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We are in 50 BC. All of Gaul is occupied by the Romans… All? No! A village inhabited by indomitable Gauls still resists the invader…
Uh… Wait, this is not the right text! Maurice! What have you done with my papers this time?!
I'll start over…
August 20, 2025
Location: ####
In the Crabmeat.
Doctor Ivo Gerald Robotnik, prodigy, holder of 5 doctorates, genius of robotics, former head engineer of GUN, Quill-licker, extraterrestrial hedgehog hunter, survivor of MushroomLand, ex-god, top streamer, fugitive criminal, great zapper of Pop-Pop (HA, GERALD!), future master of the world, savior of Earth, who accidentally cut the Moon in two (some say he also peed on it…), …
Where was I…? Ah, Yes! Doctor Ivo Robotnik was saved just in time from the explosion of the Eclypse Cannon by Shadow, the Ultimate Life Form, his adoptive cousin, emo extraterrestrial hedgehog, who brought him back to a certain tearful man, Agent Aban Lee Stone…
You know what? I’m not going to list all his titles, otherwise we’ll be here until tomorrow…
All of this happened about 8 months ago. And after a memorable slap on Robotnik's right cheek from Stone, and an equally memorable hug as 'friends', they fished out the Crab. They put it back together and hid again, returning to their peaceful little lives, with a small addition in the form of Shadow.
Now, let’s focus on the present moment. Robotnik has recently developed a passion for a science fiction series, very different from his usual Telenovelas. Upload.
The very principle of the series interests him. An idea to safeguard his precious intellect and become immortal. Even if his brain is slightly screaming from the lack of scientific explanation behind the Upload scanner. You can't have it all... Anyway! He is so passionate that he just watched season 4 with his sycho-friend. What? Did you really expect him to patiently wait until the official release of the season? He's always a villain!
While watching the season, Robotnik somewhat appreciated the character of Jitendra Baskar, strangely, because of his physique, which was a first for him. His first thought was: "Hmm... Not bad, he looks a bit like Stone." The second thought was: "What would Stone look like in a costume like that?" The moment he had that thought, he shook his head and tried to refocus on the series being broadcast on the big screen. But that thought lingered at the back of his mind throughout the 4 episodes.
After finishing the season, he turns to Stone, sitting next to him.
"Stone!
-Yes, Maestro?
-Do you have an unknown twin brother or is it just a coincidence that the actor Jitendra looks exactly like you? Unless you're hiding an acting career from me, sycophant?!"
Stone blinks, disturbed by Robotnik's outburst about an actor without it being due to the way he plays a character or because of the character itself. He responds with a very eloquent:
"Huh?"
Robotnik growls and sighs, already annoyed by his... assistant? roommate? friend? partner? Not in the way you, bunch of brainless primates! ... Well, not yet... Anyway, let's get back to it!
Robotnik grumbles, already annoyed by Stone and his stupid response. He restarts one of the episodes and stops when Jitendra appears on the screen before resuming his speech.
"You actor? Or you have a family that looks a lot like you? You clone? Or just a doppelganger coincidence?
-Sir, with all due respect, you know very well that I wouldn’t have time to be an actor. Who would bring you your lattes or prepare you good little dishes otherwise? And I don’t have any living biological family, I am an only child orphan. And I don’t remember consenting to any scientific experiments other than yours-
-Someone experimented on you without your consent?! Who?! Let me vaporize him and erase him completely from existence!!!
-Doctor!
-What?
-Nobody experimented on me, except for you. But it’s… kind of nice of you to be concerned."
Robotnik turns away and pouts on the couch, crossing his arms over his chest and blushing slightly.
"I wasn’t worried, I just don’t like people touching and damaging my things..."
Stone chuckles a bit to himself.
"Yes, sir, I completely belong to you. Now, let’s get back to the original topic.
- Ah, yes! The Jitendra’s actor...
- Yes. I assure you, Maestro, it’s a pure coincidence. Moreover, if I may, I’ll return the question to you.
- What do you mean?
- There’s a rather well-known comedic actor who looks a lot like you."
Stone proves his point by displaying images of The Mask, The Grinch, Ace Ventura, and many others on the screen. He raises an eyebrow while looking at Robotnik. The Doctor suddenly seems interested in this strange coincidence. He thinks for a moment.
"And how are his works?
- Brilliant, Doctor. Of course, not as brilliant as you, but he's quite interesting. He has such a way of performing that makes him extremely funny.
- Hmm... I see... I will watch his films, and if I like them, I want us to try something I've wanted to do for a very long time.
- What is it, Sir?"
Robotnik notices Stone's curiosity and smiles like the Cheshire Cat.
"Do you know cosplay, my little barnacle?
- Yes, Sir! Why-? Oh... Oh!
- I see you've understood! If I like this actor, I will cosplay my favorite character and you will have to cosplay Jitendra.
-And if you don’t like it…?
-You’ll have to cosplay alone, and then for a week, you’ll have to wear the maid outfit that I know you’re hiding in your room for suggesting something like that to me. "
Before Stone could say anything, Robotnik starts one of the movies. In any case, he wins, he will get to see his Stone in the outfit of the greedy diva. And maybe with the maid costume… AHHHH! Why did he suggest that?!! Stupid Ivo! Stupid! Well, too late, he can’t take back his words. He refocuses on the movie.
From the beginning, Robotnik loves the actor's performance. Stone was right for once, although it's starting to become a habit at this point…
He is having a movie marathon to determine his favorite character. Although he wishes he could, Stone doesn't stay with him the whole time, going off to take care of his duties with the crab and preparing meals for them and the emo hedgehog when he joins them after an escapade we don't know about…
Back to our sheep! Robotnik enjoys the Mask, whether it's because of the chaos, the power, or the madness that reigns throughout. Now, he is just dragging things out to annoy Stone. He is cute funny when he is restless!
Robotnik eventually loses patience after… a day. (It's a personal record of patience for Robotnik, you know?) He wants to see Stone in the costume! He calls Stone through the crab.
"Sycophant!!!
-Yes, Maestro?"
Stone appears behind Robotnik, giving him a near heart attack. Robotnik jumps, clutching his chest.
"Stone! I already told you not to do that!
-Sorry, Doctor...
-Anyway, it doesn't matter! I've made my decision-
-For the cosplay?
-Don't interrupt me...! But yes, it's about the cosplay."
The genius grumbles and mutters.
"You... Urgh... You... were right... This actor is great... And after careful consideration, I chose... The Mask.
- So I'm only cosplaying as Jitendra...?
- Yes.
- But I'll need some time to make the two costumes, Sir."
The doctor blinks. He hadn't thought of that... Arghhh! More waiting! He hates waiting! But, this time, he doesn't really have a choice... Good luck, Stone! He's going to be grumpy for a while if he doesn't have something to keep him occupied...
After several days of hard work from the ex-Agent, and a new game to entertain the kid - I mean the genius, the costumes are finally ready. Luckily, Aban regularly updates Doctor's measurements, which saved some time.
The two men are now face to face, Stone checking the last adjustments for Robotnik.
"And there you go, Sir, it’s finished.
- Finally! It’s about time! You took your sweet time, sycophant!
- I apologize, Doctor. I must say, you look magnificent.
- Tell me something I don’t know…
- Maestro, you are always magnificent, but in this costume, you are sublime."
Robotnik hides his slight blush by elbowing him in the ribs. The hit isn’t weak, but it’s not as strong as at the beginning of their encounter.
"You let yourself become open! You're getting soft, Stone! Now go get ready. I don’t want to be the only one in the room dressed like a clown."
He then watches Stone leave the main room to change.
Stone returns a few minutes later and… Yeah, no, it’s just a treat for Ivo's old eyes. His man (of action) looks splendid in this outfit. His hairstyle and beard are still well-groomed. The suit is fitted and tailored just right, flattering him perfectly. The chocolate pants and jacket match his brown eyes, which Robotnik finds himself comparing more and more often to puppy eyes just for him in his mind. The jewelry and trinkets look like they are the work of a goldsmith considering the little time Stone had to make them.
The genius comes out of his thoughts after having admired the youngest for several minutes without realizing it. Anyway, Stone noticed it and feels a bit embarrassed, thinking that Robotnik was looking at him with disdain.
Instead of expressing his appreciation for the physique of his former assistant, Robotnik decides to change the subject.
"And now, let's get into the skin of our characters!
- Uh... Doctor, are you sure-... ?"
Although physically embodying the character, Stone currently has nothing to do with Jitendra. Make no mistake, he knows how to act and imitate. You don't become the best GUN agent and a legend in the infiltration service without being an excellent actor. But the problem here is that our favorite little pebble doesn’t dare to present himself this way to Robotnik. What would the doctor think if he saw him behaving like a capricious and domineering diva with a problem with money instead of his usual fervor and lovesick submission? ... Wait, isn't that the doctor's usual behavior? Except for the part about the money, of course.
"You’re questioning me, sycophant?!
-No! No! Of course not, sir!"
Stone sighs. He knows he can't change Robotnik that easily.
"Okay..."
Suddenly, his posture changes. He imitates Robotnik's behavior before the annoying blue hedgehog entered their lives, and he starts to smile in a twisted and disturbed way, just like he has seen his dear doctor do so many times.
"Now we can monetize this bitch! YEAH! "
The genius is pleasantly surprised. He fully admires Aban, and begins to think aloud.
"Sexyman... "
Stone stepped out of character again, staring at Robotnik, wide-eyed, and blushed profusely.
"Uh, sir! Are you sure you're okay?!
-… "
Robotnik no longer knows what to do, as if caught in a trap. It's over! Stone will discover that he has succumbed to this... primitive human attraction... that he is not so different from the other primates on this planet... That he is no longer the great evil genius that he knew and admired... That he can no longer give him anything... And he will finally leave him... And...! And...!
The doctor emerges from his hellish spiral as he feels a hand resting on his shoulder. The only reason the hand hasn't been pulverized by a ray is that it belongs to Stone. Lowering his gaze to the smaller man, Robotnik notices the worried brown eyes fixed on him. It had been a while since he had experienced such a loop of depreciation… But as always, Stone is there… Stone stays… Stone worries for him… His magnificent and perfect agent… Who can be as wicked as him when the doctor is in danger… Or a diligent and clever assistant with a faithful puppy-dog look just for him…
In an impulsive movement (which isn’t really unusual for him), Robotnik grabs Stone by the jaw with one gloved hand and crushes their lips together. It’s nothing sweet and tender; it’s clumsy and inexperienced, at least on Ivo’s part, but somehow it works.
Once the surprise has passed, Aban responds willingly, setting an example for once, and deepening the kiss.When they finally pull away from each other, they press their foreheads together and calm their breathing, their eyes having closed at some point. With a deep breath, Ivo is the first to speak again.
“Sycophant… Agent… Stone… Aban… Even if I have only told you this in my manifesto, compared to the rest of humanity, you are a genius. You are the only one capable of following me even a little, the only one who knows what I need, sometimes even before I do. I am happy to have met you. I love it when you take care of me, or when you let go during fights. When you play a role or simply smile. I appreciate you both physically and emotionally… and I’m afraid of losing you… I’m afraid that I no longer interest you and that you will leave… I am even ready to create a real version of the Upload just to keep you by my side forever….
-Oh, Ivo… And I thought that you wouldn’t want me anymore if I behaved differently…”
This is the first time Stone calls the doctor by his first name out loud. Ivo loves the way he pronounces it. He eventually ends up nestling his face against the smaller man's shoulder.
What's next? Idiots in love cosplaying. An ultimate life form permanently losing the ability to sleep, not because of nightmares but rather because of his adoptive parents. And a future project of computer simulation and immortality.
THE END ?