FicWad

Somewhere in a rundown, small town on Mobius, the Sonic Underground was trying to find their way back to Robotropolis. Slowly. Very slowly since Sonia was driving the van.

Sonic tilted his head back and groaned. “Why doesn't Manic drive again?”

“Because he rolled the van a month ago and he kept hitting potholes two months ago.” Sonia said. She glanced over at Manic.

“I've been meaning to ask you, Manic: who in blazes taught you how to drive?”

“No one.” Manic replied. “I'm self taught and I'd say I did an awesome job given that fact.”

“Come on!” Sonic snapped “Step on the gas for the love of-”

“We just got out of the town.” Sonia said. "I can't speed in city limits."

After a few minutes of leaving the town and they were now driving through a forest, Sonia still didn't drive any faster.

Sonic huffed. “I can get out and walk faster.”

“If you don't like it, get out and walk then.” Sonia retorted.

Sonic got out and started walking slightly faster than the van. He walked backwards and smirked at Sonia.

Manic shook his head. “Now, he's just being a smart aleck.”

Sonia stomped on the gas pedal, slinging mud onto Sonic as the van sped off.

Manic looked in the rearview mirror.

Sonic was standing on the side of the road with a dumbfounded look on his face.

“Oh, he wasn't expecting that.” Manic said, settling in his seat.“Here he comes.”

Sonic quickly caught up to them and fell into the van. He winced. “Very funny.”

“Go clean up.” Sonia said. “You're getting mud all over the place.”

Sonic limped to the bathroom. “Thanks a lot. I think I twisted my ankle on that loose tile.”

“That's what I forgot to fix.” Manic said, slapping his hand on his forehead. He looked over his shoulder. “Sorry, bro.”
*
After five minutes of driving, they arrived at a little ranch in the center of a valley. Sonia parked the van near a corral full of ostriches.

“Another farm?” Manic asked.

“We're only stopping here for the night.” Sonia replied. “It'll take another day to get home. We need to rest in a safe place.”

The triplets climbed into the corral to go to the barn, where they heard someone or something bumping around the barn.

The farmer, a Mobian fox, peeked around the open door. “I'll be with you three in a minute.”

“Take your time.” Sonia said.

The triplets leaned against the fence.

“Hey, I think you can ride an ostrich.” Sonic said, nudging Manic closer to an ostrich."

“You don't have to try to trick me, I always wanted to ride one anyway.” Manic replied. “Sonia, record it for me.”

Sonia reluctantly got her phone out and started recording as Manic walked over to the ostrich.

Manic grabbed onto its back and climbed on.

The ostrich screeched and started jumping around. It frantically flapped its wings.

Manic slid off of its back, then grabbed its neck and wrapped his arms around it. “Whoa! I won't hurt you.” He said. “S- Sonic, help!”

The ostrich finally tossed Manic off and began to peck at his head.

Manic curled into a ball. “Ow! Sonic, help me!”

Sonic limped over and tried to help Manic, who had slightly uncurled to get one of his arms out.

Manic grabbed Sonic's arm and tried to stand.

The ostrich pecked Sonic on the side of his head.

“Ow!” Sonic cried. He fell, taking Manic down with him. “Sonia!”

The ostrich started pecking both brothers.

Manic and Sonic curled into a ball.

“Sonia!” Sonic screamed. “Stop-”

Suddenly, the ostrich stopped pecking them.

Sonic and Manic uncurled and rolled over to see the farmer leading the ostrich away.

“You three go back to your van for a minute.” The farmer said. “I'll deal with this fellow.”

Sonia, who apparently put her phone away, walked Sonic and Manic to the van.

Sonia started cleaning Manic's cuts with hydrogen peroxide.

Manic hissed. “I never thought they'd be that aggressive.”

The siblings flinched as a gunshot rang out.

“Was that a gun?” Sonic asked.

“It can't be.” Sonia replied. “Hardly anyone has those since laser guns have been invented.”

“It sure isn't fireworks at two in the afternoon.” Manic said. “You'd be surprised.” Sonic replied. “I've seen fireworks at ten in the morning and three in the afternoon before. I had some of the strangest neighbors when I lived with Uncle Chuck. The ones who got into drunken arguments at four in the afternoon were the worst.”
**
After Sonia cleaned, stitched up, and bandaged Sonic and Manic's wounds, the triplets gathered around the farmer's dinner table.

For dinner, they were served burgers.

Sonia took a bite of her burger. “What kind of burger is this?”

Manic and Sonic looked at each other.

“Is this the ostrich that we saw?” Manic asked.

“Yeah, I've been fattening that temperamental bird up for a while.” The farmer replied. “I finally decided to do it today after it attacked you two. I'm sorry about that.”

Manic laughed nervously. “It's cool.”

“No harm done.” Sonic added.
*
The next afternoon, they finally made it home.

“Go ride your hoverboard for a while.” Sonic whispered to Manic.

“Why are we whispering?” Manic asked.

“Just do what I say.” Sonic whispered. “I'm getting Sonia back for leaving me and splashing mud on me.”

Manic smirked. “Alright.”

Sonic curled up in his bed while Manic got his board and left.

Sonia came out of the bathroom. “Okay, Sonic, it's time for you-”

“I think that chili dog made me sick.” Sonic moaned.

“Those things were two weeks old.” Sonia said. “Now someone tells me.” Sonic replied. “I hate to ask, but can you please clean the septic system on the van? I'll do it next time, I promise.”

“Of course, I'll handle it.” Sonia said. “You just rest and I'll get you a bucket in case you need it.”

Sonia got Sonic a bucket before going outside to clean the septic system.
*
Sonia finished the job an hour later.

Manic came home and sat down on the bed. He unwrapped a bubblegum flavored ice cream bar and took a bite out of his ice cream.

Sonic was… sitting on his bed and playing his guitar.

“Sonic, I thought you were sick.” Sonia said.

“My ankle is still hurt after your stupid prank.” Sonic replied.

Sonia folded her arms. “So you were just getting me back, huh?”

Sonic nodded.

Sonia huffed and stomped her foot. “That's it. I'm going to a spa as soon as I shower.”

Manic and Sonic laughed as Sonia headed to the bathroom.

“Good one, bro.” Manic said. He rubbed his stomach. “Oh, man, I shouldn't have eaten so many ice cream bars.”

“How many did you have?” Sonic asked.

“I found the only store in Robotropolis that serves this kind of bubblegum ice cream.” Manic replied. “They had twenty bars. I bought all twenty.”

Sonic shook his head. “So you ate all twenty in one sitting?”

“I know, it was stupid.” Manic replied.