FicWad

Surge walked into the classroom beside Manic, barely paying attention as he rambled on about how much he disliked Robocop 3, which he saw last night against Surge’s warnings that he’d hate it.
She still hadn’t told him about Dr. Eggman’s scheme. She was reasoning that what he didn’t know wouldn't hurt him and that Eggman’s scheme would fail spectacularly as always.
This morning, Dr. Eggman had raised the stakes, saying he’d kill her and Kit as well as Manic if she didn’t take the deal. The details of the method of execution were particularly disturbing.
Manic froze as soon as he walked into the classroom, then ran out.
“Manic?” Surge asked.
“I guess he saw today’s lesson on the board.” Sonia said, slumping on the desk.
Surge looked at Sonic and Sonia. “What happened?”
“Our parents worked in the GUN lab that had the chemical spill and explosion about sixteen years ago.” Sonic said, handing Sonia a tissue as she started sniffling.
“Our dad was killed in the explosion.” Sonia added. “Mom and us were exposed to it. It happened two days before she was supposed to go on maternity leave. We were born two weeks early and Manic had to spend nearly a month in the hospital.”
Surge glanced at the door. “I should check on him.” She replied. “I’m sorry you all went through that.”
Surge got up and walked out of the room. She didn’t see Manic in the hall, so she headed outside.
Manic was sitting on the brick wall by the steps with his knees to his chest.
Surge sat down beside Manic. “Sonic and Sonia told me what happened.”
Manic slid his knees down and angled himself to face Surge. “I didn’t get to meet my dad.” He replied. “I’ve seen old videos and pictures. He kinda looked like me, but sounded like Sonic. Having the videos and all are cool, but it’s just not the same as actually meeting your dad.”
Surge nodded.
“So we were born early.” Manic said. “Sonic and Sonia were fine, but I spent about a week or two in an incubator. Sonic and Sonia have super powers because of it. I got nerve damage.”
Manic curled up, wrapping his arms tighter around his legs. “That’s why I lose feeling in my hands or legs sometimes. Maybe it’s why I have severe anxiety.” He said. He exhaled slowly. “We still don’t know what the long term effects for either of us are yet.”
Surge rubbed Manic’s back. “I’m sorry, Babe.” She replied. “Do you need me to sit with you or did you want to try to go back to class?”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble or something.” Manic said. “I’ll be fine, I just can’t listen to it without breaking down.”
Surge slid her hand onto his hand. “I’ll sit with you.” She replied. “I love you.”
Manic hugged Surge. “Love you too, Babe.” He said. “Thanks.”
Surge rubbed Manic’s back, thinking about Eggman’s scheme. “Now what do I do?” She thought.

*
Manic sat down beside Surge at their favorite lunch table. “Hey, Babe.” He said. He kissed her cheek.
Surge barely acknowledged Manic.
“Babe?” Manic asked.
Surge turned to face Manic. She wrapped her arms around Manic’s shoulders, burying her face in his chest.
Manic could barely hear her crying. He rubbed her back. “Hey.” He said softly. “What’s wrong?”
Surge pulled away and wiped her eyes with her arm warmer. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for.” Manic said, holding her hand. “What happened?”
“I’ve been lying to you about my home and family since you’ve known me.” Surge replied.
Manic flinched. “Are you being abused?”
Surge nodded. “That and my parents are actually robots.”
“I’d be impressed with the tech if I wasn’t concerned about why you were raised by robots.” Manic said.
“Eggman said he’d kill me, Kit, and you if I didn’t play along.” Surge replied.
Manic looked away. “So you’ve been spying on us for Eggman?” He asked. “Is that why you said you love me? Just to use me?”
“I do love you.” Surge replied. “I was forced into this. I kept my mouth shut because Eggman wasn’t much of a threat until now. I didn’t know what was really going on until the first time he shocked me when I was four and told you about the amusement park wing.”
“Why?” Manic asked. “I mean, I know it’s to get info on Sonic, but he hadn’t started fighting Egghead until recently.”
“The GUN lab explosion.” Surge replied.
“That happened sixteen years ago.” Manic replied. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Eggman was able to figure out the Chaos Emerald radiation affected Sonic.” Surge said. “He’s not as concerned with Sonia. He’s more concerned about killing Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles.”
Manic nodded.
“At first, Eggman wasn’t sure which one or if all of you were affected or what effects it would cause, but he was keeping tabs on you all in the hopes he’d recruit someone to his cause if one of you turned out like Shadow or Knuckles.” Surge replied. “I thought we were secret agents at first. I’m sorry, Manic. To be fair, he lied to me for a while. He tortures Kit and me. He keeps Kit held in his lab. He spies on us.”
“Okay, if you’re really sorry, then help us take him down.” Manic replied.
“What do you need me to do?” Surge asked. “Kit has his security codes and everything, but Egghead may be on to us.”
Manic got up, then helped Surge up. “First, we need to tell the others.”