Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first time it happened, Eggman was in the middle of a Bad Anon meeting.  A whirring sound caught their attention, and all heads turned toward the open doorway as an orange blur flew into the room at top speed.  Seconds later, the scientist found his lap full of energetic fox fur.

“Sonic turned into the WEREHOG, and attacked us.  He's gone completely wild!” Tails gasped, gripping Eggman’s sleeves tightly.  

“Hmmm… Perhaps it is a glitch from the recent upgrade,” the moustached villain mused aloud, even as he pushed himself to his feet.  The fox dove out of his arms, his twin tails spinning rapidly until he was hoving in the air ahead of him.  “I have to go…” Eggman began, only to find the other villains getting to their feet around him. 

“We’ll tag along.  You may need backup,” Saitine said generously.  The other villains echoed his sentiments.  

“Hurry!” said Tails, urging them out of the room.  

Through the entrance-way, the small group of villains could see a gloomy forest, shrouded in darkness, with Eggman's lab towering in the distance.  A glint of real moonlight streamed down through the game window, sprinkling the ground with patches of white.  The scene before them would have fit perfectly in a horror game.  In the clearing between the entrance and the forest, the bodies of the lifeless heroes lay where they had fallen, slashed by unforgiving claws.  The only thing missing was the blood... and the monster.  

The scientist stepped over the threshold, and paused to survey the forest, which seemed to be crawling with shadows that the light could not reach.  It was unnaturally silent.  Eggman glanced over his shoulder as the young fox hero slipped into the game with a nervous twitch.  His green eyes were darting back and forth, his tails trembling with every step he took.  A low growl caught their attention, turning all eyes to the forest.  From the shadows, something let out a bone-chilling howl.  Furious golden eyes focused on the newcomers, even as a grey and white furred creature charged through the trees on all fours.  

“Get back, kid!” Ralph shouted, grabbing the little fox out of the air, and pulling him  through the barrier.  Seconds later, the immense form of the werehog slammed into the barrier, scratching at the entrance with his massive claws.

Tails trembled in Ralph's protective embrace as the werehog snapped at the group with razor-sharp fangs.  A furious growl echoed through the forest when the beast realized it could not pierce the barrier that was keeping the group safe; it could only glare at them with hate-filled crimson eyes.  

Eggman took a hesitant step forward, through the shimmering entrance, hand outstretched in what he hoped was a neutral gesture.  “Calm down, Sonic.  We're not here to hurt you.”

Wolf-like ears flickered toward the scientist's voice, followed by the beast's enormous head.  Red eyes focused on Eggman's colorful form.  The werehog lowered itself onto all fours, and stalked forward, circling the villain slowly.  Its cold gaze pierced the scientist to the core.  Behind him, he could hear the others shouting for him to run.  This creature could rip him apart, the man noted, eyeing the werehog's razor-sharp claws that were leaving grooves in the dirt. The beast's muzzle lifted, pressing close to the villain's face.  A huff of damp air blew over him as the creature breathed in his scent.  Was that a spark of recognition in its eyes?

A familiar tune echoed the game, sending a shiver of dread down the man's spine.  A deep growl emerged from the werehog's throat as it turned to face the game's heroes who were reviving around the clearing.  

It was only quick thinking that saved the group from getting mauled a second time.  “Werehog, I command you to stop!” Eggman extended a gloved hand to rest firmly on the beast's shoulder.  It did the trick, for a few moments, at least.  It was, thankfully, just enough time for the heroes to make their escape into the tunnel.  

Eggman felt the beast's muscles tense under his hand, mere seconds before it broke free of his grasp.  It bounded across the glade, coming to a stop inches from the barrier this time.  Its lips drew back to reveal sharp, ivory teeth, which it snapped at the horrified onlookers in the tunnel.  The villain turned to see the full moon's light still shining through the game's viewing screen.  He could either rejoin the group outside the game or…  Spying a low boulder nearby, the scientist made his way to it and sat down, pulling a novel from his pocket.  If he was going to stay, he might as well get caught up on his reading.  

The villain was jolted out of his novel by a certain werehog making himself comfortable on the ground next to him.  It was almost docile like this.  As if moving on its own whim, the scientist's gloved hand settled on the beast's grey mane.  The creature moved under his fingers until its head was settled on the man's lap, like an affectionate cat in need of attention.  Eggman smiled under his moustache and resumed stroking the werehog's mane.  An almost-purring sound rumbled from the beast's mouth as the scientist began reading aloud once more.  The creature was friendly toward him, at least.  If this was going to be a monthly occurrence, he would need to seek out new reading material, Eggman thought to himself. 

“Whatever are we going to do about this, Sonic?” he commented aloud.  The beast’s head shifted, red eyes peering up at him for a brief moment, before it resettled back down.  With a low sigh, the scientist turned his attention back to his book.

Chapter Text

“You don't know what it's like to be rejected and treated like a criminal.” - Felix

For a hero accustomed to looks of admiration, it was not easy to get used to the fearful glances and cautionary whispers that surrounded him.  News of his moonlight affliction had spread through the arcade like a virus, leaving the hedgehog to pick up the pieces of his shattered reputation.

Sonic watched as another group visibly flinched when he happened to glance their way.  Perhaps he would be better off becoming a recluse if his so-called friends and acquaintances were planning to treat him like a... a villain .  Sonic felt his quills sag at the thought.  In a way, he was a villain now.

A breath of air was suddenly forced out of his lungs as an arm draped across his neck, and pulled him close.  His nose pressed up against red fur, even as he grumbled the name of his assailant.  “Knuckles...”

The echidna grinned widely, but didn't let him go.  Instead, he pulled the hedgehog closer and stated, “Know what you need?”  Sonic narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the other male.  “You, my furry blue friend, need a trip to Tappers,” Knuckles announced, gesturing to the bar a few games away.”

“Knuckles, you know I don't drink,” the hedgehog protested, attempting to get out of his friend's grip with little success.

“They serve root beer there, as well.  Honestly though, I think you need something with a bit of a kick to relax you,” the other hero commented.

“Knuckles,” Sonic sighed.

“One drink, of my choosing, and I promise I will never ask you again.  Echidna's honor.”

The hedgehog could tell that his friend was serious.  With a heavy sigh, he allowed the other hero to pull him toward the bar.  At least he could get away from the stares for a while.

“What is this?” Sonic eyed his drink dubiously.

“It's a bartender's root beer.  Now drink up,” Knuckles insisted.

Sonic raised the glass to his lips, and took a hesitant swallow.  The amber liquid coursed down his throat like fire, which threatened to come back up again when he coughed in surprise.  The echidna laughed as he pounded his friend on the back. 

“You drink this every day?” the hedgehog asked.  It sure didn't taste like any root beer he'd ever tried before.

“Nah.  Rouge and I usually visit this place after the weekend rush.  Gives us a chance to unwind.  Amy joins us sometimes, too.  Hey, Tony!  A refill, my good man.” Knuckles announced.

“Amy, really?  I didn't think she'd be interested,” Sonic commented aloud, more to himself than to his companion.  

“Yeah.  Eggman drops by too, but he's normally hanging out with other villains.”

Sonic felt a strange pressure in his chest at the mention of his arch-nemesis.  “Really...”  The news shouldn't have surprised him though; Eggman was a grown man, after all.  Now that he thought about it, Sonic realized that he didn't know what Eggman did on his own time.  Before the upgrade, he hadn't bothered to really get to know the scientist.  Sure, they'd exchanged pleasantries and small talk, but that was all superficial.

The hero's mind drifted to his terrifying alter-ego, and the villain who had chosen to spend the last three moon-filled nights pacifying a violent werehog when he could have saved himself the trouble.   He could have fled the game like the others, leaving the beast to prowl to its twisted heart's content.  So why did he choose to stay?

Sonic nearly leapt out of his seat when a firm hand grasped his shoulder.  A soothing voice behind him commented, “Sonic, this is an unexpected surprise.”

“Eggman, hey.  Why don't you join us?” Knuckles piped up, gesturing to the empty seat next to his friend.

“Thank you for the offer, but...” The scientist glanced at the group of villains that had snagged a booth across the room.  

“Another time then.  Right, Sonic?” The crimson echidna nudged his drinking partner.  

“S...Sure,” Sonic managed to stammer.  He winced inwardly as Eggman drew back.  There was an awkward smile on his lips as he turned away to rejoin his Bad-Anon group.

“What was that all about?” Knuckles asked, raising a brow at his friend.  Then he shook his head to ward off an answer.  “Nevermind.  I get it.”  The echidna's voice lowered as he leaned closer to Sonic.  “The werehog thing.  It was probably pretty weird to wake up cuddling your arch-nemesis.  He stayed in the game for three nights, you know, until you were back to normal.”

Sonic glanced over his shoulder, easily tuning his fellow hero out as he watched Eggman interact with the other villains in his group.  It was interesting to see him socializing outside the game.  When dark glasses glanced his way, Sonic was quick to turn and focus on his drink.  His cheeks felt unnaturally warm as he finished the fiery root beer.

Chapter Text

By the time the moonlight had begun to seep through the viewing window, the other game characters were long gone.  A solitary blue hedgehog rested on the edge of a grassy cliff, waiting for the inevitable to happen.  

Sonic sighed and rubbed his tired neck.  He kept his back to the game's exit, which was just beyond the forest.  He couldn't leave on full moon nights, even if he wanted to.  They'd found that out the hard way, the hedgehog recalled.  At this time of the month, he was little more than a glitched beast in a cage.  

The pale light inched closer, even as shivers crept up the hedgehog's spine.  He nearly missed the soft sound of footsteps coming up behind him.  

“Do you want me to stay, Sonic?”

The hero didn't have to turn around.  The voice was as familiar to him as his own.  “You don't have to.  I'll be fine...”  The hedgehog suddenly doubled over with a sharp cry.  Blue arms wrapped around his stomach as he gritted his teeth against the pain.   

“Sonic!”

The hero forced his eyes open, even as his MASTER’S voice twisted through his brain.  With his last sentient thought, Sonic managed to push his nemesis away.  A growl twisted out of his mouth, a single word emerging as fangs began to grow.  “GO!”

Moments later, the world went black, and the beast emerged .

Eggman stumbled back as the intelligence faded from the hero's eyes, replaced by animalistic rage.  The werehog rose up to its full height, and sniffed the air.  The beast’s crimson gaze focused on the scientist for a moment, but it barely acknowledged him.  Instead, the creature only huffed and lopped off, leaving the villain alone on the hilltop.  

The villain shook his head, and made his way toward the entrance.  If the werehog was content to wander the game on its own, then it would be best to continue with his regular routine.  He’d initially assumed he wouldn’t make it to the Bad Anon meeting, and had asked Saitine to bring snacks that evening.  

“Oh! Hey, Eggman.  Are you coming with us tonight?” Tails asked, prompting the other heroes to glance up from the tram that would take them to Game Central Station.  

“It seems the werehog would prefer to be alone this evening,” the villain said, taking a seat next to the little fox.  

“We really appreciate you helping Sonic through this,” said Amy, smiling up at the moustached villain from her place next to Knuckles.  “He tries to pretend like it isn’t a big deal, but we’ve seen how all this gets to him.  At least he has another villain to talk to… not that he’s a true villain…” the pink hedgehog began to stutter as the tram picked up speed.  

“I understand,” said the villain, nodding at the girl.  “Sonic is going through a very difficult transition.  If he needs my help, I will be there for him.”  The tram pulled up to the station, and they disembarked to make their way down the hall to the central platform.  Dr. Eggman waved as he left the group to continue on toward the Pac-Man entrance.  

At the door to the meeting area, the moustached villain paused.  Perhaps he should return to the game.  No, he decided, shaking his head.  Sonic wouldn’t want that.  He’d been the one to ask him to leave, after all.  Straightening his crimson jacket, the doctor strode through the doorway, greeting his old friends cheerfully.

Eggman was in slightly-higher spirits as he walked through Game Central Station, intent on returning home following the successful Bad Anon meeting.  He was curious to find out how the werehog had taken his absence that evening.  There was still an underlying feeling of guilt from having left the game so abruptly earlier that night.

A crimson-furred echidna was leaning against the entrance to their game as the scientist approached.  Green eyes narrowed at him, silently appraising the villain. 

“Ah, Knuckles.  How are you this evening?” Doctor Eggman greeted him pleasantly.  

“Fine.  Since it still isn’t daybreak, I figured it would be best to wait for you to check on Sonic,” said the echidna.  He took a seat across from the villain in the tram, crossing one leg over the other as they rode in silence back to their game.  

“Here we are,” Eggman remarked calmly, stepping out of a blue vehicle.  Knuckles took up a steady pace beside him, his large, gloved hands swinging firmly at his sides.  As they approached the shimmering barrier, they could already see the blue-quilled back of the beast as it sat, hunched over, on the other side.  Its immense silhouette blocked most of the forest from view.  

“Is the werehog chewing on something?” Knuckle's concerned voice not only got Eggman's attention, but the beast's as well.  The werehog's head snapped up, its lips drawing back to reveal blood-stained teeth.  The crimson liquid dripped down its chin, much to the horror of the avatars on the other side of the barrier.  

After a long moment, the creature shifted onto all fours, favoring its left paw.  Eggman automatically lowered his gaze to the werehog's sore arm, only to feel his breath catch in his throat.  The beast had been chewing on its own wrist, which was visibly mauled and dripping a steady stream of crimson onto the grass below.  

“Sonic!” The scientist rushed forward, despite Knuckles shouting for him to stop.  

“You idiot!  What if he attacks you, too?” the echidna called out. 

Blue ears perking up, the werehog let out a low growl, and then rushed forward.  The villain flinched back, nervously stepping closer to the barrier as the beast crowded into his personal space without any hesitation.  

A low whine emerged from the beast’s throat as it sniffed at the red-coated man, then proceeded to headbutt against his chest like a strangely-affectionate pet.  A very large, affectionate pet.  “Steady there, Sonic.  I’m here to help you,” Eggman said, raising his hands to gently, and cautiously, pet the creature’s blue/white mane.  

“Can I see your hand?” the doctor whispered, reaching for the beast's arm.  The werehog’s ears immediately drooped, and it stepped back, crouching down to hide its wound.  “Please, Sonic.  I’m worried about you.  That looks like a nasty wound.” Despite his pleadings, the werehog continued to avoid him, cradling its arm close.  

Eggman let out a sigh, and stepped back.  “Knuckles, I’m going to head back to my lab for bandages.  Don’t let anyone else in until Sonic is back to his usual self.”  

“Understood,” the echidna said. 

The villain turned, and began to make his way down the path toward his home - the giant, metal fortress that could be seen in the distance.  Whining loudly, the werehog followed after him, even going so far as to nip at his coattails in an attempt to keep him from leaving.  

“You can come with me, Sonic. Promise.  Now please stop biting my jacket,” Eggman pleaded, waggling a finger at the beast as one would do to a naughty pet.  The creature’s massive head tilted to one side as it peered back at him curiously.  The villain began to walk forward once more, and the beast hesitantly followed.  After several painful minutes of attempting to walk on all fours, it finally raised itself up onto two legs, clutching its wounded arm to its white-furred chest as it trailed after the villain.  

Following the incident, the hero and villain continued their moonlight rendezvous - at Eggman's firm insistence.  Sonic sheepishly agreed, despite the echo in the back of his mind that scolded him for being too weak to stop the werehog.  The werehog itself didn’t seem to care what Sonic thought.  On moonlit nights, the beast refused to leave the scientist's side for very long.  It seemed convinced that Eggman would abandon it.  This led to the man and beast relaxing together by the end of the evening, usually at the top of the cliff that overlooked their moon-speckled game world.  

With its massive head in the scientist's lap, the beast seemed content to listen to Eggman's voice as he read one of his many books.  It even managed to startle the villain when it began to make a noise similar to a purr one evening.  It was only then that Eggman realized he'd been unconsciously running his fingers through the werehog's blue and white mane.  He immediately withdrew his hand, only to hear a low whine coming from the creature’s throat.  Golden eyes glanced up at him, before its giant head pushed against his chest, craving attention.  With a sigh, the villain gave in, stroking his hand along the werehog’s soft spines as he continued to read aloud from his book.  

Where the initial transformation had been brutal to watch and experience, the reverse was quite the opposite.  It was a subtle shift that was easy to miss when one was absorbed in a book.  Sonic would come back to himself to the feeling of gloved hands stroking through his mane.  The villain’s deep voice was like liquid honey as they sat beneath the rising sun.  Sonic would always make the first move, pulling reluctantly away from the taller man.  With a nod, and a slightly-awkward set of smiles, the hero and villain would part, returning to their individual homes.  

After returning to the privacy of his home, Sonic would flop down on his bed, and bury his face into his white pillow.  Every moonlit night made it harder to pull away from the scientist.  If he was being honest with himself, he’d much rather be curled up with his head in Dr. Eggman’s lap, quietly listening to the sound of his voice.  

“Don’t be stupid, Sonic,” he whispered to himself, pushing himself up from the bedsheets to begin the day.  “You’re a grown hedgehog.  Eggman would rather be out with his friends than taking care of you in THAT state.”  The hero ran a gloved hand through his mane, brushing a few stray pieces of fur back into place.  “It’s not fair that my villain turned out to be so… gentle.  Who knew a villain could be like this?  Guess that’s just part of what makes him special.”

The blue hedgehog began to jog in one place, getting ready to face the day.  “Gotta go fast.  One more full moon night, and then I can sleep properly again.”

Chapter Text

Moment 1

It was the night before the full moon that was the most difficult to deal with.  Other avatars weren’t just wary of him, they ran at the sight of him - even when he was in his normal state.  It was as if they could sense that the beast was raging just beneath the surface.  Sonic couldn't help but wonder if Eggman, as a villain, had experienced the same avoidance in the past.  It was a horrible feeling.  

Moment 2

It wasn't the first time Sonic had woken up to the sensation of blunt human fingers stroking his mane, but it was still new enough to be mildly weird.  Moments later, the hand pulled away from his head.  From the corner of his eye, the hedgehog watched his nemesis flip to the next page of his book.  The doctor's fingers returned to idly petting his fur as he continued to read-aloud even as the first rays of sunlight shone through the video game screen above them.  

It was one thing to pet a werehog to keep it calm and docile, but quite another to do the same to a sentient hedgehog.  

“How are you feeling?” Eggman asked, once he’d noticed the change.  

Sonic pulled himself upright, and noted the familiar dull ache in his head that always seemed to be part of the transformation.  Rubbing his temples, the hedgehog glanced toward his nemesis, then looked away with a sigh.  “I feel... calmer,” he admitted.

“That's good,” Dr. Eggman smiled brightly, pushing himself to his feet.  Giving himself a mild back stretch, he gestured to the game window.  “Looks like we have a few hours before the players start arriving.  We should probably head home and rest.” 

“Yeah,” Sonic agreed, reluctantly turning away from his villain.

“Same time tomorrow night?” Eggman’s voice called out behind him.  Sonic nodded, before dashing off down the path.    

Moment 3

A familiar moustached figure was waiting for him at the barrier.  

“Tappers?” Eggman guessed correctly, allowing the hedgehog to fall into step with him.  

“Yeah.  I am definitely in need of something stronger than regular rootbeer,” Sonic commented, easily keeping pace with the long-legged man.  

They fell into a natural silence, which the hedgehog was eternally grateful for.  In moments, Sonic was sitting down next to his villain in the tram.  He would never have spent this much time with Eggman if the upgrade hadn't forced his hand.  Perhaps this curse wasn't as horrible as he initially believed.

Chapter Text

A massively-built man with messy brown hair, and a ripped plaid shirt waved down the blue hedgehog the moment he saw him. “Hey, Sonic!  I just wanted to see how you were doing,” 

Sonic approached the villain without concern.  As far as bad guys went, Ralph was on the nicest ones in the arcade.  “I’m fine, Ralph.  How are you and Felix?” 

“We’re doing great.  Felix and Calhoun are hanging out, so I figured I’d stretch my legs…” 

“I knew it.  He’s one of them now,” a tiny voice whispered.

“Villains always stick together,” another voice added in the same hushed tone. 

Sonic glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of two little mushroom people whispering to each other as they walked past them.  

“Hey, we can hear you, you know!” Ralph shouted, causing the pair to scamper away.  “Sorry about that, Sonic.”

Sonic shrugged his shoulders, pasting a half-hearted smile on his face.  “Don’t worry about it.  It’s this upgrade.  It has everyone… nervous,” he admitted.  

“Yeah, the werehog thing…” Ralph mused.  “So, how are you dealing with it?” 

“I’m coping as best I can,” said the hero.    

“If you say so.  Eggman said… I mean, wait, no… he didn’t say…” Ralph stuttered, his cheeks going red.

Sonic’s smile grew more genuine at the mention of his kind-hearted villain.  “Eggman’s been talking about me, hasn’t he?” 

“Hah… ha… yeah, a little bit.  Nothing bad, I promise.  He’s not that kind of guy,” Ralph assured him.  

Sonic nodded.  “I know that.” 

“Know what?” Ralph seemed confused.  

“That’s he’s not that kind of guy.  He’s really quite…” Trustworthy, calm, comforting, gentle, knowledgeable…   Sonic shook himself from those thoughts. “Quite decent.” 

“For a villain?” 

“For a person who happens to play the villain’s role,” said the hedgehog.  “Eggman really is a nice person.”

Ralph sighed with relief.  “Glad to hear it.  I mean, it took Felix a long time to realize that I was a nice guy.  When someone is treated like just a bad guy their entire life, they start thinking that that’s all they are.  Anyway, I’m glad you and Eggman are friends now.  Talk to you later.” The larger man continued on his way, waving at Sonic as he entered the Sugar Rush tunnel.  

“Friends?”  Sonic’s ears perked up at the thought.  “Maybe we are…”  

Chapter Text

“How are you holding up, Sonic?” 

Sonic glanced up at his villain, but didn’t stand from where he was seated on the hillside.  “I… I’m fine,” he lied.  

“I overheard some people talking about how you retired from the position of Safety Announcer for Game Central Station,” the scientist continued.  

“Retired,” Sonic grumbled, glancing at the ground to avoid showing his true feelings.  Taking a quick breath, he turned a cheerful smile on his arch nemesis.  “The Game Board suggested that it would be best if I took some time off from making the safety announcements.  At least, until this new upgrade has run its course.  That’s fine though; it just means I have more time to relax.” 

The scientist hummed under his breath, and slowly took a seat next to him.  “You don’t have to pretend to be fine, when you’re not.  The upgrade doesn’t change who you are as a person, Sonic.” 

“Yes, it DOES!” The hedgehog sprang to his feet, his eyes filling with unwanted tears. “People are uncomfortable being around me.  I’ve seen them avoid crossing my path, like they think I’m some kind of… of…” 

“Some kind of villain,” Dr. Eggman offered gently.  His rival sagged back down, burying his face in his gloved hands.  

“Is this what being a villain feels like?  Is this why you go to the Bad Anon group?” Sonic whispered.  

“Hmmm… Actually, I go for the companionship.  And Saitine makes the best cookies.  But yes, many villains struggle with what you’re going through right now,” said the doctor.    

Sonic dropped his hands to the ground, throwing a frown at the villain.  “How do you live like this?  With everyone watching you, and waiting for you to do something… bad?” 

“Our group has a motto,” said Dr. Eggman, smiling.  “We may be bad guys, but that doesn’t mean we’re BAD guys.”  The scientist reached out to lay a comforting hand on the hedgehog’s shoulder.  “You’re not a bad guy, Sonic.  You’re just… misunderstood.   Be patient, let people get used to the change, and things will be back to normal before you know it.” 

“Thanks,” Sonic said, his ears drooping.  Silence stretched between them.  Sonic took a deep breath, and asked the question he’d been curious about, but too embarrassed to ask until that moment.  He’d known Dr. Eggman his entire existence, but he still didn’t know his real name?  At the very least, that made him a pretty bad friend.  Wait, were they friends now?

“You know, I never asked what your first name is,” Sonic whispered, trying to keep his voice steady.  

“My first name?” Eggman tilted his head to the side, observing his companion through his blue-tinted glasses. 

“Yeah.  I know my name is Sonic the Hedgehog , but Tails’ real name is Miles Prower.  Tails is just a nickname.  You’re a human-based character, so you would think the game creators would give you a full name, and probably a tragic backstory.  Come to think of it, you are the only human in our entire game…” Sonic mused aloud.  He really was a bad friend if he didn’t know the doctor’s backstory!

Dr. Eggman smiled as his arch-nemesis began to speculate aloud.  “Actually, Sonic, I have a few names.  The one I prefer to be called by my friends is Ivo.  Dr. Ivo Robotnik.  But I don’t mind that you all call me Eggman.  I am shaped like an egg,” the villain laughed, gesturing to his belly.

“Haha,” Sonic laughed back a little awkwardly, after throwing a quick glance to and away from the villain.  “I don’t mind.  I mean, you look like you, and that’s good.” The hedgehog rocked back and forth on his heels, hands clasped behind his back.  “So, Ivo… If you don’t mind me calling you that…”

“I don’t mind at all, my blue friend,” Dr. Ivo Robotnik assured him.  

Sonic froze mid-rock, nearly losing his balance.  This was it.  He was going to find out the truth!  “Friend?  Are we… friends?” 

The raw uncertainty on the hero’s face was the scientist’s undoing.  Eggman set a firm hand on the hedgehog’s shoulder.  “I’d like to think so.  If you don’t mind having a villain for a friend, Sonic.”

“I… I don’t mind at all,” the hero whispered, smiling shyly.  He turned away quickly, wiping at his eyes.  “Sorry, I just got some dust in my eyes.” 

He’s adorable, the doctor couldn’t help but think as he watched the blue hero wiping away what he hoped were joyful tears.  The young hero had been through an intense change the past few months, so it was nice to see him in higher spirits. 

Chapter Text

Sonic had only just gotten used to his peculiar new friendship with his arch nemesis when the next upgrade snuck up on them.  It came without warning, like an unexpected reset.  Gone were the violent changes, the blackouts, and the moonlit nights.  It should have been a blessing, but all the hedgehog could think was how much he would miss the time he’d spent with his villain.  It was a strange thing, Sonic considered silently, that the only memory he had as a werehog was Doctor Eggman's voice permeating the fog of his mind.  Yes, he would greatly miss those nights, even if no one else would.  

The new upgrade was unusual, and somewhat embarrassing as well, for all the furry heroes of the game.  Eggman's creative invention, which could be mounted to his flying machine, shot out a beam that morphed his anthropomorphic animal enemies into a human form.  Thankfully, it also gave them clothes, or things would have really been embarrassing.  

The change from hedgehog to human didn’t hurt, but it made Sonic uneasy. It felt like the game's creators knew his deepest thoughts, and they were taunting him with that knowledge.  It was as if they were whispering in his mind: Here is your chance to be like him, but it won't last.  You might be able to get him to like you now, as a human, but then the next upgrade will turn him away from you.  Why even bother trying?  

Sonic felt his heart clench at the thought of never feeling those gloved fingers stroking through his mane again.  To never again feel the warmth that seemed to radiate from the scientist’s form when Sonic came to his senses half curled up in the man’s lap.  The hero scoffed aloud, spinning into a ball as he shot across the Green Hill Zone.  He raced for his favorite loop, even as his mind drifted back to his previous musings.

I’ll never feel his hand stroking through my mane… which is fine, because I’m not a pet.  I’ll never wake up to the sound of him reading aloud.  It’s not that big of a deal.  We could start a book club.  I’m sure Amy and Tails would love to join… but then I’ve got to spend the whole time hanging out with the gang, rather than with… An orange-moustached man with a cheerful disposition and soft, warm hands appeared in the forefront of his mind.  Geeze, Sonic.  Get a hold of yourself.  It’s not like you’re in love with your villain.

The blue hedgehog stopped in mid-spin, barely aware of his surroundings.  “No, I couldn’t be… This isn’t… Is it?”  Gravity grabbed hold of him just in time for him to realize he’d stopped upside down at the top of the loop.  Sonic landed flat on his back, hitting the ground hard enough to cause stars to dance on the edges of his vision.

“Am I in love with Ivo?” he whispered aloud to himself, even as he pushed himself to his feet.  The idea seemed ridiculous.  Ivo Robotnik was a human game character.  Sonic was a blue, anthropomorphic hedgehog.  It would never work out.  In reality, you’re simply too different.

Besides, Ivo was most likely interested in human women.  And Sonic was supposed to be secretly in love with Amy.  That was what the programmers wanted.  Sonic unclenched his fists, staring down at his gloved hands.  “But I’m not in love with Amy.  She’s just a good friend.”  He didn’t want to kiss the pink hedgehog, but did he actually want to kiss his arch nemesis?  The thought made his cheeks heat up.  “I wouldn’t say no if he wanted to…”

The moustached villain was tall; Sonic always had to look up to him.  And he was always wearing dark glasses.  Come to think of it, Sonic had never seen his eyes.  What color were they?  Maybe Ivo was nearsighted, and couldn’t properly see without them.  Still, it would be nice to look into his eyes one day.  To reach out, and hold his hand.  To feel the man’s lanky arm wrap around his shoulders as they walked up to Tappers to share a drink.  Maybe they’d get a little tipsy, and Ivo would reach across the table to stroke his cheek, and Sonic would lean forward.  Something would click between them, and their lips would meet…

“Sonic, are you alright?” 

The hedgehog stopped stroking his lips, and nearly took off running, catching himself just in time.  Pressing a hand to his chest in an attempt to calm his rapidly beating heart, he turned to see his best friend landing next to him.  “Tails, hi.  I, uh, didn’t see you flying my way.”

“I saw you fall.  Are you okay, Sonic?” the little fox asked, his gaze running over him worriedly.  

Sonic waved a hand dismissively.  “I’m fine.  Just lost in thought for a moment there.  It’s nothing.   So, this new human form is something else, right?”

“I’ll say.  I still don’t understand the science behind it,” sighed Tails.  

“You’ll figure it out.  I should get going.  I still haven’t finished my nightly run,” said Sonic, warming up his feet. “Thanks for checking on me, Tails, but I’m fine.  Gotta go fast!”  With one last wave, he shot off across the zone.

“So, how are things with you and Sonic?” Ralph asked, settling down next to Eggman during their next Bad Anon meeting.  “We all heard about the upgrade.” 

Eggman nodded.  “Things are going smoothly.  The nights have been peaceful without the werehog keeping the others from the game.  Sonic seems to be adjusting just fine to having his hero-status back.  Did I tell you he got asked to be Safety Announcer again?”

“That’s great. He always loved that job,” said the larger man. 

“Yes, things are finally getting back to normal,” Eggman mused, even as their guest presenter began to speak.  It seemed that things were finally looking up for all of them.