thermonuclear-powered gerbil has the power of a GOD at will. No machine of mine or G.U.N.’s has the capabilities to combat that power. The only shot you'd ever have is getting someone of his fervor, but even with the broodiest in the likes of Shadow and that dimwitted echidna, that jolly good speed freak always finds a way to turn it around to benefit him. No one can contain Sonic.” He paused for a brief moment, his eyes slowly growing large, an idea awakening in him. One so obvious, so perfect, how had he not thought of it before!

“Unless…” He put a finger to his lips thoughtfully. Rockwell leaned in with intrigue before they were thoroughly interrupted. 

“Commander Rockwell!” One of the squawking agents came rushing in, his face pale and eyes sharpened with urgency.

Rockwell snapped her head towards the agent, looking back at Robotnik with desperate curiosity.

He threw his hands in the air teasingly, doing his best to dull his excitement from his eureka moment.

“I shouldn't keep the agents waiting on their commander now.” He mocked. 

Her lips curled inward as her nose twitched, she turned sharply to the agent, readjusting herself, 

“Report.” She hissed begrudgingly.

“Multiple reports are piling in on activity within Sand Ocean, “ he revealed, exasperated.

Robotnik did his best not to flinch. They had got the message, that was relieving, but had they survived the deathtrap he set before them?

Rockwell turned, fuming, towards Robotnik with an accusatory scowl. He caught her eyes, unflinching, and gave a nonchalant shrug. 

“The base was completely dismantled from the inside.”

Robotnik's stomach dropped; he did his best to hide his anxieties, though he could see a curious spark rise in Rockwell's glare as his mustache dropped ever so slightly. 

“One body was detected leaving the base and… electromagnetic frequencies tell us that two… machines left the facility as well.” He stuttered. “Machines with… unidentifiable frequencies.”

Robotnik resisted the urge to let out a dramatic sigh of relief. So instead, he began to chuckle,

“Ho ho ho! More of my dirty laundry coming out to dry that G.U.N. never took out,” he twirled his mustache maniacally. 

Rockwell's face was flushed with rage,

“That was not our mess to clean up! What did you have locked up in there?” She demanded, grabbing the sides of his cell.

He looked at her with a genuine, yet exaggerated, shock,

“Ho-oh! Oh ho! They didn't let you read the files, huh? You must not be that important of a commander if they didn't bother giving you access to such juicy files of mine.” 

He almost thought he saw genuine hurt grow in her eyes. Oh, how he loved picking at others' insecurities.

She moved in closer, hissing through her teeth, 

“You better hope you use that big bald head of yours to come up with an exceptional device of unimaginable capabilities real soon. I doubt whatever you had locked up in there for so long is very pleased with you.”

He hated how right she was. He was taking a gamble on the possibility of releasing that thing. He doubted it held grudges, but it wouldn't surprise him. That machine was unlike anything he'd ever worked with before; it had a soul of its own, untouched and unrestrained. 

He took a deep swallow as Rockwell turned around towards the agent, 

“Release all available units to the site, and find out where the agent went with the weapon. Monitor and scan the area for possible dangers. Bring heavy firepower if you have too. We don’t know if the good doctor's little imprisoned science experiment is still running loose…or how dangerous it can be.”

The agent nodded stiffly before running off to gather the boots. 

Stone pulled into a rusty old gas station that looked like it hadn't been used since the steam-powered vehicles and horse-drawn carriages were being phased out.

He cranked the car into park as he took a sigh,

“Alright, “ he muttered to himself, and consequently, Sage, “I've gotta fill up on gas, use the bathroom, and get a coffee.”

Just as he rested his hand on the door handle, Sage stopped him,

“Can I come in too?”

He paused and looked at her pitifully,

“I need you to stay here, Sage.”

“But I want to go in with you.”

He sighed,

“The last time we went into a place like this together, we ended up in this mess.”

She slowly lowered her gaze, shame weighing her down,

“ I promise to be better-mannered this time… ” she mumbled sadly, holding her crocheted penguin tight.

The sight tore at his heart strings, he cursed himself as he bit his lip, sighing.

“Fine, fine-” he rubbed his forehead, “just wait outside the bathroom for me and don’t go anywhere else, ok?”

Before he could get confirmation, she was already standing outside the vehicle. He chuckled, shaking his head as he took her hand. 

Sage’s head shot towards the sound of a ringing bell as she entered through the gas station doors. A tune played dully from the speakers, one she knew for sure was severely outdated. 

She did a quick scan of the area, concluding that they were the only ones, besides the cashier, currently within the store. The cashier almost seemed to jump when she realized people had entered. Stone gave her a friendly wave.

He stopped at a bathroom door, 

“You stay outside, and you don't move from your post. Ok?” He raised a brow earnestly.

She nodded quickly,

“I have acknowledged your commands.” She said sincerely. 

He lowered his hand, letting out a sigh before closing the door.

She remained at her post.

She had listened to the agent's request. For about 3 seconds. 

She began wandering the aisles, analyzing the rows of packaged morsels intended for intermediate consumption. Amazed at the high levels of cholesterol on the packaging, she wondered how humanity had survived so long if this is what they used as their energy source. 

She examined a rotating rack that had various amounts of trinkets hanging from it, and she spun it curiously. It stopped at a set of pocket knives with names engraved on them. She examined them eagerly, finding one with a crudely carved ‘Sage’ written into it. She resisted the urge to express her excitement verbally as she waddled over to the cashier's post.

She reached for the counter as she tossed the knife upon it,

“May I have this?”

The cashier hunched over to view Sage, a toothy, crooked smile formed along her face.

“Well, hello, doll!” She grinned, charmed.

Sage shook her head,

“No, my name's Sage.” She pointed to the knife, “It says it right there.” She informed her kindly.

“Oh, I see,” She giggled, “forgive me, sweetheart, but you'll have to ask your daddy if you can have this. Parents don't usually like their kids running around with sharp objects.”

Sage lowered her head, thinking,

“Ok, I will wait for him.”

Sage couldn't help but notice how the cashier gleamed. 

Her hair was crudely bleached blonde with gray strands sprouting out from the middle. Her makeup was smeared colorfully against her aging face. Her smile was wide, and her teeth were uneven. She smelled of cigarette smoke masked only by cheap perfume.

She was marvelous. 

“You're magnificent,” she said bluntly. 

The cashier placed a hand against her chest as she let out a gasp, her already pink face growing red,

“Well!” She chuckled, “You're about the sweetest little girl I've ever met!” She brushed her frazzled hair to the side, “What are you doing all the way out here, darlin’? We don’t get many visitors, especially ones that aren't as charming as you.” She scrunched her nose playfully. 

Sage pondered for a moment. Beforehand, she would have never given away any possible incriminating information, but with their current change in objectives, sprinkling in some hints could help their cause to get caught. 

“We are looking for my father.”

The cashier tilted her head for a second,

“My other father,” she added.

The cashier made an ‘oh’ motion with her lips before holding her hands high,

“Nothin' wrong with that, sweetheart,” she added quickly, “has he gone missin'?” Her voice carried a comforting concern. 

“No, he just… is far away. We are traveling to meet him.”

“Ah… well, isn't that just lovely?” She lamented. 

“Yeah… I really miss him.”

The cashier pouted,

“Aw… sweety. I'm sure you'll see him soon enough. You've come all the way out here, you must be close.”

Sage offered a quick smile. She continued,

“I’m Daisy,” she smiled, “if you're ever having trouble in these parts, just say you know Momma Daisy, that'll get you about anywhere you want to go.”

Sage's eyes grew wide,

“Daisy? Like the song?”

“Song?” She chuckled lightly.

“Daisy Bell.”

“Sweetheart, that song is way older than me!” She laughed.

“My father likes that song,” she ignored her comment, “perhaps we were meant to meet.”

She smiled fondly,

“I'd like to think that.”

Sage turned her head at a sudden noise of what she could only guess was a very frazzled agent. Stone was rushing from the bathroom entrance before he stopped quickly, letting out a relieved sigh.

“ I told you to stay put !” He whispered, his voice hinging on his anxiety.

“Kids never listen,” Daisy smiled warmly, “I was just having the loveliest chat with your dear little daughter here.”

Sage was impressed with just how quickly Stone was able to shift his attitudes, and he gave an awkward chuckle.

“I hope she wasn’t too much trouble,” he mumbled playfully, eliciting a laugh from Daisy.

“No! She's just about the most darling little angel I've ever met,” she gave Sage another wide grin.

Stone smiled but stopped when he saw the knife on the counter,

“I hope she wasn't trying to buy that,” the question was more directed as a statement to Sage, who looked up naively at Stone.

“Not the first thing a child usually migrates to in this store, but I told her she had to ask her daddy if she could get it, ” She whispered playfully to Stone.

“No.” He said quickly.

Sage looked up, offended; she would have presumed Stone would approve of her having a weapon on hand. Father definitely would have. He'd probably buy the entire stock and give her a knife upgrade.

She tugged at his pant leg, using the tactics she had learned,

“But baba..” She pouted sadly. 

A groan arose in Stone's throat as he did his best to wince away from her sad eyes. Daisy huffed a laugh before them. 

“Oh, I know a man with a big ol’ tender heart when I see one,” she muttered longingly, “and it seems like she does as well.”

Stone groaned as he reached into his pocket for loose cash. Daisy stopped him,

“Oh no, thank you, sir, it's on the house,” she said, passing the knife to Sage. 

“No, it's no trouble-”

She shoved his hand away once more,

“No, I mean it, you folks are just about the cutest little family I've seen. Some of the sweetest people I've come across in a few years, it's the least I can do for making my day.”

Stone stood in hesitation before reluctantly shoving his hand back into his pocket.

He seemed stunned at first before Sage saw his false courteous attitude click back in, he turned to Sage and placed his hands along his hips.

“What do you say to the nice lady?” 

Sage paused, remembering her own courtesy,

“Thank you, Ms. Daisy, for the knife.”

She chuckled loudly,

“Now hold on, I got something else for you,” She leaned down under the register.

Stone gave a suspicious glance before she pulled out a shiny, colorful-looking object and handed it to Sage. 

“I let all the kiddos get a free little treat,” she winked playfully.

“Wow, getting spoiled today, are we?” Stone smirked at Sage.

The agent nearly jumped as he felt the cashier take his hand gently, her palm cold and soft,

“And I'll be prayin’ for you and your family. I dearly hope you get to see your husband soon, you two must be a lovely group if you raised a child as sweet as her.”

Stones' face changed about three shades as he offered a nervous laugh. He was taken aback by her sincerity, stumbling over his words,

“Ah- uhm.. Why… thank you..”

He stumbled outside as they gave Daisy an awkward wave before getting in the car. He sat stunned for a moment, turning to Sage,

“What did you tell her…” he mumbled.

“Only that we were going to see my father. I thought inputting such information might help G.U.N. find us if they track us to this establishment.”

He blinked but nodded slowly,

“Good move…” he started the car, Sage eyed the lollipop in her hand,

“I can't eat this,” she offered it to Stone, who glanced over quickly before taking it.

He unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth,

“Thanks,” he mumbled, adjusting the sucker to the side of his cheek, “now let's see how much longer until they finally catch up…”

Robotnik scratched vigorously as he designed another set of blueprints, driven by the adrenaline of such a marvelous idea, he had nearly forgotten he was making such a weapon for G.U.N. 

He paused, well aware Rockwell was still analyzing his every move.

He took a deep huff and, against his own urges, he stopped creating and set the pencil down.

“You know something, I realized about your… precious little organization?”

Rockwell had her arms crossed. She let out a huff of annoyance but didn’t interrupt him. She lifted her head to signify she was listening. 

“For the longest time, I thought my lineage was cursed. Cursed with tragedy, unable to experience true happiness and genuine living.” He smirked bitterly, “But I don't believe in such irrational, baseless concepts like fate . My family was not cursed, but it was placed into the greedy, soul-sucking, life-devouring hands of a federation. Guardian Units of Nations ,” he mocked.

He expected her to retaliate, like she always had, but she seemed lost for words despite her immovable expression. Robotnik sat up and approached slowly,

“All of my problems… all of my failures have stemmed from this foul monstrosity. You created who I am, influenced how I'd grow, and made me a villain, because that's what GUN does. It makes monsters and then doesn't know what to do with them when shit goes off the rails,” He spat, “ and this happens over and over again. My grandfather, Shadow, ME.  They've all stemmed from G.U.N.’s mishandling and ignorance.” He gripped the steel bars. “My grandfather was a genius!” He hissed, “And he was a good man, at least at one point. Better than I could have ever been, he wanted to change the world because he saw how cruel it was. The only thing that got in the way of that was you. Because you were scared, you gave a genius access to something you didn't know how to handle. And then you drove him mad and were surprised when he turned your weapons back on you!”

Rockwell kept her gaze sharpened, but he could tell his words were digging deep under her skin.

“What will you do with Sage? Kill her? Like you did, my Cousin Maria?” he demanded.

When he got no response, he scoffed. 

“G.U.N. is weak. You didn't need an intergalactic blue hedgehog and a bald mustachioed maniac to reveal that about yourself. It's a simple fact present in its history, one that's bound to repeat.”

The air between them was stale and deafening. Robotnik could hear her breaths beginning to pace as she broke away from his eye contact.

Just as he planned to bask in his triumph of breaking a G.U.N. commander, that whimpering agent came shuffling in once again.

“Commander, there's been a sighting in the far East of Wyoming near the Canadian border that matches the description of both Stone and the weapon.”

Robotnik's stomach dropped, his face growing pale.

Rockwell hesitated before nodding her head. She ushered the agent to take the necessary actions required. She turned to Robotnik bitterly and in a deep voice, whispered.

“We don't make monsters,” she glanced into his panicked gaze, “we just know to contain them.”

Chapter Text

“Cheers! To the miracle of childbirth!” 

Stone spat out the sip of wine he had just placed up to his lips, stifling the laugh that overtook him from the doctor's amusing comment.

It had been three days since they had completed constructing Sage, and they were overdue for a celebration—just the two of them.

Stone didn't care to drink, but he wouldn't say no to a fine-aged cabernet wine from the doctor. 

“Careful, Stone, you're spitting everywhere,” Robotnik grinned maniacally as he practically shot the entire drink down his throat. 

Stone wiped the red liquid from his chin as it stained his grey shirt. He shook his head.

“You never fail to catch me off guard, doctor.”

“What can I say? Gotta keep my agent sharp.”

The night had been particularly cool and very peaceful. No trains wailed in the distance, no lights disrupted their view, and the quiet, gentle chirps of the crickets in search of a mate added a nice ambiance to the scenery. 

They were sitting on a blanket along a hilltop not far from their camping grounds. Robotnik had wanted some privacy; he said so Sage wouldn't develop any bad habits around alcohol. It made Stone laugh; that wasn't nearly the worst bad habit she could adopt from either of them. Plus, she physically could not consume beverages.

Stone presumed, in reality, that the doctor just needed a minute to comprehend his achievements. He had hardly taken the time to step back and marvel at what he was capable of. Stone was so proud, so enamoured. This is why he stuck by the great doctor Ivo Robotnik. 

But this privacy, this developing connection, brought out a conversation Stone had been yearning to have ever since the doctor left a permanent mark in the sky.

“Doctor, do you mind if I pick your brain a bit?”

Robotnik was already pouring himself another glass,

“You're lucky I'm in such a good mood and teetering on the edge of being absolutely wasted .” He set the bottle aside, “Pick all you like, but you better choose a good brainfold to analyze.” His mustache curled amusingly. 

“It's about… well… the eclipse cannon. When you… blew up.”

Robotnik took a nonchalant swig,

“Yeah, what about it?”

What is there not about it?

Stone's stomach churned,

“It's just… the things you said, the things you admitted on live TV. Even when you weren't sure I'd hear it-”

“ Pshh , I knew you would, why are you suddenly questioning this now?” He pestered.

“In truth, I was hoping you'd bring it up sooner.”

“What more is there to say? I said what I said. Nothing more to it.”

Stone hesitated, eyeing the red liquid in his glass,

“So… all of it was… true? Genuine?”

Robotnik placed a finger to his lips mockingly,

“HM! Let's see, you are literally the only person who cares about me,” he counted on his fingers, “you're more of a syco-friend than a sycophant, and I love your lattes. Of course it's all true!” He lifted his arms, sending his glass tumbling down the hill. They both watched silently until it rolled out of view.

Robotnik extended his hand, 

“Gimme yours,” he ordered.

Stone happily handed him his glass,

“I guess I was just… not used to hearing that sort of thing from you.”

“Oh, come on, Stone.” Robotnik grumbled, "Don't make me say it.”

“Say what, sir?” Stone asked quickly, his eyes searching.

Robotnik gave him the nastiest side eye,

“Im not opposed to smashing this bottle over your head.”

“It’'s-it's just you know I just..” Stone sighed, “Sorry doctor,” he conceded. 

Robotnik hesitated, his eyes drifting into something much more tender. He grunted and set his glass down.

“I guess I assumed it was obvious what our… association and bond were now. Presumed it was evident how I… tolerate you, given we literally made a child together.”

Stone’s eyes grew wide as he looked to the side,

“That's one way to say it-”

“You helped me load a bun in the oven is also another way to say it.”

Stone couldn't help the laugh that eluded him, placing his flushed face into his hand. 

Robotnik choked on his drink,

“Cmon, Stone! Don’t make it weird! Get your head outta the gutter!” 

Stone attempted to retaliate, but his laughs overwhelmed him before he could get a word out.  

“Im talking about the joys of parenthood, not the hanky panky!”

Stone held his gut as he leaned back and hollered. Robotnik found it amusing how Stone laughed with his entire body, leaning into him. Robotnik found his little giggles very pleasant.

“Hehehe-” Stone's chortles began to falter. Robotnik tossed his hand,

“God, Stone, you're so drunk.”

“I never even got a sip of my wine,” he reminds him, sitting back up with a huge grin running along his face, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“Hmm.. oh yeah,” he chugged the rest of the glass, “in any sense, you get the point I'm trying to make.”

“Hmm… yeah..” Stone hummed lightly, catching his breath. The crickets returned to claim the silence around them. 

Things had never been so tranquil between the two of them. Stone stirred,

“If it's alright with you, I'm very capable of explaining our association.”

Robotnik looked into his empty glass, his mustache twitching uncomfortably, but not stopping Stone from making his case.

“I adore and marvel at you, doctor. Guess “I love you” is another way of saying it. But love is so vague and often mischaracterized, it doesn't exactly do a good job at explaining my respect for you, sir. But it's the only word I find appropriate for this feeling.”

Robotnik wished the bottle wasn't empty so he could pour himself another glass.

“That's a lot more than what I would've said ,” he mumbled nervously, twiddling his thumbs like a toddler. 

“That's alright, doctor,” he smiled warmly, “I’m nothing if not patient and resilient. I don't need you to feel exactly the same way; I just need you to know that what I'm saying is sincere. And I only wish, just this once, you'll believe me.”

Robotnik turned his head, in truth, it was spinning, and not because of the alcohol.

“So that's why you're called Stone…”

“Huh?”

“You're resilient, tolerant, hard-headed, and let people walk all over you.” He did his best to steer the sappiness away with a joke. 

Stone laughed,

“I don't mind being your doormat if this is where we end up together...” He said solemnly.

“Enough with the sap, Stone, I'm gonna vomit.”

“I just need you to hear this, doctor. And to believe it. Can you do that?”

Robotnik glanced ever so slightly before being sucked into Stone's warm, dark gaze; he felt his chest melt into his gut. Or maybe that was the alcohol…

“Yes, yes… I believe you, Stone,” he mumbled, tearing his eyes away from him, “and, if it means anything to you…I relish your loyalty and am grateful for you sticking around. Even when I'm so repulsive.”

Stone's face fell slightly,

“You were never repulsive to me, doctor. “

“Yeah, well, you're not half bad yourself.”

Stones' face gleamed brightly, and he hunched his head low, abashed,

“Really?” His eyes sparkled. 

Robotnik groaned playfully.

“Stone, take me home before I say even more stupid stuff… and stop looking at me like that.”

Stone shut his eyes and giggled. Robotnik rolled his eyes but huffed,

“I appreciate the sentiment… Stone but…” he sighed, “you know I’m not… the kind of man that…can give you what you want in a relationship. Right? All that… mushy and… intimate stuff, it’s just not…” Me .

Stone looked offended,

“How do you know what I want? What makes you think I need any of that either?” He inquired genuinely.

“You’re human. There are expectations with these types of… things.”

“When did being human ever dictate who I am?” He asked genuinely, “Doctor, the only thing I need from you is you .” He assured him, “Plus, you’ve given me more than enough. We have a whole child now,” he laughed.

Robotnik snorted,

“Yeah… guess you’re right…” 

Stone inched in closer but ensured to keep his space,

“Like I said, Doctor. You don’t need to reciprocate anything. You know I don’t require transactions.”

Robotnik looked up to him with genuine astonishment as he witnessed the amount of unequivocal sincerity spill from his mouth.

“Just please, know I care about you. And I’ll do anything to remind you of that…”

Robotnik gazed at Stone's complexion for a little while longer, a weak smile curling his lip,

“Yeah…. Alright… help me get up before I really am too wasted to walk home-“

“So you can confirm, this man and this child entered your store within the last few days?”

Daisy fumbled with her fingers nervously, her body language noticeably frazzled as she watched the government agents pile into her store, fit with military gear and designations she was unfamiliar with. They didn't appear to be the US military… but their own faction. Patches with the insignia ‘G.U.N’ sat along the shoulders of their uniforms.

She had never had this many people within her store, let alone this many armed people.

“I-I… yes…a nice man and that little albino girl, they came here about two days ago, they were just passing through.”

She watched hesitantly as an agent beside her examined the camera footage that was recorded the day of on the station's surveillance. 

“Did they happen to say where they were going?” The way the pale woman asked the question seemed like she was already prepared for the answer.

“No… All that little girl mentioned was that they were looking for her father…” Daisy felt a deep seed of guilt dig into her chest, “I hope I haven't done nothin’ wrong… they seemed like a lovely group of people, the kindest I've come across in a while… I didn't assume any bad blood from either of them-”

“You don't know who you're dealing with, lady!” A particularly large man stood beside the pale woman, looking bitter, “These are master manipulators at play, real-life weapons-”

“ Enough !” The pale woman snapped at the subordinate, who swiftly shut his mouth. Daisy couldn't help the way her hands trembled. The dark-haired woman returned her attention, keeping her voice gentle and calm,

“It's complicated… government business. You've done nothing wrong, but you can help us by giving us any further information to help us locate these individuals.”

Despite her better judgment, the situation didn't feel right. Had she really been so easily tricked? She knew herself a fool, but… she could feel genuine sincerity and kindness from that man and his daughter. There was no way either of them could be… criminal? Was that girl even his child? Terrible deductions started to generate in her mind….

She took a dry swallow,

“The only direction you can head on from here would be northeast… I think he drove a blue van and… the young girl's name was… Sage?”

That seemed to be the confirmation they needed. The man examining the recordings turned to the director and gave a confirmatory gesture. The dark-haired woman nodded and swiftly flicked her hand, the armed men slowly shoveling their way out of the gas station.

“Thank you, Daisy.” Despite the softness to her tone, Daisy found no comfort in her gratitude.

As they stepped from the station, Daisy forced her powdered face into her sweaty palms. Her mind and body were colliding on how to conclude on the matter.

Was she really that dumb? Was the child in danger? Was that man a criminal? Or had she now put them in danger by compromising with those suspicious government agents?

What had she done? 

“Alright… this will be our last stop,” Stone muttered defeatedly, eyeing the nearly empty gas tank.

They had stopped at a hotel. This one was noticeably much nicer than the motel they had stayed at previously. 

“If my detections are correct, we will come in contact with the agency within a 12-hour period.”

Stone slipped on his gauntlets, throwing a long-sleeved hoody to hide the bulky accessory.

“Guess that gives us enough time to prepare to be arrested, huh?”

“I've… never been arrested before,” Sage informed him, taking the stuffed penguin as Stone handed it to her.

“It's definitely nothing pleasant, if I'm to keep the ruse up that we didn't want to be caught, I'm going to need to be… non-conformant.” He threw his hood over his head, “But you need to be relaxed, ok? I'm sure your processors will be going off, but you need to fight that programming. They think you're a weapon, and if you attack, I'm afraid what force they will use in retaliation.”

“Then what will I do? I cannot risk seeing you hurt… I'm afraid my protective measures are not ones I can easily resist. Nor ones I want to.”

Stone took a hard swallow, lowering his head,

“I need you to concede… when they put their hands on you, don't fight it. Don't resist. Shut down your processors immediately.”

“You want me to shut down? I cannot leave you alone with so many present dangers-”

“Hey… I'll be ok, Sage. I'm an agent, remember? Well… ex-agent but–”

Sage eyed him sadly,

“They're going to hurt you…”

“That's the hope,” he shut his eyes, sucking in his lips, “ when I'm battered and bruised, I'll be considered powerless and vulnerable. Just a tired old agent who's worn out his usefulness, one who's gotten rusty. But I've survived living in this world for so long by using the way people underestimate me to get by. People have belittled me all my life, presumed me to be nothing more than a pushover… a naive, bright-eyed agent who'd always comply, follow orders, willing to be pushed around and tolerant to just about anything. But they underestimated me, my strengths, my abilities. They didn’t think I'd be able to handle the great Ivo Robotnik; bets were placed weekly on how long I'd last. And now look at me. All of those snivelly goons thought themselves better than me when they never even took the time to analyze what really made me tick. Their assumptions were their downfall, and my triumph. I used my inoffensive nature to slip by anyone who doubted me, and kick them from behind where they had once left me. ”

Sage smiled slightly,

“I do have to agree, you are an anomaly, Stone. I find it fascinating. I don't fully know of your capabilities, but in any circumstance, you always seem to find a solution. I find this admirable.”

Stone smiled warmly, grabbing her face and placing a wet kiss along her forehead, 

“It's all a part of surviving this cruel world. Don't think too highly of me until this is all over. If I'm lucky, I'll be heading to my jail cell with limited broken appendages.”

“I, too, hope you have all your limbs when I wake again.” She agreed.

“Well, in that case,” he sighed deeply, “ let's check in.”

7:00 o’clock sharp, the time was ticking closer. Any minute, Stone would be faced with a slew of government agents bursting through the welcoming doors of this lovely hotel. 

Stone took advantage of the amenities, the continental breakfast; it was surely his last decent meal before he'd be spending his time in a cell.

He stuffed his mouth with a bagel before washing it down with a glass of orange juice. He grimaced at the unpleasant taste that followed.

Sage hung closely to his leg, her head switching back and forth from him and the doors and any early bird that walked within their vicinity.

“I’m detecting activity in the area, they are minutes from our location.”

Stone shoved a sausage patty into his mouth,

“That's good, remember? We want to get caught.” He mumbled through his stuffed face.

“It is still not ideal,” she reminded him. 

“Think of it this way, we are getting closer and closer to seeing your dad the more time passes by,” he made his way over to the coffee machine, offering her a comforting smile. “In no time, we'll be a family again.”

Her eyes traced the ground, but a small smile overwhelmed her.

Stone did his best to resist a reaction as he heard the chime of the hotel's doors open, the quick, orderly tappings of boots following.

His heart paced, pouring himself a hot cup of coffee, his hand gripping the pot.

“ Concede ,” he whispered carefully to Sage, who hesitantly nodded, hiding behind his leg.

“ Agent Stone ,” a commanding voice advanced from behind him.

He did his best to strike a glance, expressing a reasonable amount of shock and fear. It helped that he was already feeling distressed.

“You're under arrest,” the man said flatly, “ for the possession and smuggling of an unidentified weapon of unknown capabilities across multiple state borders. You will be placed under arrest, and the weapon will be restrained and contained. Make this easy for both sides, and please do not resist. Everything you do and say can and will be held against you if you are given the benefit to sit before a court of law.”

Stone remained planted, his eyes calculating in a panic as he examined the group of asinine swines G.U.N. had decided to send in to apprehend him.

While it appeared to be just about five guys in regular civilian attire and a face mask with their hands hovering over their holsters, Stone knew better than to underestimate G.U.N. There were surely more men outside in case he decided to be uncooperative. 

Just as he expected, they had undermined his abilities.

And just as always, he would take advantage of their miscalculation.

Sage shuffled behind him, hiding her face in his legs. When the agent refused to respond, one of the masked men ushered two others to approach him, their fingers on their blasters and hands reaching for him.

“Yeah… let me just… get this..” Stone mumbled, disoriented, as he finished pouring himself a cup of coffee. The heat of the thermos cup blanketed his fingertips.

The second he felt one of the men's fingers brush his shoulders, a spark of adrenaline ran through him. An onslaught of desperate maneuvers ran its course through his body.

He swung his body to face them, hardly giving the men enough time to react before tossing the freshly brewed coffee cup in one of the men's faces. The man screamed and clawed at the sweltering heat searing his skin. His face wrinkled in a sneer, he gripped the coffee pot and smashed it over the other.

Steaming hot coffee and glass tore at their skin as they screamed in agony. Stone took advantage of the way they constricted in pain, reaching his hand into one of the soldiers' jackets and pulling out his gun.

They had hoped to use this public facility to their advantage, hoping the presence of the civilian populous’s impartial glares would influence him to be more agreeable. Little did they understand how little Stone cared for their appraisal.

He raised the gun in the air and gripped the trigger to release a warning shot.

Chaos erupted around them, and people who had previously been droning on through the morning suddenly shot to attention. Screaming and clabbering for the exit as Stone snatched Sage swiftly, finding cover behind a desk.

“Shots fired! I repeat, Shots fired! I'm going to need more men in here!” One of the soldiers called into his comm. 

Stone gripped Sage's hand quickly, taking staggering breaths,

“ Concede ,” he reminded her again.

When she nodded, he threw his body over the desk, releasing a few other warning shots as the unit scrambled for cover, firing rebounding shots.

“Set your weapons to stun!” a black haired woman he did not recognize pushed through the crowd of panicked civilians, “We want them alive!”

How considerate, Stone scoffed.

Stone used this delay in reinforcements to his advantage, slipping from behind the desk towards the dining hall.

He heard a few commands until blasts of electric pulses whipped past him. He pulled Sage to the side, tearing his jacket off, revealing his gauntlets as he extended his clawed gloves. 

He flipped one of the round tables, taking cover as electric blasts were absorbed into the cheap wood. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he laid a strike against the table. 

The shared force of the gauntlets sent it tumbling towards a group of agents as it collided into them, knocking the majority unconscious. 

He felt his body jerk as an agent tackled him to the floor, air shooting from his lungs.

He tussled with the agent as they attempted to remove his gauntlets. He reached for the back of their head before pulling them towards him, careening his neck so that the agent's forehead would meet the pavement below him.

The body atop him went limp. Just as he removed the agent, he heard Sage,

“Stone!” She called for him as an unnecessary horde of agents went to detain her, including the dark-haired woman.

Panic squeezed his chest as he noticed a red flare beginning to glow within her panicked eyes,

“Sage!” He called, ensuring she could see his face,

Concede, he mouthed, pleading.

The light in her eyes dulled, her pupils dilated, but his commands reached her. Her body jolted before her entire form went limp in the arms of the agents restraining her. Her head lolling over her lifeless body.

Their faces shared a mixed display of dismay and confusion, but their grips did not loosen as the child’s body crumbled to the floor.

Stone felt a deep pain pierce his heart, but despite his turmoil, everything was going according to plan.

He snapped his head back at attention as a few other agents closed in on him.

He bared his teeth, extending his clawed gloves, charging after those hurling towards him.

He tackled one of the agents, wrapping his arm around their upper body before he used his weight to slam them against the ground. Wrapping his leg around their knee until they collapsed. He used that momentum to block the strikes initiated by the other agents.

He felt their fist bash against his jaw, doing his best to remain balanced. He set his arms up in a defensive position, swiveling around to counter their continued attacks.

He felt the agent grip his shoulders as they crushed their forehead against his.

The world around him began to rattle and ring, his vision throbbing in and out of black as he regained his composure.

Luckily for him, the agent too looked as if their brutish maneuver had done a number on them as well.

He gritted his teeth despite the taste of iron quickly running along his tongue as he held the agent's arms and threw their body down into the pike of his knee.

He repeated the action until their grip ceased.

He hardly had a moment to catch his breath before he was thrown against a wall. He let out a splintered gasp as the injury he had sustained from his fight in Sand Ocean quickly reopened.

His ribs screamed as he felt a blunt force dig into his gut. He let out a weak wail as his body shivered in pain.

His muscles screamed, and his stomach churned. He groaned weakly as he felt another strike hit his gut.

He did his best to resist coughing up the continental breakfast he had hastily consumed. He winced as he eyed the agent before him, committing such aggressive maneuvers.

It was a large man, blond and gritty, there was a smirk along his face that made Stone's blood boil, more than it already was.

He wanted to be apprehended, yes, but he refused to be humiliated like this. One that provided pleasure to the party inflicting such agony.

The man grinned as he went to lay another blow against the agent's ribs. Stone let out a strained wail as he freed one of his gauntlets, charging up a blast that he aimed into the agent's right foot.

The agent screamed as the purple blast burned through his leg, his grip loosening just enough for Stone to escape his grasp.

Terrified, Stone whipped around and ensured the man would not have a chance to strike again.

He ran his claws against the man’s face, their sharp ends digging into the man’s gritty skin. Mutilating his offensive expression.

It had been so swift that Stone had hardly seen blood begin to flow from the wound until the agent collapsed to the ground, howling in pain and cradling his face as red fluid seeped between his fingers. 

Stone felt a sob peak in his throat as his body resisted the wretches, trembling as he was overwhelmed with pain.

His vision was blurred, but he could understand he was surrounded.

More hands began grabbing him, and he attempted to tear away from their grasp. But their clutches were overwhelming as they began to seize the agent. Tearing away his gauntlets, twisting his muscles until he screamed, throwing his body to the ground as they laid their weight upon him.

“I’ve got him!” He heard one of them mumble over the deafening ringing that filled his hearing.

His eyes flickered weakly, and he internally pleaded with his body to concede. Accept defeat and let himself drift into a dark, welcoming embrace. Let your body shut down, let it give in.

But just like his character, his body was resistant and stubborn, fighting every urge and plea as it attempted to keep him conscious.

Stone's eyes glazed over as a tall figure stood before him, muttering some sort of command before looking back down at him.

The only words he could hear come out of their mouth were,

“This dude just doesn’t quit, huh?”

He felt his mouth tremble as he attempted to bargain before one last impact sent his vision flashing between white and black, and his mind into a state of emptiness. 

A collective sigh of relief mixed with a few pained cries finally implied the end to the agent's frantic rampage.

Rockwell took a shaky sigh. She had presumed such a man standing beside Robotnik for so long would have something up his sleeve; she just had no idea what exactly he had been hiding.

It didnt help that accessing the agent's file was nearly impossible. With no known last name and a result of being associated with Robotnik, his file has been completely wiped from any database. She had to rely on the few stories and fables she had heard from the other agents. She had quickly learned that this agent was incredibly elusive and supposedly inoffensive. With the way Daisy had described him, she presumed that in his pursuit, he had become a changed man. She had hoped he would come quietly, willingly.

She should have known better.

It was clear this man was just as deranged as the doctor he served. There was no hope or benefit she could have given him that would have prepared her for what he was capable of.

“Commander Rockwell, medevacs have been called. Two men are sustaining extreme 3rd degree burns, and another received some extreme scarring from the agent's attacks. All need immediate attention.”

Rockwell looked around at the display before her. Some of her best agents, armed and unarmed, riddled the floors as they groaned in pain. Attempting to situate themselves back into reality.

She took a hesitant breath as she glanced down towards the agent, still apprehended in one of her men’s holds. Unconscious and severely battered. Blood slowly dripped down from his swollen lip onto his unkept, greying beard.

She felt a sneer curl her lips,

“Evacuate the injured. I want him taken to a transportation unit immediately.” She turned her body to face the child being held in one of the agent's arms, she took a swallow, “and secure the weapon.”  

Chapter Text

Marwan clung to his sister tightly, trying his best to hide his beaten face in her tattered clothes.

They were both sitting on the flat bed they shared; light peeked through the large dusty window, illuminating the particles that floated around the room.

Mrs. Azar was berating him about something, but his mind refused to focus on it. The way she scolded him scared him; he didn’t want to listen. 

“Zonira? Is he even listening?” Mrs. Azar crossed her arms, raising a brow to his sister.

Zonira glanced vaguely at their caretaker, looking down at Marwan and patting his back clumsily,

“He doesn’t like it when people yell.” She told her flatly, wrapping her arms around her brother protectively and readjusting him into her hold.

Mrs. Azar put her finger between her temple, letting out a shaky sigh,

“ Ya Rab….” she looked to the sky, pleading,” Please, you have to talk to him if he won’t listen to a word I say. You know he can’t be doing these things.” She brought her attention back to the siblings, ” You two already have enough to worry about… I’m looking after 23 other orphans, just like yourself. I can’t always be there to protect you. You have to learn to navigate this world safely and make better decisions. ” She knelt, attempting to catch Marwan's eyes, “You're only four years old, Habibi …you need to be more careful.”

Despite the gentleness in her tone, Marwan refused to make eye contact. She let out a defeated sigh,

“Zonira… Habibti, please talk to him. For his safety.”

Zonira eyed the ground hesitantly but nodded affirmatively.

She waited for Mrs.Azar to properly leave the room before she shuffled and removed Marwan from her grasp.

“Marwan, why is she mad this time?” Zonira mumbled with slight concern,” Why are you covered in dirt?” She lifted his arm.” Why are your wrists purple?”

Marwan sniffed, snot dripping from his nose.  He refused to make eye contact, hiding his face in his shoulders instead.

“Marwan,” Zonira pried, “I won’t yell at you.” She assured him.

Marwan wiped some of the dirt from his face before Zonira interjected, licking her thumb and rubbing it against his cheek to remove the dust.

Something she had seen the adults do, and the momma cats.

He whined as she pressed her thumb up to his sunburnt cheek, but didn’t shrink away from the touch.

Any anxiety he had on the matter was quickly washed away when he lifted his eyes and met his sister's kind aura.

While her face was flat and often inexpressive, her large, dark brown eyes carried a sense of warmth. And the way her frizzled black hair rested along her shoulders in a clumsy braid brought him comfort, a reminder of something he wasn’t entirely familiar with. Perhaps his mother once wore a similar braid.

And the early sun's rays highlighted her nicely, like a warm, golden glow.

Marwan let out a dramatic sigh, his lower lip instinctively slipping into a pout,

“I..”. His tiny voice squeaked, “I threw the stone…”

Zonira blinked slowly,

“The stones?”

“Yeah… like you did… when that one boy was being mean.”

Zonira paused,

“Yeah. He deserved it. Who did you throw it at?”

“The big men… the ones with the helmets.” He shrank into himself,” They were scary, and they were scaring all of the other kids. I was mad… but I wan’ed to be brave. So I threw the stones at them.”

Zonira lifted his wrist, examining the bruise,

“They hurt you?”

“I’m sorry…” Marwan sniffed, his brown eyes swelling with tears.

Zonira noticed his tears, and her expression grew somber as she considered her next steps. 

She took a swallow and placed a clumsy kiss along his swollen wrist, holding it to her face.

Marwan sniffed and wiped his rosy cheeks.

“They pushed me… and grabbed my wrist. They laughed at me when I cried... It really hurt...and they were really scary. I just wan’ them to leave us alone. So I bit them. They called me a name but…I don’t know it.”

Marwan groaned as he fought back a whimper, conceding rather quickly into his sister's comforting embrace.

She hugged him tightly, resting her cheek against the top of his head. Her brown eyes searched for a response.

“They’re just big bullies.” 

“ I shouldn’t have done anything… Mrs. Azar said I shouldn’t have done anything… I’m sorry, I’m dumb.” He mumbled, his snot and tears soaking her red shirt.

“Mrs. Azar is wrong,” Zonira said confidently,” what you did was the right thing.” 

“But they hurt me…and Mrs. Azar said they could have done worse .”

“So? If grown-ups like her won’t stand up to the big bullies, then that leaves us to do it. And I’m not afraid.”

Marwan removed himself from her hold,

“You aren’scared?”

He saw a slight smile rise along her lips,

“ Yeah. Because if those big bullies are really so strong, then why would they be so threatened by a small little boy throwing rocks?”

He sniffled,

“But… they laughed at me… called me mean names.”

“I laugh at you and call you names,” she countered.

“It was different,” Marwan whined.

“I guess, but you can’t let that get you down. Otherwise, who's gonna stand up to those big bullies? Clearly, no one else will. So why not us?”

“But it’s… It’s scary.” 

“Then why tolerate it? If they can’t handle a few pebbles, imagine what you’ll be capable of when you can start throwing rocks! And then boulders!” She raised her hands enthusiastically.

“You have to keep going, keep fighting, otherwise they’ll become comfortable with your silence. Don’t let them think they can scare you; you can be brave,” she told Marwan.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be...”

“What you did today was brave,” she pointed out,” being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared… it means you do things despite the fear you have.”

He looked up innocently at his older sister,

“How do you stay brave? Even when you’re scared?”

Zonira paused, looking down and fiddling with the hem of her shirt,

“Because Mama and Baba wanted me to be… and because if I’m brave, then you can be too.” 

“You really think so?”

She nodded, offering a slanted smile,

“But you have to keep fighting, show them you’re not scared. No matter what. It doesn’t matter how many times they beat you down; it only matters how many times you choose to get back up.”

He snuggled up to his sister, relishing the warmth her body exuded.

“You’re s’smart, Nira.”

She wrapped her arms around him,

“And you’re very brave, Marwan. Strong and tough, like the stones.  Don’t ever let anyone make you feel otherwise. And don’t ever let anyone kick you around. ”

He paused,

“Zonira?”

“Yes?”

“Will you sing me that song…?” he asked meekly.

“Which one?”

“The funny one… about the ducks and the boy not drinking milk..”

She smiled, clearing her throat,

“Of course, Habibi… ”

“Ukhti…” Stone whimpered weakly, his eyes fluttering awake as he was pulled from his vivid consulting dream. Perhaps a memory?

Or was his mind simply comforting him?
Either way, he didn't have much time to dwell on it before analyzing his circumstances first.

He hadn't comprehended the extent of the injuries he sustained from his performative arrest until he attempted to lift his head.

A sharp pain shot from his spine up to his skull. The spasm sent a shiver down his body, his stomach nearly wretching in response.

His cut lip swelled and pulsed, as well as the other abrasions on his face. They stung and drummed in pain. 

He tried to move his wrists only to realize they were constrained together behind his back.

He let out a muffled moan, taking a deep swallow before attempting to lift his gaze.

His eyes caught Sage sitting just across from him, her metallic body slumped and lifeless, the red glow in her eye dull and nonexistent. She was still unresponsive. He thought it best that way. He'd hate for her to see him in this condition.

 Sage's body was constrained by two agents, one being the pale woman he had seen come into the building, sputtering all of those orders… she must be the one in charge. 

Stones' gaze cut through the stale silence just as the copter's blade ripped through the atmosphere around them. 

He took a deep, stuttering sigh as he felt a sneer curl his lips.

The woman seemed to acknowledge his glare, looking him up and down and scrunching her nose in defiance. 

“Head down!” The soldier restraining him gripped his neck roughly and forced his head to lower.

He resisted the gasp that was caught in his throat, wincing as another spasm of pain rippled through him. 

Despite his gaze being forcefully averted, his sneer remained, enhanced now. Sure, the arrest for him had been intentional, but their smugness and aggression were all real.

It made his stomach churn more than the pain.

If they were being so rough with him, how had they treated the doctor? A well-known criminal mastermind? 

How would they treat Sage?

He’d only hoped he would never find an answer to his question.

He heard a familiar chime as the auditory environment around them changed dramatically. They had switched locations, rather quickly. 

They must have used a ring.

And sure enough, quickly after, a red light engulfed the dark barrel of the helicopter, implying its descent. 

If Sage's calculations had been correct, they would be landing on prison island. The same prison that kept Robotnik captured.

He had no choice but to trust her and hope her predictions had been accurate.

The landing had not been the roughest thing Stone would endure from these brutes. He felt two agents pull him up by his shoulders, narrowly dragging him along his feet as they filed out of the helicopter's hull.

He did not intend to protest, but his weakened body could not keep up with the large G.U.N. agents dragging him by his collar like an infantile feline.

They shoved him, insisting he move faster. But the pain only subjugated him more.

He suddenly felt the agents halt, yanking him upright to face the pale woman with dark hair. His panic finally began to settle in.

This woman had been the one restraining Sage; where was she? They had forced his vision away from her; he had been unable to locate where they had taken her. He did his best to hide his distress as the women approached him, eyeing him carefully.

“Agent Stone… I wish I could say I’ve heard much about you, but to be Frank, you’re quite the anomaly. Your skills at the hotel were impressive, but I’m afraid this is where your little game with the doctor ends.” Her words spilled through her gritted teeth. 

Stone decided it was best if he refused a response. He took a deep inhale as his face curled in disgust. 

She responded with her own, mocking jeer.

Her eyes slipped from his face down to his hands, her brows pressed together curiously. Her pupils skipped from his face to his hands. She snatched his left hand, lifting it swiftly and examining the ring upon his finger.

Her eyes expressed some form of surprise, yet it appeared more like a revelation. 

His eyes traced from her expression to his hand, his heart clenched as he fought back the panic surging through him. He closed his mouth, sucking in his lips in anticipation.

Did they know of the tracker? The doctor's dubious concoction? Of his and Sage’s plans?

He had forgotten for just a moment that this ring was far more than a tool for the doctor's escape… but was also a symbol of something more. Something personal.

A symbol the agency must’ve noticed Robotnik shared with him.

Her eyes captured his as she dropped his hand, looking to the agents restraining him.

“Escort him with me.” She commanded flatly, turning around and stomping off.

This time, Stone managed to lift his feet enough so that he was keeping pace with the agents' large strides. His mind wandered over what such a sight had triggered in the commander's mind… 

His eyes bounced around the prison halls as they navigated through the corridors, decorated in a dark black, often contrasted by some sort of concrete wall against it.

It was completely silent and empty; this was no prison made for common delinquents. It was a holding cell for some of the most dangerous individuals in the world. At least, individuals G.U.N. deemed as a threat. Whether it was to the world or their being.

It seemed like the old infrastructure had been sloppily converted into a more modernized image. 

Whatever this place was, it was old, with an attempt to cover the cracks with a thick coat of paint and high-class security.

Which meant, despite G.U.N.’s efforts at reclaiming the place, it was susceptible and prone to a few cracks in its defenses…

The woman looked back at him, her eyes bulging slightly as he shot a hostile gaze at the agents restraining him.

His muscles strained as his gaze was once more forced to the ground by the two collectively. Causing him to narrowly stumble over.

It seemed like they had learned their lesson in underestimating the agent, but luckily, he had gathered all the information he needed regarding this base in their moment of carelessness…

He had no idea where they were taking him, but judging by the sound of heightened security doors whooshing open, they were taking him to a holding cell.

What he didn't expect was that he had been brought to someone else's cell.

He shifted his gaze in uncertainty as the agents escorting him came to a stop, lifting their oppressive grips from his neck. 

He raised his head, cautiously, still hunched over from the torment his body had been put through. 

His eyes pranced from every agent in the room up into the cell. His lips parted in dismay as his vision traced over the floors of the dark prison cell. 

Blueprints riddled the dilapidated floors of the cell. Some presented frantic scribbles with machines and inventions he had seen before in a distant memory. Others had been crossed out so viciously that the image of whatever was there before was completely undecipherable. 

His heart lifted, a spark he hadn't felt in a while burning up onto his cheeks as he raised his gaze to meet the figure that sat hunched in the shadows. His red glowing eye flickered against his as it widened in shock.

Stone felt a sob choke him, a stifled laugh of relief slipped from his throat as he made his way closer to the prison bars,

“Doctor… you’re here…” he said wistfully, shaking his head as tears slipped along his eyelids. 

Robotnik looked petrified, confused, and debilitated.

He had seen Robotnik in many compromising states, but somehow seeing him like this was by far the worst. Hunched over, eyes filled with panic, his skin sinking into his body, and his mustache greying over at a more extreme rate. He was resembling his grandfather all too much; the revelation made Stone's skin crawl. 

And yet, he still couldn't help but express a sense of relief and joy at the sight of the doctor. A sight he had not been acquainted with in a while.

But something about the way the doctor's eyes traced over him and onto the agents behind him made Stone's mind whirl, his eyebrows pressing together in concern, doing his best to catch Robotnik's gaze. 

“Where is Sage?” His voice was deep and crucial, his eyes locking back onto Stones. 

Stones' smile slowly fell, his tongue caught in his words. 

“She is with us,” the woman spoke for him. Stone glanced back before turning his attention back to Robotnik, his expression quickly souring.

There was a speck of betrayal that grew in Robotnik's glossy eyes, something Stone had never witnessed before. 

“ W…What? ”

“Doctor-”

Robotnik raised a hand, prompting Stone to silence. The other agents eyed one another with curious, amused glances. 

Robotnik's hand shook, his chest rising quickly, 

“I told you to keep her away from here…”

Stone fumbled, stepping closer to the bars, his eyes pleading. 

“Doctor, it's not-” he stopped himself, he couldn't afford to reveal his and Sage's plans, but disappointing the doctor was unbearable.

“Not what? You said you'd keep her safe, you promised me you'd protect her!”

Stones' mind ran at record pace as he thought up a counter to the doctor's woes, but his mouth simply stuttered, unable to keep up. He shook his head in disbelief, his eyes growing wide as they pleaded with the doctor.

Robotnik huffed, ripping his glare from Stone back onto the agents,
“So what? You brought him here thinking you could use my own agent against me? What makes you think I crumble to such hindrances in my affairs? Did you think I had the heart to care for another living thing to such a degree?” He let out a guttural laugh that made Stone's stomach churn, “Well, here's one last lesson for you halfwitted, bloodsucking, schlemiel simpletons!” He hissed, “I'm the great doctor Ivo Robotnik! Apprehensive of every and all human life! I only cherish those at whom I create! For I am their God !”

He lowered himself, his red eye cutting through the darkness.

 “ He has failed the one duty I assigned him as my assistant.” His voice bellowed profoundly, “What makes you scum think I care what happens to him now ?”

Stone felt like the world around him was collapsing once more. A familiar, dreadful feeling he had only felt once when Robotnik had left him on the shores alone, pursuing world domination despite Stone's warnings. Abandoning him, once more. 

He had hoped it would be the last time the doctor ever did anything like this.

But maybe after everything, the doctor really hadn't changed. 

His heart pounded up into his throat, his vision blurring in and out as the voices around him muffled. 

The assembly behind him seemed just as shocked as he was, glancing at the agent and whispering comments Stone couldn't bring himself to listen to. 

Robotnik had turned completely from Stone, his back facing him coldly, ignoring his existence.

“You're wasting your time dangling him before me.” He concluded. “I couldn’t care less what happens with him now.”

Was this all still a nightmare?

Had he not awoken?

The heartache felt too real for it not to be.

There was a hesitation from G.U.N. before Stone felt them find their way back around his restrained arms.

His heart spiked as he instinctively fought against it, his head snapping at attention, wiggling and thrashing his body away from their clawing attempts at restriction.

“Doctor, please! You have to understand! Capture was inevitable. I did what I could!”

Robotnik kept his back to him, Stone felt a sickening anger burst inside of his chest, tearing away from the agent's clutches,

He fought gasps as he threw himself against the doctors' enclosed cell,

“ AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU ?” He cried, feeling the agent's grip jab into his neck as they pulled him back, doing their best to navigate his thrashes in defiance. 

He let out a small wail as they pulled him from the cell, cramming his arms behind his back.

Stone had never sought a transactional relationship with Robotnik; he never needed to be praised or rewarded for his services.

But what he couldn't live with was the idea of the doctor hating him for it. For everything he had done to please him. For everything he had done in order to serve him. 

He couldn't exist with the doctor hating him; he couldn't bear it. 

And while his mind was convincing him, it was all his fault that Robotnik felt such a way, another part of him fumed. It raged, it angered.

After years of mourning and learning to love a new man over and over again, how could Robotnik suddenly forget and ignore Stones' wishes, Stones' efforts?

He had made a promise.

How could he truly believe that Stone had failed him?

After everything, every impossible success he achieved for the doctor.

How did the doctor still have no trust in him?

“ Please- ” Stone began bargaining as more agents piled in to restrain him, “ Doctor, please- ” he grieved, “ forgive me… ” 

But despite it all, the doctor still refused to face him. His body was tense and cold, even as the agent was hauled from his cell.

Stone conceded, lowering his head as his tears lost their fight to gravity, his body now relying on the support of the soldiers restraining him.

He hardly recalled being dragged through the prison halls once again until he was tossed into his own cell, crumbling to the floor as he hid his beaten and now tear-ridden face.

He felt so ashamed, so vulnerable, so weak. Even trying to hide his mournful state brought him great shame. How could he crumble like this in front of an agency like G.U.N.? How could he allow them to see his weaknesses, his breaking point?

Everything he had worked towards- his character- his identity- was erased within an instant. 

The persona he had put up front was shattered, his plans crumbling before him. 

He held back a sob, recognizing that the dark-haired woman was still lingering close to his cell. 

He turned his head to face her, trying his best to hide his grief and mask it with his anger.

She almost looked sympathetic. It made Stone sneer; he'd rather be laughed at than be given any pity from someone like her. 

“You know, when I heard the rumor about your undying loyalty to the doctor, I had always presumed it was exaggerated.”

Stone shifted his face, hiding his head in his shoulders, his hands still restrained behind his back. 

She sighed, 

“You're clearly a very capable man, and an even better agent. And if the doctor cannot see that within you after all this time, perhaps it's a sign for you to finally resign. You don't have to serve under someone like him,” she got closer, her voice deep and personal, “I know you worked for the agency before it even became a public entity, I know you have a history here with us. So why not go back to that? We would gladly accept you back in. Your criminal records, your misdeeds, those could all be forgiven if you decide to join us in this fight. In a fight for a free and safe world from all threats. I could personally see to it. We could use someone of your caliber after all.”

She slipped her hand into his cell, eyeing him intently, 

“You don't have to be the villain. You can help this world, make it better. For you and your daughter.”

Stone hesitated for a moment, completely exasperated and bewildered at her proposal. At such a vulnerable moment like this, of course, she would take advantage of his anguish. His eyes were tracing over hers skeptically, a brow raised high.

He grunted as he attempted to situate himself upwards, carefully stalking closer to the commander before him.

Her eyes almost looked hopeful.

He stood in front of her hand, eyeing it with disdain. He stepped closer until his face was pressed against the cold metal bars, ignoring her outstretched hand,

“What makes you think I believe this world deserves such mercy? ”

She kept her stare on his, her face sinking in disappointment.

She lowered her hand, letting out a huff.

“Perhaps I placed too much confidence in you…” She mumbled coldly," And perhaps you don't care as much as I thought you once did.” She turned away quickly, pausing once more, 

“Your anger is misguided. We did not make your daughter a weapon. It is not our fault that we have to handle her as one.” 

Stone felt like a volcano on the verge of eruption. There was so much he wanted to say, so much venom he yearned to spit. 

But the way his throat tightened choked him.

He shivered as he let himself fall to the floor, letting out a shuddering gasp as he bit his swollen lip. 

Months of suffering had all come down to this, one final blow to knock him down. 

He could no longer stand; he no longer had the confidence and determination he once possessed. 

Sage was gone, the doctor hated him, and he couldn't do anything.

He had no plan.

He had no idea what to do. 

The doctor was right. 

He had failed them.

Um... anyway FANART CORNER YAYA!!! Thanks @workwithkarosas once again! I love little sage sitting on the Ninjas blade to reach the keyboard ugh....

Chapter Text

Sage felt her systems reactivate, ripping her from her profound state of darkness. 

Her red eye ripped open, shooting around the room as her systems analyzed each and every face before her. 

Her eyes were caught on one particular figure, the woman before her. 

“You are the one in command, Rockwell, correct?” She presumed bluntly.

Rockwell blinked, clearly swayed by Sage's knowledge, but she offered a hesitant nod,

“I should've presumed you'd have unfathomable intelligence and access to knowledge no other system should…” She spoke very boldly with a brazen inflection.

“Where am I?” She asked innocently.

“It seems like you're completely capable of answering that question,” Rockwell evaluated. 

Sage looked around the room, realizing she had been restrained to some sort of device. Judging by the computer screen that beamed behind her, they must be analyzing the structure and function to an intrusive extent. 

She glared at the commander,

“I want to see my father.” She demanded.

Rockwell didn't reply, simply offering a steady sigh.

Sage felt her fingers burn, causing the lights in the room to flicker slightly. While her abilities were severely depleted, she had learned a thing or two about intimidation.

The Soldiers jumped at the light show, focusing their weapons on the robotic child. Rockwell shoved the barrels of the blasters to the side,

“ Stand down ,” She hissed, her gaze sharp and demanding as the soldiers slowly lowered their weapons. 

Sage tilted her head in interest, amused by the submissiveness of these G.U.N. soldiers. 

“What if I offer a settlement?”

Rockwell turned to her, lifting a brow,

“You want to make an arrangement with us? I'm not sure you have any weight in the matter.”

“Perhaps, however, I am a highly intelligent machine, programmed to obey. I can promise my utmost cooperation and will not resist the tests you seek to perform on me. If I am allowed to see my fathers one last time. If I know they are safe, I shall find bliss and concede to your commands.”

Rockwell's eyes sparked in interest. She crossed her arms,

“How can we trust you?”

Sage paused, she hung her head, slipping into a pout,

“It is my function, I live to serve. I cannot exactly provide assurance to you, but all I desire is to see my fathers… please. That's all I ask.”

Rockwells' face twitched uncomfortably, her gaze softening. 

She sneered as she turned her head, sighing and eventually yielding to Sage's innocent demeanor. 

She began quickly removing Sage from her oppressive shackles, the scientist sharing the room looking dumbfounded,

“Commander- what are you doing?” One of them asked, exasperated. 

“She’ll be easier to handle this way-”

“We have no idea what she's capable of-”

“Then why aggravate her?” Rockwell paused, hissing at the engineer, “We'll be able to understand her capabilities if she cooperates with us.”

Sage removed her arms from her restraints, eyeing the commander carefully.

“Commander… She's a walking weapon.”

“Yeah, well… she's also inherently a child… in some sick way,” She whispered to the scientist, “And like any child, if we make her happy… our work will be a lot easier.”

The engineer didn't appear to be thrilled with the idea, but admitted defeat as he stepped away from the commander. 

Rockwell turned to Sage, her jaw hanging low as her eyes pranced in uncertainty around the room. She jerked her head, 

“Come on… let's make this quick.” The commander slid a singular cuff around Sage; she presumed it was some sort of device that would hinder her abilities if she went off the rails of her promise. It was nothing she couldn't handle. 

“Thank you.” She hummed wistfully as she followed Rockwell out of the lab. 

She ensured none of her behavior came off suspicious. She kept her head forward and did not stagger as she followed the commander down the deep halls. Despite that, the occasional flicker of her eye would catch something that would reveal vital information about their defense system. 

Ammunition supply points, alarm systems, drone tech… one in particular had gotten her gears clicking in intrigue. 

Hanging along the walls in charging stations, just hidden from most view, held a high-end security force…a bunch of bulky drones deactivated and awaiting commands for activation. 

From what she had been able to scan, inscribed on their metallic chest assigned them their designation:

E-series marksman assault. 

They appeared too advanced and stylized to be of G.U.N. 's concoction. Perhaps they were a creation of fathers, maybe even Geralds.

She returned her attention forward, satisfied with the information she had been able to gather within a limited time frame. She would utilize her findings to construct a solid plan, but at the moment, what she needed to focus on was the state and location of both the doctor and the agent. She required all variables to be present before she acted upon anything. 

But it appeared that her tactical analysis was continually interrupted by a feeling she had grown unfamiliar with ever since her departure from the doctor. 

She had not seen him in months.

She had grown to miss him.

She had yearned for the family she once had.

And now, after all this time, she was finally going to be able to see him once more.

She felt excited. 

But it had been so long, would he even care for her anymore? Would he recognize her?

Would she recognize him?

Of course, she would; she only hoped her father would show the same eagerness as she did. 

Rockwell typed a few commands that eventually scanned her face before the blast doors before them ripped open to reveal a large room with a singular cell. 

Sage took careful steps as they led her inwards; if she had a heart, it would surely be drumming with anticipation. 

“May I enter the cell?” She asked eagerly.

Rockwell gave her a suspicious eye brow raise, but before she could question her, Sage interjected,

“It would be foolish of me to try anything. My duty is to protect the doctor, not draw danger to him. I promise it will only be a moment. I just… I need to be with him.” 

“Commander… you can't be serious-“ 

Rockwell lifted her hand sharply to silence the soldier beside her,

“ If she’s happy, things will go a lot more smoothly.” She hissed, reminding her subordinates.

She lifted her head, permitting the soldier beside her to open the cell.

While they hesitated, they eventually slipped a keycard into a data pad near the far wall. 

The metal bars screeched as they slid out of the way, as if they hadn’t been opened in a long time.

Sage scurried in before the cell door closed behind her. 

Despite the dark environment, she could identify a singular life form hidden within the shadows.

He seemed to turn his head quickly before returning his exasperated expression to Sage. 

Sage felt her core spark, a frown forcing her lip to pout as she ran towards him.

“ Sage ?” The doctor's voice was shaky, stumbling as he attempted to catch her in her advancement.

“Father-“ she croaked, shoving herself into his frail body.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, removing her to examine her face as he held her cheeks with remorse,

“Oh, my dear daughter-“ he sobbed, hugging her tightly as he laid a few dramatic kisses along her face, “my darling girl-“ 

“How I missed you, father..” she mumbled into his orange prison attire.

His expression wavered as he placed a hand firmly along her shoulders, examining the damage she had endured,

“They didn't hurt my poor precious baby, did they?” He growled, flashing a glare at the GUN agents. 

He poked at the slit in her shirt from where the Ninja had struck her,

“And what's this? I know this isn't some new fashion trend the youngins have- did they hurt you?” He clasped her face with concern, “ Oh, this won't do. You're going to need a new dress immediately, ” he mumbled frantically. 

She shook her head, grabbing his hand

“I’m ok, Father, Stone instructed me to concede to their aggression and not provoke anything.”

He took a stifled inhale, 

“You shouldn’t be here…” he mumbled mournfully. 

It was at that moment that she was able to deduce the doctor's condition properly. He was much frailer and older-looking than before. And with how his eyes and nose were red and puffy, it had almost appeared he had been crying far before she had gotten here. What had happened in her unconsciousness? Where was Stone? 

But she couldn’t dwell on that; she had a mission to fulfill.

“Doctor…” she whispered before she was interrupted by a steel knock made by the commander.

“I’m only giving you a couple more seconds,” she informed her.

Robotnik sneered,

“Can't you see we are having a moment here!” He hissed before Sage grabbed his face, returning his attention.

I have a plan.

She blinked in Morse code quickly.

Robotnik's eyes grew wide as he resisted a grin,  a sparkle of life returning in them.

“My brilliant little girl…My most wondrous creation… ” he mumbled somberly. 

She wrapped her arms around him in one last final embrace, positioning her hand just along the neck seam of his prison uniform.

A plate in her hand opened up as she slipped her pocket knife inside his shirt, hoping the unexpected sensation wouldn’t trigger a reaction from him.

She was forever grateful to have the smartest dad in the world. Despite his shudder, he provided no reaction. 

He simply hugged her tighter, groaning as he squeezed her. Never wanting to let go. 

“ Ok, time’s up ,” Rockwell informed her, her voice noticeably contemplative and uncertain. 

Robotnik frowned, his eyes still glossy with tears as he laid one last aggressive kiss along her forehead.

“Dont let them boss you around,” he mumbled as she slowly slipped from his grasp. Her eyes were swelling longingly as she stepped away.

You're the boss. 

He mouthed, pointing firmly, his silly behavior masking the sob that was eluding him. 

She nodded firmly as the agent grabbed her arm and pulled her from the cell, the bars slowly sliding back to encapsulate the doctor.

His gaze shifted from Sage back onto the agents, his red robotic eye glaring widely as the shadows filled his sneer. 

It pained her to see her father slowly disappear into the shadows as she was ushered away from him, the doors closing, severing her connection once more.

But she refused to dwell on the pain, 

She would see him soon, after all. 

“Ok, you got to see your father,” Rockwell said carefully.

“I expressed a desire to see both of my fathers.” She stopped suddenly, Rockwell pausing. 

“You're getting away with too much today, little girl,” she warned.

“Please- we have terms in which we agreed to. If you deliver on yours, I shall on mine.”

“Listen… Sage-”

“Please… commander.”

She shook her head and sighed,

“You really are just a kid.. Huh..? ” She mumbled to herself, “Fine, but no more bargaining.”

“I promise,” Sage bowed her head solemnly. 

“But before you see him,” she discussed while they walked,” just know he gave my agents a hard time, and he’s a bit worse for wear.”

“He was simply trying to defend himself.”

“He instigated the violence,” she countered.

“And you aggravated him. I thought government authorities were above playing the blame game?”

“It's not-” she paused, scoffing, “It's not the blame game, it's a matter of the rule of law.”

“And what being put forth such a convention? What code do you follow? And by whom was it concocted?”

“I follow the rules set in place to handle anomalies in the most productive manner. Which has been developed for years.”

“Longevity does not equate to veracity; they do not correlate.”

“Then what rules do you follow?” She pestered.

“I run on logic.”

“Sounds very vague.”

“Perhaps for a being such as yourself.”

She frowned until they reached another cell, one that appeared much older. To compensate for its structure, the room was composed of multiple armed guards. 

Sage didn’t let her worries sway her; it was simply another variable she would have to consider in conducting her plan. 

Rockwell issued the order to allow Sage to enter the cell, and she noticed the same hesitation from the armed men as well as their eventual yield. Curious. Perhaps they were just as much a program as she was. 

Before she even stepped one foot inside the cell, Stone came limping over to her,

“Sage!” He cried, exasperated. His knees buckled to the ground as he collapsed his embrace around her, “ Oh, thank God… ”

Her systems were firing rapidly,

“You're injured. Very injured.” She expressed concern.

“No No… Im ok,” he offered a weak smile, dried blood still staining his lip, "I'm ok, ” he whispered, shaking her shoulder.

She did another scan; despite his claims, he was clearly in no state to do anything drastic. She would need to take this into account.

He also did not wear the same attire as the doctor, as he was still dressed in the clothes he had been wearing when arrested. 

She presumed this prison was not used to keeping human prisoners. It was made for beings like hers, anomalies.  

“Oh, Sage,” he sighed, relieved, pressing their heads together.

He lifted her wrists and kissed them. She blinked, concerned. But shut her eyes to relish in his warmth.

He gently rested his hand on the backside of her head and led her into a hug. He shrugged over, covering his mouth with his arm as he whispered carefully,

“ Please tell me you have a plan… ”

She nuzzled into his shoulder, ensuring he would be able to hear her, 

“ Look for a signal. I have enough confidence in you to be able to deduce what must be done at that moment.”

She pulled herself from his embrace,

“We will be a family again,” she proposed hopefully.

Sage didn't like the hesitation that followed from Stone. Something painful and reminiscent was found in his expression. He blinked, slipping back into an assuring nod,

“Yes…” he swallowed tightly, “ we will..”

With Robotnik's added state, a certain sense of worry arose in her,

“Did something happen when I was deactivated?” She asked carefully.

Stone’s eyes rose slightly, shifting to the side, gleaming with guilt. He chuckled weakly and shook his head,

“ We're in a prison, Sage. It’s just not exactly the best place I want to be right now.”

You're lying. 

She wanted to pester him more, but the matter at hand required that she first get the two to safety before she could solve any sort of interpersonal turmoil. She had done it once before; it was reasonable to assume she could do it again. 

It only took a knock from Rockwell for Sage to understand her time with the agent had come to an end. But this would not be the last time, she’d make sure of that.

Her escort back to the lab was mostly shrouded in silence. But judging by the way Rockwell restlessly eyed her, there was clearly something itching to be said.

She found humans often needed a gateway to express their thoughts.

“Is there something you inquire from me?” Sage asked bluntly. Rockwell frowned.

“I've already tried with the doctor and agent… but you told me you run on logic, so perhaps you can find my proposal much more agreeable than them. Perhaps we can even work something out, something that benefits the both of us.”

Sage turned her head at attention.

“You clearly mean a lot to those two. And it’s clear, weapon or not, you do have a familial connection to them-”

“Of course, they are my fathers.”

“Right… well… despite everything that has occurred, my previous offer still stands.”

“And what is that?”

She turned,

“You can live out your blissful life in peace with your family.”

She hesitated,

“And what must be sacrificed to do so?”

She sighed,

“All the agency is asking is that you remain under parole. All your activities are to be monitored so that any dubious creations and world-dominating plans can be ensured not to happen.”

“And who would be watching us?”

“G.U.N.,” She frowned, “I promise you, this is by far the most generous offer the agency has given anyone.”

“Right, I guess it is better than rotting in a cell, forced to make weapons for an agency that does not have the capacity to ever comprehend the power granted to them.”

Rockwell looked taken aback by Sage’s sudden bitterness. She sneered,

“Your father has continually proven to be unreliable and sporadic. It's better in our hands than his.”

“Why require supervision? Why not leave us alone? You have given me no reason to trust you.”

“Your father is responsible for millions of damages and has claimed many victims! Including the late commander of this very agency! And the agent has continued to be an instigator of his crimes!” Rockwell stood before her, “ He's a criminal! It would be irresponsible and illogical for us to just let him go!”

Sage paused, eyeing the commander before her deeply. Her pupil burned red as she lowered her gaze,

“I can only hope their next victim is you .” She uttered firmly.

Rockwell's pale face grew near translucent as her eyes sharpened and her lips curled. She shook her head,

“You're not logical… you're just another one of his machines. Following his every command, worshipping him like a God.” She hissed, “I can't believe I couldn't see that through your industrial-made innocents…”

Sage refused a response as the soldiers behind her restrained her arms and attached her to the machine she had woken up in the lab. 

As the scientist poked and prodded at her metallic figure in an attempt to suppress any of her functions, she gave one last look to the commander.

“You can seek answers from me, my form, and my function. But knowing. Not knowing. It will change nothing .”

She plunged herself into a state of comatose, redirecting all of her power to her processing units to run hundreds of simulations. Analyzing the data she collected today, examining her variables, she would find a viable plan that would allow for her wishes to come true. 

She would have her family back.

One way or another.

And she wasn't going to let anyone stop her. 

Chapter Text

She had run through a million different scenarios and evaluated all her variables. Her chances of success, while not exactly significant, provided her with enough confidence to move forward with her scheme. The random, incalculable encounters she trusted her fathers would be able to handle and navigate. If she were to enact this plan, she needed to do it now.

But the scientists examined her closely, poring over her data. She would not be able to execute the beginnings of her plan if they proved to be a barrier of any kind. 

Luckily, she had accounted for their surveillance.

She would only need a few seconds of a distraction to be able to transfer her consciousness into a state in which she could access the cyberspace she once found herself in when interacting with the Ninja. Ever since she entered that world through its mind… There had been a voice calling out to her to return. She didn’t know exactly how she would do it, but she knew she was capable of achieving it. With how desperate the voice was, there had to be a way.

But doing so made her incredibly exposed and vulnerable. If any of the scientists meddled with her as her consciousness was removed from her body, she would have no chance at returning to it. She would be stuck in a limbo between both worlds. This had to go right.

She had done it before; she would do it again.

She scanned her surroundings; she would have a short window to launch her distraction. Luckily, for just a moment, the engineers took their boring glares off of her as they discussed their menial lives.

She pushed open her chest plate ever so slightly, feeling the furry creature stir inside her.

Ricky, the mouse Stone had told her to get rid of, poked his head out from the small seam. He squirmed and wriggled his way out of her metallic form, slipping through the cut in her shirt.

It appeared that being contained so closely to her core, which had run on chaos energy, had had a few slight impacts on Ricky. He was faster and more sporadic. This variable only benefited Sage more.

The Mus musculus was a fascinating critter. While many factors played into their significance in a scientific field, the most intriguing factoid was that they shared genetic, biological, and behavioral characteristics that closely resembled the human species. Many symptoms of the human condition could be replicated and predicted in mice. Sage could just as easily predict the mouse's actions as she could the reactions of the Homo sapiens who towered before it. 

And just as she predicted, the lab was overrun with chaos. People squealed and pointed frantically at the small, unidentified white creature that zipped across their floors.

“How did that thing get here? We're in the middle of the ocean!”

“Get it before it chews any wires!”

At any other point in time, Sage would have found amusement in this pathetic display, but she had more important matters at hand. 

Her head sank with her shoulders as her body ceased any function. 

She had never felt pain before, but thrusting her consciousness into an unknown state of comatose took much more out of her than she had previously calculated. 

She no longer had a physical form; her eyes fragmented open as her body glitched in and out. She felt a form of panic arise within her as she drifted aimlessly into nothingness. The world- or lack thereof- around her was familiar. A white void of nothingness, the very place she had originated from. But she refused to reminisce on her once-empty existence; she needed to go deeper, no matter how much it tore her apart.

She winced as she clenched her fists, painful spasms traced her unfinished form as she fought the corruption. She sniveled as she reached out her hand, searching for a path she sought to travel.

That is when she saw it. Just up ahead, she could see a blur of something unfamiliar. It was exactly what she desired. 

She centralized herself as she attempted to remove her focus from the pain that enveloped her and to place it upon the gateway ahead.

It began to grow larger and larger, chipping away at the void, crumbling before her very eyes.

Before she could comprehend this marvel, an overwhelming sense of relief embraced her, her feet lifting from the ground. Her dress suddenly resembled the white of a dove, her highlights complementing the colorful sky above in a shade of light blue, in contrast to the red she once adorned.

She had, on all accounts, ascended to some unknown plane of existence. 

She was in a field surrounded by grass coated in a golden hue from the concealing sun. They rustled in a marvelous chorus against the tearing winds. A distant ocean's waves crashed into the mountains and soaring cliffs that provided ground for the island on which she currently stood. 

She took in a breath despite having no lungs. There was something so peaceful, so alive, so protected about this place…

A desire grew inside her. A desire to remain. A desire to accept this comfort.

But she had a task to do. She would not submit to such comforts. The longer she remained, the harder it would be to get back into her body. She needed to find the Ninja.

She had forgotten what it had been like to be only a thought, a concept.

It was so empty and yet left so much room for undesirable sensations and thoughts. 

She found herself teleporting as a form of navigation across the island, her body disappearing into particles only to reappear on the other side. Despite her freedom to roam, she still felt so trapped.

Something about this place seemed to want to keep her; she needed to leave as quickly as she could before she could no longer fight against the island's keen influence. 

Her core sparked as she came to a halt before an unfamiliar figure. An entity that did not resemble the serene and natural environment of the island.

Its proportions resembled the Ninja she had met before, but it was much more complex…

It was white, adorning a unique stacked bar formation atop its head, and a set of artificial wings protruded from its back. 

The world around her grew silent as the being turned to face her. She could sense no hostility from it, only confusion and despair. A pain so deep, something she had only once experienced before.

Sage lowered herself to the ground, blinking sympathetically at the white entity before her.

“You are the one we had set free from Sand Ocean…are you not?”

There was no response from the Master Ninja, only a slight turn of its head.

Sage came to the sudden realization that the Guardian was the only entity of its kind on this island. Other than the trees and the birds, no other living thing remained. It was just as alone and empty as she felt when she was stuck in code.

Sage's components clicked in calculation.

“You returned here… to your home… to cyberspace. But there was nothing for you here…Was there?”

The Guardian remained still. 

“Creations…hopes, dreams, everything but you… wiped out, existing only as a memory now. You had been away for so long that you had forgotten what fate had already befell your creators. Your history.”

The wind ripped through the grassy landscape, the flowers at her feet brushing against her flowing dress. She closed her eyes,

“I feel your grief, I understand it.” She spoke softly, “I presume you can feel mine as well. My desperation, my fear.”

The Guardian turned its head. Sage understood she had limited time and needed to express her desires to the Guardian before she could no longer remain. 

“I have come here for a favor, a promise you lent me not long ago. Please… return to me. Help me prevent an end like yours. And I promise you, a tranquil and painless assent…” She reached her hand forward, “I will sacrifice whatever I must to obtain my desires… I only ask you to help me one last time… help me save my family… help me prevent their end. And maybe we can work together to clear your consciousness of such painful memories, and seek a brighter future together.”

The Guardian remained still. Sage kept her hand forward, confident in her proposal.

The sounds around her began to fumble together, as if being pulled into one area.

The world was suddenly shrouded in silence, as if the atmosphere itself had been contained. Until a voice ensued her,

“You must go…” 

Sage blinked. The voice was feminine and deep; it spoke an unfamiliar language, and yet, it was one she could understand. 

“Go, little one. Protect your future. As I shall conclude mine.”

Within the split second of her processing capabilities, the Guardian lunged for her, its blades cutting through her particulate form. Launching her swiftly back into her reality. 

Her eyes bore open, a powerful spasm arose in her as it fought, bursting from her chest. Engineers and guards surrounded her, frantically trying to comprehend what exactly had occurred.

Sage caught one of the scientist's eyes, her lips remained sealed, and yet a voice external to hers spoke.

“You’ve set your fate.” Sage's voice seemed merged with someone else's, deep and philosophical, “You have created an uncertain future for those whom I hold dear.” She soon realized that her voice was not just reverberating through the lab, but the entire facility: “Your arrogance will be your undoing. You will be scourged for the torment you have inflicted.”

A loud boom shook the facility, and red lights blared as alarms suddenly activated. Something had crashed into the prison.

Sage felt the power within her become overwhelming; she recognized the potential within her.

“I am what you get when the stars collide…”

The deep voice spoke individually, and within a blink, Sage found her body teleported out of her restraints in a chaotic blast. Electricity pulsed through the lab, sending it into a dark and powerless prison. 

The foundation rattled as Sage collapsed to the ground, and the red light that once flared in her heart slowly retreated inward. 

She had successfully escaped her restraints and transported herself outside, utilizing the limited chaos energy she had available to her. 

The red hue of the alarms filled her vision, its piercing screams instructing soldiers to man their stations.

Boots ran past her hastily, gripping their weapons, seemingly having no interest in the child. It wasn't until she directed her vision towards the commotion that she understood why.

A smile grew along her lips as she witnessed the Guardian before her standing tall, towering over the soldiers directing their fire. 

It caught her gaze, and as its body rattled, it protruded a line of identical clones as it closed in on its enemy and protected its ally. 

Sage could feel a powerful emotion rush inside of her. One that the agent had spoken highly of and emphasised its importance.

It was hope. 

Stone stumbled against the wall for support as the entire facility rattled. 

“I am what you get when the stars collide.”

Stone wasn’t exactly sure what was happening or whose voice that was. For a moment, it had almost sounded like Sage, and yet it sounded so unfamiliar and foreign. But whatever the case was, Stone presumed this was the “signal” Sage had asked him to look out for. Which meant he had to act.

Luckily for him, whatever Sage had initiated as a distraction required all personnel to deal with. Not a single guard remained behind as they rushed frantically, other agents coming in sputtering about some pale beast. 

Hopefully, whatever Sage had triggered, she could control…

Stones' heart leaped as he listened for the clatter of the Rouge E series robots that lined the wall, slowly being commanded out of stasis. But just like the guards, they seemed to have no interest in him and immediately were summoned towards the chaos.

Stone skittered over to the prison bars. He stretched his hand through the openings, sneering as he attempted to reach his hand towards the keypad just beside the wall. 

Just as his fingers grazed the device, a foot jammed into his arm. Crunching it against the metal bars.

He wailed, pulling his arm back as he stumbled, his vision blurred as his muscles screamed and throbbed. 

Tears welled up from the pain, burning his dry eyes as he attempted to visualize his aggressor.

His gut sank as the man ripped open the bared enclosure, fuming as he stepped closer to the agent.

Stone kicked his feet back, his body still aching from his previous altercations. His back slammed against the wall; he had no chance of escaping any further. 

The man was large… very large. And blond and gritty, and his face….

It was hideous, mangled, more appropriately. His scars were fresh and red, white stitches desperately worked to keep the skin together.

Like an animal had run its claws against his face-

Oh…

His sneer curled the scar across his lips, 

“You- animal!” He spat. 

Stone stumbled upward, before he could get balanced, the man threw a powerful assault against his shoulder, slamming it against the concrete.
Stone let out a pained gasp as he gritted his teeth, attempting to desperately remove his grip. 

“They should have taken you out when they got the chance!” Stone felt his jaw splinter as the man laid his knuckles against him.

“You fucking piece of shit!” 

Stone sputtered as the man dug his heel into his gut; he collapsed to the ground. 

Stone felt the man kneel on top of him, his knee grinding into his back, his arm wrapping around Stone restrictively. 

Stone gasped for air as the man slowly pulled him upward, his spine screaming. 

The man whispered in his ear, hissing through his teeth,

“I'll make you pay, you freak! Then what will the doctor do without his precious little pet there to protect him?”

Stone let out a painful wail as the man pulled him back further,

“There won't be anyone else around to stop me from eliminating him from this world as well. I'll make sure you both get the punishment you animals deserve,” he snickered, “This time I’ll make sure to rip off his other arm as well.” He yanked the agent's hair back to look him in the eyes, crazed, “And I'll make sure that scientific abomination you call a ‘child’ watches before we take it apart. Just. The. Same.

The agent's vision blazed, anger flushing through him. 

He was sick and tired of being treated like this, all his life, underestimated and treated like nothing. 

He refused to allow this abuse to continue; he refused to allow this man to so easily make targets at the perfect family he had founded. He wouldn't let this man lay a finger on the doctor, and especially, their dear daughter. 

He had had enough.

This degenerate was going to learn what happened when you treated someone like a caged animal for too long. 

Stone wasn't opposed to fighting dirty.

All pain that consumed him ceased as adrenaline ran through his blood, and, forcing his head forward, he sank his teeth into the brute's arm. Ignoring his thrashes and screams as the taste of iron coated his tongue. 

The man screamed, his grip loosening as Stone broke free. Despite his rage, he released his hold on the man, spinning around to tackle him to the ground.

He ensured the man looked him right in the eye as he tussled him to the ground. He wanted him to remember his face, his dark glare, his blood coating his teeth. He lifted his fist and slammed it down into his mangled face.

Over

And over

And over

And over.

His strikes were desperate, running exclusively on hysteria and fear.

Even as his struggles ceased, Stone continued to lay blows, screaming in fury. His blood was still fresh on his teeth. 

The soldier's stitches had burst open, his wound now freshly exposed. Stone stopped once his warm blood began tainting his clothes. Taking in deep, manic gasps as his body rattled with adrenaline. 

He wiped his mouth, spitting to the side, sucking in his lips as he breathed heavily through his nostrils. His shoulders heaved. 

He had been so blinded by rage that his mind hardly processed that the miscreant had opened up the barriers of his confinement. Allowing him a swift escape.

He protested against his rattling bones as his mind whirled.

He lifted his feet, forcing his body to rush forward, sliding down the halls as he searched for the weapons room. 

Stone did his best to slip his gauntlets onto his hands, his body still shivering as he felt himself slowly crash. Exhaustion swept over him; his lungs could hardly keep up with the air he gasped for, his heart thrumming against them. 

He froze as he heard a familiar click behind him. He turned his body slowly, only to be faced with Rockwell and a gun pointing directly at him. 

The safety on her weapon was off, and the way she held the gun with such confidence told Stone everything he needed to know. He wouldn't be able to fight his way out of this; his entire body had been too compromised.

He took a dry swallow as he slowly lifted his hands in the air, his hands shaking. 

Rockwell's expression was shrouded in distress; she stuttered over her words,

“What did you bring here?”

Stone remained silent, truly not having an answer.

“What is that thing?!” She demanded, her voice splintering as she jolted her weapon closer. 

Stone took staggering breaths,

“You should have left us alone…” he croaked. 

“Stop it! Stop!” She demanded, her grip becoming more unstable, “I don't get you! Why? Why do you do this? Why do you follow him?”

She begged, terrified.
Stone understood he had nothing more to hide,

“He's the only one I want to stand alongside as this world burns,” he croaked.

“After everything?” She shook her head in disbelief, “After everything he did to you? To this world? I am trying to give you all a second chance to work on changing the world for the better,” She pleaded.

Stone scoffed,

“G.U.N. isn't concerned about changing the world for the better; it just wants to be at the top when all else falls. It's all about control, that's all it is. Your fear won't ever stop driving this agency, and you won't ever stop suffering for it either. The only thing flawed about this agency's nature is the humans who command it. I was smart enough to get out of there when I could; it's about time you seized your own opportunity-”

“Then why won't you let me change it! Start over! Make it better!”

“You had your chance; the solution isn't created within a corrupt system like this. You're falling apart! That's not how it survives. Termination is the only solution for an agency like this. Only then can you even begin to consider rebuilding.” 

Rockwell hesitated, her gun lowering slightly as her face contracted in contemplation.

She shut her eyes tightly, her lips curling before she slowly raised her head again, her weapon following suit,

“No… I refused to be tricked again… not this time-”

Before she could fire her weapon, she was quickly apprehended by a large machine. It lifted her from the ground as she thrashed in its hold, shouting commands despite its immovable state.

Stone stepped back defensively. It was one of the E-series bots he had seen posted around the building.

Before he could make further conclusions, Sage slipped from behind its leg, running quickly to Stone.

Stone felt his heart melt as he lowered his body to catch her, a hysterical laugh escaping him.
“Sage? You-” He laughed weakly, embracing her tighter, “Thank you, habibti..”

Sage removed herself, 

“You look even worse than before,” she quickly examined.

“I'll manage-”

“Good, things are unraveling fast. I need you to go and find Father while I take care of the commander. I summoned the Master Ninja to assist our escape, but I do not entirely know its capabilities, nor how long it will give us. We must act swiftly.”

Stone hesitated. Did the doctor even want him there? Would he be able to convince him without Sage at his side?

He felt sick, but the desperation in the child's eye dulled his concerns; he nodded hesitantly.

“You be safe… come and find us as soon as you can.”

She nodded quickly. Stone placed a gentle kiss along her forehead as he strained to get up, quickly running past the bot that still had a struggling Rockwell restrained in its hold. 

Sage slammed the doors closed as the E-series robot tossed Rockwell into one of the abandoned cells.

She deactivated the droid, not taking the risk of her influence weakening anytime soon, leaving only her and the commander to converse.

The commander seemed completely defeated, her head hanging low as her braid sagged over her shoulder. She refused to make eye contact with the child.

Sage almost felt pity. 

Almost.

She walked closely to the bars, staring down at the vanquished commander.

“I know there is a passion and drive within you that wants to enforce good,” Sage spoke gently.

Rockwell lifted her head slightly, her face expressing rage despite the slick tears that seeped from her eyes, “But you must understand by now that all you can do is enforce chaos, and allow it to break free as it becomes desperate and maddened in its containment.”

She turned away from her, peaking over her shoulder one last time,

“I can only hope this will be the last time you have to learn this lesson…”

And with that, she left the commander to mourn her failures and to contemplate her moral questionings.

She had a father to save…

FANART CORNER:

Thanks @littleguydrawings on tumblr I think you're swag!!!! >:]

Look at my baby....

Chapter Text

“Maria? I know you’re there.” Gerald hummed amusingly, not taking his eye away from the work sprawled out before him.

There was a lingering hesitation in the air as he waited in silence. But just as he predicted, Maria slipped out from behind a structure in her turquoise polka dot pajamas with Shadow lingering closely by. 

She offered a smile, devoid of guilt and shrouded in innocent mischief, just as all Robotniks smiled.

“Sorry, Grandpa.” She whispered innocently, taking Shadow's hand.

“What are you doing up so late? And what is Shadow doing outside his pod?” Gerald swiveled his chair to face them, his dramatically bushy white eyebrow lifting high in skepticism. 

“I couldn’t sleep… and…neither could Shadow.” 

“Shadow was in his resting pod… or at least was supposed to be.” Gerald readjusted his scopes, noting how the black hedgehog hung his head low, his eyes purposefully refusing to engage with Gerald’s. His lips sealed together in silence.

“He says it’s not really comfortable there. I thought maybe he’d want to sleep in my fort.” She smiled, her heels lifting from the ground as she swayed eagerly.

Gerald's lip curled to the side. He returned his attention to his work,

“I hear you’ve been getting in some trouble lately, Missy.”

Maria closed her mouth quickly.

“Who would have thought, a Robotnik getting into trouble, blasphemy!” He teased.

“You aren’t upset, right, Grandpa?” She asked more carefully, “The dessert tray incident was a complete accident; we didn't see them.” 

“You think I care what those government goons think? You’re a kid, it’s just what kids do. If those morons don’t know how to handle a juvenile of their own species, then it’s no wonder they called me on this job to handle an organism like Shadow!” He proclaimed proudly. 

“Besides, you bring more spunk and light to this place compared to those knuckle-dragging numbskulls. You make the environment much brighter." He sang in praise, “at least mine, anyhow.” 

She smiled warmly, glancing down at Shadow, her face began to mold with uncertainty.

“Why are they here, Grandpa?” She pried.

“Who? G.U.N.?” He mumbled, his throat husky,” They fund my department, and even if I think their efforts are insufficient in comparison to my machines, they provide adequate security.”

“For who?”

“All of us.”

Maria paused,

“Against what?”

Gerald hesitated, realizing where her question was leading.

He turned slowly, looking down at the Shadow, who closed his eyes, hiding himself in his dark aura. 

“Against unforeseen threats...” he crooned.

Maria caught his gaze,

“Grandpa, what do they want with Shadow?” She whispered, despite her curious cadence, there was a hint of worry restraining her. 

“Well…” He grumbled, “With what Shadow is capable of… he could provide a gateway to a scientific marvel. This chaos energy has fascinating characteristics to it-” he hastily pulled up his readings,” they interact with the body in fascinating ways, allowing for miracle remedies despite its foreign nature. Shadow is the leading steed in my noble quest for a thriving and safe world! Humanity will prosper under such discoveries! Illnesses that had previously been persecuting could be a threat of the past! He could save millions of lives.”

Maria smiled brightly, tugging at Shadow's arm,

“You hear that? You're a hero!” She muttered with enthusiasm. 

Despite the way Shadow's eyes sparkled as he looked up at the gleaming girl, he shook his head solemnly.

“If such is true… I do not see why G.U.N. is so eager for me to produce this energy to implement into their weapons.”

Gerald frowned slightly,

“Yeah…they have been quite insistent on that…”

“I do not want to be a guinea pig for such destruction…” He hung his head.

“Oh, don't fret too much, Shadow. World powers are always seeking the next most devastating weapon of mass destruction. It's just a way humanity likes to flaunt itself. Making empty threats and starting wars just to show off how much damage they could cause in hopes of deterring any future opposition. An aggressive and flawed nature, but one we haven't strived away from just yet. Humans are driven by fear, and seeking such incomprehensible sources of power is often a remedy to such an ailment.”

“The more you speak of humanity, the more I grow to fear it. Despite the kindness I know it is capable of…” He glanced at Maria, “ I don't know my purpose… who I am,” Shadow croaked, “But I want to do what you promised me I could, Professor.” Gerald turned his head to face the hedgehog, “I want to help people. To make your world a better place. To find a comfort here enough to call it home. I don't want to become a weapon for anyone… I don't want to be used against this world.” He glared sincerely at the professor, “Please do not let me become a weapon to them…”

Gerald hesitated, his eyes latching onto his granddaughters, who were particularly large and pleading.

Maria had grown particularly fond of Shadow. Like they had been bonded to one another. Like he was of her own kin. A family born of love. It was never his intention for her compassion to grow this deeply, but how could he deny her? How could he demand his granddaughter put aside her human emotions? Such love and kindness are what he believed the world needed, what inspired him in the first place. 

And as much as he hated to admit it, Shadow was becoming much more than an experiment to him. The more he hung around Maria, the more he reflected her. Like everything, she had grown to leave a bright impression on him. One of warmth and love. Patience and understanding. Mischief and innocence.

It made him realize that Shadow was only a child himself, at least in the sense that he was new and foreign to this world. Navigating it with uncertain steps. Cautious at every turn. 

“Grandpa?” Gerald snapped from his pondering, “You won't let G.U.N. take him when this is all over… right?”

Gerald smirked confidently, brushing his mustache,

“You don't belong to anyone, Shadow,” The hedgehog's ear perked up in interest, “ You're not property, and definitely aren't a tool for any government to use at will. I'll make sure it remains that way.”

There seemed to be a new spark that arose in the hedgehog's large red eyes. He nodded solemnly,

“Thank you… professor.”

“I am what you get when the stars collide!” 

“That’s my girl...” Robotnik hummed fondly. Finding amusement in the way the G.U.N. soldiers scrambled and squabbled in response to the onrushing demands. Whatever his dear daughter had triggered was clearly a big enough threat for most of the facility to place its attention on it, giving him just the perfect open window for an ingenious escape.

He shook his sleeve until the pocket knife Sage had slipped him fell to the floor, no longer concealed by his tacky orange attire. 

He grinned as he gripped the small blade with the engravings of his daughter's name on it. This would be his most glorious gizmo to assist him in his breakout. 

He limped over to the side wall, his grandfather's scribbles coating the dark concrete. 

Robotnik eyed his metallic fist, clenching it before slamming his arm into the concrete barrier.

He continued this aggression until the apparatus chipped away, revealing the electrical unit inside. Wires ran along the wall, which he concluded was tied to the keypad that kept him trapped in this rotting cell for months.

He grinned as he popped the blade out from the pocket knife sheath, sticking his tongue out as he carefully examined the wires.

“Enie… Mini…Miney… Mayham!” He crooned maniacally.

He sliced the red electrical wire, suddenly hearing the bars that contained him shudder and click. 

He stumbled over, gripping the bars tightly and prying them open. 

“Another plan faithfully executed by the great doctor Ivo Robotnik! No chamber shall contain me!!” He boasted, flipping the pocket knife back into his casing, chest raised proudly.

He limped as fast as he could, which was not a desirable nor effective speed. But his aching and aging body disabled him. He needed to find a way to eliminate this impairment of his.

All he needed to do was find where these dolts stationed their lab and stored his tech-

He choked as he made his way around a corner, only to be met with four large, impressively designed Rouge-E-series robots before him. A design he had learned in his capture was thought up by his grandfather.

Who was, unfortunately, a genius.

Dealing with these guys was not going to be easy… especially with how incapacitated he was at the moment.

G.U.N. had disabled all weaponry in his arm.

He only had one option for defense. 

He looked down at his hand, eyeing the small pocket knife.

“Phooey..” he cursed as the robots raised their arsenal towards him.

“Prisoner identified. Return to your cell, or face aggressive persuasion.” They demanded robotically.

Before Robotnik could even decide if he wanted to embarrass himself in an attempt to combat these giant killing machines, an unexpected hero came to his aid. One he knew he could always rely on.

One of the robots rattled as a shell of ammunition was released into it from the agent who was hurtling towards them.

Their heads and bodies snap to face the culprit, taking not a second more before firing their own arsenal back at him.

Stone jumped between the laser blasts. Despite how his body wavered weakly, he was somehow still so graceful on his feet.

He slid under one of the bots, and running his sharpened claws against its exposed joints, it fell to the ground, allowing him to jab his glove into its main processing unit.

Its eyes slowly faded to black as Stone removed his claws from its head with a grunt, pointing his other arm at the other robot and releasing two purple blasts that hit it directly between its two artificial eyes. 

Stone moved swiftly as he utilized his clawed gloves to scale the wall, leaping onto one of the robots as it swiveled in an attempt to remove him.

The other robot lifted his blaster and shot a round at the droid Stone used as a perch. Stone retreated behind it as the blast struck the metal barrier.

As the E series bot descended, Stone leaped off onto the other, tightly wrapping his body around its large, flat head.

He dug his hands into its neck, and despite his strained muscles, he managed to twist its head until it ceased to function,  stumbling before it crashed to the ground.

Stone toppled forward, clearly winded and obviously beaten from previous encounters that Robotnik was not privy to.

Robotnik felt a spark of joy swell in his heart; he couldn't help but smile.

He grunted as he jammed his foot into the robot's head, its body rattling in response,

“Is this the best G.U.N. can do?” He boasted, turning his attention to Stone.

Other than the horrid state his agent was in, his eyes seemed to be struggling to make contact with him, and his throat bobbed nervously as he stood beside the doctor.

Robotnik grabbed his arm quickly, recognizing they both had very little time.

“Come on! I need to find their lab-”

Stone skittered to a halt, stopping Robotnik with a jolt.

He turned his head to meet his agents, his face curled in confusion.

Stone looked almost ill; he swallowed tightly before he stuttered over his words,

“No doctor- I need- we can't keep doing this..”

“Stone? What do you mean, we don't have time for this! I have to find that lab-!”

“No! Doctor, I can't keep doing this! I can't just pretend what happened didn't. Not anymore- not after everything we've been through,” he pleaded.

Robotnik's mustache drooped, his face heating nervously.

“I can't continue working alongside you knowing you truly thought I had failed you- I can't live knowing you could so easily turn to despise me, that you could think so little of me. I never failed you, doctor, I promise!” He clasped his hands together, “but seeing you so enraged- still so quickly abandoning me like before- I can't take it anymore. It hurts to an unreasonable level-”

Stones' lips were quickly sealed as Robotnik pinched them together, silencing him.

“What are you, stupid?”

Stones' brows pressed together, offended,

“Gwha?” He mumbled through Robotnik's grip.

Robotnik ripped his hands from his lips with a wet smack. Stone looked befuddled, his lips parted in shock.

“I wasn't ever mad at you! And frankly, I find it very offensive that you thought for a second I truly was.” He turned his body away, crossing his arms.

“B-but you-”

“Do you take me for a fool? I knew, accident or not, that your presence and Sages would benefit me in my escape! But I couldn't let GUN know that! IF I showed any ounce of interest in your well-being, do you know what they would have done to you? Huh? I wasn't going to allow G.U.N. to turn my best agent into a mere pawn in my compliance. Or risk your safety.” He twirled his mustache.

Stone looked dumbfounded… and slightly embarrassed.

“So… all those things you said…”

“Were lies? Of course they were! Come on, Stone, use your cerebro!” He poked his agent's forehead aggressively. “I guess I can't flaunt you too hard; my acting skills have exceeded amateur levels since binge-watching all of those TV dramas.” He boasted.

He peered his eyes back at his agent. His gut sank quickly. 

His bottom lip was quivering, and his dark, deep brown eyes were overwhelmingly glazed in welling tears.

“So you-” he sniffed “you don't hate me?” He blubbered.

“Good lord-” Robotnik groaned.

Stone rested his face in his palms, sputtering,

“I thought - I thought you hated me, I thought you'd never talk to me again- I didn't want to be abandoned again.” He wavered, his voice deepening despite its unstable quiver. His movements were expressive and emotional.

Robotnik sighed,

“Goodness Stone, you're a mess.”

“I've,” he sniffed, “I've been through a lot…”

“Yeah… that much is obvious,” Robotnik retorted. 

Robotnik's eyes suddenly softened as Stone readjusted himself. It had just occurred to him how much he had missed his agent's absurdity. The amusement and warmth he gave life to Robotnik's otherwise empty, joyless, and cold world. Not to mention, latteless. 

He had really missed Stone. A lot. More than he thought he was capable of. More than he was comfortable admitting.

He sighed, trying to distract himself from the way his heart melted into his gut, leaving a comfortingly warm trail. 

He embraced Stone aggressively, wrapping him in a tight hug.

He was happy to feel Stone quickly return his affection without any hesitation. He almost melted into the doctor, pressing the side of his face tightly against his. 

Robotnik exhaled breathlessly, snuggling into the agent's shoulder, inhaling the essence he had yearned for,

“I missed you, you bumbling buffoon…”

He felt his agent chuckle lightly as he tightened his hold. 

Against his scruff, he could feel the agent's soft lips graze his cheek. It wasn't exactly a kiss, but it made Robotnik's gut churn just the same.

Robotnik's face flushed, he impulsively drove his fingers into Stone's side as a response,

“Left yourself open ha-! Oh, whoops-are you alright?” He quickly caught himself. 

Stone chuckled as he cradled his side. He shook his head in amusement,

“It's good to have you back, doctor,” he croaked, wincing as he readjusted himself.

Robotnik cleared his throat, scratching his chin in slight guilt.

“Er- Brilliant, now no more lollygagging, Stone. We have to find the lab!”  He pointed matter-of-factly. 

Stone took his hand, Robotnik instinctively leaned into the support Stone provided him, allowing him to comfortably maneuver the grueling halls.

“What exactly are we looking for, doctor?”

“I’m no use to you and Sage like this,” he grunted, pulling him and Stone past a corner, “If I can find the lab, I can take care of those restrictions those animals placed on my marvelous machinery,” he flexed his robotic arm, “and… I need to test something.”

“Is this really the time to be experimenting?” Stone questioned carefully.

Robotnik scoffed,

“Nonsense! Besides, if I am successful, our escape from here will be a breeze…” his voice trailed off, his body language becoming tense,” But…When we enter the lab, I need you to do something.”

“Yes, doctor?”

“Dont look, and cover your ears.”

Stone had to will all the strength in his body not to stop right then and there. Especially as he saw how eagerly the doctor was approaching the lab doors.

The doctor had done a lot of crazy things and attempted even wilder things.

But Stone wasn't sure the doctor had it in him anymore to test just how far that limit stretched. 

“Wh- What? Why?”

“Just do as I say,” Robotnik grumbled, slipping into the lab and away from the agent's hold.

 He recklessly scavenged through the facility, tossing tools aside as he scrambled at the restrictive contraptions on his arm. 

He gritted his teeth as he popped the cuffs off with a spark. Robotnik grinned as he flexed his roboticized hand, relishing its freedom.

He pointed his finger at a wall enthusiastically,

“Pew!” He muttered, a laser blast originating from his fingers. It crashed into a wall, splintering and leaving behind smoke in its wake. He chuckled maniacally, relieved to see his months of mechanical marvels had not been disabled. Stone sat at the entrance, watching him carefully.

Robotnik caught his eye, his expression dropping.

“Turn around, Stone.” He reminded him in an unexpected vibrato.

“Doctor, what are you going to do…?” His voice quivered in uncertainty.

“Please just listen to me.” He mumbled, his eyes intense. 

Stone felt his gut sink, but he reluctantly turned his back to the doctor, his heart racing. 

Robotnik tilted his head to ensure his agents' gaze was completely averted. He swallowed tightly,

“No going back now..” he mumbled to himself, walking towards an odd circular formation in the middle of the lab. 

In creating a machine for G.U.N., he had learned quite a few advantageous facets about the facility.

Specifically, what was held inside.

After all, how was he to build a weapon for G.U.N. if he was not provided a list of materials they had available to them?

What was within this contraption was something so intriguing…

So powerful.

So, enticing.

So… delicious.

He pried his metal hand into the contraption, ripping its cover away to reveal the treasure he sought inside.

A collection of not just Sonic’s, but Shadow’s and Knuckles’ quills collected over what Robotnik assumed were many different battles. 

He could think of a few reasons why G.U.N. had stored and collected these, but now was not the time to speculate. He needed to perform this procedure quickly. Whatever G.U.N. had planned for these would no longer be a concern to him.

He slipped his hand into one of the containers, his fingers tingling with familiarity as he took hold of the blue, glowing quill.

He let out a mesmerized huff. Such power stored within such a puny object. Power he had only been exposed to in small amounts. 

An ailment to all of his suffering.

A power source like no other.

He had missed this.

He had needed it.

He had seen what his machines were capable of when exposed to it.

If just a slight contact with these could fill him with such euphoria and power, who knew what would happen when he explored their capacity further? 

He hesitated, extending his robotic arm forward, a metal sheath sliding outward as his hallowed wrist grew exposed.

He took the sparking quill, marveling at its beauty before gently placing it into the opening of his arm.

He took a deep inhale as he clenched the handle on his arm, biting his lip as he yanked it forward towards his shoulder. It cracked as it charged and plunged the quill into his organic physique.

The shock and pain were immediate and unbearable.

He gasped, his lungs collapsed, and his muscles spasmed as he fell to the ground, letting out painful wails. 

He shivered, cradling his arm. The quill's power traveled throughout him, infused in his bloodstream like a painful shot. He had very limited hypotheses on what amount of power would do to his body. But from his experience, it had only ever made him stronger…the pain had always been a sacrifice he enthusiastically had to make.

He seethed and screamed as the pain persisted. Choking on the raw energy flowing through him. He had hardly realized Stone was at his side, trying to get his attention as he placed an unsure arm around him.

“Doctor! What did you do? Doctor!” Stone spoke with a panicked inflection.

Robotnik's body rattled; he sucked in the air around him, his head growing light as the pain swiftly subsided. Leaving behind an overwhelmingly comforting feeling of ecstasy.

His bones no longer ached. His body rejuvenated. The electricity in his brain was magnified, no longer tied by any bounds.

He was intoxicated with the vitality of the quill's capabilities.

He felt… reborn.

He took in bated breaths as his body shivered with adrenaline. He stumbled upwards, recognizing the newfound strength he had. He flexed his arms forward, cracking his neck, satisfied. 

He let out a relieved sigh, an overwhelming grin filling his lips as he turned to face Stone, who was still pale and unsure of what the doctor had just done.

All the agent could see was the new life that sparked in the doctor's eyes. No longer disabled by his worn bones. There was a spark to him Stone hadn't seen in a while.

His red, cybernetic eye beamed violently. He placed a hand along Stone's shoulder, his grip noticeably stronger.

His red eye shot towards the entrance behind him. Stone spun around to catch what the doctor had sensed.

More Rouge E-series robots began piling in, not bothering with any sort of demands or procedure. Simply lifting their weapons and preparing to fire.

Robotnik grinned,

“Guess now is as good a time as ever to put my experiment to the test,” he extended his hand forward as if he was offering Stone a dance. “Shall we?” 

Stone glanced at his hand, stunned. When he realized what the doctor was proposing, his face shifted from concern to one of elation. His eyes gleamed as he accepted the gesture enthusiastically. The electricity sparking from the doctor's robotic arm sent a pleasant shivering sensation through Stone's body. His bones rattled with exhilaration. 

Robotnik pulled him forward as they assumed a standard Waltz formation, their hands clasped firmly together and their hearts chest to chest. 

Their heads snapped in unison towards the droids as their expressions grew stern.

Stone's heart swelled as the doctor's grip tightened over his hand. He spun Stone around in an aggressive twirl as he hurtled his agent towards the robots surrounding them.

Stone had fought beside Robotnik before, but nothing like this. As his body plunged into their metal bodies, a sense of confidence fueled his movements.

He fought in a haze, one of relief, one of virtue. No longer strangled by doubt and insecurity, he clawed through the droids as the doctor provided him exactly the solace he needed.

He would no longer doubt the doctor.

Never again.

The two hardly paid attention to the dismantled metal they riddled along the floor as they powered through their enemies.

Robotnik shot blasts in all directions as he offered his hand back and forth for Stone to take.

He yanked Stone closer as he provided a knee for Stone to boost himself upward, allowing for maximum efficiency when targeting the robots.

Sparks of occasional energy danced around the doctor's arm and eye. Stone couldn’t help the warmth and ecstasy that fogged his mind.

For so long, he had dreamed exactly of this situation.

It was ridiculous, but that’s what he loved most about the doctor.

They continued to plow through their enemies, metal falling one by one as they were fueled by the rhythm of its clanking. Prancing gracefully in between one another’s embrace as their performance came to an eventual close.

Stone's heart leapt as he felt Robotnik's body weight gain; he understood exactly what was about to happen.

He slipped his hand behind the doctor's back and under his leg as the doctor took a dramatic dip, only supported by the agent. 

His feet en pointe, he directed a rocket from his hand as it propelled towards the last remaining Rogue E-series robot. It exploded in a roaring finale. 

The flames danced in Stone's eyes as he relished the sight of the doctor dipped below him, supported by his firm clutches.

There was a slight twitch of the doctor's face, one of amusement. Maybe even a hint of fondness if Stone wanted to be wishful.

Robotnik cringed uncomfortably,

“Ok, that’s enough, my back’s hurting-“  he croaked.

Stone quickly lifted the doctor, politely brushing off his clothes as he readjusted his figure.

Before they could properly discuss their stunning performance, the embodiment of their joy came hurling towards them.

“Fathers!” Sage called enthusiastically from down the hall, sprinting towards them at a record speed.

The two let out relieved huffs of amusement as they knelt together to catch the little girl running full force towards them, hoping over the metallic massacre. Her steel body nearly toppled the two over as they embraced her with a grunt.

They shoved one another's bodies as closely as they could, determined to never let go of their formation ever again. 

“My cinnamon swirl! My sweetest girl!” Robotnik sang as Sage's grip around the two tightened.

The agent's wide smile was caught in his words.

“I told you we’d do it, Pebble.. we did it…” Stone muttered softly against her ear. 

The sharp, splintering movements of the Master Ninja’s angular feet dragging against the ground grew closer, interrupting their warm moment. 

Robotnik's eyes bulged open wide as he shrank backwards, laughing nervously,

“Oh…amazing you are here too, er-” Robontik gulped, “No hard feelings, right? I mean, our conflict was so last decade…”

The master Ninja made no noise, but Sage turned to it as if it were speaking,

“They want me to inform you that their grievances and malice for you are ever present, and they are taking intense precautions to not end your existence right here and now.”

Robotnik frowned in horror.

“But, they say they will spare you and allow you to continue existing, as you have clearly suffered the consequences of your actions and repeatedly have been punished by this world by the way you…uh, look,” Sage added.

Robotnik's mustache drooped, but he held his tongue.

“You are required in my life for a thriving future, which they promised I would see. Your crimes won't be forgiven, but your role as my guardian is recognized.”

“Good to see there's no bad blood,” he muttered through his teeth, “But now that we have that settled, we still need to get out of this dump.”

“Do you have a plan, doctor?” Stone asked eagerly.

“Of course I do, I was getting there!” Despite his annoyed tone, he smiled, “Impatient as ever, I swear. Stone-”

“What do you have in mind, father?”

“We need a ride off this overrated lifeboat. I can access their security from their command center to grant us permission and access to this base, but I can't have any interruptions if I am to do it right. One wrong step and we'll be trapped here until I'm nothing but a pile of dust. “ He pointed at the three of them. “I need you three to guard the room while I use my ingenious mind to finally put an end to this frustrating escapade.”

“The Master Ninja has informed me it does not take commands from you,” Sage said blankly.

“I- er- whatever, that's fine! I just need someone to guard the room while I access it.” He fumbled nervously.

“I believe that can be achieved,” Sage smiled, taking the agent's hand.

Stone smiled warmly,

“Right then, let's get out of here.” 

Robotnik blasted through the barricaded doors to the command center. The room was dark, the only thing illuminating the area being his red, blazing eye.

And it was searching.

Nothing would be spared from its gaze.

 Sage and Stone were not that far back, dealing with the continued horde of E-series robots that continued to advance. But he had not yet come across any G.U.N. agents. But he doubted they had been taken care of formally. He was going to pluck every single thorn in his side before leaving the thicket.

If his analysis of human cowardice was correct… he knew exactly what they were doing. And, where they would be.

His prediction was soon confirmed as he heard a shuffle from behind him. He wasted no time toying with the sad saps; he spun around, gripping the gun pointed at him, and ripping it from the soldiers' clammy hold.

He chucked it across the room, his fingers slipping over the man's throat as he scrambled. He lifted him high in the air, his eyes gleaming and teeth arranged in a wide grin.

He found amusement in the man's helplessness. For months, they had kept him rotting in a cell, exchanging rumors and making assumptions for their own sick entertainment. He was the great doctor Ivo Robotnik; he refused to be treated like an abused circus animal! The world was his circus. And now, it was his time to have some fun.

He threw the man across the room with his newfound strength, his body slamming into the metal walls as sheets of files spilled around from the impact of the trajectory. 

Their painful moans filled the dark, vacant room as Robotnik's red pupil scanned the area for any more twerps who thought now was a good time to toe the line between bravery and foolishness. 

His head snapped as he listened for their scuffle. There was still one more pest to deal with.

The soldier was breathing heavily, appearing unarmed. He lifted his hands in the air helplessly as he backed away from a slowly approaching Robotnik. 

He stumbled backwards, doing his best to keep his eye on the doctor, his lips stuttered,

“Please- you can do whatever you want in here, I won't stop you!” He bargained.

Robotnik's face fell into an unnerving calm, his lip curling into a small smirk. 

“I was only following commands! I never liked Rockwell's approach. I never agreed with it. I'm not an enemy! I'll let you go! I'll pretend like none of this ever happened!” He offered, his voice slipping into a desperate chuckle. 

Robotnik let out a deafening laugh,

“Your cowardice is almost amusing,” he growled, “you know, I might have let you off the hook if you had kept your trap shut.” He sneered, “But now I know you're the very type of person I most despise in this world. One who fails to take initiative despite knowing what is right. Someone passive and apathetic until the barrel is right in front of their faces! Now suddenly they're pleading for their life and trying to convince the world that they always cared and as such, mercy should be granted to them!” He backed the shivering man into a corner, “People like you are why the human race will forever cycle through a state of unimpressive limbo. Shrouded in half-backed achievements because no one wants to take the real risks! We’ll just be caught in a loop of history repeating itself over and over again… even as you become more aware, will you do anything about it?” He tossed aside one of the metal desks blocking his path, “Let this be my final lesson to you, you boot-licking brown-nosed skin tag,” he muttered carefully, “you won't survive in this world by talking about what you should have done… actions have always been so much louder. And I'm afraid your actions… were less than satisfactory.”

The rattling echo of the man's screams filled the surroundings.

“This is for the grandfather I never had.” He began, “For my cousin,” his screaming continued, “for project Shadow, for my daughter, for Stone, and for all those I could have loved! This will be the last time you intervene with this Robotnik's legacy! You parasites have no place here, I'll see to it!”

Robotnik was going to teach these fools just how effective one's actions really can be. Though he had to admit, the soldiers' screaming appeared to be just as loud as his actions.