Chapter 30 Settled
*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE END OF THE STORY!*

The tears won't stop, not that Sonic is making any kind of effort for them to stop, but he's sure he would fail if he tried. Because let's face it, the build-up had been coming for quite some time since his kidnapping.
Now his biggest, most embarrassing secret coming out for all the world to see was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Everything was ruined!
After seeing those videos and pictures, his friends thought he was a disgusting freak who enjoyed pretending to be a stupid baby. They would never want to anywhere near him again, scorn him for life. Who wants to hang out with a pathetic baby?
No one, that's who!
Sonic can just imagine the backlash he'll get. Knuckles will go on a long lecture of how shameful it is as a protector of the Chaos emeralds for him to engage in something so deplorable. How weak he was for letting himself be degraded by succumbing to the behaviors of a feeble infant, insulting Chaos and all those involved in guarding and protecting the emeralds. Then once the echidna was finished, he would forbid Sonic from ever returning to Angel Island and coming near the emeralds ever again, all the while repeating how unworthy he is.
As much as he was fond of and put off by Amy's affections for him, Sonic couldn't help feeling his heart twist, knowing this would be the thing that would finally bring Amy to cease her ritual chasing and declaring affection for him. After seeing Sonic's true colors as an immature child, she would stop seeing him as a hero instead of going on for hours about how brave he was or how they met. Would do all in her power to make sure nobody knew she had ever met the blue blur.
And Tails...Chaos Tails his brother would probably disown him. The fox had to be shocked to find out his older brother, role model, and hero turned out to be a crying, bottle sucking, diaper-wearing baby! Keeping in contact with such a person was ill-advised; who would continue to look up to such a person in their right mind? So the only logical thing to do would be to distance himself and cut off all ties with the shameful hedgehog.
Vanilla would surely kick him out after today, thinking of him as a bad influence on her daughter and leaving him to have to stay with Shadow or Rouge for the foreseeable future since it was obvious Eggman was going to jail for life.
Oh, Chaos!
Sonic bites his lip almost to the point of it breaking, trying to keep a sob at bay, his heart twisting painfully and stomach nauseous from the ugly thoughts passing through.
How stupid he was, disgusting, gross, dense, gullible.
He didn't want to be kicked out; he didn't want his Eggy to go away forever!
How could he have ever believed that this was ever going to work out? Everyone had made it plain from the beginning that getting involved with Eggman's contract had been a mistake.
They were right, all of them! I should have never done this; look where I ended up. The contract failed, and Eggman is still going to jail, but now it's worse cause I had my hopes too high. I've lost all my friends and my reputation as a hero. No one will ever look or treat me the same ever again! What will I do? Where will I go? Wandering around aimlessly again? It's been so long since I've flown the Tornado or done anything other than fighting Eggman. I...I have no idea what to do now other than being a baby.
A baby without a Mommy.
At that moment, he felt a rush of despair, and the fight he had been keeping to hold on to his Big headspace was lost. He felt little, oh so little, and alone in the scary world without Eggman, Metal, or even Shadow nearby to comfort him. It frightened Sonic so that he freely started weeping.
He cries for several minutes until his ears twitch, hearing the front door of the cottage open. Sonic gasps, terrified, and dives underneath the bed, scurrying to a dark corner where the bed meets the wall to get away from the criticizing yelling he expects.
The hedgehog covers his mouth, trying to quiet his sobs so his position isn't given away, thinking that maybe if he were quiet, Vanilla wouldn't find and make Sonic leave just yet, but he can't quite control his breathing. He panics at the realization that he's still crying loudly, making it harder for him to steady his breathing, making him panic and cry louder.
Sonic near screeches when Vanilla bends down and finds him under the bed; the surprise has the hedgehog crying hysterically in distress to the point his chest physically hurts from the pressure.
"There you are, sweetheart! Oh my goodness, you poor thing!" Vanilla exclaims and cooes, seeing the fat tears pouring out of those big green eyes in the darkness. Visibly sighing in relief to have found him, she questions gently, "What are you doing under there?"
"So-so-so-so-sorry!" Sonic hiccups, trembling and making himself smaller when the rabbit frowns, worried that she was angry at him, "What on Mobius for? You haven't done anything wrong." the hedgehog shakes his head, disagreeing, and confusing Vanilla further. "Sonic. Please come out, sweetheart, and tell me what's wrong."
He wipes away a few tears considering the idea for a moment before deciding it was too risky to come out, but it would be rude to stay quiet. He can still answer her.
Taking several deep breaths to get a hold of his erratic breathing, it takes the blue devil several tries before he's able to get out a soft, "...M' gross." Vanilla is taken aback at the proclamation, "No, you are not gross, Sonic. Why would you say that?"
"Pictures."
"...The pictures of you in court today?"
Sonic nods curling into himself, embarrassed and ashamed at having to admit it out loud. He peeks his eyes open, watching as Vanilla lets out a sad sigh and lays down on the floor, keeping her face where the hedgehog can see. She reaches a hand out under the bed without touching him just close enough to let him know she's near; Vanilla opens and closes her mouth several times before speaking hesitantly, "Sonic...I admit I don't understand completely what happened today or what has made you so upset. But I do know when a child is in distress and needs comfort. And darling, look at me please." she gently pushes.
Some months ago, Sonic would have refused to obey such an order, gentle or not, from any kind of authority, but having been age playing for a while now with Eggman. His attitude with authority is slightly better than before; he now finds himself doing as she asks. Waiting for her to continue, when she knows she had his attention, she speaks softly, "Right now I see before me a child who really could use a hug. If you'd let me, I'd like to do that for you? Will you come out of there, sweetheart?"
Part of the blue blur is afraid this is a trick to get him out so she could toss him to the curb but hearing the sincere, loving tone in her voice and looking into those warm waiting eyes. Sonic needed no further prompting for him to crawl out and into her arms.
Vanilla holds him as he shakes with silent sobs; he clings to her while she cooes sadly and pats his back. He cries for his Eggy, he cries for all that he's losing, and he cries for feeling so helpless. There's nothing he can punch, kick, or spin dash to make the icky feelings or the situation that brought them to all go away. The hedgehog is stuck watching from the sidelines, and he hates being in such a useless position.
It takes a while before Sonic runs out of tears, an occasional hiccup escaping with his still uneven breathing. Needing desperately something to soothe himself, he shoves his thumb in his mouth and sucks liberally; the sensation minutely helps. Everyone knew at this point his big secret. There was no need to hide anymore.
Vanilla pats his back a few more times, making sure he is calm before slowly pulling Sonic away to look at the hedgehog's face. Her heartbreaking at those big wet, sad eyes, tear tracks on his cheeks, and sucking his thumb with a frown.
It reminded the rabbit that the poor boy was not that much older than her daughter really and had gone for years without anyone to look after or comfort him. Instead, the weight of the world had been put on his shoulders with nary a thought as to the repercussions it would have on someone so young and without guidance.
She thinks about how she would feel if Cream were in his place and imagines that quite possibly Eggman is feeling the same way right now. And it's awful!
She tenderly kisses his head, saying softly in his ear, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart, about all of this. You weren't expecting this today, were you?" silently, he shakes his head and angrily mumbles, "Now everybody knows. No one will want to be my friend anymore cause Imma big stupid baby." he sniffs, voice breaking as he adds with tears, "And now I won't get to see my Mo-Eggy no more."
Vanilla says nothing about the hedgehog almost slipping out the title; odd as it was to assign a female title to the opposite sex, it didn't take much for her to connect the dots with the pictures she had seen earlier to understand who Sonic was talking about.
Shushing her charge, she pulls him back to her chest and rubs circles on his back, "I don't think that will happen."
"Yes, it will!" he contradicted, "I saw their faces! Everybody thinks Imma hero no more, just a dumb baby."
"Well, if they think that, after everything you've done for them, then they're no friends at all."
"Do you..." he starts warily, almost thinking better to ask the kind rabbit before she nods, encouraging him to ask anyway, "Do you think Imma baby?"
Vanilla holds back a coo at the question from the emotionally fragile hedgehog, as doing so would concrete his idea that no one sees him as a hero anymore. Instead, she draws a breath, thinking carefully about what to say, "Well...from my eyes, yes, you are very young. I am much older than you after all though maybe not quite as old as your Eggy." she jests, happy to get a wet giggle from the hedgehog.
"So yes to me and Eggman, you are a baby, but we also know you are very courageous and kind and have such a big heart, always willing to help others. Like you do with Eggman and Cream, and you've saved the world so many times and protected us. Your still very much a hero and always will be so long as you stay the way you are."
"Do you think...I'm weird?"
"No, sweetheart." she runs a hand through his quills and kisses his head again, "none of that matters. So long as it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone, it's fine with me." the two are silent as Vanilla holds him and lets him process.
Absorbing and thinking hard about what the rabbit said, Sonic sucks his thumb again. Having known Vanilla for many years, he could trust the rabbit's words; he feels silly now for assuming Vanilla would kick him out. Slowly, the sick churning in his stomach ebbs as a wave of security and acceptance washes over him. Something he has not felt since being taken away.
Being held now in someone's arms helps calm him. He'd missed this badly, but it wasn't quite the same as being in his Mommy-Eggy's, he corrects himself.
Oh, the hell with it!
"I miss my Mommy," he whispers. Vanilla, to his relief, doesn't ask who he's referring to, rolling with it in her response. "I know, deary I know. You'll be with him soon, I'm sure. You just need to be a brave boy and hold on a little while longer."
He knew this, but that didn't make things any easier, "Ok." he listlessly mumbles.
Vanilla continues to hold the hedgie in her lap, running a hand through his quills or rubbing his back every few minutes. Until Sonic's belly growled loudly, startling him. Vanilla can't help but chuckle at the cute response to the noise, "It sounds like someone is ready to eat. I better fix that. Will you be alright now?"
"Yes, Nilla," Sonic says, surprised to hear his little voice coming out of his mouth, but as he thought about it remembering his earlier drop, the change in his voice made sense.
The rabbit pays no mind to the babyish pronunciation of her name or his high voice, acting like it was expected, and places him on the floor before getting on her feet. Brushing away the dust from her skirt, she smiles, "Alright, I'll call when dinner is ready, then."
Sonic watches as she leaves him and jumps in surprise to see Cream standing in the hallway watching him. How long has she been standing there? Did she hear everything? He worries and frowns, realizing he was still sucking on his thumb, knowing he should take it out, but with nothing else to comfort him, he decidedly keeps it in.
The small rabbit smiles, "Hi Sonic. How are you feeling?" she asks in her soft voice walking up to him. He notes that she calls him by his name for the first time without adding Mr. before it; the blue devil has been trying for years to get her to break the habit. What had caused the sudden change?
He shrugs as his answer hugging himself with his free arm. Cream frowns at this, "Oh, I'm sorry. You're having a bad day, aren't you?" he nods, "My Momma said I'm good at helping cheer people up. Maybe I can help?" she says thoughtfully, looking around the room and smiles brightly, spotting the diaper bag.
Sonic follows her eyes, and his brows raise in surprise; he must have forgotten to hide it this morning after putting back his plush following his cuddle session with Ivo last night.
Quickly she goes to it and zips the bag open, pulling out his plush, "Ivo!" Sonic squeaks reaching for the toy. She hands it to him happily as he takes the toy, closing his eyes and holding it close; the rabbit thinks Sonic looks quite cute. The scene reminds her of those pictures of Sonic acting like a baby they had shown in court today. The little rabbit doesn't understand the significance of those pictures or everyone's shocked reactions. To her, it seemed like Sonic and Eggman enjoyed playing 'house' as she does and that Sonic takes the baby role a lot.
Watching the hedgehog now cuddling his toy and sucking his thumb like a baby, Cream realizes that maybe the reason Sonic is so sad is cause after seeing those pictures, he misses playing the game with Eggman. Since she and the blue blur have only played other kinds of games since his arrival, perhaps playing 'house' now will cheer him up. She loves being a Mommy anyway!
Oh, if only she had some baby things like Sonic had in those pictures. Cream wishes, looking back at the bag, her brows rise when she sees what's inside and takes out the objects. She smiles widely and mentally cheers at her find.
Excited to begin, she jumps up, grabs the blanket off the bed, folds it into a neat square then taps on the blue blur's shoulder. He opens his eyes, blinking a question at what she wants. Cream just smiles as she gently guides him to lie down on the floor, head resting on the blanket.
Sonic thinks of taking his thumb out to ask her what she was doing, but Cream beats him to it by taking his thumb out and pressing in a pacifier instead, "Momma says it's not good for babies to suck on their thumbs." she gently scolds.
Sonic's brows wrinkled in confusion and worry; this wasn't right. Cream was treating him like a baby, but he was older than her. He shouldn't allow this to happen; he needed to pull himself together and stop this before it goes any further. Sonic was used to someone older treating him like a baby or toddler, and having someone younger than him felt awkward yet...normal, like it was natural for everyone to treat him this way. It gave a fluttery feeling in his tummy and made his cheeks turn pink. The effect and his demeanor make him feel and look even more babyish.
"Cweam wait, don't-" he starts getting up and trying to stop the rabbit, but she pushes him back down and interrupts him with a condoning tone, "Ah ah ah! No Baby Sonic. Stay right there while Sissy gets a diaper on you."
"Sissy?"
"Mhm!" the young girl hums, "All good babies wear diapers. So be a good baby and let big Sissy put a diaper on you, ok?"
He doesn't know what to say to contradict that and gives the pacifier a thoughtful suck. Creams tone and baby talk sink him deeper into his headspace.
He squeaks in surprise when his legs are lifted, and his butt touches something soft crinkly, and very familiar. This little girl was putting a diaper on him! The hedgie realizes with eyes blown wide as his gaze follows down to see the rabbit humming a nursery rhyme and notices Cheese, for the first time, dusting baby powder on him as if she and the Chao had done this hundreds of times. As if Sonic really was her baby brother, and Cream was his big sister.
Sonic loses himself in the scene, watching the two in wonder as she tapes up the sides and gives his tummy a loving rub with the Chao chirping above him. The soothing touch reminds him of his Eggy, tears fill his eyes, and his bottom lip quivers along with a sad whimper. Cream and Cheese aww at the sad look, "What's the matter, baby?" the rabbit asks.
"Miss Mommy."
"Oh, you miss your Mommy?" she confirms; he agrees with a nod and a sniffle. "Don't worry; you'll see your Mommy soon. Mamma, Big Sissy, and Cheese will take good care of you!" lifting him with a shocking show of strength, she hugs the weepy hedgie, rocking him as best she could since he was a bit bigger than her.
Once a few cathartic tears have escaped, after Cheese wipes them away, he relaxes with a sigh sucking on his paci and cuddling into the rabbit's soft fur, enjoying the sensation of being very small in her hold. Comfortable until a voice calls from downstairs, "Cream, Sonic! Dinner is ready!"
Cream helps Sonic stand and leads him out of the room, taking his larger hand in her own. Cheese floats behind them as they slowly go down the stairs and to the kitchen. A tug on the rabbit's arm stops her from entering; with an upturned brow, the girl looks back to see the hedgie curling in on himself, nervously, sucking on his pacifier.
Cream smiles reassuringly, understanding his apprehension, "It's ok, there's no need to be embarrassed, baby; big Sissy will protect you. Do you wanna be behind me?" Sonic nods fast, thankful that she understood his apprehension, and follows the rabbit waddling behind her like a shy toddler.
They enter seeing Vanilla stirring a steaming pot on the stove; the adult rabbit, hearing soft footsteps behind her, turns and smiles warmly at the two. Holding in a coo at her daughter and the Chao, protectively shielding the shy hedgehog peeking out from behind her.
The desire to pick up and coddle the hedgie was very tempting. Vanilla had been thinking back on the trial while making supper; the images of Baby Sonic flooded her mind. Admittedly it was odd to see the heroic blue blur in such a fashion that was completely different from what she was used to; she wasn't sure what to make of it at first. After ruminating over the pictures, Rouge's statements, and Sonic's breakdown, she found herself having no hangups over the odd behavior.
In fact, she is slightly taken by it, and even more so seeing the blue devil in his infantile state in person. Looking at the hedgehog clad in a puffy rattle patterned diaper, sucking nervously on a pacifier with big shiny eyes, holding tightly his stuffy and trying to hide behind her daughter was adorable!
She quickly concluded that the baby attire had been the result of Cream, where she got the outfit. Vanilla hadn't a clue. That girl just loved to play as a maternal figure any chance she could get, and Sonic's outfit just made her want to scoop up the hedgie to cuddle and coo over him until he popped.
"Are my two young'ens hungry?" she asks, bending down to their height, mentally awing at Cream acting like a big sister for the vulnerable and shy blue blur. "Yes, Mamma!" the little rabbit answers for all three of them.
"Come and sit down then, Cream, Cheese. And Sonic, I have a special seat for you." the hedgehog's ears perk up, and he tilts his head curiously like a puppy.
A brief flash of fear overtakes him when Cream and Cheese walk away, but the fear eases as Vanilla takes him under his arms, also with surprising strength. Maybe it runs in the family? He thinks, unaware of the rabbit placing him in a highchair, the sound of the tray clicking in place alerts him, and Sonic is dumbfounded to see Vanilla had set him in what he assumes is Cream's old highchair.
He turns to see the back padding decorated with baby animals and wiggles his butt finding the seat to be pleasantly comfortable. A sippy cup of water and a bowl of noodles with veggies have magically appeared on the tray when he looks up.
His black nose twitches, smelling the herb and cheesy nut sauce. Wow! This looks like something Metal would make when I'm little. Eyeing the tasty dish, Sonic notices that there is no utensil for him to use; he takes his pacifier out about to ask Vanilla for a spoon when the adult rabbit takes a seat next to him with her bowl and two extra spoons.
One of which is plastic and baby pink colored.
Sonic reaches out to take the spoon, but Vanilla shakes her head instead, scooping up a bite of noodles on the baby utensil blowing it a few times before offering it to him. The blue blur gazes at her and the offer with confusion, "I can feed myself." he suggests with an uncertain tone.
Though he appreciates her attempts to comfort him by the babying treatment, he doesn't want to impose or have her think Sonic expected to be treated this way no matter how much he wants it.
Vanilla shakes her head, "I don't mind, sweetheart. You've had a stressful day, here just eat." she says, dismissing his apprehension by nudging his lips with the spoon. He slowly complies, opening his mouth enough to allow the spoon to enter, then hums at the tasty dish.
It wasn't very strong in flavor, relatively mild actually but delicious. He swallows and opens his mouth like a baby bird, tail wagging, eager for the next bite. Vanilla takes turns feeding herself and the blue baby; the rest of dinner is a quiet affair until all the bowls are empty.
While Cream and Cheese put away the dishes in the sink to soak, Vanilla helps Sonic out of the highchair patting his diapered bottom, "Go on, you three. I'll see you in a minute."
"Ok, thank you, Mamma. Come on, Cheese, let's help Baby pick out a movie." the Chao trills happily while Cream takes the hedgehog's hand, pulling him to the living room, "Tank you, Nilla!" Sonic chirps toddling behind the tiny rabbit. Vanilla chuckles to herself, watching the blue devil waddle in a hurry behind her daughter and the Chao.
Turning her attention to the dishes, the adult rabbit quickly finishes cleaning the kitchen. Once everything is put away, she begins searching deep in the cupboards speaking quietly to herself, "I know I still have one around here somewhere...here? No...what about Ah-ha!" she cheers, finding what she had been looking for.
She has kept an old sparkly pink baby bottle for the odd babysitting job here and there. The rabbit pats herself on the back for her forward-thinking that the bottle would get used still many years later though maybe not for quite the person she had imagined.
Taking the bottle, she raids the fridge for coconut milk, mixing it with a touch of honey and vanilla before setting the concoction in the microwave to warm. A thrill of excitement runs through her at the prospect of getting to bottle feed a baby again, having missed the bonding activity she had used to experience when she had nursed Cream as a baby. She clams herself when the microwave beeps and pulls out the bottle, testing the liquid on her wrist, deeming it safe for consumption before making her way to the living room.
She spies Cheese on his usual perch on the couch with the two children sitting below; both intently focused on a princess movie, one of Cream's favorites; it looks like. Vanilla casually approaches and sits beside the blue blur ignoring his surprised squeak when she picks him up and cradles him in her arms, nudging the nipple to his lips.
Sonic stares at her, the shock only lasting a moment until a drop of milk touches his tongue, and he instinctively latches on, suckling in bliss. He relaxes in her hold and nuzzles into her chest, blinking at her slowly with wide innocent eyes, the movie forgotten.
Vanilla gazes back with eyes full of love and compassion; she rocks and pats his bottom, enjoying the fulfillment of caring for a baby. Even if he is a bit big, she winks at Cheese, who sits on the back of the couch beside her, cooing and chirping softly at her and the baby hedgehog.
Sonic revels in the comfort and simplicity of it all, the warm sweet milk, a full stomach, the diaper securely wrapped around his waist, and Vanilla's loving touches. The hedgehog thinks back to how the events of the day led him to here, not understanding how things had worked out for him to be in this position in Vanilla, Cream, and Cheese's home.
He had been expecting ridicule and rejection, which he still fully expected from his friends after their reactions in court today. But Vanilla's household had surprised him by pushing the baby treatment, putting him in a diaper, feeding him in a highchair, bottle feeding, and cooing at him. He had no clue what had motivated them to do such things, unlike Eggman. Still, it was nice, and the blue blur decided to enjoy it while he could. The rabbit family's kindness...it gave him hope.
As the liquid goes down, so do Sonic's eyelids, and then he drops like a log once all of the milk is gone; the adult rabbit continues to pat and rock the sleeping hedgie. Cheese leaves the two be joining Cream instead while she watches the movie and sings along with a low voice.
Despite the eventful last few weeks, tonight couldn't have gone any better.

*Six months later*
Sonic hums a song he had heard on the radio recently, the earworm and his current good mood, making him swing his hips and tap his feet as he gathers things he needs or wants in his backpack.

The hedgehog's living situation had changed drastically 6 months ago after the court case regarding Eggman's guardianship had ended. Thankfully the human wasn't charged with any accounts of abuse, brainwashing, or attempts of such. Instead, the doctor was approved to have custody of the blue blur. The only thing that kept Sonic and Eggman apart was the judge's insistence that the hedgehog ( since he was old enough and was attending the court hearing ) voice whether this is what he wanted or not.
Thankfully realizing that the hedgehog was NOT prepared at all to answer, the judge had called a recess to allow Sonic some time to think things over.
Before Sonic could find a peaceful place to think, again to the blue blur's surprise, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles approached him, begging him not to go back with Eggman. It threw Sonic through a loop receiving, begging for him to stay with them and not admonishment after yesterday's blowup.
When Sonic questioned them about it, Tails had said though he didn't understand and was a bit concerned about the PTSD and age-reg, it didn't matter as they were still brothers, and he only wished to have the hedgehog back with him again. Stating he was tired of being constantly worried over Sonic's wellbeing.
Amy voiced similar thoughts while Knuckles stayed back, dismissive of the whole affair but agreeing that the hedgehog shouldn't go back with Eggman.
Their dismissal of Sonic's Little side both relieved and bothered him. Relief that his friends were not going to scorn or expel him from their presence but completely ignoring that part of him made the blue devil feel like they didn't accept him wholly either.
Still, he was grateful that at least they were all still friends, and he assured them he would take their input into account as he made his decision.
After they left him, Sonic met up with Rouge privately to ask her some questions.
By the time the blue blur had finished his intense Q&A with the bat, recess was over. He had an answer for the judge; it was one he knew no one would like, but it was the one that would be for the best for all and have the least amount of consequences.
When he was called to the stand, Sonic stood tall and unafraid in front of the judge, reporters, journalists, G.U.N. agents, his friends, and Eggman as he said, "I wish to plead for emancipation."
Predictably both sides of the courtroom erupted in shouts of disapproval, shock, and confusion. The judge had to bang the gavel several times and threaten to throw everyone out before the commotion died down so the judge could ask why.
The blue blur answered, "I've enjoyed staying with Eggman, and both of us have changed for the better because of our agreement. However, my friends have been concerned about my safety from the start, no matter how many times I've told them that I was okay. I showed them proof that nothing suspicious was happening, yet they still didn't believe me. They even orchestrated a kidnapping operation because they couldn't take my word for their paranoia!
Going back to stay with Eggman now wouldn't fix anything even after all of this. Going back with my friends won't fix anything either. Though Eggman is much better than before, I don't feel comfortable leaving him until he has a more stable grasp of how to be your average Joe.
I've talked with my advisor and, since I am old enough, I've decided that pleading for emancipation would be the best answer. I am no one's hedgehog...I'm Sonic the Hedgehog."
After that, the judge granted Sonic's request, much to the dismay of everyone else. To the hedgehog, their opinions didn't matter if they didn't consider all of the other parties, let alone how he felt about it if their side got their way.
Many questions were raised and discussed with Vanilla's family, Rouge, and Shadow acting as Sonic's supports as to what the blue blur would do now that no one had guardianship over him and where this left everyone else.
As much as it pained Sonic, he decided to leave Eggman's and go back to stay with Tails. The fox, though brilliant, was still young himself, and since there was no way in hell, he was going with Sonic to live with Eggman; he needed his older brother to stay at home.
At least part-time.
Though now living again with his younger brother, the blue devil had no intention of abandoning the doctor. Every few weeks or so, Sonic would go back and stay with Eggman for a while, wherein Sonic would continue to help the doctor with his rehabilitation, and the two would spend much quality time together as Mommy and Baby.
Vanilla, Cream, Cheese, Rouge, and Shadow respected and backed his decision while Amy, Tails, and Knuckles were not happy about the arrangement but conceded as the hedgehog was not budging. Especially when he insisted that he felt obligated to help Eggman and would do so no matter what they thought but reassured that he would always return safely to his friends. Eggman was disappointed but happy that he hadn't been sentenced to jail and that he still got to see his baby.

Zipping up his backpack, Sonic tosses the bag over his shoulders, checks that everything in his bedroom is in order before closing the door, and slides down the handrail for the stairs.
"Yo! Pixel brain!" The blue devil shouts, pushing the door open to the workshop, and spots the orange fox working away on his computer. Tiptoeing around the loose screws scattered on the floor, Sonic makes his way to his little brother and taps his shoulder. Tails raises his head and turns, "Oh hey Sonic! What's up?"
"Nothing, just wanted to let you know I'm headed out." he points to his backpack, Tails' eyes land on the bag, and his mood darkens as he sighs, "Alright. See you in a couple of weeks?"
The hedgehog ruffles the fox's bangs in an attempt to make him stop brooding, not letting Tails' dislike for this arrangement dampen Sonic's mood. "Absolutely, bro! Make sure you clean up this mess before you close up shop, alright? Miss Vanilla and the rest of the gang will check up on you while I'm gone, so keep the explosions on the down-low. Kay?" Tails lightly smiles at his big brother, appreciating and glad to see Sonic still intended to look after him despite the visits to Eggman. The fox nods, "Sure thing, bro."
"Cool! See ya!" Sonic chirps, waving goodbye before dashing away, excited to see his Eggy. He follows the path he has worn down over the last few months leading the way to Eggman's base.
The blue blur grins widely, turning his face to the hot summer sun enjoying its rays and the cool breeze flowing by him as he runs past vibrantly green trees and plants. Cicadas start to buzz in the midsummer heat; when Sonic arrives on the base's property, the distant sound of a CHING! goes off when the sensors pick up his presence—alerting Eggman of his imminent arrival.
The hedgehog's smile grows wider as he sees the grey metal building grow bigger in the distance, and he slows down so as not to slam into the door due to his excitement again.
He skips to a stop at the same time the front door slides open with Eggman on the other side. "Come here and give me a hug, you little rascal!" the large man shouts with a chortle, bending down to meet the hedgehog and opening his arms wide, gesturing for Sonic to land in his embrace. Which the hedgie does with glee jumping into his caregiver's arms and hugging him tightly, Eggman jokingly grunts and rises, "I've missed you, baby." The doctor whispers in Sonic's ear and kisses the side of his head.
The pet name is enough to knock Sonic off his big space, which he had been fighting for the last several days. He feels the last of his teenage mindset melt away as he nuzzles himself into Eggman's neck and replies with a whisper, "I missed you too, Mommy."
THE END

*Wow! We're done!
Wasn't that a rush, especially at the end?! I hope you guys enjoyed this story as much as I did, and I think my writing has greatly improved since my first story. Though as much as I have enjoyed it, it's time to move on! 😭
Unfortunately, I have to go on a brief hiatus from posting. As I'd like to work on my own original story, "ColorPunk," for a bit, (If you are interested in being a beta reader or are curious in general, just DM, and I can send you details, FYI it is an action-adventure story series NO Age-reg/Little), also I want to work on having plenty of chapters done and ready for ya'll with my next Little Sonic story featuring Daddy Shadow in "Baby Don't Hurt Me."
This way, when I start posting again, there will be less considerable periods to wait for the next update.
I plan on coming back in about 4 months...well, after the Sonic sequel (I'm so excited for it! Did ya'll hear they're also working on a 3rd movie 😱!) I know that's so long to wait, but I promise it will be worth it! Wish you all lots of love and Little time!
Raven out! 👋