Chapter Text
Another peaceful day passed by yet again, with the resolution of the usual where the infamous blue hedgehog won over the Eggman empire ruler. With Sage's physical body finished just right after the latest defeat, she trains continuously to stay on the optimum graph. Lasers, electrokinetic, infrared hacking, all within stable operation ready to execute in succession. Any mistakes made will set them back more, and she won't disappoint her father with another failure.
Now that she is physical, not reliant on a mere device, Sage decided to take a tour around the base. She has already memorized every nook and cranny of the landscape. Though, her father insisted, telling her that she needs to get used to her new body. The girl obeyed without much rebuttal. After all, she also wants this. Seeing the walls painted with logos of her father's face, the shape of the robots made instead of their code, this new perspective is a sight she longs to view. Seeing it in a new lense makes the experience more meaningful. She is here. She is real. She…is alive.
Walking a long mile she tread, a peculiar room caught her attention. Isolated from the many rooms assigned within arm's distance, it stood alone without any label nor special design to make it distinguishable from the rest. It's as if it was intentional. A secret room. Her father doesn't seem to install a surveillance camera inside, resulting from her scan. There's a void of technology's presence inside. Odd, perhaps a storage room of old relics that are unusable.
Her father doesn't deem this room important, in theory, so she shouldn't be bothered to check. But, her father also doesn't forbid her to explore the base thoroughly, and so enter she did.
She was surprised by the stacking of boxes inside. A quick look at one of them and she sees many dolls made of wood. They match every single living being the empire has ever encountered. Starline, Rouge, Knuckles, Shadow, and… Sonic.
She takes the blue hedgehog replica in hand. Their encounter on Starfall Island, she would never forget it. The heroic deed he has done was unbiased, willing to fight even for the enemy he once clashed heads with for the sake of the world. He was patiently gentle, kind to give space and time for a stranger like her to finally open up about everything. He was an unbreakable force, always rebound despite the many defeats he succumbed to. Such a magnificent opus, yet he is not the empire to grasp. Instead, he's the enemy.
A shame. He would have made a great asset for the great empire her father will build.
Sage puts the doll away as her interest piqued elsewhere. With her robotic body, she hovers near the box that draws her in. She felt an attraction, something pulling her towards it, urging her to rummage on this specific box. It was old, visibly. It has lots of torn marks. The colors have degraded. It's chipped and dented. Yet, there's not much dust compared to the others. Someone, or something, clearly has routinely opened it. Since this is a secret room, there's no one else but her father who could have done so. What could possibly he hide in here, that he kept coming back, despite putting it away for no one to see?
Curiosity got the best of her and she opened them. A gasp loosely escaped her mouth. This is…an intriguing discovery.
They were recordings. Father's report. Old reports that she never heard before. The label is still intact. ‘1# Report’, ‘3# Report’, ‘4# Report’, these unspecified named reports must have contained her father's initial project of starting his empire. This excites her more. There's a history of her father she didn't know and she wants to. It itches her to learn. But, her loyalty questioned her. If father hid this for her not to discover, should she still listen to it anyway? But, her mission as an AI to know everything to consider the best course of action, should she abide by her programming instead of her own desire?
The question weighed on her mind, and so, she used a roll dice to decide her next course of action. This is also an action to attain possibility. It's within perimeters of calculated movement. The dice was thrown and rolled, and happily, it landed in her favor.
She took one and listened to them until the end. She took another and intently listened until it fell silent. She took the next number and impatiently listened until it's finish before grabbing the next. She goes on and on until there's no more reports to digest. Sage stands there in silence. What she heard was not within the hypothesis. It wasn't even popped up as a recommendation of what to expect. It was out of bound from all that she has known all this time. These recordings…they are of her father's and Sonic.
From what she could infer, it seems that Sonic, as a hoglet, has come to visit her father a lot. Seeing an opportunity to gain a member of the empire, her father decided to take him in as the first. He taught him to run efficiently. He taught him to read and write. He taught him to eat chili dogs. He taught him to fight and build. He cared for him like how he did her. He taught him everything. Yet, their ideas for the future clashed with each other, resulting in the rivalry that they preserved to this day.
Sonic…is factually a former member of the Eggman Empire. Not only that, he is the first member. Her senior. Her…brother.
As soon as she finished rummaging, of course after making sure any traces of her presence is non-existent to avoid discoverability, she goes to do what's most important. Recruiting Sonic back into the empire, regaining what's theirs, securing their victory. She will ensure it will come to fruition. All the evidence is there. All she needs to do…is persuasion.
***
The shore was calm, soothing with the gentle blowing of the winds instigated for a nice nap. The sounds of waves crashing whisper into a hedgehog’s ears, tempting his eyes to close and lose in the drowsiness slowly wrapping him up like a warm blanket. The comfort of the hammock swaying a gentle rock sings him a lullaby coercing the occupant to lax deeply in slumber. Sonic, taking a well deserved rest, is laying with full relaxation by the beach undisturbed.
That is, until a powerful laser blasted him out of nowhere. And in classic Sonic style, he dodged them effectively.
He yawned, stretching out to prepare for another brawl. “Again Egghead? We've just gone over this.”
“Wrong.” Her voice woke Sonic sober, turning his full attention to her. To Sage. “It was I, Sage, a member of the Eggman Empire. I've come to seize you. Please do not resist .”
“Is that…really you Sage?” Sonic whistled, “Nice. You got a great shape there!”
Another laser was fired, and it was dodged effortlessly as calculated. “My mission is to reclaim you as our own, Sonic the Hedgehog. Please give your full cooperation.”
“Reclaim? What nonsense are you talking about?” Sonic smirked, “Whatever. Let's get this over with. Show me what you got!”
Without any hesitation, Sage goes all out in attacking her adversary. Powerful beams were fired with precise aim yet the hedgehog dodge it all with ease. Remote missiles were launched to follow yet none of them can keep up with his speed. Close combat that could guarantee a headshot and predictably, none land even a graze. With new tests comes new problems unforeseen, being an android has its limitations. Sage's new body is on the verge of overheating.
But, she can't stop now. She hasn't won yet. She hasn't gotten even close to victory, and she won't stop until she does. She has to catch Sonic the Hedgehog no matter what. Even if it costs her new body to crumble.
Before she could fire a new shot, using all the energy left until her first dysfunction, a long cloth was used to apprehend her. Wrapped all around neatly, tying all her limbs and body with no chance of movement, she is trapped. She was caught instead. Sage fell to the ground, struggling to get out of her entrapment but to no avail, not an inch of the cloth budge. She demands Sonic to let her go. Against her words, he lifted her up and settled her just right by a palm tree facing the ocean. He sits beside her, leaning in another fit of relaxation.
“Let's end our bout for today. You did good.” Sonic said, “Wouldn’t want old Eggy to have a heart attack seeing you all broken on your first fight.”
With this, Sage finally calmed down. Her function has changed from battle mode to casual. She copies the hedgehog next to her, leaning as her eyes fixated to the sea before her. Seeing the waves crushes and go, it fills her with a sense of tranquility. Sonic is right. She shouldn't waste this new body that her father has created for her in a losing battle. It's not the best upgrade either. There's always another chance as long as time permitted. Since combat is not the optimum solution, perhaps conversational persuasion may do the trick. Sonic the Hedgehog is a good listener, he's willing to comprehend what is beyond his understanding. All she needed to do is try.
“Sonic.” She uttered, “No, brother. I have something to talk about with you.”
He took a moment to reply, “...What?”
“I have some matters that needs discussion with you-”
“Not that.” Sonic cut her off, “What did you just call me?”
“Oh.” She turned, “Perhaps big brother would have been sufficed?”
“Hold up.” Sonic faced her, “Where did this idea come from?”
“This is not an idea. This is merely a fact statement.”
“Are you trying to catch me off guard by calling me…weird things or something?” Sonic shook his head, “That couldn't be Eggman's plan.”
“That's because Father didn't send me.” She said, “I've come here of my own accord.”
“Well, that explains one thing. Why?”
“Because I have something to discuss with you.”
“No.” Sonic leaned on his knee, “Why did you call me ‘brother'?”
“Because you are.”
“Are you for real?” Sonic snickered in disbelief, “Do you like me that much that you're this delusional?”
“Machines don't have the capabilities for such humane behaviour.” Sage retorted, “We don't have the sufficient chemicals to do so.”
“Yeah, yeah. Tell that to Metal.” Sonic sighed, “Come on now, you know that's not true. I'd rather die than be associated with a Robotnik.”
How stubborn. It reminds her of a certain human that equals in hardheadedness. He truly is a byproduct under the Eggman empire. Despite his insistence to keep the secret hidden, she has already learned every single thread of interaction he made history with her father. She could have just presented them easily. She already made a copy of the recordings. This should not be as taxing as it should.
But, she can't risk the knowledge that she breached her father's secret room without his knowledge, tainting her loyalty of her words to him. It would be an even bigger catastrophe if Sonic ended up using said materials to taunt her father to extreme stress. All seems futile.
Though, she isn't one to give in so easily as well. She will make Sonic blurted the truth out, one way or another.
“I recently discovered that…” She made an attempt, “The initial names Father wanted to dub you are ‘Speed Egg’, ‘Death Booster’, and ‘Sonic Blue’. You chose Sonic.”
Sonic was perplexed, but he tried to hide it, and he does so well. “...That doesn't prove anything. Seems like a proposal of a nickname to me, and they're all lame as hell.”
She continued, “The shoes you're currently wearing contained technologies and materials Father used in all his works. Coding included.”
Sonic shrugged, “Maybe I'm stealing them and using it for my own use? You never know!”
“You would never do that.” She rebuked, “It's against your moral code.”
Sonic chuckled, “There's no need for morality when dealing with a tyrannical egg.”
“Hmm.” She resumed, “The flower you gifted Father's still being preserved in the base. It was a sunflower grown naturally in Green Hills.”
“There's tons of them everywhere.” Sonic said, “He could've picked it up himself.”
Using a component installed in her head, she projected the image she captured. A healthy sunflower preserved inside a round jar with a label. Sonic turns to it in fascination. Sage couldn't tell if it's because of the fact what she said intrigued him, or because of the technologies advancement awes him, she doesn't mind either way. She got his attention. That's all she ever wants.
“It's still healthy and well, in perfect condition.” She uttered, “Although, the label has been changed to ‘first specimen’ instead of ‘flowers given by a blue rodent’.”
“...No way. That was years ago.” Sonic gasped, “Damn! I've fallen right into your trap!”
“There was no trap to begin with.” Sage clarified, “I simply laid out facts that would pique you into reaction.”
“Fine. Fine. You win.” Sonic sighed, “How did you even know about this? I thought all traces were wiped clean.”
“I have my own means.” Sage shifted for a more comfortable position as she put away her projector, “Sonic the Hedgehog. Upon discovering with full evidence that you are legitimately a former member of the Eggman empire, may I request for your return and full cooperation for world domination?”
“Nope!” Sonic leaned back.
Sage was surprised, “Won't you reconsider?”
“Never.”
“But…!” Sage's voice elevated, “You have greater potential with us! Having Father's genius to bring out your power to the maximum of its greatest abilities, we can conquer the world with ease! We'll be unstoppable!”
“That's the part.” Sonic said, “Not interested in that.”
“But…” Sage's voice lowered, “You have a bond with Father. Don't you want to seek his approval?”
“Nah. Not my stuff.”
“...How about me?”
Sonic raised an eyebrow, “...You?”
“Don't you want to work with…” Sage's voice weakened, “...a sister?”
If Sonic can work with those he has odds with like Knuckles, then so can she. If Sonic can accept Amy’s overwhelming affection, then he should be able to accept hers as well. If Sonic can see a complete stranger, even of different species as his brother, then he should have no problem giving the same treatment on Tails to her. She couldn't comprehend why Sonic, who used to belong with the empire, refused to see them as the same. What difference is there between the two other than the flesh they are made of? Even if they're nothing but walking codes, she believes each has their own soul, just like her.
The blue hedgehog can see the disappointment painted on Sage's face in the silence. It doesn't seem like she's willing to back out without her plan coming into succession. Sonic sighed. Stubbornness really runs deep in the Eggman family line. She is his daughter, loud and clear. At least she isn't as abrasive as he is. Then again, she did just rain lasers at him while he's hanging on a hammock. Whatever. He's not one to hold much grudges.
Sonic slowly unties the clothes around Sage, unraveling its knot one by one. Her limbs slowly loosen into tiny movements and soon freed to turn and twist into every angle possible.
“Listen, Sage.” Sonic said, “There's a reason why I don't go back, you know? Because he has you now. A powerful and capable member of the Eggman Empire!”
“You can help him do the conquering stuff instead!” Sonic chuckled before he continued, “There's also Metal, Cubot, Orbot. Heck, even Stone is slowly getting into his circle. He'll conquer the world with his sweet latte!”
Seeing Sage's smile, Sonic resumed his talk. “And I also have my own circle. Though they aren't exactly family, they're people I could rely on and return to. I have someone looking out for me, and someone needs to look after that Egghead.”
Sonic put his hand on Sage's shoulder. The gentleness caught her off guard, especially when looking into his eyes. Sonic uttered, “Can I trust you with this responsibility? It's quite a troublesome commitment, you know. But... I believe you can do it.”
“...Understood.” Sage nodded, “Even so, may I still call you ‘brother’?”
“Nuh uh.”
“Older brother?”
“No way.”
“How about uncle?” She suggested.
Sonic refused, “That makes me sound old.”
“Senior…Sonic?”
“Somehow that's even worse.”
“So-niichan?”
“No.”