Chapter Text
There's something cold and hard his body lies on. That's the first thing his brain registered as his senses came to be.
Not a favourable condition for his back that already feels so stiff. He rubs at his eyes as he tries to sit up. A groan makes its way out of him unprompted, either the cold hard floor did numbers on his back or he's hurt somewhere. The room is dark, he realizes when he opens his eyes but nothing much changes.
And it's not just his back that's injured, unfortunately. He's certain his chest is bruised badly if just moving to sit up hurts that much. His head isn't doing so well either. Plus he feels exhausted . All in all; bad shape. Something must've happened then.
Sonic takes a deep breath and runs his gloved hands through blue quills, thinking of where he is and what to do. He screws his eyes shut as he decides he needs to move. Not only to get out of well, wherever he is but also to fulfil his innate urge to just move . He doesn't know how long he's been out for and he doesn't like the idea of not moving for any long period of time.
He puts a gloved hand on the wall and holds his chest with the other, supporting himself on the wall until he's standing on his legs. It makes him feel nauseous and his body feels too worn down, he must've hit his head somewhere as well. It doesn't feel like just a headache anymore. He hopes a little run can help him feel better.
Much to his dismay, he can stand up despite the pain but he can't get any further than two steps. As soon as he does, his leg is held back. Sonic lets out another groan as he falls back down to the floor, he rests his back against the wall and lets a sudden intake of air in his lungs, a hand on his peach furred chest to somehow mute the pain a bit. It didn't do much but it still helped somewhat. Subconsciously, he feels around the skin underneath the peach fur in order to check for any cuts, anything other than bruising really. Thankfully, he finds none. Just bruising then. It'll heal. He heals fast so it won't be a hindrance for long.
Right, onto the other problem then. Sonic lets his gloved hands roam near his shoes until they find his ankles. Well, that's the problem. He can't reach his ankles; they're constrained behind metal cuffs. He feels around the one on his left leg, pulling his knees closer to his chest — he lets his head fall onto his knees, it still hurts. He finds a chain attached to it, a heavy bulky thing that connects to the floor.
How wonderful.
Wait, no. Not wonderful — Sonic mentally slaps himself.
When was the last time someone managed to capture him? The last time Eggman managed to successfully capture him was back when he didn't even know Tails and, while he isn't going to ever say it out loud, the doctor did catch him off guard that time but in his defence, he was what? Nine? Surely, no one can—
Wait.
"Tails…?"
Sonic snaps his head up, seemingly no longer aware of the dizziness that made him feel sick or the exhaustion that weighed his body down. All of his previous worries are now replaced by concerns for his little brother.
Tails was there. He remembers seeing the fox. The last thing he remembers is seeing the fox.
It's coming back to him now, in an episodic way he remembers what got him here. Eggman attacked. Shadow was there. So was Zavok. And Metal and Chaos.
There was a masked jackal.
Fast, strong, terrifying—
Tails was scared when he called out Sonic's name. He looked scared as he tried to reach him. Right before he lost consciousness.
"Tails?!" He calls out again, louder this time. Only to be replied by the echo of his own questioning voice.
As the echo dies down, the only remaining sound reaching his ears is the rapid beating of his own heart. He doesn't hear any two tailed little fox. Is Tails not here then? No, no he can't be too sure. Tails was there with him. There were too many enemies at once, the jackal proving to be the worst out of them. It will be foolish of Sonic to think they would only aim for him when Tails was right there.
And he hopes he's wrong, he prays to Gaia he's wrong and they didn't even notice his little brother's presence but Eggman isn't one to let go of the opportunity to get them both at once.
He'll show up sometime later and brag about killing two birds with one stone and Sonic knows him and Tails will absolutely kick his butt and get out of here before anyone can say chilli dogs but there's the problem see; it isn't just Eggman. It's that jackal. Tails said something about him being faster and Sonic knows firsthand now that he is, in fact, very fast — but he isn't going to say the jackal's faster than him just yet. Preferably, he'll never say it. He'll never have to say it.
Although, it doesn't ease his concerns a bit. The jackal was fast and strong and he took down Sonic within seconds and Tails was there, in no way does Sonic have any way of knowing whether the kit was safe after he passed out or not.
Tails was right there and he was scared.
And Sonic is captured now, being kept in Chaos knows where with no sign of the little fox.
And maybe he is overreacting. Maybe Tails is safe. Maybe he got out of there when their enemies were busy with Sonic like the millions of times he has told him to. He can close his eyes and recount every time he's told the fox to leave the battlefield when things get too dangerous to handle and every time the stubborn genius proved he's Sonic's little brother by not doing just that.
Still, he worries. Yet, he hopes he's worrying over nothing.
For Tails' sake, (and maybe his own) he hopes his brother is safe.
A loud creak interrupts his train of thoughts. Somewhere from his left metal scrapes against metal, leaving a piercing sound to offend his ears as light seeps in the dark room — blue and electric, illuminating the room just enough for Sonic to know it isn't any bigger than a cell in size. For now his concerns lie not with the cell or the lighting but the Mobian jackal that stands in the doorway, the shadow of whose drowns Sonic out in the dark as blue surrounds them.
The ruby on his chest glimmers with power as the jackal stares down Sonic with so much malice emanating from his eyes concealed behind the mask it's almost suffocating.
Sonic matches the gaze with his own, determined and stubborn, not knowing what lies ahead of him as the jackal shuts the door and the room bathes in shadows once more, the only little source of light letting Sonic know the location of his enemy being the ruby on his chest, red.
_____
Sonic the hedgehog, hero of Mobius, three weeks in captivity.
He will say so far it has been quite the boring experience if the excruciating urge to move wasn't eating him inside out. It's so unbearably painful for him to just sit there, in that dark room, shackled to the floor, alone and unmoving. He has tried breaking free of his binds but he has found himself unable to do so seeing as every time he pulled a bit harder, the metal would glow a brilliant blue and within moments a shock would be discharged to temporarily decapacitate him by electrocuting him.
Except it doesn't stop him from trying to break the small chain even a little bit. He tries and tries again, waits for the shock, endures it and repeats the process until his body gives in to the exhaustion. It's harmful, he knows but it's better than nothing. It's better than staying still.
His original bruising healed long ago — now replaced by the aftermath of continuously shocking himself. He isn't sure if he's keeping track of the time correctly but he's been counting. It's difficult to know if it's day or night in a closed space with no windows such as this one but Sonic has an inkling feeling that food arrives only once a day. He's been counting his meals and if he's done the maths right, it's been near about three weeks since he first woke up here. He really hopes he's doing the maths right because otherwise a certain snarky little genius will be very disappointed in him.
(He wonders if Tails is really okay. There has been no mention of him at all. That should mean he's not here, right?
But there hasn't been a mention of anything else either…)
Three weeks. Barely any movement and no news about what's going on outside whatsoever.
He tries to get someone to talk every time food arrives but they rarely ever give him what he needs. It's mostly old faces that bring him his daily meal — like Zavok or Shadow (he's still really confused about that one), sometimes it's just robots — Metal Sonic more often than not. Although calling that stuff a 'meal' is way too generous, he has to make do with what he has as long as it's not poisoned or something. He can't risk losing all his energy to an empty stomach if he wants to get out of here and seeing as he's not dead yet; it's not poisoned.
So when the door opens again for the day and Sonic does not find an inorganic being standing between him and the light he's beginning to long for in this dark room, he has seconds to decide between a quip or a question concerning the outside world, a question concerning his friends.
It's no big deal for him. It never is. Sonic is a fast thinker. He's a fast talker as well. Sometimes he just manages to throw in both, most of the time he's met with silence but that's fine with him. They have to answer him at some point. Old Egghead always gives in to his constant bickering and then his frustration leads to his defeat. It's always the same.
But this time it isn't. This time, when the metal door slides open, he doesn't say anything. He can't find the correct words to say, he can't formulate his sentences and he's not sure of what he wants to say. He had the words just a moment ago but now there's nothing left in their place.
Sonic doesn't really need words to express himself in this particular situation however, he's certain his emerald eyes reflect a great deal of annoyance towards the jackal standing before him. Out of all the enemies that visited him, Sonic wasn't expecting him to show up.
That visit back when Sonic first woke up in this room was barely meaningful at all. The jackal had stood there then, in all his power and pride over capturing the hero of Mobius and the greatest obstacle standing between Doctor Eggman and his dreams. The jackal worded none of it but it was there, in his stance, in the way he held himself and in the way his chest puffed out with glory, making the ruby on his chest more prominent. On the other hand, Sonic wasn't as quiet. He questioned him, tried to get something out of him, even the faintest bit of information. His reasons, his strength, his speed, what he wanted, his end goal, anything .
The hedgehog was only met with silence. The jackal had fixed him with a look, observed him and his mannerisms in the face of defeat, his impertinent quips, his constant grin and the way he didn't even seem to acknowledge the danger he could be in. The jackal had found it interesting, he could see why the doctor loathed this hedgehog.
With no words said, the jackal had simply left Sonic, alone. The latter hadn't seen him since then and he's not sure if he wants to now if the other continues being all quiet and mysterious while levelling him with devious eyes.
And just as he thought, the jackal isn't any different than the first time he showed up in Sonic's cell. The hedgehog returns the gesture as the jackal glares him down with the same look of power — even with his face being concealed by the mask, it's not difficult to know what his eyes reflect. Neither of them speaks for minutes, a time that feels like hours to Sonic. The silence that stretches between them is almost more suffocating than what the hedgehog has gotten accustomed to in his time here. It's maddening and makes his quills stand on edge but he can't bring himself to speak and he thinks it's more out of spite than anything else.
Fortunately, the jackal kills the silence before him.
(No, he is not in any way or form scared of the Mobian before him, who's allegedly faster than him and who successfully captured him within moments.)
His captor takes a step forward, never abandons his hateful gaze, "I see that your imprudence has caused you harm."
"Joy, you can speak." Sonic can't help the small grin that makes itself known on his features. Quipping, an old habit, almost an instinct at this point of his and dear Chaos, does he want to bring an end to the undying silence with it.
The jackal, however, pays the comment no mind, "I was informed that you've been acting restless, to the point you feel the need to harm yourself, demanding answers from robots unable to speak. Either you've lost common sense or you never had any to begin with. I'm partial to the latter."
"Aw, were you worried about me? As sweet as it is that you came all the way here for that; the better alternative would've been to, I dunno, change the menu maybe?" Sonic points to the serving the other holds, "Cause whatever that is, it's hurting me more than anything I can do to myself."
His captor narrows his eyes, "You should be grateful for what you have. Know that you can be deprived of this small mercy as well."
"As if Egghead has the heart to let me starve to death," Sonic chuckles before raising a brow, "What does he want with me anyway this time? I hope it doesn't include just sitting here because that would be very disappointing."
"You are of little concern to the doctor seeing as he's busy with more important plans as of now." With his next words, the jackal's voice becomes more threatening, as if dripping with venom, "I get to decide whether you starve to death or not."
"Wonderful!" Sonic exclaims, annoyance evident in his tone as he pushes himself forward, "I see then I've consulted the right person to change the menu—"
"I do not have all day for this meaningless conversation. The only reason I'm here is because I thought I could apprise you of your situation," The jackal cuts him off. He places the metal plate he's been holding onto the floor — a reachable distance for the hedgehog and promptly steps back. Ready to leave, he says, "But I suppose it would be just another waste of time."
"Oh c'mon. Can't I at least get an introduction to my beloved captor? I'll go first—"
"Save yourself the struggle. I believe I know you well enough, " He speaks over him once again, "... Sonic the hedgehog, fifteen. Renowned hero of Mobius. Super speed. Deep understanding of the Chaos emeralds. Aquaphobe. Uncomfortable in closed spaces — which is why you're being kept here. 'Saved' the planet and its people countless times but not without your companions. Companions who share this attribute but not without you. Same can be said for their current situation."
Sonic slightly jerks forward, emerald eyes opening wide at the mention of his friends. He opens his mouth to stop the jackal and go through that part again but his captor speaks over him before he can get a syllable out.
"And I, Sonic the hedgehog… I am your demise."
The silence returns, everything unlike the one that came before. Because it's not about Sonic anymore, not to the hedgehog. It's not about the jackal either, it's about the topic he has just touched with no regard. The one thing Sonic has been waiting for more than anything — he daresays he has been restless to be updated on his friends' situation more than the urge to run because the latter holds only one variable and it's him. He's been compensating the lack of running by trying to get rid of the shackles that hold him down. He can run to his heart's content when he is out of here. He can do whatever he wants because the only variable, the only one being affected is him. No second person is involved in the matter. On the other hand, the problem concerns his friends. His friends who most likely didn't even know of the jackal when he defeated Sonic. Out of all of them, only Tails was there. And if the jackal's implying that they aren't in a favourable situation… Not good. Definitely not good. He'd been hoping it was just him getting the rough end of the stick.
He knows it was wishful thinking but still…
Dammit.
"Yeah, sure." Sonic glares, his annoyance taking the form of anger, "Can we go back to talking about my friends' current situation?"
"There is neither need nor time for that. I have other duties to attend to and I am fairly certain you will know your answer soon. Very soon, in fact." The jackal turns his back to him and begins to walk away, leaving the other with no place to argue even if he wants to. Which he does.
"Eat," The captor says as he looks back at the hedgehog from the doorway, Sonic returning his harsh gaze, "And refrain from harming yourself, we might still have some use for you."
As he leaves, Sonic is once more drowned in the shadows. Alone with nothing but his thoughts to accompany him.
He doesn't feel like eating anymore.
_____
The next time the door opens, it's Metal Sonic.
Great. So, no point in attempting a conversation.
He would've tried anyway, whether or not the robot's able to reply. That's what he does, that's what he has been doing. Because, even if Metal can't reply to him, he still gets to entertain the thought that he hasn't hadn't to push through another day motionless in this dark cell without anyone breaking the silence.
He hasn't started talking to himself, but he thinks he's not that far away from it anymore. Anything to get rid of the heavy silence — it, along with his inability to move, is driving him crazy.
When Metal shows up today, however, Sonic doesn't speak.
He doesn't feel like speaking.
It's mostly because he's too engrossed in his running thoughts. Ever since Infinite left, he's been thinking — he can't afford to stay here any longer, his friends need him. The crushing guilt of knowing they are fighting against whatever Eggman has cooked up this time and that they do not have the upper hand in the battle makes a hungry gnawing void inside of him grow with each passing second.
He needs to get out. Caring about victory or defeat comes way later, for now he needs to leave. He needs to at least know that he stood by his friends in the hour if need and wasn't busy being a damsel in distress because some stupid restraints electrocuted him every time he tried to break free. Sonic needs to help them.
Clearly, he's not going anywhere without getting these shackles off of him.
In the electric blue light that bleeds into the cell through the open door, the patches of burnt fur on his body are evidential of his attempts to break free. Most of the damaged darkened fur, with the skin underneath hurting and prickling, can be found around his lower legs — where the restraints are. He thinks at this point, with the way his legs hurt to move, the restraints must also have cut and bruised him.
Still, he is no closer to breaking free.
Metal Sonic steps forward, his feet clank against the floor — metal on metal, an echoing sound. He goes to place the food in the hedgehog's vicinity but finds another plate already there. From yesterday, he realizes.
Sonic hasn't ate.
When Metal looks at him to observe his features in an attempt to deduct a logical conclusion to figure out what to do here. Maybe Sonic's not hungry or maybe it's just rebellious behaviour, Metal doesn't know. He doesn't understand the concept of food to begin with. Which brings problems because if Sonic doesn't eat, Metal can't get his task done. He's been strictly ordered to make sure the hedgehog eats, the jackal told him about how it was crucial to his plans that the hedgehog ate. Of course, he's knows the alternative as well. It's programmed into him as an order that came directly after the one commanding him to make sure Sonic ate.
The alternative is to simply inject the hedgehog with the chemical carefully crafted by the doctor that's already in the food. Giving it in the form of food ascertains that the hedgehog will have to take it willingly and won't suspect anything. Injecting it directly into his system may cause problems knowing how brash he can be.
Can't be helped, he'll just have to get over with this quickly.
It's a simple serum, meant to make Sonic weaker and slower. Dulling his power in a sense. No wonder he hasn't been able to break free yet or how the electrocutions are holding him back where they held little effect on him before or how exhaustion dawns over him so quickly.
Metal prepares the shot.
Sonic sits with his legs sprawled out, taking up as much space as his restraints allow him to. His brows are knotted as emerald eyes stare down at his white gloves. Sonic thinks that he has thought enough about that he needs to get out of here as fast as possible and that needs to think how to get out of here as fast as possible. Clearly, force is out of question seeing as he's been trying for weeks and still can't break out of these restraints. He needs a key of sorts, there must be a key to them right? Of course, there always is. The real question is; how he's going to acquire it. Without being caught. A better idea than hurting himself over and over again.
Or maybe his friends are on their way to break him out of here. Wait, do they even know he's here—
He is pulled out of his train of thoughts when the robot's cold claws encircle his right arm and roughly pull it forward.
"Hey, what the—"
A precise, quick, sharp jab in his inner elbow and Metal releases him before he can protest. When he does release him though, the hedgehog pulls his arm back abruptly and hisses, "What the heck was that, dude?"
Expectedly, he gets no reply. Only an apathetic stare as Metal retreats.
Sonic rubs at the irritating spot on his peach furred arm as he watches the robot leave.
Sonic heaves out a sigh and slumps against the wall, "Sure, why not just randomly inject me with weird shit now as well.'"
_____
The door opens again a few hours after Metal Sonic left.
Strange, Sonic thinks, that's not supposed to happen.
No one comes here twice a day but he supposes there's a first for everything — except he has a hunch this one isn't going to be in his favour.
But then again, what has been?
Sonic hisses and screws his eyes shut when the same electric blue light seeps into his cell once more. As much as he misses the light and absolutely despises the dark he's forced to live in, it still takes time for his eyes to adjust to it.
He scrunches up his nose in annoyance and puts a shielding hand above his eyes. Must he really have visitors again?
"Sonic...?"
A quiet, hushed whisper breaks the silence this time. Far distinct than any voice he's heard these past few weeks yet so unbearably familiar it feels as if it's the most recent voice in his memory. He didn't know how much he was longing to hear that voice until he hears it. Sonic turns his head towards the door, light pricking his eyes be damned, and dear Chaos he can not express what he feels when his eyes land on the familiar sight of two fluffy tails as a grin makes itself known on his face.
Green eyes meet blue and the relief that washes over him seeing his determined little genius brother standing by the half open door is so unlike anything else, it forces him to his injured feet as he takes a step forward, chain clanking along.
"Tails?"