FicWad

Four year old Manic followed Farrell to some meeting or another in one of the alleys in the Robotropolis slum. He didn’t exactly know what his foster dad did for a living, in spite of him working at home.

Farrell didn’t allow Manic in his bedroom/office or to even knock on the door unless it was an emergency.

Manic was typically given pre-made meals and told to play quietly, do schoolwork using old textbooks or documentaries on the resistance info networks, or watch his favorite cartoons while his adoptive dad worked.

Today, Farrell told him that he needed to learn the business, whatever that was.

Manic had his theories on what Farrell did for a living, his favorite being that his adoptive dad was really a spy for whoever wasn’t Robotnik.

Manic had a bad feeling once he saw the guy (a cricket-like Mobian) they were supposed to meet with and raised his spines. He looked at Farrell to see if he looked as uneasy as he felt.

Farrell eyed the cricket suspiciously and subtly tried to ease Manic behind him.

Manic only moved back enough for Farrell to stop trying to make sure he was safe, but not too far back that he couldn’t protect his dad.

The cricket glared at Manic. “I thought I told you to come alone, Farrell.”

“The kid’s my apprentice, he doesn’t count.” Farrell said.

Manic noticed the guy pulling a knife out of his coat pocket and charged at the guy in an attempt to snatch the knife away.

“Manic!” Farrell snapped.

Manic screamed as he felt the knife sink in his little side. He just knew he wasn’t going to make it.

Suddenly, a black and red hedgehog showed up and kicked the cricket in the head, knocking him out.

Farrell scooped up Manic, who was sobbing hysterically.

“My grandfather can help him.” The hedgehog said, hovering down as his air shoes shifted gears. “Follow me.”

Farrell followed the hedgehog, who skated to a nearby shack.

The hedgehog knocked on the door. “Grandpa? It’s Shadow.” He called. “My friend needs help.”

The door opened.

Gerald Robotnik, the resistance doctor and disowned grandfather of Ivo Robotnik, was standing there. “Bring him in, Farrell.”

Farrell followed Shadow inside. “My kid got stabbed. Long story.”

Shadow shut the door behind them.

“He should be fine.” Gerald said, taking Manic from Farrell. “You can wait out here.”

Manic opened his eyes as Gerald walked toward the exam room. “I want Dad.” He whimpered.

“He wants you, Farrell.” Gerald said over his shoulder.

Farrell followed Gerald into the room where the latter’s granddaughter Maria was sitting in a wheelchair as she read a book.

Maria looked up and gasped. “Oh, no. What happened to him?”

Gerald laid Manic on the table. “He got stabbed.”

Maria rolled over and started stroking Manic’s spines. “Grandfather is a great doctor.” She replied. “You’ll be okay.”

Manic smiled weakly and started to fall asleep after several minutes.

Maria looked at Gerald. “Grandfather?”

“He’s okay.” Gerald said, getting the supplies to stitch Manic up. “He’ll only need stitches. It wasn’t as bad as he thought.”

“His spines are his off button.” Farrell replied. “He falls asleep every time you pet them.”

Maria giggled. “Aww.”

Shadow came in. “Is he okay?”

Manic woke up. “Thanks, Shadow.”

“Don’t call me that on the street.” Shadow said. “I go by Terios out there.”

“I don’t like sending him out for supplies, but I can’t always go myself.” Gerald said, cleaning Manic’s injury.

“From what I’ve seen, I don’t think anyone would want to bother him.” Farrell replied.

“Yeah, where’d you learn to fight like that, Shadow?” Manic asked.

Shadow sat down beside Maria. “I can teach you.”

“Shadow.” Maria scolded.

“He really needs to learn to defend himself, Maria.” Gerald said, stitching up Manic’s side. He looked at Shadow. “But he’s only learning hand to hand combat right now and no street fighting. I better not catch you trying to get in the gun safe again either, Shadow.”

“Don’t help him pick the lock to it, Manic.” Farrell said. “Your tail will be in serious trouble.”

Manic groaned.

Shadow huffed.

*

Later that evening

Sonic laid on the floor, watching his favorite movie Speed and eating chili dogs.

Uncle Chuck’s phone started ringing.

Sonic sighed. “Hey, Unc, your phone’s ringing.”

“Well, can you answer it?” Uncle Chuck called from the kitchen.

Sonic paused his movie and answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Wha- hey, sweetie.” Aleena said, voice shaking. “I miss you so much.”

Sonic’s brow furrowed. “Who is this?”

Uncle Chuck hurried into the room.

“It’s your mom, Sonic.” Aleena said.

Sonic grinned. “Mom, are ya gonna come home now?”

“Where’s Uncle Chuck?” Aleena asked.

“Right here.” Sonic replied.

“Put it on speakerphone.” Aleena said.

Sonic put the phone on speaker. “Okay, Mom.”

“Sonic, sweetie, it breaks my heart to tell you this.” Aleena said, sniffling. “Your dad was killed earlier during a raid in one of the Freedom fighter bases in Tashistan.”

Sonic gasped. “What?” He asked. “Dad’s dead?”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Aleena said.

Uncle Chuck held Sonic as the little boy started crying.

“The funeral is tomorrow at two.” Aleena said. “I’d love to be with you two, but I’m needed here and I can’t leave. I am so sorry.”

“I’m sorry, Aleena.” Uncle Chuck replied. “Try to come home as soon as you can.”

“I will.” Aleena said. “Love you. Gotta go.”

“Love you too, Mom.” Sonic sobbed.

Aleena hung up.

“I didn’t get to meet him.” Sonic cried.

“I know; it’s not fair, Sonny boy.” Uncle Chuck said, gently patting Sonic’s back.

*

Farrell sighed as he read the news. He was a day late to find out any info since Manic had been injured and they only got home an hour ago.

Manic’s biological father had been killed the night before and the funeral had been over for two hours now.

“Dad?” Manic called.

Farrell glanced over his shoulder. “I’m coming.” He said. He picked up the plate of nachos for Manic’s snack and brought it to the little hedgehog, who was laying on the couch and watching Animaniacs.

Manic glanced at Farrell as he set the plate down on the coffee table, then knelt down beside the couch. “What’s wrong?”

“I hate to tell you this, Manic.” Farrell said. “I just found out your dad was killed last night and his funeral was done a few hours ago.”

Manic burst into tears, hugging Farrell.

Farrell rubbed Manic’s back. “I’m sorry, kiddo.”

“I didn’t get to meet him.” Manic sobbed. “I don’t remember any of them.”

“I know, I know.” Farrell said. “I’m sorry, Manic.”

Manic’s sobs finally turned to shuddering breaths.

“It’s not fair.” Farrell said, helping Manic ease back against his pillow. “Maybe you’ll at least be able to meet your Ma, Sonia, and Sonic.”

Manic slowly nodded. “Do you at least have a picture of Ma and Dad?” He asked. “They’re royalty, right? Shouldn’t there be pictures of them in history books?”

Farrell found an old book, then flipped through to the right page. “You can keep this.” He said, handing Manic the book.

Manic looked at the picture of a hedgehog couple. “Is that my parents?”

“Yeah, that’s them.” Farrell said. “Maybe a few years before you were born.”

Manic studied the picture. “Ma looks a little sad.”

Farrell ran his hand through his antenna. “She’s had some hard times.” He replied. “I’ll explain later.”

Manic nodded. “Dad looks a lot like me.”

Farrell looked at the picture. “He does.”

Manic sighed and set the book down. “Dad got to see me, right?”

“Yeah, he got to see you.” Farrell said. “I’m sure he missed you. He and your Ma only sent you away to hide you from Robotnik.”

Manic yawned.

“Try to take a nap.” Farrell said, pulling the old blanket up to Manic’s chin. He stroked Manic’s spines until the boy fell asleep.