Categories > Games > Sonic the Hedgehog > Dreams come true
Tails shook his head as Sonia explained her plan over their breakfast of oatmeal.
Sonia groaned. “You too?”
“Sonia, it’s a life or death situation that we search for the emeralds.” Tails replied. “I feel bad for Manic, but it’s not our problem.”
“We owe him, he gave us back the white or gray Chaos emerald.” Sonia said.
“Yeah…, but this is a lot to do.” Tails replied.
“Fine. I’ll help him and you two can search for the emeralds.” Sonia said. “I’ve locked myself in anyway since I already entered him into the contest.”
Sonic and Tails looked at Sonia. “What?!”
“I did it after I saw him looking at the poster and where he lived.” Sonia said.
“Why are you so obsessed with helping him?” Sonic asked.
“The poor guy has a family.” Sonia replied. “He’s had a hard life. I don’t know, he got to me.”
“Alright, we’ll help in shifts.” Tails said. “You two meet with him, while I track the emeralds.”
Sonia hugged Tails. “Thanks, little bro.”
“Okay, let’s get this over with.” Sonic said.
*
Sonic and Sonia showed up at Manic’s home bright and early that morning.
Manic happened to be sitting outside, as if he was waiting for them. “Right on time.” He said, standing up.
“Well, we didn’t want to keep you waiting.” Sonic muttered.
Manic led Sonic and Sonia inside. “Eh… I haven’t explained this to Surge yet.”
“Who?” Sonic asked.
“His wife.” Sonia replied.
Manic opened up single serve cereal bowls and some water. “Babe, kids, breakfast is ready.”
Surge and the kids shuffled out of their bedroom.
Surge eased herself in front of the kids. “Manic, who are they?”
“Uh… friends.” Manic replied.
“We’re gonna help you get back on your feet.” Sonia said. “Don’t worry, we’re not here to take your kids.”
The kids settled on the floor by Manic as he served them breakfast.
Surge thought about it. “Fine, we’re desperate.” She replied. She walked over to Manic and sat down beside him.
Manic handed Surge a bowl. “Here, babe.”
Surge ate her meal.
Sonic sighed. “They’re eating dry cereal with their fingers.”
Manic motioned to his kids. “Glitch, the one with a blue eye and brown eye, is our oldest boy.” He said. “Cyber is our girl and Nikòs is our baby boy with blue eyes.”
The kids glanced at Sonic and Sonia, but said nothing since they were still half asleep.
“They’re adorable.” Sonia said.
“So how are you gonna help us?” Surge asked.
“By helping him live his dream.” Sonic replied. “Shouldn’t be hard; he’s got talent, right?”
“For drumming, yes.” Surge said. “He was an amazing singer before he permanently damaged his vocal cords.”
Sonic looked at Sonia. “Really? Could’ve been honest with me.”
“I was, you didn’t listen again.” Sonia said. “Why do you think I brought an extra medallion?”
Surge seethed. “So you’re just messing with him. We don’t need this.”
“No, trust us.” Sonia said.
Surge gave Sonia a look. “You can’t fix his vocal cords.”
Sonia crossed her arms. “Do you have other options?”
Surge sighed. “Guess not.”
Sonic shrugged. “Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”
*
The kids played in one half of the living room while Manic and Surge stood in the other corner with Sonic and Sonia.
Sonia handed Manic a flyer. “I saw you looking at that and signed you up.”
“Did you forget I messed up my voice three years ago?” Manic asked.
“How did you mess up your voice?” Sonic asked.
“I was trying to sing while I had a sore throat.” Manic replied. “It was a kinda metal band and I did the screams.”
Sonia searched her purse. “We have something to fix your voice.”
Sonic looked at Manic’s tattoos and piercings. “You can’t feed your family, but you got all those tattoos and piercings.”
“Got the piercings before I met Surge.” Manic said. He held his hand up. “The only real tattoo I have is my wedding ring. Surge and I got our wedding rings tattooed on the day we got married, but the others are fake. We drew them on with old markers I have because we like to change them up.”
“You two are awfully confident in your relationship to get permanent wedding rings.” Sonic replied.
Manic narrowed his eyes. “Yes, we are.”
Surge rolled her eyes. “We’re smart enough to know a good thing when we have it.” She added. “You won’t believe what we have seen growing up.”
Sonia pulled the medallion out of her purse and handed it to Manic. “Here, put this on and try to sing.”
Manic slid the necklace on.
“You expect us to believe that?” Surge asked.
“Just try to sing, Manic.” Sonic said.
Manic exhaled slowly.
*
Surge’s jaw dropped as Manic finished the last note.
Manic wiped eyes. “Oh, man, I haven’t done that in a few years.”
Sonia sniffled. “You have an amazing voice.”
Cyber ran over and hugged Manic.
“Ah, that’s probably the first time you ever heard me sing.” Manic said, picking up Cyber.
“You’re an awesome singer.” Cyber said as her brothers walked over. “Why haven’t we heard you sing before?”
“Because my voice was messed up until now.” Manic said.
Sonia checked her watch. “Alright, we better head to the theater.”
Sonic pulled a ring out. “So you don’t have to make the kids walk that far.”
“But we can’t afford to go to the movies.” Glitch protested.
“It’s for a competition.” Manic said. “If I win, then maybe I can get our house back.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow. “No mansion?” He asked. “Just your old house back?”
“Yeah, I don’t need a fancy house.” Manic replied. “It’s my dad’s house anyway.”
Sonic shrugged, then tossed the ring into the air.
*
The group stood backstage at the Mobotropolis theater.
Surge hugged Manic. “You’ll do great.”
“Thanks, babe.” Manic said. He went to take his place behind the curtain.
Sonic and Sonia helped Surge take the kids to the auditorium.
Surge looked at Sonic and Sonia. “This better work.”
“It will.” Sonia said. “I promise. Either way, we’ll get you help.”
Surge nodded tersely.
Nikòs leaned against Surge, poking her with his spines.
Surge groaned. “Nikòs….”
“I’m bored, when’s Dad gonna be on?” Nikòs asked.
“I don’t know.” Surge replied. “Look, you’re as imaginative as your dad and you’re bored? I doubt it.”
Nikòs huffed.
“One more huff and you’re in serious trouble, kid.” Surge said. “Knock it off or you can go live in a burrow with crazy aunt Sticks.”
“That’s not a punishment, ma.” Nikòs muttered. “She has a couch.”
Surge sighed. “I wish she had room for all of us too.”
Sonic and Sonia exchanged glances.
Manic finally took his place on stage behind a drum set and began introducing himself.
Cyber pointed at Manic. “There’s Daddy!” She exclaimed.
Manic laughed nervously. “That’s my baby girl in the audience.” He said. He started playing the drums.
*
Sonic and Sonia led Surge and the disappointed kids backstage.
Manic walked over to his family, shaking his head. “Third… I can’t believe it.”
Surge hugged Manic. “You did your best.”
A white bat made her way over to him. “You are so talented, Manic.” She gushed. “You shoulda won.”
Surge gave the bat a dirty look. “Thanks, but he has a family.”
The bat handed Manic a card. “I’m only interested in him as a client.” She replied. “I’m Rouge, head of Mobius records. I think he has what it takes to make it in the music business.”
Manic looked at the card. “Eh….”
“You can look me up online.” Rouge said. “I completely understand your reluctance. There’s a lot of scammers and creeps out there.”
“I… I don’t have a phone.” Manic replied. “We’re homeless at the moment.”
“Then use mine.” Rouge said, pulling her phone out. She unlocked her phone, then handed it to Manic.
Manic looked up Rouge’s info on the search engine, then handed her phone back to her. “A’ight, everything checks out.”
“Now, how about lunch?” Rouge asked. “I’ll have my assistant pick us up some takeout and we’ll eat in the conference room at the office. The kids will be fine, we have a playroom on the same floor.”
Manic looked over at Sonic and Sonia. “Hey, you two can go do what you gotta do.” He said. “We’ll catch up at the house.”
Sonic shrugged. “If you say so.”
“I’m his manager, kinda.” Sonia said. “I have to go.”
“Alright, then.” Sonic replied. “Meet you back at the house.”
Sonic left the theater.
“He has some other important engagements.” Sonia said. “Long story.”
“I see.” Rouge replied. “Well, let’s go.”
*
Sonic caught up with Tails at his workshop. He handed Tails the red Chaos emerald. “Got it.”
“Ah, so you did get my message.” Tails said, locking the emerald into a container.
“Sorry about that; my reply kept failing to send.” Sonic replied. He sat down in one of Tails’ computer chairs. “I guess Sonia will be gone for a while. She has a business meeting for Manic. Apparently, she’s his manager now.”
Tails sighed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Do you have any idea why she’s so fixated on helping him?” Sonic asked.
“No, I did a lot of research into the royal family a while ago and I don’t remember anything that would make sense of this.” Tails replied. “How did he act when you two first met him? Did he have his kids with him?”
“He was alone and seemed like a nice enough guy that was disappointed that he didn’t get a reward.” Sonic said. He propped his elbow on Tails’s desk and held his hand up with his fist. “I feel bad for the guy too. He and his family literally only have each other, the clothes on their backs, and an abandoned house they’re living in.”
Tails raised an eyebrow. “He and his wife have no family or friends who’ll take them in?”
“His dad died and they never mentioned any other family members.” Sonic said. “They mentioned their friends have no room for them. One friend is in GUN, so I can buy that he doesn’t have room, and one friend lives in a burrow. I dunno, I feel like there’s a reason no one has taken them in. I mean, the guy’s got three kids. Why wouldn’t someone want to help the kids?”
Tails leaned back in his seat and sipped his hot chocolate. “We need to ask Sonia questions when she gets back.”
“Eh, forget that, I feel like she hasn’t been totally honest.” Sonic said, sliding his arm down. “Did she ever mention Manic had damaged his vocal cords?”
“Sounds familiar.” Tails replied. “Maybe you should talk to Manic anyway. Sonia probably doesn’t know his whole story either. If he’s lying, he’ll eventually slip up.”
Sonic nodded. “I’ll wait until Sonia gets back.”
Sonia groaned. “You too?”
“Sonia, it’s a life or death situation that we search for the emeralds.” Tails replied. “I feel bad for Manic, but it’s not our problem.”
“We owe him, he gave us back the white or gray Chaos emerald.” Sonia said.
“Yeah…, but this is a lot to do.” Tails replied.
“Fine. I’ll help him and you two can search for the emeralds.” Sonia said. “I’ve locked myself in anyway since I already entered him into the contest.”
Sonic and Tails looked at Sonia. “What?!”
“I did it after I saw him looking at the poster and where he lived.” Sonia said.
“Why are you so obsessed with helping him?” Sonic asked.
“The poor guy has a family.” Sonia replied. “He’s had a hard life. I don’t know, he got to me.”
“Alright, we’ll help in shifts.” Tails said. “You two meet with him, while I track the emeralds.”
Sonia hugged Tails. “Thanks, little bro.”
“Okay, let’s get this over with.” Sonic said.
*
Sonic and Sonia showed up at Manic’s home bright and early that morning.
Manic happened to be sitting outside, as if he was waiting for them. “Right on time.” He said, standing up.
“Well, we didn’t want to keep you waiting.” Sonic muttered.
Manic led Sonic and Sonia inside. “Eh… I haven’t explained this to Surge yet.”
“Who?” Sonic asked.
“His wife.” Sonia replied.
Manic opened up single serve cereal bowls and some water. “Babe, kids, breakfast is ready.”
Surge and the kids shuffled out of their bedroom.
Surge eased herself in front of the kids. “Manic, who are they?”
“Uh… friends.” Manic replied.
“We’re gonna help you get back on your feet.” Sonia said. “Don’t worry, we’re not here to take your kids.”
The kids settled on the floor by Manic as he served them breakfast.
Surge thought about it. “Fine, we’re desperate.” She replied. She walked over to Manic and sat down beside him.
Manic handed Surge a bowl. “Here, babe.”
Surge ate her meal.
Sonic sighed. “They’re eating dry cereal with their fingers.”
Manic motioned to his kids. “Glitch, the one with a blue eye and brown eye, is our oldest boy.” He said. “Cyber is our girl and Nikòs is our baby boy with blue eyes.”
The kids glanced at Sonic and Sonia, but said nothing since they were still half asleep.
“They’re adorable.” Sonia said.
“So how are you gonna help us?” Surge asked.
“By helping him live his dream.” Sonic replied. “Shouldn’t be hard; he’s got talent, right?”
“For drumming, yes.” Surge said. “He was an amazing singer before he permanently damaged his vocal cords.”
Sonic looked at Sonia. “Really? Could’ve been honest with me.”
“I was, you didn’t listen again.” Sonia said. “Why do you think I brought an extra medallion?”
Surge seethed. “So you’re just messing with him. We don’t need this.”
“No, trust us.” Sonia said.
Surge gave Sonia a look. “You can’t fix his vocal cords.”
Sonia crossed her arms. “Do you have other options?”
Surge sighed. “Guess not.”
Sonic shrugged. “Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”
*
The kids played in one half of the living room while Manic and Surge stood in the other corner with Sonic and Sonia.
Sonia handed Manic a flyer. “I saw you looking at that and signed you up.”
“Did you forget I messed up my voice three years ago?” Manic asked.
“How did you mess up your voice?” Sonic asked.
“I was trying to sing while I had a sore throat.” Manic replied. “It was a kinda metal band and I did the screams.”
Sonia searched her purse. “We have something to fix your voice.”
Sonic looked at Manic’s tattoos and piercings. “You can’t feed your family, but you got all those tattoos and piercings.”
“Got the piercings before I met Surge.” Manic said. He held his hand up. “The only real tattoo I have is my wedding ring. Surge and I got our wedding rings tattooed on the day we got married, but the others are fake. We drew them on with old markers I have because we like to change them up.”
“You two are awfully confident in your relationship to get permanent wedding rings.” Sonic replied.
Manic narrowed his eyes. “Yes, we are.”
Surge rolled her eyes. “We’re smart enough to know a good thing when we have it.” She added. “You won’t believe what we have seen growing up.”
Sonia pulled the medallion out of her purse and handed it to Manic. “Here, put this on and try to sing.”
Manic slid the necklace on.
“You expect us to believe that?” Surge asked.
“Just try to sing, Manic.” Sonic said.
Manic exhaled slowly.
*
Surge’s jaw dropped as Manic finished the last note.
Manic wiped eyes. “Oh, man, I haven’t done that in a few years.”
Sonia sniffled. “You have an amazing voice.”
Cyber ran over and hugged Manic.
“Ah, that’s probably the first time you ever heard me sing.” Manic said, picking up Cyber.
“You’re an awesome singer.” Cyber said as her brothers walked over. “Why haven’t we heard you sing before?”
“Because my voice was messed up until now.” Manic said.
Sonia checked her watch. “Alright, we better head to the theater.”
Sonic pulled a ring out. “So you don’t have to make the kids walk that far.”
“But we can’t afford to go to the movies.” Glitch protested.
“It’s for a competition.” Manic said. “If I win, then maybe I can get our house back.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow. “No mansion?” He asked. “Just your old house back?”
“Yeah, I don’t need a fancy house.” Manic replied. “It’s my dad’s house anyway.”
Sonic shrugged, then tossed the ring into the air.
*
The group stood backstage at the Mobotropolis theater.
Surge hugged Manic. “You’ll do great.”
“Thanks, babe.” Manic said. He went to take his place behind the curtain.
Sonic and Sonia helped Surge take the kids to the auditorium.
Surge looked at Sonic and Sonia. “This better work.”
“It will.” Sonia said. “I promise. Either way, we’ll get you help.”
Surge nodded tersely.
Nikòs leaned against Surge, poking her with his spines.
Surge groaned. “Nikòs….”
“I’m bored, when’s Dad gonna be on?” Nikòs asked.
“I don’t know.” Surge replied. “Look, you’re as imaginative as your dad and you’re bored? I doubt it.”
Nikòs huffed.
“One more huff and you’re in serious trouble, kid.” Surge said. “Knock it off or you can go live in a burrow with crazy aunt Sticks.”
“That’s not a punishment, ma.” Nikòs muttered. “She has a couch.”
Surge sighed. “I wish she had room for all of us too.”
Sonic and Sonia exchanged glances.
Manic finally took his place on stage behind a drum set and began introducing himself.
Cyber pointed at Manic. “There’s Daddy!” She exclaimed.
Manic laughed nervously. “That’s my baby girl in the audience.” He said. He started playing the drums.
*
Sonic and Sonia led Surge and the disappointed kids backstage.
Manic walked over to his family, shaking his head. “Third… I can’t believe it.”
Surge hugged Manic. “You did your best.”
A white bat made her way over to him. “You are so talented, Manic.” She gushed. “You shoulda won.”
Surge gave the bat a dirty look. “Thanks, but he has a family.”
The bat handed Manic a card. “I’m only interested in him as a client.” She replied. “I’m Rouge, head of Mobius records. I think he has what it takes to make it in the music business.”
Manic looked at the card. “Eh….”
“You can look me up online.” Rouge said. “I completely understand your reluctance. There’s a lot of scammers and creeps out there.”
“I… I don’t have a phone.” Manic replied. “We’re homeless at the moment.”
“Then use mine.” Rouge said, pulling her phone out. She unlocked her phone, then handed it to Manic.
Manic looked up Rouge’s info on the search engine, then handed her phone back to her. “A’ight, everything checks out.”
“Now, how about lunch?” Rouge asked. “I’ll have my assistant pick us up some takeout and we’ll eat in the conference room at the office. The kids will be fine, we have a playroom on the same floor.”
Manic looked over at Sonic and Sonia. “Hey, you two can go do what you gotta do.” He said. “We’ll catch up at the house.”
Sonic shrugged. “If you say so.”
“I’m his manager, kinda.” Sonia said. “I have to go.”
“Alright, then.” Sonic replied. “Meet you back at the house.”
Sonic left the theater.
“He has some other important engagements.” Sonia said. “Long story.”
“I see.” Rouge replied. “Well, let’s go.”
*
Sonic caught up with Tails at his workshop. He handed Tails the red Chaos emerald. “Got it.”
“Ah, so you did get my message.” Tails said, locking the emerald into a container.
“Sorry about that; my reply kept failing to send.” Sonic replied. He sat down in one of Tails’ computer chairs. “I guess Sonia will be gone for a while. She has a business meeting for Manic. Apparently, she’s his manager now.”
Tails sighed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Do you have any idea why she’s so fixated on helping him?” Sonic asked.
“No, I did a lot of research into the royal family a while ago and I don’t remember anything that would make sense of this.” Tails replied. “How did he act when you two first met him? Did he have his kids with him?”
“He was alone and seemed like a nice enough guy that was disappointed that he didn’t get a reward.” Sonic said. He propped his elbow on Tails’s desk and held his hand up with his fist. “I feel bad for the guy too. He and his family literally only have each other, the clothes on their backs, and an abandoned house they’re living in.”
Tails raised an eyebrow. “He and his wife have no family or friends who’ll take them in?”
“His dad died and they never mentioned any other family members.” Sonic said. “They mentioned their friends have no room for them. One friend is in GUN, so I can buy that he doesn’t have room, and one friend lives in a burrow. I dunno, I feel like there’s a reason no one has taken them in. I mean, the guy’s got three kids. Why wouldn’t someone want to help the kids?”
Tails leaned back in his seat and sipped his hot chocolate. “We need to ask Sonia questions when she gets back.”
“Eh, forget that, I feel like she hasn’t been totally honest.” Sonic said, sliding his arm down. “Did she ever mention Manic had damaged his vocal cords?”
“Sounds familiar.” Tails replied. “Maybe you should talk to Manic anyway. Sonia probably doesn’t know his whole story either. If he’s lying, he’ll eventually slip up.”
Sonic nodded. “I’ll wait until Sonia gets back.”
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