Chapter 11 What do I make of this?
*I was initially only going to have one dream sequence for Eggman later in this story, but I couldn't resist adding one for Sonic. Also, special thanks to Nikikeya for their ideas and for letting me add their unique addition to this story!
Remember guys comment often with your ideas and suggestions and I might find a place to squeeze them in. It helps me come up with ideas, and you guys get more content!
++ and italicized text indicate dream sequence.*

As Eggman proved throughout the next few weeks, the baby treatment was no joke to our blue furball. The doctor took it with all seriousness. Diaper checks, highchair meals, child-locked tv programs (no more R-rated movie favorites like Speed), baby monitors (the radio kind for the nursery and Metal Sonic if the doctor was busy), and nap times were all a part of the newly dubbed Baby Sonic's routine. Along with affectionate nicknames, head pats, ear scratches, and back rubs, Eggman would give him every time the hedgehog was anywhere near the man.
Sonic did his best not to act or look like he enjoyed the affection; too bad an uncontrollable purr or tail wag would escape sometimes and give him away. So he just acted like he didn't hear it or that nothing was happening.
As annoying as this all was, Sonic tried to make sure his attitude wasn't too hostile; he refrained from hissing at the doctor and kept his quills relaxed. He didn't complain too much and tried to see the pampering's bright side. After all, no one else was around to see him like this, and Eggman never teased or did anything to humiliate him; in fact, the doctor was always kind and affectionate. Reassuring him that everything about this was ok and made sure he wasn't uncomfortable, he treated the blue devil like one of his precious creations.
Little did Sonic realize how much the doctor's kind pampering and his own attempts at a positive view were affecting him.
When Sonic had expressed to Eggman some concern on what to discuss on their weekly interviews, (no way in hell was he going to tell Shadow he was now wearing diapers! And if Eggman mentioned it to Rouge, word would spread faster than he could run, and he could kiss his awesome hero of Mobius status. Goodbye.) Eggman firmly agreed not to mention the babying or anything in relation. He had also assured that all baby equipment would be removed from sight.
That had taken a massive weight off the hedgehog's shoulders! Making it easier for him to take the babying in stride, and as the weeks went by, things, in general, got easier and easier as the doctor and hedgehog's bond grew.
Eggman spent more time with Sonic than in his lab most days. They would bond chatting on their old adventures, play video or board games together, reading, watch cooking competitions and movies, trade antidotes of their own horrible cooking experiences. It turns out Eggman was worse in the kitchen than him; the doc couldn't even scramble an egg without bombing the stove (how ironic), and that's why Metal Sonic was his head chef. Sonic had found this little tidbit that they shared funny and interesting. Huh, the more you learn about a guy.
The diapers were extremely comfortable! And going in them got easier with each use to the point where when Sonic would hear mother nature calling, he just went without a second thought (no more laxatives, yay!). Not having to stop whatever he was doing and would enjoy the newfound warmth until Eggman checked in on him. He still couldn't bring himself to go up to the man and ask for a change, so he would just wait or let Metal Sonic alert the doctor instead. Admittedly waiting at times got a bit uncomfortable but not enough for him to have to go looking for Eggman to change him.
Speaking of diapers, his thoughts and curiosity about babies grew as the days went on, and one day when the doctor wasn't around, and he was especially bored, he decided to have a look at the chest of toys Eggman had put in his room. Thinking that it might give him a clue as to why the doctor viewed him as a baby. Even though the human had explained it already to him, he still didn't get quite what part of his behavior gave Eggman that impression.

"Ok, let's see what we've got here," he says dryly, not expecting to find anything of interest, and there wasn't much; a toy car, rattle, mini xylophone, fake mower that had a clear plastic cover with balls that would pop, kaleidoscope, blocks, and a semi-transparent ball. He scoffed in irritation at his findings, "What? This is all just some random toys!" there was no way anything in here was going to help him answer his question at all! Rolling his eyes with utter disdain, he picks up the ball, "Seriously, this is it? Come on, Egghead, ya could have put a little more effort into this." tossing the toy in the air, he kicks it to the wall.
The ball slams into the wall and falls, rolling away, blinking with different colored lights while a tinkling lullaby plays. Sonic's pupils widen, staring in surprise and wonder at the toy. After a few moments, it stops blinking. Hesitantly, he approaches, ears sadly drooping. The hedgehog wishing for it to continue, taps his fingers together, biting his lip, and he quickly glances around suspiciously to make sure no one is around to laugh at him. The coast clear, Sonic then scoops the ball up, holds out at arm's length in front of him, and drops it. Emerald eyes sparkling and going wide as it once again lights up and plays music, causing a smile to creep up on his muzzle.
Eggman decides to check in on his charge a few minutes later, the door swishing open; he stays beside the opening just out of sight and peeks around the corner. What he sees astonishes him, a wide grin growing underneath his fuzz.
The teenage blue hedgehog that had formally been his nemesis was gone instead; there in the middle of the floor was a serene little hoglet, playing with one of the toys from the chest. A light-up ball held in both his hands, gently tapping it on the floor whenever it stops blinking. Would you look at that! Seems as though someone is enjoying this more than they appeared to be. The doctor observes silently a few minutes more in delight til he slinks away to allow his little one to his age-play before he gets caught.

After that, slowly, Sonic found himself playing with the baby toys more and more. Racing around the nursery with the mower to see how fast he could make it pop—building towers and castles then tearing them down with his plushies—having mini concerts with the xylophone and air guitar. And tapping the light-up ball to hear its pretty music and to watch the lights twinkle. All the while, Eggman would secretly peek in and watch from time to time in amusement at the reveal of this new behavior making mental notes off what he sees.
If you had asked Sonic what he was doing playing with these baby toys he would have said he was bored and was just messing around, but Eggman knew. Sonic had unknowingly succumbed to his baby side.

*One month later.*
Eggman and Sonic were at the dining table eating breakfast when Orbot hovered in with his lackey, "Excuse me, Doctor." the robot meekly interrupts the human who paused from his meal, "Yes?"
"You just received a message from Shadow and Rouge informing you that they will be here within the hour." Sonic gulped down a bite of peanut butter oatmeal (plain?! Please don't be barbaric!) at the news and glanced down at his diaper. I need to pee soon so I can get a change before they get here. Smacking his lips feeling parched from the peanut butter, he reached for his bottle and sucked the orange juice, feet kicking in giddiness.
"Hmm, they're a little early today. No matter, deliver Miss Rouge's usual to my office and make sure it's tidy, would you?" Eggman asks, "Certainly." Orbot respectfully bows, then heads off to take care of his duties with Cubot right behind him. Sonic sucks down the last of his juice and burps, sighing happily at the feeling of a full belly. Eggman chuckles and pats the hedgehog's head, "Full?" he asks. Sonic nods and closes his eyes as he begins to wet his diaper, the warmth welcomed with open arms, breathing out his nose in content.
Gently wiping away any food that might have gotten caught in his mustache Eggman clears his throat before standing. "Well, we best start getting ready then." Removing the tray from the high chair, he spots Sonic's wet diaper and picks the blue blur up, carrying him to the nursery. Sonic holds on, having grown used to being carried, his heart feeling warm and full as his belly as they enter his room. He swiftly looks over the nursery to find his few toys on the floor, thinking about what he was going to play with today.
Laying the hedgehog on his back, Eggman removes the diaper. He blinks hearing humming and finds the noise to be coming from the blue blur smiling and twiddling his thumbs while humming some tune, "You seem to be in a good mood this morning." the doctor says with unhidden mirth. Sonic hums more, absently agreeing with a nod while he's changed. Eggman reigns in a delighted laugh, threatening to burst out.
I can't believe this! He's eating this up! Not one complaint or a bit of grumbling in weeks! He actually likes me treating him like a baby, and I...confound it...I enjoy it as well, hohoho! This is unbelievable! Who would have guessed it? I wonder...I wonder how he would react if I...? Nah! He'd go down to his grave, denying that he likes all this attention.
Shaking his head, Eggman wipes the hedgie clean, tosses the used diaper, and sanitizes his hands. "That'll do it! Come along, pineapple." The doctor picks Sonic up under his shoulders and sets him on the floor, smiling; the blue blur follows him like a lost puppy to the entrance where Shadow and Rouge have just entered. "Shadow. Rouge. Good morning! I hope we haven't kept you two waiting long." Eggman greets, Sonic waves at the duo brightly beaming.
The white bat flips her hair with ease, "Actually, you're right on time. So, you ready to get started, doctor?"
"Certainly." Looking down at his charge, Eggman says, "I'll see you later, Sonic." with that, he and Rouge leave the black and blue hedgehogs. Shadow grunts stepping forward, taking the lead to their usual area to conduct the interview. "Let's get this over with." Sonic, not phased by his rival's grumpiness, jogs to catch up, "So Shads..." he starts swinging his arms as they walk, "whatcha' been up to of late? Besides checking in with Egghead and me?"
"Rouge and I have been staying busy thanks to the commander with stealth missions."
"Ooohhh! Nice! What kind of stealth missions? Any that might involve some chaotic jewels of interest to a certain thief/partner of yours?" Shadow rolls his eyes as he enters the dining room. Taking his usual seat at the table, the dark hog clips. "That's none of your business hedgehog, and it's classified."
"Ok, ok." The blue devil chortles, holding his hands up in surrender, "Can't blame a guy for trying to have a friendly conversation with his rival." taking his own seat, he notices out of the corner is his eye that the high chair is gone. Good! Can't have Faker asking any questions I won't be able to answer truthfully. Chaos knows I'm a terrible liar.
"Sooo-" His ears twitch hearing Shadow drawl while impatiently tapping his fingers on the table, interrupting Sonic's internal monologue, "Anything to report?"
"Always straight to the point, don't cha' Shads? Nope, nothing new happened. Eggman did stuff in his lab, checked on me from time to time, and I just hung out." he shrugged, "Uh-huh..." Shadow crossed his arms, scanning his rival, who had his feet kicked up on the table in a relaxed pose, "Is this part of your plan to help the doctor, or are you just being lazy?"
"Hey! I quit pranking him, didn't I? And it's working so far, isn't it?" Sonic replies arrogantly, "It's not like I can do much being stuck around here. Besides, I haven't seen or heard of him cooking up any world domination schemes. The doc...he's mellowed out a lot; I think after this is all over, we won't have anything to worry about from him." he says with complete confidence winking at the ebony hog. "You just might be able to finally go on that long overdue vacation after this. Don't get me wrong, Shadster, you've made some improvement in the emo department, but it would do you some good to loosen up some more."
Shadow clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes, "I don't need you to tell me to loosen up. I get enough of that from Rouge already." the blue blur hides his snickering, not the least surprised that the white bat terrorized her partner constantly to get out in the world and live a little. If she didn't, and if Shadow didn't work for G.U.N., the dark hog would indeed have turned into a hermit by now.
Scootching the chair back, said dark hog hops off, "Well, since nothing has changed. And you seem confident that the doctor isn't a current threat. I think our interview is done for today." Sonic imitates his rival and sends him a lazy smirk tossing his hands behind his head. "Sounds good! I'll see you next time then!" Neutral as always Shadow nods this time with a knowing smile and leaves to check on how Rouge is doing with her interview. Sonic missing his rival's subtle smile, goes for the lounge room in the opposite direction, whistling a cheery tune.

*Later that evening.*
A gloved hand covers a wide squeaky yawn, emerald eyes blinking tiredly and half-lidded watching the tv screen. Sonic and Eggman were sitting on the couch watching an old film about a reptilian monster destroying some large city on the other side of the globe. A big bowl of half-eaten popcorn rested in the doctor's lap, the human scratching Sonic's velvety ears as he leaned against the doctor's large belly like his own personal pillow.
Eggman glances down, hearing the squeak seeing a very sleepy-looking hedgehog. Casting a quick glance at the clock he pauses the movie and pats the furry head resting on his stomach, "Come on hedgehog. It's bedtime." Sonic pouts, not wanting to get up being quite content where he was but acquiesced when the thought of being carried enters his mind. He sits up, stretching his hands to the sky, indicating he wanted to be picked up with another yawn.
When he didn't feel any hands underneath his arms, he peeked open his eyes to see Eggman was gone. Frowning, Sonic lowered his arms and looked up behind the couch to see the doctor leaving the lounge. He sat there, confused for a moment that the doctor didn't see his gesture; but he put his disappointment aside, thinking Eggman must have been tired himself or had misinterpreted the sign as only stretching. Hoping off, he followed the man to their bedrooms.
When he passed Eggman and stopped in front of the nursery door, his brow perked up when the door didn't open. Stepping back, he approached again to be met with the same result; Sonic looked down at his collar and, to his surprise, found the light was red. Was it malfunctioning or something?
"Oh, I'm sorry." Eggman seeing the little hedgehog's confused expression at the door and collar, comes to clarify, "Your old room is finished. So you don't need to stay in the nursery anymore." he then points further down the hall. Sonic looks down in that direction, then back at the towering human, tilting his head to the side, "My-my old room?"
"Yes. It's the same one as before, two doors down."
"Oh!" Sonic softy gasped finally understanding; he had forgotten about his old room, "Thanks. Uh, night Egghead." he said slowly and drifted that way. Stopping at the appropriate door, his collar blinked green, and the door swished opened. Sonic looked back in the doctor's direction, the man already leaving without a word. His ears and tail lowered, looking back at his old room as he stepped in.
His eyes rove over the room, taking it all in. For some reason, his heart sank inside his chest. Everything was exactly the way it was before his tantrum, a little over a month ago. Dull color scheme, age-appropriate books on the bookshelf, teenage-sized bed, and desk, with a few miscellaneous posters and knick-knacks. It was perfect. So why do I feel so sad? And like...this is wrong or that something's missing? He wondered, feeling out of place in the room reminiscent of his own at the workshop. Eh, it's nothing. I'm just tired, is all. He shook his head and yawned again, his body reiterating that fact.
Shuffling to the bed, the blue blur removed his shoes and nose-dived into the covers. Burrowing his head onto the pillow, he exhaled at its softness, trying not to think about how odd it felt not to have protective bars surrounding him, and slowly drifted to sleep.
Bright colors greeted him when he opened his eyes, shifting them side to side; he saw familiar green bars beside him. Above was a sky blue painted ceiling; before he could think about where he was, suddenly Eggman appeared, looking down at him from above with a broad smile. "Good Morning!" The doctor says reaching down and picking him up by his under the arms, the human then rubbed his big red nose with his own little black one. "Looks like someone slept well last night."
The unexpected nose rub made him close his eyes and laugh. His smile waning in confusion as the hedgie's ears twitched hearing a...baby's giggle? Opening his eyes, Sonic violently flinched, seeing something very odd about Eggman.
He was now the size of a giant!
Drifting his startled gaze to the colorful room, Sonic saw a large nursery similar to his old one but more babyish if that was possible. The room was filled with light colors, and every hard surface was covered with soft fabric, the rug was gone, and a shaggy carpet covered the floor instead with all sorts of toys scattered. Looking down at himself, Sonic gasped to find his teenage body gone, and instead, he was in a chubby baby body wearing a yellow onesie with a little frog decorating in the center and a diaper underneath.
That baby giggling just a minute ago...was me!
The sensation of a hand touching his bottom and fuzzy mustache brushing the top of his head brought Sonic's attention back to Eggman, who was now checking his diaper. "Hmmm...feels like someone's wet." Turning around, the doctor went to the changing table and laid him down. Unbuttoning the onesie, Eggman started to change him.
Sonic gawked blankly up at the man, feeling exceptionally tiny, puzzled at how he found himself in such a position. Why did it felt so good to be this small and for Eggman to be babying him again?
But this being all a dream, his confusion only lasted for a few seconds before his mind was taken away by the dream. He smiled again, the sensation of his heart feeling light and airy. Sonic kicked his feet in giddiness, "Awww is someone a happy hedgie? Yes, he is, yes he is~!" Eggman cooed. The little hedgehog giggled at the silly human and squealed when raspberries were blown on his tan tummy, Eggman laughing along with him cooing and awing at how cute Sonic was rocking on his back, holding his feet in the air.
He couldn't explain for the life of him even if he tried, but for some reason, this...felt so good and so right.
Letting go of his feet, Sonic looked back down in awe and saw Eggman pull out a diaper with colorful designs and placed it on him; it captured his attention. He liked it. He liked it much better than his plain old white diapers. Clean and changed, the human snapped the hoglet's onesie back on and lifted him off the table, resting the little hoglet on his shoulders, rubbing circles on his back. Sonic cooed with a big smile, nuzzling the doctor's neck in return, soaking up all this attention and affection Eggman was giving.
It was the most attention Sonic could ever recall getting. Sure, he was famous worldwide as the hero of Mobius, but fame was not the same as getting love and attention from someone you know personally. This is especially true if someone took care of you and had affection for you not because you were famous or were obligated but because they wanted to! It was a different experience, one that Sonic was just now getting acquainted with.
The doctor hummed, taking him away from the changing table, and walked to the rocking chair sitting down. Eggman shifted his hold, moving Sonic from his shoulder to having the hedgie in a cradling position; a bottle full of oat milk (hedgehogs are lactose intolerant) magically appeared in his free hand. Emerald eyes widened at the drink, and Sonic felt his throat burn, feeling very parched, "Are you hungry, my little one?" actually, he was thirsty, but whatever. Opening his mouth, the blue blur happily accepted the milk alternative and drank greedily; Eggman chuckled, "Slow down, Sonic. Wouldn't want your tummy to hurt now, would we?" he said, pulling the bottle back some.
Disappointed he couldn't guzzle the milk down as fast as he would like, Sonic complied, drinking slower. "There we are. That's a good baby~." Eggman smiles, slowly rocking the chair as the hoglet drank his milk steadily with a purr. When Sonic finished, he gently pushed the bottle away, face twisting as he felt an uncomfortable pressure build in his stomach. Eggman solved the problem and put him over his shoulder, firmly patting his back. After a couple of pats, the hoglet burped, and he blushed.
A warm smile spread over his muzzle feeling very comfortable and soft as Eggman rocked him, the baby atmosphere surrounding Sonic giving the sensation of security, love, warmth, and home. A luxury he couldn't recall ever having all at one time in his life. He didn't want this feeling to end. Being a baby was the best thing that ever happened to him! He didn't have to worry about anyone or anything. Eggy would take care of him.
Eyes half lived in bliss; Sonic didn't blink when a pacifier appeared in his mouth, focusing on sucking and the feeling of being rocked in Eggy's caring arms. The human gently pats his diapered bottom, softly humming in his ear all the while as he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Sonic opens his eyes to a not welcoming metal grey ceiling, sucking on his pacifier. Wait a minute...I didn't go to sleep with it. Realizing it was his thumb in his mouth, he slowly removes the wet digit wiping it dry against the blanket, and awkwardly clears his throat. "Well, umm...that happened, hehe." As the dream faded in his subconscious, the warm sensation in his chest went with it as well, replaced by a sense of loss and moroseness washing over him mysteriously as he laid there.
Why? Nothing was lost, no one was gone out of his life, everything was fine. So why did he feel so...sad, like he had lost a dear friend?
"And why am I craving oat milk?" He wondered aloud, brows furrowing, he sat up. Thinking back to his dream last night, and his heart fluttered at the picture of him in Eggman's arms, sucking on the bottle of milk. "That answers one question." He said, quickly stuffing the dream to the back of his mind like a kid caught reading a note during class, ignoring the heat in his cheeks and the way his heart was reacting while rubbing his nose. "And it's been a week since I've seen the guys, so I'm just missing them." A few milliseconds later, after processing what he just said, his whole posture suddenly perked up at that recollection, and he gasped. "Wait! Today's the day I go see Tails! Yahoo!" Sonic cheers, his sadness forgotten; jumping out of bed, he quickly puts his shoes on and combs his fingers through his quills. He then looks up at the clock.
7:50 am
"Holy Chaos! I gotta get going!"
Dashing to the desk, he pulls out all the drawers digging through each one muttering to himself, "Come on, come on, I know there's gotta be some stashed in here-ah ha!" grabbing a handful of rings, he stuffs them in his hammerspace and speeds away to the dining room.
Skittering to a stop hopping on one leg, Sonic runs in place in front of Eggman, who flinches back, his mustache flailing comically and almost dropping his tea mug in surprise at the eager hedgehog abruptly appearing in front of him. "Sonic! Good lord, watch where you're going. And what's got you so excited?" he gasps, placing a hand over his rapidly beating heart. Seriously that hedgehog needed to be more careful. He didn't want to die of a heart attack just yet. He was still in his prime!
The blue devil couldn't hold back a laugh at having scared the large human, "Can't talk Eggy running late to see Tails. Hey, I'll catch ya later, cool? Kay bye!" he patters quickly before zooming off with a wave leaving Eggman in the dust. The doctor can't help but amusedly chuckle at the excitable hedgehog, "So much energy that one. He seems to be in much better spirits than when he first arrived. Hmmm...it'll be almost two months since his arrival soon. Maybe I should do something to commemorate the event and as a reward for the pineapple being on good behavior?" he mumbles, thoughtfully taking a sip of his honey tea.

*Later that afternoon, hundreds of miles away on a floating island.*
Sonic taps his foot on the grass at the base of the altar of The Master Emerald. The bright green sheen that matched his own irises sparkling brightly in the sun perched at the highest point in the sky. A crisp wind blowing the red guardian's dreadlocks, his eyes sparkling with excitement while craking his namesakes, hopping from side to side like a professional boxer, "You ready for this Blue?"
Sonic arrogantly scoffed and stretched his shoulders, more than ready for their showdown, "Whenever you are Red." he said, dropping to a fighting stance, Knuckles, following his lead, did the same. Silently they counted down.
3...2...1...
GO!
Leaping forward, both Sonic and Knuckles jump into the fight. The echidna sending punches to the blue blur's face and dodging swift kicks aimed for his own. Sonic relying on his speed more than his arm muscles, ran circles around the echidna, barely missing a few punches and spin dashing at every opportunity. Knuckles waivers to get his bearings growing dizzy, watching a blue object spin rapidly around him.
"Damn it! Hold still, and let me give you my famous Knuckles sandwich!"
"Hahaha! To slow!" Sonic teased, stopping for a brief second to let Knuckles try to punch him but quickly sidestepped. Leaving his after image before the echidna hitting nothing but air, making him stumble forward. "Ha! Come on, Knux; you can do better-ugh!" He gasped mid-gloat, not paying careful attention giving Knuckles the opportunity he needed to recover and send the hedgehog flying back into a nearby tree. "Ha! Yeah! Gottcha, you stupid hedge-oh no."
Knuckles' victory was short-lived when a speeding ball of quills rebounded, returning the punch right into his stomach. (Yeah, he was definitely going to have a bruise later.) Skidding to a landing on his back, the echidna looked up, violets widening to see Sonic smiling wickedly while straddling him and pulled his arms back to begin throttling his face.
Sitting on a rock, Tails shakes his head hopelessly at the two now rolling on the ground and punching the living daylights out of the other. Did it not hurt? Not enough, he guessed. That, or their brains were severely damaged from one too many hits on the head from battling robots; what was one more? At least Tails still had enough left in his head to know not to end up in one of their silly little scrapes. At the 5 minute mark, he whistles loudly enough for the sound to echo around the clear area, "Alright, times up, guys!" he yells.
The punches stop as fast as they had started at the whistleblow, "Aw come on, Tails, I almost had him!" a certain blue, though he was purple more now, blur whines in protest. "Get off!" Knuckles grunts tossing the hedgehog aside, dusting himself off, and getting on his feet. The purple and blue blur grumbles that 'if a certain fox had given him a few more seconds, he would have won' and stands. At the same time, Knuckles lowly mutters something similar.
"Alright, let's see what we've got here." Tails muses, narrowing his eyes as he walks up to examine the two. After carefully scanning over each player and counting to himself under his breath, the fox spoke up with hands up to the echidna, "Knuckles has the least amount of bruises. He wins."
"Yes!" he cheers, pumping his mitts in the air; Sonic crosses his arms and mumbles about getting the echidna next time. Sniffing, he pulls out a hand, "Good game Knux." the hedgehog says with a smirk waiting for his handshake, showing he would be a good sport about the loss. Knuckles looks at the hand and grasps it in his own, giving a hard shake. He crookedly smiles one cheek preventing it from growing any further as it started to swell. He nods with a grunt, smile wavering when he sees one of Sonic's eyes begin to swell as well, signifying that he would have a prominent black eye soon. "Hey, Eggman's not going to get on your ass about that, is he?" He asks tentatively, pointing to the squint eye feeling a bit guilty for putting a little too much power in his punch, "This? Nah, I won't get in trouble. Maybe a lecture but nothing more." Sonic shrugs languidly, not caring that much about the black eye. It wasn't his first and wouldn't be his last; having to see basically out of one eye was more annoying than the pain.
"Really? That's it?" Tails asks, scratching his cheek, "I find it hard to believe Eggman is being this nice to you."
"Yeah, well, what can I say? The dude really has turned a new leaf."
"Still...you don't find it suspicious that he hasn't tried to do anything? Like not even try to get a hold of a chaos emerald?"
"Nope! Well, I mean, it is a little suspicious but Rouge, Shadow, and I've been keeping a close eye on him, and he hasn't tried to do anything. Hey, did you know he helps build stuff for hospitals? He just told me that he's been working on a machine that will help people who've lost vital organs! Something about having tissue samples and regrowing them so that people don't need to be put on a waiting list for donations anymore isn't that cool! Sounds like something you could help him with, bro." Sonic smirks and elbows the small fox, Knuckles rolls his eyes. "Geez, you sound like the doc's spokesman or something you sure he hasn't brainwashed you?" he chuckles, knocking the top of Sonic's head, who pushes the hand back and rubs the sore spot with a weak glare.
The two don't notice Tails' eyes widen in fear. In all the time he had spent staying up night after night, thinking about what horrors his brother could be experiencing living with their lifelong enemy and trying to think of ways to help him escape, brainwashing hadn't occurred to him. The thought was terrifying. Eggman could have tricked them all, captured Sonic, and had turned him into an ally right under their noses. The amount of destruction that could happen would be catastrophic, and with the speedy hedgehog on the doctor's side...well, let's just say defeating Eggman would not be an easy feat if not impossible!
Fear and urgency striking the fox, he hastily grabs his brother by the shoulders, shaking the now startled hedgehog, eyes prin pricks in fright, frantically feeling through the blue blur's fur searching for anything out of the ordinary. "Oh my gosh, I never thought about that! Has Eggman done anything, and I mean anything suspicious to you? Have you had any headaches? Any memory of being on a surgical table? Lab? Gasp-! Food! He's been feeding you! Chaos, he could be poisoning you slowly, and we had no idea! Or-"
"Tails! TAILS! Stop it!" Sonic yells, pushing the frenzied hands away, smoothing down his scuffed-up fur, "Look at me, I'm perfectly healthy! Eggman didn't brainwash me. I promise, bro, just cool your jets, ok?" he huffs, holding his hands up for Tails to stop when the distraught fox steps forward.
Frankly, Sonic hadn't thought about Eggman brainwashing him, but the human hadn't given him any evidence for concern about the idea, plus Shadow and Rouge would have noticed something if that were the case. So there wasn't anything to worry about in his mind. "Dude, I'm fine! Egghead's barely laid a hand on me. I mean..., he did give me an examination once..." mumbling the last part. He looks back at his brother's blue eyes, light up hearing him say that.
Hastily Sonic backed up, waving his hands, "It was just a little check-up when I first got there, nothing more, I swear!" The fox stepped back at his pleading assurance, still looking at him with concern. "You're sure?" he asked after a few moments. "Promise!" Sonic affirmed, placing a gloved hand over his heart and winked with his good eye sending out nothing but good vibes.
Tails glances at the echidna, who had stood silent watching the whole time, silently asking for his input. The red one jumps at the look when he catches on, letting out an awkward cough, "Well-cough-if, your sure hedgehog..."
"Sure, I'm sure. Have I ever lied to you guys?"
"Yes." Knuckles deadpans, "And you're horrible at it." Sonic wryly smiles and gives a shrug placing his hand on his hip, "Well, there you go. See nothing to worry about!"
Both gaze back to the fox whose brows are still knit up unconvinced. Sonic ruffles the kit's bangs, making his indecisive frown disappear, replaced entirely with a small smile. "Soniiic, stoop!" Tails whines, brushing him away and fixing the hair on his face. The blue blur lights up seeing that smile, and his chest lifts, feeling accomplished having succeeded in fixing his little brother's worries restoring him to a normal happy frame of mind as it should be. It was his job as a big brother, after being a hero, of course.
The upsetting topic forgotten, Sonic snickers at the whine and stretches his bruised arms with a yawn, "I'm gonna go catch a few rays for a bit. I'll be just over that way if you need me, ok?" he thumbs over in a direction behind him.
"Sure, Sonic, go and be a lazy ass while the rest of us go back to our jobs." Knuckles says slowly and rolls his eyes; the hedgehog lightly punches him, the echidna raises a bored brow in reaction, having barely felt the jab. "Hey, in case you haven't noticed, I have one too. It's called egg sitting. Ever heard of it?" Knuckles scoffs, waving him off, and turns his back to the brothers walking up the altar steps, "Whatever, I'm going back to protect The Master Emerald."
"Can you believe this, guy? Tsk." Sonic steps to Tails' side and shakes his head, looking side-eyed to the fox, saying just loud enough for him to hear, "He should just marry that rock. He's so in love with it." Tails chuckles, "I think you better go before Knuckles hears you and decides he wants a round 2." he then lightly brushes a bruise to add his point, not missing the hedgehog, hiss, and wince at the touch rubbing the tender spot. "Ah, you're right. I better disappear before he gives me more of these, and everyone starts calling me the purple blur. Yuck!" He shudders, "Not my favorite color. Doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely, either."
A blast of wind blows in Tails' face messing up his bangs again, the only evidence the speedy hedgehog was ever there. Sighing, he looks out in the direction where a few trees and bushes still sway, indicating where Sonic went. He combs his fingers through the fur on his head as his smile twitches down and brows turn up into a concerned expression—thoughts going back to the idea of Eggman and brainwashing.
It didn't matter how much Sonic denied that the doctor didn't brainwash him; the fact it was an incredibly high possibility was troubling. And if he really was, that denial only facilitated the possibility. The blue blur being perpetually stuck in Eggman's clutches under the conditions of the contract with no way out only increased the fox's suspicions. Nothing good could come from this, nothing! Sonic's changing view and opinion of the doctor not being a threat was dangerous for all of them. He needed to find a way to get Sonic away from the doctor before the six-month time limit ran up because something big was going to happen then. He just knew it.
His namesakes twist and waggle at these distressing thoughts, "I've got to make a plan before times up." he whispers. Nodding with determination, Tails heads to the Tornado, where he has some paper he can use to start mapping out some ideas to help his brother before he returns from his nap.
He could consult with Knuckles since he was alone now, and he had come up with the theory in the first place, but Tails didn't want to ruin their peaceful afternoon again. Besides, the echidna probably wanted some time to recover from his and Sonic's squabble and guard the ME in peace. Tails needed a little quiet time, too, so he could plan, and he can always talk with the guardian on another day when Sonic wasn't visiting. Bringing up the turned-down discussion again now would ruin their happy visit.
Jumping into the cockpit, he opens the glove compartment finding precisely what he wanted. Pulling out a notebook and pen, he flips to a clean page, sits back in his seat, and begins to jot down every fact he knew about the situation up till this point.