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Manic set the bags by the door. “So when are we leaving?”

Sonic walked in, carrying a plate of chili dogs. “In a few hours.” He said. “Be prepared, Manic. Mom told me that she had to sit you and Surge down to explain why you two won’t ever be allowed to rule if the monarchy isn’t dissolved.”

Manic shrugged. “We’re not royalty material anyway.”

“But what about Sonia and Shadow?” Surge asked. “They can’t rule either. Shadow has done at least one hit.”

Sonic dropped his plate of chili dogs. “What?”

“It wasn’t a hit.” Manic replied. “He didn’t even kill the guy, but he did send him to the hospital.”

“Why?” Sonic asked.

“This guy was stalking Surge.” Manic replied. “I mentioned it and Shadow went out on his own and sent the guy to the hospital.”

“Didn’t you know that would happen?” Sonic asked.

“No, I was wanting to hunt that guy down myself.” Manic replied. “Shadow walked away, came back about two hours later and said he had taken care of it. I heard that the guy was in the hospital and none of Shadow’s charges were updated for that reason.”

“I guess I could understand that.” Sonic said, kneeling down to pick up the chili dogs.”

“But he has done a few hits, I hear.” Manic replied.

Sonic looked up at Manic. “Why are you friends with him?” He asked. “Well, you have a temper.”

“He saved my life once.” Manic said, kneeling down to help Sonic. “When I was four, I went out to learn how to do transactions for the first time. The guy was gonna rob us and stab Farrell. I attacked the guy before Farrell could stop me and I got- well, it kind of stabbed me. I needed stitches, but it didn’t do anything worse.”

“That’s how you got the scar you showed me?” Sonic asked.

“Yeah; anyway, you know the rest of the story.” Manic replied.

Sonic and Manic stand up.

“I guess he’s not all bad if he cared for his sick adoptive sister.” Sonic said.

“I’m not as violent as everyone believes I am.” Manic said. “It’s an act. I didn’t-”

Sonia ran into the foyer. “Uncle Chuck has some bad news.”

Manic, Surge, and Sonic followed Sonia into the living room.

Shadow (with his feet on the coffee table again) and Uncle Chuck were sitting on the couch.

Aleena was sitting on the loveseat.

Manic and Surge sat down on the floor.

Sonia sat beside Shadow and Sonic sat down beside Aleena.

“So what’s the news?” Manic asked.

*

“So the monarchy is dissolved?” Sonic asked.

“Sort of.” Aleena replied. “Robotnik set the law because he’s claiming we broke the royal code by shirking our responsibilities. Any laws he sets are abolished once he’s ousted. Since Knothole dissolved their monarchy, everyone wants to do that in Mobotropolis when or if we kick Robotnik out.”

“What?” Sonic asked.

“That was the old name for Robotropolis.” Uncle Chuck said.

Sonic nodded.

“It’s fine with me if they dissolve the monarchy.” Manic said, putting his feet on the coffee table and his hands behind his head.

“Same here.” Sonic said.

Sonia sighed. “I was looking forward to being a princess.”

Surge looked at Sonia. “That’s unsurprising.”

Sonia crossed her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re upper class.” Manic said.

“Both of you have a real disdain for upper class citizens, huh?” Sonia asked.

“Oh, I wonder why.” Manic said sarcastically. “It couldn’t be because they turned on our family and plunged our city into a living hell on Mobius.”

“Lady Windermere never sided with Robotnik, Manic.” Aleena replied. “Her husband is a double agent, gathering intel from the inside. That and the family were good friends of ours are the reasons why I sent Sonia to live with them.”

“Okay, so I like them and our family.” Manic said. “But I stand by what I said. I wouldn’t have gotten nearly sold in the black market, died from being stabbed, or lost my foster dad if this hadn’t happened.”

“But then you wouldn’t have your foster dad or met me.” Surge said, rubbing Manic’s shoulder. “Or have Glitch. Or made Maria’s life a little happier.”

Manic sighed. “I still think we would’ve met somehow.”

“Also… you know Uncle Chuck invented it, right?” Aleena asked.

“Yeah, but he tried to destroy the files.” Manic replied. “He’s done more for the resistance than I have.”

“So where do we go from here?” Shadow asked.

“Back to Robotropolis.” Aleena said. “Tails, your uncle, and I have come up with a plan.”

Sonic, Sonia, and Manic nodded.

Aleena looked over at Shadow.

“I can join your cause.” Shadow said. “But it won’t be cheap.”

Sonia angled herself to face Shadow and crossed her arms. “We didn’t charge you for a ride or to stay with us.”

“I have nothing but a totaled motorcycle and a backpack full of my belongings, Sonia.” Shadow said. “Mercenary work isn’t guaranteed, most of which was for the resistance. I’m supporting the monarchy regardless, but I need something for my trouble if I’m gonna be out of a job.”

“Would you like to work as private security?” Aleena asked. “Free room and board.”

“I’ll take it.” Shadow replied.

“If that’s all, I’ll help Shads put his motorcycle in the garage.” Manic said.

“That’s all.” Aleena replied.

“Come on.” Manic said, getting up. “Let’s get this over with.”

Shadow and Manic walked out of the room.

Aleena got up. “We’re going to have breakfast before we leave.” She replied. “I’ve been dying to make you vanilla coconut pancakes.”

Sonic checked his phone. “I’ll be right back. Sal’s gonna join us.” He said. He ran off.

Everyone was gathered at the table for breakfast.

Sonic, carrying Sally, came in. “Her dad thinks she’d be safer here while they settle the dissolution.” He said, setting Sally down. “There was a riot, long story.”

Sally straightened her T-shirt and cargo skirt. “And I’d love to help you all bring down- Terios? What are you doing here?”

“He’s cool, Princess.” Manic replied. “We’ve been calling him by his real name Shadow.”

“I know, he’s done a lot for the resistance.” Sally said. “Thanks for bringing in medicine for Daddy. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” Shadow said.

“Help yourself to some pancakes.” Aleena said, motioning toward the kitchen door. “There’s plenty in the kitchen.”

“You sit down, Sal.” Sonic said. “I’ll make your plate for you.”

Sally sat down. “Thanks, I’m not too hungry, but I’ll try it.”

Sonic got Sally one pancake and vanilla custard.

*

Surge snuggled against Manic as they rode along in the camper. “Why do they think it’s safer for Sally to come along to fight Egghead?”

“There’s a coup.” Sonic said, looking over his shoulder to make sure she was in the bathroom. “He’s afraid there will be an execution. Marrying me would be abdicating the throne. He figures she can hide in the camper.”

“What does that mean for us if they dissolve the monarchy in Robotropolis?” Manic asked. “What if they want to execute us?”

Sonic shrugged as Shadow walked in. “I’ll try to get us to safety.”

“You have an army.” Shadow said.

“Oh, yeah.” Manic replied. “That’s true.”

“If that fails, we’ll go to Mobodoon.” Surge said.

Manic played with Surge’s spines. “We’re at least visiting it anyway.”

Sally screamed.

Glitch started crying.

Sonic jumped out of his seat and ran to the bathroom. “Sal?”

Surge picked up Glitch out of his new carrier Aleena had gotten him and patted his back.

“Sal?” Sonic asked.

Sally, sobbing hysterically, came out of the bathroom. “They executed Daddy.”

Sonic held Sally. “I’m sorry, Sal. I’m sorry.” He said softly. He led Sally to the couch and sat her down, letting her cry on his shoulder.

Surge looked at Manic.

“It’s okay.” Manic said, holding Surge. “We have Shadow.”

Sonia bit her nails.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Shadow said, moving Sonia’s hand out of her mouth.

“You’re just one hedgehog.” Sonia replied.

“You don’t know me well.” Shadow said.

Manic nodded. “Trust him, sis.”

*

“We’re back home.” Sonic said, looking out the window at the Robotropolis slum.

Manic pointed out the Swatbots. “Looks like they’re expecting us.”

Sonic got up. “Alright, this is it.”

Shadow strapped his shoulder holsters on and put on his trench coat.

“We’re fighting Swatbots, not Agent Smith, Shadow.” Sonic said.

Shadow glared at Sonic. “Do you want me to use you as a hedgehog shield?”

“No, forget I said anything.” Sonic said.

Surge handed Glitch to Uncle Chuck. “Sal, do you want to help Unc with Glitch?”

“I was going to fight with them.” Sally replied. She held up her tablet. “Nicole downloaded the digital map.”

Sonia looked at Surge. “Don’t you want to stay with Glitch?”

“I can take down the robots with my rings.” Surge said, showing Sonia the rings on her fingers. “Gerald made these for me before he died. They can shut down the Swatbots, but only for about ten seconds.”

Manic rubbed the back of his neck. “I really don’t want Glitch to potentially lose both of his parents, Babe.”

“Then you stay with him.” Surge said, jabbing Manic in the chest with her finger. “He’s a daddy’s boy anyway.”

Manic ran his hand through his spines. “Good point.”

“You’re a hacker, Manic.” Shadow said. “We probably need you to man the computer to help Tails remotely.”

“You know more about the Resistance chat than Unc does.” Sonic added. “I’ll make sure she’s safe, I promise.”

“Alright then.” Manic replied. He hugged and kissed Surge. “Stay safe, Babe. I love you.”

“Love you too.” Surge said.

Surge shut down another set of Swatbots, then Sonic and Shadow took them down with a few spin dashes.

Sonia kicked a few drones.

Aleena adjusted her headset as the group ran toward the fortress. “Manic, Tails, have you two gotten the force field down?”

“Just got it down.” Manic said.

“I infected his software with a virus I made.” Tails added. “It should take out the rest of the Swatbots, but leave the roboticized unaffected. I don’t want to risk permanently damaging them somehow, so I put them in sleep mode.”

“Perfect.” Aleena replied.

Sally motioned to an alley to their left. “This way.”

The hedgehog family and Shadow finally made it into the fortress and started looking for Robotnik’s control room.

“You incompetent idiot!” Robotnik bellowed. “You mean to tell me with all your connections with the Underground black market, you couldn’t find who could possibly be behind this?!”

“Must be talking to Sleet.” Shadow said in a low tone. “He’s a shady bounty hunter with a private security firm.”

“How am I supposed to know who just infected the system?” Sleet questioned. “This literally happened seconds ago.”

“But you assured me that your company’s cybersecurity was impenetrable!” Robotnik yelled. “This is the fifth time someone hacked into the system. I’m tired of giving you chances.”

Sonic and his group flinched as a laser gun went off.

Robotnik marched out of the room, nearly running into Aleena.

Robotnik backed away. “How… I-”

Shadow pulled his guns out and pointed them at Robotnik.

“I’ll give you a deal, Robotnik.” Sonic said. “Give up, or I give Shadow the-”

Shadow shot Robotnik.

Aleena and Sonia stared in disbelief.

Surge groaned.

Sonic grabbed Shadow’s shoulder.

Shadow jerked his arm away and turned to face Sonic.

“What the heck is wrong with you?!” Sonic yelled. “We needed him to give us directions to reverse robotization.”

“We heard all of it.” Tails said. “I just found the files and downloaded them.”

Surge dusted her hands off. “Fine, as long as we can still save Farrell.”

Aleena pulled her headset closer. “Tails, we need you.” She said, “We’re at the roboticizer room.”

“On my way.” Tails said.

“Surge, you want to get shumai after this?” Manic asked.

“Meet you at the camper.” Surge said, walking away.

Shadow glared at Sonic. “He would’ve been executed for war crimes anyway.”

“You took that a bit personally.” Sonic said.

“Maria would still be here if he hadn’t made it harder for us to get medical treatment.” Shadow replied. He walked away.

Sonia glanced at Shadow. “I’ll talk to him,” She said. She ran after Shadow.

“Come on, we need to go to the robotization room and get everything set up for the tests.” Aleena said. “I don’t think this will affect our public image.”

Sonic furrowed his brow as Aleena headed into the room.

Sally walked Sonic into the room. “I know you hate it, Sonic.” She said in a low tone. “I love that about you.”

Sonic slid his hand into Sally’s hand. “Thanks, Sal.”