Chapter 5 What to do?
*Hey everyone! I just wanted to give you a heads up that new postings may be a bit slower after this chapter. Things have finally calmed down at the hospital for me, but now my mom and I are starting a complete makeover of the kitchen (like walls are coming down), so some of my free time will now be taken to help work on that. Hopefully, it shouldn't take too long 2-3 months, and won't take too much of my time, but I just wanted to give ya'll a heads up that you may not see me update as frequently.*

Shadow impatiently taps the end of his pen on the notepad in front of him, a fidget of his similar to Sonic's leg bouncing when he was restless. If Shadow knew he shared this, along with several other quirks with the blue hero, he didn't let it bother him. Head in his hand with a bored expression, he watches the blue blur from across the table. Wondering why the hell was Sonic, the ever-annoying perky cocky hedgehog was glaring at him as if he'd kicked a lost puppy.
"Well, go on say it." Sonic eventually barked; Shadow slowly rose one eye ridge at his rival in confusion, "Say what?"
"Tell me how much of an idiot I was for accepting Eggman's offer, how I walked right into his trap again and offered myself on a silver platter. Go on! Tell me! Tell me how I'm wasting your time dragging you from your regularly scheduled brooding to come here and hear about how Eggman and I aren't getting along."
"Sonic, I'm not going to rub it in your face when there's nothing to rub it into." the blue blur blinked at him in bewilderment, "You-your not?"
"No. Why would you think I would do that?"
"I...I don't know." Sonic shrugged awkwardly, "I guess I just thought you would think this whole thing is stupid. Hell, I'm beginning to think it was stupid of me to take up Eggman on this whole stupid plan of his!" he sulked over the table, head nesting in the crook of his arms, his speech muffled, "I've tried just about everything I can think of, Shadow. Nothing is working."
"What's not working? What do you mean?"
"He won't let me go, Shadow!" Sonic frustratingly cries, lifting his head, "I've done everything I can to try and get Eggman to let me go. Redecorating his office, having 120 pizzas delivered by 8 different pizza places, mowed his priceless collection of azaleas, locked Scratch and Grounder into the freezer for 2 days, rewired the sound system only to play mary had a little lamb every 10 minutes and flooded parts of the warehouse. Nothing is working!" he screams, pulling his quills.
Shadow watches his rival with wide eyes, unable to make a lick of sense out of Sonic's rambling. What did pizza have to do with the doctor letting him go? Sonic could be quite the chatterbox at times, but he always made sense. For all Shadow could make out, it sounded like Sonic had found Eggman's private stash of catnip and had decided to have a bite before starting this interview.
"Why-why did you do all of that?"
"Cause I want him to kick me out?! Duh!" Sonic yells like it was obvious, which it wasn't. At least not to Shadow, "Why?!" the dark hog slowly asks again, "Because it's Eggman! We're not supposed to be 'buddies.' We're supposed to be enemies. I-I know I've always said how I wanted him to reform, but this...I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this?!"
(There was that little bit of essential bit of information that he needed.) Now Shadow somewhat understood what his rival was trying to communicate. "Sonic, you signed yourself up to help give the man a second chance. It's only been a week, and you're already giving up on him like a day-old piece of salami. What happened to the hedgehog who believed in second chances-" he briefly points to himself as an example, "and would do anything to make sure the world was safe even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice?" Shadow crosses his arms, shaking his head in disappointment.
Sonic's ears lower in response, grumbling, "Yeah, well...giving your life up for something you believe in is a lot easier if you don't have to live through it." Shadow couldn't help a snort from escaping recalling the events of his own sacrifice, "Aint that the truth." he whispers. "But that isn't the point, " He shakes his head sharply, eying Sonic, focusing back on the blue blur's problem, "the point is you made this decision. For better or worse, stupid or not. And it sounds like your the one making it hard on yourself. Has Eggman been threatening you? Torturing you? Running experiments, starving, or beating you senseless?"
"No." Sonic quietly replied, rubbing his arm while looking away, "Then get your act together and stop complaining! Either hog up and take this opportunity to better Eggman for the world's sake or give up like the pathetic faker you are!" Shadow growled.
Sonic said nothing for some minutes, taking in Shadow's words. His rival was right. He needed to man up. He had accepted this contract to protect his friends and the world so that they wouldn't have to suffer any more of Eggman's tyranny. And by golly, he was nothing if not a hedgehog of his word. Chuckling, Sonic lifted his head with a smirk, "Ya know you're pretty good at this pep talk thing, Shads."
"Tsk. Don't flatter me, hedgehog." Shadow scoffs but smirks back as well. Clicking the pen, the ebony hog leans over the table, "Who are Scratch and Grounder?" he inquires. Sonic relaxes at the change of subject, "Oh, some old robots Egghead used to use to try and catch me back in the day. He put them out of commission years ago. I always thought he just scrapped them, but it turns out they were still up and operating here." he smiles warmly with a faraway look in his eyes, "It's good to see them again."
Shadow rolled his eyes and hmphed, "Didn't know the doctor was so sentimental. So tell me, is driving Eggman crazy all you've been up to this week? Or anything else? And what has the doctor been doing? I need to report something to G.U.N. other than whatever Rouge and that duck-billed pompously dressed beaver cooks up for them."
Sonic laughs at that remark, "He's so snotty! Did you see the way he looked at me earlier? Thought I was the scum of the earth. Haha!" a sly grin creeps onto the black hog's muzzle, "You sure he was looking at you and not the doctor? I thought he was smelling Eggman's new cologne 'A la œuf Pourri?" (Rotten Egg in French) Sonic bursts out laughing, tears streaming from his eyes. He had needed a good laugh after the rough week he'd had; after a minute, he calms down and wipes the tears away, softly smiling at his friendly rival.
Shadow didn't often show his softer, fun side, but Sonic always felt proud of the ebony hog for coming out of his shell when he did. He cherished those rare moments. "Don't ever change, Shads." Sonic shook a finger at him before settling it on his chin, "Now, where do I start? ..." Shadow twirls the pen in his fingers, head bobbing to the object around the blue blur's neck, "Maybe explain the collar. Isn't that thing only used for juvenile delinquents?" Sonic's happy demeanor disappears to a scowl, "Don't remind me." he whines.

*Meanwhile with Rouge and Eggman*
The white bat sighs in ecstasy after taking a long sip of her drink, "Mmmmh...perfect. So much better than the stuff I usually get back at the office."
"Isn't G.U.N. required to provide for its employees the necessary supplies they need to function in an orderly manner? Like paper, sticky notes, and coffee?" Eggman asks, taking a sip of his own chamomile tea with a few heaping spoonfuls of honey. "Yeah, but the coffee at G.U.N. is cheap and tastes like shit. Good enough to keep you going, that's it. This here, " she lifts the mug with a perverted smile, "is high-quality stuff. My compliments to the barista."
"Thank you."
"Now-" she takes a long drag emptying the mug and setting it down with a clink against the wooden desk, "tell me, doctor. How have things been going with you and big blue? Not well, I take it judging from the wrinkles and dark circles under those eyes that weren't there the last time we spoke?" The egg-shaped human let out a tired sigh while stirring his tea, "No...not at all, I'm afraid." Rouge hummed, weaving her gloved fingers together, perking her large ears, listening attentively. Juicy gossip seemed to be on the menu, and she was hungry.
"I don't know what's wrong with him!" Eggman exclaimed, "He's been nothing but rebellious ever since he stepped through that door! Breaking everything I own, pulling off elaborate pranks, mouthing off, he even flooded my warehouse! It took 3 days to get everything back in order, 3 days! He has no access to that area, and I have no idea how he did it! I swear he's caused more destruction to my base in the last week than he ever has over all of my other bases in the last 7 years."
"Big blue? Causing a ruckus? Tsk, tsk, tsk." Rouge shook her head, leaning back, "Come oooon, doc~, he hasn't been that bad of a boy, has he?"
"Oh yes, he has—a very bad boy. No matter how much I discipline him, and no matter the form, he just keeps getting worse. I'm nearing the end of my rope, trying to figure out what's wrong and how to fix it."
"Well, have you thought about oh I don't know? Talking to him?"
"I've tried!" Eggman cries, rubbing his temples, "but he refuses to open up or even try to meet me halfway. I don't know how to get him to trust me, let alone talk. I'm really trying to show I've changed Rouge I really am, but Sonic...he hardly even looks at me unless I'm yelling at him for breaking something."
The bat licked her plump lips, twitching her ear thoughtfully as she scanned Eggman, "Look, doc, " she says steadily, breaking the silence after a few minutes, "it's only been what, a week since you've started all this? It's gonna take some time. Your history with blue isn't just going to float away because you wanna kiss and makeup; you're smart, man. You know this."
"I do..." Eggman sighs, then lazily chuckles. "I guess I'm just as impatient as our little blue blur, huh?" Rouge smiles at him softly; seeing this almost parental side of Eggman was not a new sight for her. Having worked with the doctor a few times in the past, she had seen many sides of the human's personality. Usually, this softer parental and, at times, motherly side was kept for his creations, notably his favorites such as Metal Sonic. It seemed since learning his enemy was an orphan and having decided to take him in, this side of Eggman was making more of an appearance. If his claims of changing for the better were valid, she hoped they'd see this side a whole lot more.
She returned his chuckle with a throaty one of her own, "That's just one of the ways you two are alike." a red mustache twitched behind a small smile, "Your right." he rubbed a hand under his chin, thinking, "Perhaps...I've been going about this the wrong way?" Eggman starts slowly. "Perhaps I need to do more research? Find common ground for us? Or a more effective way to communicate?" Rouge nods; the doctor seemed to be in better spirits now, having vented a bit; she plucks a nail file from a hidden breast pocket. "That sounds like a good place to start. So tell me, what has been going on with you and big blue this past week?"

*Some hours later*
"I'm pleased to inform you that everything seems to be in order." the platypus announces while looking over his clipboard, "There is a proper bedroom, a good variety of foods offered, and enrichment materials. All rooms holding any dangerous equipment are secure. This is a fine place to raise a child, possibly one of the best I've ever surveyed."
"Ah, well...thank you, Mr. Platypus!" Eggman beamed, relieved that the examiner found his base as the perfect place to keep Sonic. The duck-billed creature smiled a teeny bit, "Your welcome."
"If you two are done, we should head back to headquarters." Shadow urges, his partner rolls her eyes and smirks, "Alright sugar, don't get your panties in a knot." a snicker from the blue hedgehog makes Shadow grumble, folding his arms with a hmph!
"See you, boys, next week!" Rouge waves, hips swaying back and forth as she makes her exit with the other two males, "See ya, Rouge! Bye, Shads!" Sonic smirks. The giant entrance doors close with a hiss in front of the human and hedgehog. The two stand there awkwardly for some moments before Eggman coughs into his fist to gain the blue devil's attention. Though Sonic didn't seem to take notice, his ears tilt to the human's direction, indicating he was listening, "I have some work to do and won't be available until sometime tomorrow afternoon, so you will be on your own while I'm tied up." the human spoke dryly, turning around, the doctor heads for his labs.
"Hey, wait a sec!" Sonic hastily calls, zipping up to Eggman, holding a hand out in a halting gesture and a questioning look, "Isn't tomorrow the day I have off? How am I supposed to get out without this thing knocking me unconscious?" he points to the collar around his neck.
"I set the collar not to release the toxin for tomorrow, so you are free to go from 8 am to 5 pm. Just be sure to return before dinner; if you need anything, ask the service bots, Metal, or one of the others. If that is all, I have some very important matters to attend to. I'll see you tomorrow." the doctor curtly answers before departing, leaving a confused Sonic where he stands in the hallway.
The blue hedgehog tilted his head, brows creased, wondering what had caused the doctor's change in demeanor, leaving Sonic to his own devices instead of trying to spend time with him every second of the day like he had done during the last week.
He pushed his wonderment aside, deciding to be relieved of the change and from escaping whatever penalty Eggman would have given him for his misbehavior earlier. The doctor was always strange.
Sonic gazed up to a nearby clock. "I have a little over 24 hrs of Eggman free time. Better enjoy it while it lasts. Wonder if he's got anything to snack on in the kitchen?" Blasting away, Sonic went to see if he could find anything to satisfy his sweet tooth.

The next morning Sonic awoke bright and early in a cheerful mood, more than ready to leave the base. Tossing the blanket aside, he jumps off the bed, combs his fingers through his quills, smoothing out any strays, and quickly put on his shoes and gloves. He wished he had more time to spend outside with his friends. But I guess I should just be grateful he's letting me out at all. Sonic laments as he makes his way to the lounge to hang out there while he waits.
It was at least 30 minutes before 8 am, and he had plenty of time to spare, but he wasn't interested in doing anything to pass the time. Sonic wanted to leave this place the moment the clock hit the magic hour, so he bounced onto the teal couch, eyes locking on to the clock, watching and waiting before he could take his leave. His leg jumped anxiously to the tick of the clock echoing in his head with each second.
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
8 am!
Sonic leaped from his seat, turning into a blue streak as he went to the closest exit, the ground burning up behind him. Two seconds after exciting the entrance doors, he could see a portion of the perimeter fence opening for him up ahead. He prayed that the collar wouldn't release the paralyzing toxin Eggman had mentioned as soon as he stepped out.
His jaw clenched as he drew closer, heart racing in his furry chest as Sonic left the base behind in a gust of wind.
Several miles later, Sonic put on the breaks, heels digging in surrounding him in a cloud of dirt. He had stopped in the midst of the forest. Turning around, he looks back to see the fence far behind him faintly. The hedgehog tentatively feels his arms and legs, stretching and flexing his muscles, "I can still move..." he pinches his arms, "Ow! I can still feel...Hahahahaha! Yes!" Sonic laughs, pumping his arms and jumping for joy. Eggman wasn't pulling a cruel trick on him. He was totally free!
Free at last!
He gulped in the sweet, sweet pine fresh air, reveling in all of mother nature's glory. He had missed being in her presence. Spreading his arms wide, Sonic spun on his toes, head tilted to the sky, taking it all in, "Oh yeah!" he sighed, placing his hands on his hips, "This is much better! No Eggheads, no robots, or metal walls." green eyes fell to the ground. "Well, at least for a few hours," He mumbled; a grumbling from his stomach reminded the hedgehog that in his excitement to leave, he had forgotten to eat breakfast.
An image of a delicious piping hot chili dog popped into his mind, and Sonic drooled, rubbing his hands, knowing the perfect place to get his favorite dish. His worries blew away as he kicked a leg up; Sonic dashed to the rising sun to a land where it was already lunchtime. He checked his quills, making sure he had brought some money to pay for a chili dog breakfast.
Two chili dogs with a large soda and several thousand miles through several continents later, Sonic turns into Mystic Ruins' direction, where his best friend and adoptive brother's workshop resided—excited to see what the young fox had been up to while he had been away and thinking of maybe taking the old Tornado for a spin. "We could drop by Angle Island and see how Knucklehead is doing. It's always fun to mess with him, and I could use a one-on-one session after the week I've had."
Slowing down from his top speed to a jog, beaming a toothy grin, Sonic hops up the steps of the workshop, ringing the doorbell. "Just a minute!" a voice faintly calls from the inside. Sonic shakes his head smile, transitioning to a smirk. A minute was far too long, and he was too excited and impatient. Digging the house key out of his quills, he let himself in and went upstairs to find his best buddy.
Hearing the door open and close, Tails rolls his eyes in annoyance, wondering which of his and Sonic's many friends had decided to barge in like they own the place. Quickly he trots to the front door to see no one there, scratching his head; the fox looks around to find no one nearby. Suddenly the sound of a creak from the stairs alerts Tails that someone was upstairs, turning his face lit up, seeing a familiar blue spiky hedgehog looking around before spotting him below and descends beaming back at him.
"Tails!"
"Sonic!"
Both brothers glomp onto each other as if they had been separated for years, and from their perspective, it might as well have been.
"Oh, Tails, little buddy, I missed you so much!"
"I missed you to Sonic!"
Stepping back yet still holding on to each other, the two examined the other. Sonic speaking first, starting fast, then calming down to a more reasonable speed, "Tails,areyoudoingalright? Haveyoubeeneatingenough? You-haven'tstayed-uplate-inthe-workshop-haveyou? How'd-thegang-take-thenews? Amy-hasn't-done-anything-crazy-lately? How's-Knux? And do you have any rings on you cause I used the last of mine on some chili dogs from Chuck's?"
Tails couldn't help but laugh with delight hearing his brother's motormouth; it had been way too quiet for the fox's tastes. Having listened to Sonic's fast pace of speech for so many years, he expertly deduces Sonic's garbled questions and answers them in order, "I've been good! Amy, Cream, and Knuckles have been checking up on me and making sure I eat and go to bed so no late nights. But it's been too quiet without you around. Everyone was shocked at first, and they've been worried about you, and so have I. Haha! No, Amy's been really nice, and Knuckles...well, why don't you ask him yourself! He's coming over later."
"Really? That's great!" Sonic exclaims before releasing his hold and stepping back shyly, rubbing under his nose, speaking lowly, "And uh...sorry about all that. I didn't mean to worry anyone."
"It's ok, Sonic. I can't say I completely understand why you went with Eggman or that I would've done the same, but it's ok." Sonic light-heartedly chuckles ruffling the fox's bangs, "Thanks, bro. I appreciate it. Hey, now you know how I feel when you start spouting all that mechanical mumbo jumbo on me!"
"Come on!" Tails playfully whines, "You understand at least some of it, don't you? I do simplify it so you can understand what I'm saying!"
"That's true...and I do understand most of it, at least until you start explaining what each part of whatever thingamabob you're making does." Tails looks at Sonic with a semi-serious glare, "Hey, some of that mumbo jumbo has saved our lives a few times."
"Alright, alright, " Sonic holds his hands up in surrender, "you've made your point now. Speaking of mumbo jumbo, what's the latest and greatest gadget my brilliant little bro has come up with this time?"
"Now your just trying to butter me up for a few rings." Tails shakes his head with a raised brow; Sonic grins innocently, his shoulders hike up, "Whatever are you talking about? I just want to see what my little brother and best friend in the whole world has made!" Tails pushes the hedgehog away with a laugh. Sonic pushes back, and the two engage in some friendly roughhousing before they finally enter the fox's private abode.