FicWad

Aleena had her children and their friends gather in a conference room to tell them news about Robotnik’s impending trial.

Knuckles punched the table, cracking the surface.

“What do you mean he’s only getting a life sentence?” Shadow questioned.

“What would be your suggestion, Shadow?” Aleena asked.

“The death penalty.” Shadow replied.

“That was abolished decades ago.” Aleena said.

“So bring it back.” Shadow replied.

“We can put it to a vote.” Manic said, putting his feet on the table. “I’m with Shadow.”

“So am I.” Surge said.

Kit nodded. “I’m with Surge.”

Sonia bit her lip.

“I’m more for the idea of letting us beat the daylights out of him.” Knuckles said. “I think the coward would prefer death to escape justice. I say let him suffer.”

Shadow scoffed. “Sending that monster straight to hell would be the ultimate justice.” He said. “It doesn’t have to be a quick and painless death.”

Manic nodded. “Totally.”

Aleena shuddered. “Manic….”

“Well, I’m with Mom.” Sonic replied. “We’re no better than Robotnik if we torture him like he tortured us.”

Tails, Sally, and Bunnie nodded in agreement.

Sonia exhaled slowly. “I agree with Mother and Sonic; I wish you and Manic would agree with us, Shadow.”

“I know I can’t change your mind.” Shadow said. He got up. “Sorry it has to be this way.”

“What- you’re breaking up with me?” Sonia asked.

Shadow shook his head. “I didn’t say that.” He said. He walked to the door. “All I’m saying is that I’m done hanging around this palace.”

Shadow walked out and slammed the doors behind him.

Manic got up. “Sorry, Ma and Sonia, I can’t hang around here either.” He said, walking over to Sonic. He hugged him. “See you around, bro. Love ya.”

Manic glanced at Surge.

Surge and Kit got up.

“I know you’re hurting.” Sonic said, turning to face Manic. “Please, stay. We can get you help.”

“You can’t get me the help I want.” Manic said. “Sorry it has to be that way.”

Manic took Surge’s hand and walked out of the room.

Kit followed them.

Sonic watched Manic walk away, then looked at Aleena. “I’m sorry about that, Mom.”

“Can you reason with Manic?” Aleena asked.

“Hard to say.” Sonic replied. “He’ll talk to me, at least. I’m not sure if this will change with him being around Shadow.”

“Shadow is pretty antisocial.” Tails said. “He tolerates everyone, but Sonia is his favorite.”

Amy stepped into the room. “Your highness, the nobles are waiting for you.”

“Of course.” Aleena said, getting up. She left the room.

Sonic looked at Sonia. “I hate to tell her, but I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Me too.” Sonia said, rubbing her arm.

The others nodded in sad agreement.

*

Shadow led his group into a little cottage on the outskirts of Mobodoon. He glanced around. “It’ll do for now.”

“So what is our plan?” Surge asked.

“Revenge.” Shadow replied.

“On who?” Kit asked. “We can’t reach Robotnik without getting killed by the security systems and guards.”

“Society, for sitting on their lazy butts while we were tortured?” Surge asked. “Then did nothing to give us any justice?”

“Exactly.” Shadow replied.

Manic rubbed the back of his head. “Eh, I dunno.” He said. “It wasn’t society’s fault they couldn’t find us.”

“They didn’t even try to send a drone to the mountains.” Shadow said. “I don’t call that ‘trying hard’ at all.”

Surge slid her arm around Manic’s shoulders. “It’ll give you an excuse to use your hacking and thieving skills, Manic.” She replied. “Maybe one day we can reach Robotnik and deal with him ourselves. Think of everything else as practice and a settlement.”

Shadow nodded. “Exactly.”

Manic smirked. “I’m in.”