Archive of Our Own ^beta

Beneath the hot rays of the island sun is an uneventful day, Sonic and his friends have already played an intense round of volleyball, assisted Tails in a test run of his latest invention and foiled Eggman’s latest evil plot to take over the island all before noon. That's got to be a new record in productivity for them. 

“Another successful Eggman defeat and the village is safe once again.” Tails exclaims, pumping his fist in victory as they wander the, once again safe from Eggman’s evil scheme, village centre.

“Man, all these victories sure do make a hedgehog hungry, though.” Sonic gloats, rubbing his stomach. “I’m gonna grab a chili dog from Meh Burger.”

Sonic speeds off, as quick as a flash, leaving a technicoloured blue trail of light as he zips past village citizens and the ice cream cart alike in his dash toward Meh Burger and returns not a second later with chili dog in hand, already taking a bite and swallowing audibly with a look of regret etched upon his quilly face.

“Aww man, a lot more shredded newspaper in the meat than usual today.” He gripes, tossing the inedible chili dog into the nearest waste bin.

“It’s always the same with these fast food chains, processed foods filled with garbage!” Amy rants, leaning against the handle of her hammer as she does. “It all comes out of a warehouse, Meh Burger’s so-called meats are stored unrefrigerated and none of it’s home cooked! All Dave the intern does is show it the grill, and gets our orders wrong.”

She gestures over to Meh Burger, where Dave the intern is currently laughing maniacally toward them, distracted from his work at the grill he burns his finger on the hot metal surface. “Oww, that’s hot.” He whines and sucks his burnt finger into his mouth to soothe the pain.

Focusing back on Amy, Sonic throws her a bored look, eyes half lidded in tedium. “No offense, Amy, but if I wanted home cooking I’d go to your place to eat and that’s only because I don't know how to cook.”

Amy groans at him with a roll of her eyes as Knuckles laughs.

“Yeah, you can’t cook a house, Amy.” He interjects.

They all stare at Knuckles for a moment in abject silence, conversation screeching to a grinding halt to the point they can practically hear Sonic blink at him in judgment, the lull lasts for another few seconds before Tails saves them from the sudden intense stillness.

“Hey look! Somewhere new’s opened up!” He blurts, pointing across the village centre. “That oughta hurry this story along.”

They follow Tails’ gesture until their eyes land on a newly opened café, the sign above the double doors reading ‘The Mean Bean’ in fancy font, the building is made of brick, rather than the usual island huts, and rather elegant looking.

“Wow, fancy.” Sonic whistles with impress. “The place is actually made of bricks.”

Sticks takes a step forward and eyes the new café with growing suspicion. “I don’t trust it.” She says, tenor growing more manic as she speaks. “What if it’s secretly a government facility and when we go inside they scan our brains?!”

“It looks like a café, Sticks.” Amy explains as she approaches Sticks with caution, examining the new building as well. “They’ll most likely sell beverages, cakes and maybe even sandwiches… It’s like a lunchtime spot.”

Sonic shrugs. “Well, we did defeat Eggman a little earlier than expected today, let's go check it out.”

As they all head into The Mean Bean, the bell above the door signals their entry and Sticks shrieks, muttering about the brain scanning process commencing before Amy calms her down by pointing out the little metal bell hung up on the wooden door frame, when they’re greeted by the barista.

“Hello and welcome to The Mean Bean.” The man behind the counter says, a bright grin plastered to his face, and a bright purple shirt beneath his barista’s apron.

“Woah!” Sonic blurts out in shock. “A human.”

“Yes,” The barista responds, cocking his head slightly to the side. “A human.”

Sonic laughs awkwardly and rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, we don't get many humans here.” he explains as they all approach the counter. “I’m Sonic, and this is Amy, Tails, Knuckles and Sticks.”

“Are you a government spy?!” Sticks questions with an accusatory point of her finger and the barista’s eye twitches minutely, though it goes unnoticed by the majority of the group, Stick’s eyes squint with suspicion however.

“Again, sorry.” Amy laments, placing her hand atop Sticks’ own to lower her pointed finger.

The barista smiles, though somewhat hesitantly. “No worries, I’m Mr. Stone.”

“Nice to meet you.” Amy responds with a smile of her own. “So, what kinda stuff do you do here?”

“Well, we have sandwiches, including grilled cheese, homemade baked goods and, of course, coffee.” Stone explains with a wave of his hand toward the chalkboard menu behind him. “My specialty is my latte with steamed Austrian goat’s milk.”

“You milk goats?” Knuckles questions with a raise of his brow.

Stone’s smile fades once again. “I import goat’s milk from Austria.”

The tension in the café is palpable, so Sonic attempts to clear the air. “I’ve never tried coffee, what’s it do?” He asks.

Stone pulls his attention from Knuckles and over to Sonic. “Umm, well, the caffeine in it gives you an energy boost.”

“Sounds good, not that I need the energy of course.” Sonic gloats with a chuckle. “I’ll try… hmm, what’s an espresso?” 

“That’s quite a strong coffee, with a big caffeine boost.” Stone warns, though already reaching for his little espresso cups. “It tends to be for the more experienced coffee drinker.”

Sonic nods, though he doesn’t seem to be listening to the barista’s warning, it’s almost as though he takes it as a personal challenge. “I’ll try one and… umm, a grilled cheese.”

They place their orders, Tails tries a hot chocolate, Knuckles has a turkey sandwich, Sticks has a muffin with growing suspicion and Amy tries one of Stone’s freshly made danishes, and while everyone’s enjoying their lunch, Sonic chows down on his grilled cheese and downs his espresso with a slight wince at it’s bitter taste. 

“Woah.” Sonic exclaims, feeling the caffeine hit his highly metabolised system. “A guy could get used to this!”

Sonic rushes out of the coffee shop, the trail of blue zipping by faster than before, his return not a second later accompanies a strong gust of wind, causing a few of Amy’s napkins to blow over onto the floor unceremoniously.

“This is awesome!” Sonic says, words escaping his mouth quickly. “We should come here all the time.”

“Good idea.” Amy agrees. “We’ll come here for lunch from now on.”

~~~

Later that same day, Eggman arrives in the village centre after yet another humiliating defeat to that blue rodent and his bothersome friends. He parks his Eggmobile in front of the café with a curious hum. “Ahh, a new eatery.” He says to himself as he uses his wrist controller to lock down his vehicle with a double beep.

He strolls into the coffee shop and opens the door with dramatic flair – only slightly ruined by the slight tinkling of the bell above his head. “It is I, Doctor Eggman!” He exclaims with a triumphant grin.

At the commotion at the front of his establishment Mr. Stone turns to the loud customer, ready to deliver his usual greeting when his breath catches in his throat at the sight of the man standing before him. It’s as though cheesy romantic music plays in the background of his mind before he realises that it’s just the radio on the counter beside him. “Hello, Doctor.” Stone greets. “Welcome to The Mean Bean, I’m Mr. Stone.”

Eggman ceases his dramatic pose and stares at the barista behind the counter, the romantic music swells in volume before he, too, realises it’s one of the village’s citizens messing with the radio’s volume control.

“Sorry.” The old monkey says and wanders off back to his table.

Eggman turns his attention back onto the barista. “Hello,” He says as he approaches the counter. “What do you recommend?”

Stone smiles at him as the Doctor bends down to inspect the baked goods display. “We have freshly made cinnamon rolls that I baked this morning.” He suggests, bending down to meet Eggman’s eyes —covered by his lenses as they may be — on the other side of the baked goods display’s pristinely polished glass.

They straighten up at the exact same moment and the Doctor hums. “Ohh, I can never refuse something sweet.” Eggman says, glancing up at Stone, causing the barista to blush.

“And there’s also my specialty,” Stone suggests tentatively. “A latte with steamed Austrian goat’s milk.”

Eggman rubs his hand together decisively. “Perfect!” He announces. “A cinnamon roll and one of your specialties, please.”

“Oh, no one’s ever gone for one of my lattes with steamed Austrian goat’s milk before.” Stone grins excitedly as he eagerly begins to prepare the Doctor’s beverage. “Latte art, sir?” He asks.

Eggman shrugs. “Sure, why not.”

It takes a few minutes longer but soon a plate containing a large cinnamon roll and a dainty ceramic cup filled to the brim with delicious smelling coffee is placed in front of the Doctor, the latte containing art of Eggman’s own face with tiny, little hearts surrounding it and the Doctor flushes brightly up to the tips of his ears.

“Uhh, how much do I owe you?” Eggman asks, taking his wallet from his jacket pocket and handing over the cash as the barista states the total. “Keep the change.”

Stone grins up at him. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Eggman nods and takes a seat inside the café, sipping at his freshly brewed coffee and humming in pleasant surprise at its excellent taste.

Later, back in Eggman’s lair, the Doctor gushes to his robotic servants.

“I’ve never tasted something so good in all my life, I love the way he makes them.” Eggman says, pacing back and forth in front of his couch, pointedly ignoring the soap opera he had put on. “Far better than the coffee you useless bags of bolts make.”

“Yes, well, we only have instant coffee in, sir.” Orbot states, index finger raised as he makes his point.

“Coffee makes me short circuit.” Cubot interjects. “I wish I had taste buds so I could at least know how it tastes.”

“You don’t even have a functioning mouth.” Orbot replies.

Eggman grumbles in irritation at his creation’s stupidity. “I think I’ll go back there tomorrow, nothing like a lunchtime energy boost to help me destroy that damned rat and take over this wretched island.”

“Excellent idea, sir.” Orbot agrees with a curt nod.

“I know! It was my idea.” Eggman blurts out, halting his pacing to glare at his creation. “All my ideas are excellent.”

Orbot nods again. “Quite right, Doctor.”

~~~

And so, just before midday, Doctor Eggman enters The Mean Bean for a sweet treat and a coffee before heading off in yet another attempt to destroy Sonic and his friends.

“Hello again, sir.” Stone greets as Eggman enters the café 

“Stone.” The Doctor replies with a short, yet polite, nod. “I’ll have a…”

“Latte with steamed Austrian goat’s milk and a cinnamon bun?” The barista questions with a grin.

“Same as always.” Eggman confirms, with a slight laugh.

Stone smirks and winks up at the Doctor. “Coming right up, sir.”

And so, just after midday, Sonic and his friends head to The Mean Bean for a celebratory lunch after their victory against Eggman’s latest plot to take over the island, and therefore the world.

Sonic, as per his usual, gets his espresso and goes for a few laps around the island, Amy gets her baked goods, Tails his hot chocolate, Knuckles his sandwiches and Sticks accuses Stone of being a government agent.

“Admit it!” She yells at the barista as he’s busy cleaning the tables.

“Yes!” Knuckles agrees, turkey sandwich halfway into his mouth. “Admit that you’re a goat milker!”

Stone’s eye twitches but he continues to clean his tables. “I don’t milk goats and I don’t work for the government.” He insists, as he does every day.

This routine stays the same until one day:

“Ugh!” Eggman grouches. “I am so behind schedule.”

He parks the Eggmobile outside The Mean Bean and locks it with a double beep using his wrist controller, still grumbling to himself as he approaches the coffee shop.

“Damn robot!” He gripes as he rushes towards the café’s double doors. “I'll teach that worthless piece of machinery to malfunction right as I’m about to make its debut!”

The Doctor enters the café and finds Sonic and his friends already seated, food and beverages strewn about the table.

“Hello, Doctor.” The barista greets from behind the counter. “You're late today.”

Sonic turns toward the door of the coffee shop upon hearing his nemesis’ name uttered aloud. “Eggman!” He says, taking a dainty sip of his espresso.

“What?” Eggman replies, eyeing the blue rat warily.

“What kinda plot are you up to this time, Eggface?” He insists, shoving the rest of his grilled cheese into his mouth.

“Plot?” Eggman questions with faux innocence. “Can’t a guy get a cup of coffee without the third degree? I come here every day!”

The Doctor saunters up to the counter and leans back against it nonchalantly, glancing back toward Stone. “My usual please, Mr. Stone.” He requests. “To go this time, I’m quite late.”

“Of course, Doctor.” Stone nods and sets about making the Doctor’s coffee.

“So, you’re not planning an attack on the village right now?” Sonic asks, eyeing him up with suspicion.

A coffee is placed beside Eggman, the usual latte art of the Doctor’s face surrounded by hearts causes Sonic to raise his eyebrow, however Eggman counters it by scooping up his to-go cup and taking his wallet out to pay for the beverage with exact change, plus a twenty percent tip.

Eggman takes a quick sip of his latte and hums in delight at the ever immaculate taste, it almost seems as though the beverage gets better every day.

“Besides releasing my new Owlbot with three-sixty rotating head and laser eyes after finishing my coffee.” Eggman says eventually.

“Owlbot? Sounds lame.” Sonic says with indifference. “You know we’ll have to stop you.”

Eggman takes another long, savouring sip of his latte. “Well, why wait? Let's start now.”

The Doctor presses a button on his wrist controller and the café is immediately swarmed with Eggman’s Badniks, outside the new Owlbot lands in the centre of the village with a vibrating thud and begins using its laser eyes to attack nearby buildings.

As the Badniks close in on them, Sonic quickly spin dashes to destroy the nearest Ballbot, he goes for a second Badnik but is quickly interrupted.

“Hey! Take that outside!” Stone asserts with a point of his finger to the door of his coffee shop. “I won’t have any of you making a mess of my café.”

“Yes, of course.” Eggman nods. “Robots! Outside.”

The Badniks suddenly cease their assault and file out of the café and into the village centre, Eggman follows, sipping his latte along the way.

“Wait.” Amy exclaims, dropping her hammer to the ground in surprise. “Did Eggman just do what Mr. Stone told him to?”

“It seems so,” Sonic replies, brows raised in shock. “That was weird.” 

“Guys, we should get out there.” Knuckles interrupts with the raising of his fists. “Eggman just blew a hole in the ‘libary’ .”

“It’s pronounced library .” Stone corrects with a look of disdain etched onto his face.

Knuckles chortles. “I can see how you’re confused but you’ll find that the correct pronunciation is indeed ‘libary’ .”

The barista rolls his eyes at the echidna’s seemingly endless stupidity.

“Well, let's get out there before he destroys the entire village!” Tails exclaims.

It’s a mad dash out of the café to destroy the Badniks that Eggman’s released upon the village. Amy destroys several Motobugs with her hammer in a graceful spin move that only leaves her slightly dizzy, Knuckles uses his fists to slam Crab Bots into the ground and Sticks yells as she tosses her boomerang into the air, it’s recoil back toward her taking out several of Eggman’s Bee Bots along the way before she catches it again in a triumphant fist.

Meanwhile, Tails holds steadfast onto Sonic by the wrists as Tails flies them together through the air, dodging the Owlbot’s lasers adroitly as they soar towards the robotic bird still menacingly shooting bright red rays in every which direction using its rotating head.

“I have an idea.” Tails suggests letting Sonic go for the moment so that the blue hedgehog can spin dash into the Owlbot’s eye and destroy one of its laser cannons, managing to catch Sonic again momentarily as he rebounds off the Badnik and back toward him again.

“Shoot!” Sonic replies as they weave their way through considerably less lasers than before. “No such thing as a bad idea right now, buddy.”

“I think that if we keep flying around the Owlbot in the same direction we might be able to unscrew its head and destroy it!” Tails says, hoping that his hypothesis will be proven to be the correct one.

Sonic nods. “Well, it’s certainly worth a shot.”

As the battle reaches full swing, it’s clear that Eggman’s hardly paying any attention as he stares into The Mean Bean’s pristinely cleaned windows and finds Stone watching him – not the battle that’s occurring – him , and when the barista realises that Eggman’s looking he smiles brightly and gives the Doctor a short wave, responding with a tentative one of his own.

In that time Sonic and Tails fly around the Owlbot’s head, allowing the Badnik to follow their course with its rotating head and still functioning laser eye, eventually – after several laps and becoming severely dizzy – the head becomes dislodged and falls to the ground, destroying the Owlbot for good.

Sonic smoothly lands back onto solid ground as Tails lets go of his wrists and he stands before Eggman with a victorious pose.

“Your Owlbot was a hoot, Egghead.” Sonic chuckles, which leads the others to groan and roll their eyes. “But it was no match for us!”

“Huh?” Eggman replies, distracted as he still stares into the café’s windows. “Oh, that’s nice, see you later.”

With a final wave to the barista through the coffee shop’s window, Eggman gets into his Eggmobile and flies off back to his lair.

“Huh, that was weird.” Sonic says, confused.

Tails nods in agreement. “It’s like he didn’t even care about his defeat.”

Amy chuckles and places her hands onto her hips. “I think I know why.” She glances into the windows of The Mean Bean, at Mr. Stone who is back behind the counter now that the Doctor has left.

Sonic shoots a look at Tails and Knuckles, though they seem to be just as perplexed as he is as they both shrug back at him.

“He’s being mind controlled?!” Sticks screams, placing her hands onto the sides of her head as the piercing sound vibrates through her skull. “Will we be next?!”

Amy laughs with an exasperated shake of her head. “Not quite, Sticks.” She assures her. “But close.”

~~~

“I can’t get his lattes out of my head.” Eggman speculates as he paces his lair, in the same distinct pattern as he had the last time, an almost visible to the naked eye path of Eggman’s barista filled rants making its way onto the white tiled floor. “They’re addictive, it’s like they get better every time!”

“Perhaps we should steal the recipe.” Orbot suggests, keeping well away from the line of Eggman’s distracted patrolling. “Then you could have it with your eggs and bakey!”

“I told you to stop calling it that!” The Doctor shouts, finally ceasing his mindless wandering. “No, I have a better idea.”

Eggman chuckles evilly as he rubs his gloved hands together. “If I want more of Stone’s lattes.” He begins, pausing ominously for dramatic effect. “I’ll just have to steal the barista who makes them!”

Over at The Mean Bean, Stone is meticulously cleaning his countertop after the lunch time rush when Eggman arrives outside the café with a fleet of Badniks and Orbot and Cubot by his side.

Leaving the Eggmobile running this time, Eggman enters the coffee shop with his two robot henchmen. “Stone.” He greets.

“Hello Doctor, what a surprise: twice in one day.” Stone observes with a bright grin, seemingly genuinely happy to see the Doctor more than once in a single day. “Who are your friends?”

“They’re my robot servants, not my friends.” Eggman corrects. “This is Orbot and Cubot, you’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted with them.”

“Hello.” Cubot waves.

“Oh.” Stone nods, waving back at Cubot.

The Doctor approaches the counter but doesn’t stop in front of it, as he usually does, instead he bypasses the counter altogether and stands before the barista with a menacing leer.

“You’re not really supposed to be behind the counter, sir.” Stone suggests with a smile.

“Uh-huh.” Eggman replies with a bored tenor. “Orbot, Cubot, grab his equipment, he’ll be needing it.”

As his henchmen busy themselves with taking the coffee equipment, Eggman turns his focus back to Stone, who’s staring back at him in confusion. “You’re coming with me.” The Doctor threatens.

“Wha–?”

Before Stone can utter the entire question, he’s being grabbed at the waist by the Doctor’s large hands and hoisted up over his broad shoulder, the barista flushes but doesn’t put up any kind of fight.

“Umm, where are we going, sir?” Stone questions, not that he’s complaining too much as the view of Eggman’s backside is quite nice at the moment.

“To my lair.” Eggman answers, rounding the counter again, however stopping close beside it to glare at Cubot as he nearly drops some of Stone’s equipment. “You’re my barista now, you don’t need to serve these single minded background characters anymore, you only need to serve me.” 

“I see.” Stone hums. “Alright then.”

Eggman falters slightly at Stone’s easy compliance. “Alright? I expected some kind of resistance.”

“Oh, you wanted me to put up a fight, sir?” Stone teases, Eggman can practically hear the grin in his voice. “I can do that, you just have to promise not to put me down.”

The Doctor flushes up to his ears and glances over to Orbot and Cubot, who shrug at him in response.

“Are you some kind of freak, Stone?” The Doctor questions with a raise of his brow.

“I’ve certainly been called worse, Doctor.” Stone laughs.

Meanwhile, across the island at Sonic’s beachside home, he and his friends are playing a round of volleyball when Sonic receives several worrisome bleeps on his wristwatch.

“Uh oh.” He says, glancing down at his watch. “Eggman attack in the village centre.”

Amy nods and grabs her hammer from the soft sand. “Let’s get over there.”

They draw a line in their game for now and race their way over to the village centre, where several terrified villagers point them over toward The Mean Bean with shaking fingers, where they spot Eggman attempting to kidnap the new barista.

“Eggman!” Sonic yells as they storm into the coffee shop. “Let Mr. Stone go!”

“Ugh these dolts?!” Eggman groans, Stone still over his shoulder and looking slightly red in the face from being held in an awkward position. “Robots! Attack!”

The Badniks launch their attack on team Sonic, surrounding them inside the café. Amy manages to smash a few Ballbots to pieces as they roll toward her right off the bat. Knuckles punches out a few Mantis Bots with a single swipe of his fist. Sticks goes for a few Motobugs with her bō. All while Tails focuses on recovering Stone’s barista equipment from Orbot and Cubot.

Sonic leaves them to it as he approaches Eggman, blocking the Doctor from making a swift exit out of The Mean Bean.

“Put him down, Eggman!” Sonic demands, fists clenching as he readies himself for the fight.

“Okay.” Eggman shrugs and places Stone down onto the counter with shocking gentleness. “I’ll be back for you.” He promises the barista in a hushed tone, Stone blushes as Eggman turns back to his mortal enemy. “But only until I destroy you!”

The Doctor presses a button on his wrist controller and promptly his remaining Crab Bots swarm around Sonic, swiping at him with their sharp, metal pincers.

Within a few spin dashes, Sonic disperses the Badniks, the accompanying shrapnel from the Doctor’s demolished creations causing Stone to gasp and roll off of the countertop and duck down behind it in order to dodge the hurtling material, after Sonic then uses another spin dash to knock Eggman to the ground.

As soon as it’s safe, Sonic approaches the counter and finds Stone still taking cover behind it. “It’s okay, Mr. Stone.” He assures the barista. “It’s safe.”

Stone finally stands from his concealment behind the counter, surveying the damage of his café. It’s then that he sees Eggman on the ground, groaning in pain, and a fury seems to grow behind his eyes. He tares his apron off and tosses it to the ground, the coffee shop instantly turns silent as Stone says,

“Latte, with steamed Austrian goat’s milk.”

Suddenly, The Mean Bean transforms and the blackboard on the back wall makes way for a large screen containing a purple logo of Stone’s silhouetted face, the main countertop opening up to reveal high tech touch screens and holographic imaging. The baked goods display makes a mechanical whirring noise and suddenly the shelves containing the sweet treats drop down and are swiftly replaced by a singular platform showcasing a pair of gloves with bright purple lights attached to them. Stone saunters over to the glass display case and picks them up, tugging the gauntlets onto his hands and securing them properly into place with a few tugs of the straps.

“Umm, Mr. Stone?” Sonic questions with an increasingly worried look etched onto his shocked face.

Stone smirks as the gloves power up with a series of button presses and he aims a hand toward Sticks with a pointed look as the purple light shines directly onto her forehead. “Actually.” He laughs. “It’s Agent Stone.”

“Woah.” Tails gasps in shock. “Sticks was right?!”

“For once.” Amy responds under her breath.

“So you do work for the government!” Sticks accuses in an increasingly high pitched voice. “I knew it!”

“No, that one wasn’t a lie.” Stone shrugs nonchalantly. “I don’t work for the government… anymore.”

“So what? You’re on some kind of top secret freelance undercover mission?” Sonic asks, trying somewhat in vain to explain this new problem away. “Are you here to arrest Eggman?”

Stone glances over to Eggman, who looks down to the ground dejectedly, as if it were too good to be true that someone would actually want to voluntarily stick around him.

“Not that either, you see my views never really aligned with my government’s views.” Stone explains to them, aim steadfast and unwavering on the badger before him. “They don’t tend to look too kindly on being evil, hypocritical of them, I know.”

“Okay, enough of the exposition.” Sonic says flippantly, despite the surprised look etched into his features. “Did you just say evil?!”

Stone grins at him, all teeth, and before any of them can react he raises his other hand to aim the second gauntlet at Knuckles’ chest, firing at them with only little recoil. Little metal tags attach to their fur, as Stone aims the next round at Amy and Tails, attempting unsuccessfully to pry the tags from their persons – a feat that Stone already knows is impossible. The Agent manages to catch Tails easily, and with strategic aim hits Amy with the next metal tag where there’s no clothing to form a barrier. Then, finally he aims for Sonic himself, though he manages to dodge the first shot.

“Please, don’t make this difficult.” Stone tuts and fires at him again, this time the little metal tag lands squarely on the hedgehog’s chest.

“How did–” Sonic starts.

Stone just grins menacingly, and presses a singular button on his control gloves. The metal tags suddenly activate and send an electric shock through them all and they collapse to the ground, unconscious.

After the, admittedly one sided, fight Stone rounds the counter and helps Eggman to his feet. “Are you alright, Doctor?” He asks with a worried look etched onto his face.

“You really wanna stay?” Eggman questions, unsure. “With me?”

Stone smiles and nods. “Of course.” He confirms. “We’ll get my tech dismantled from here, take my coffee equipment to your lair and I'll be your barista.”

“What about your café?” Eggman asks, gesturing around the coffee shop, now littered with destroyed Badniks and unconscious enemies.

Stone shrugs. “You’re the only one who ever ordered my specialty anyway.” He explains with a sad smile. “I want to be your barista, sir.”

Eggman chuckles nervously, with a slight blush. “Oh, you’re gonna do more than that.” The Doctor says. “You took down that blue rat and his idiotic friends.”

He motions to team Sonic, all still out for the count.

“Robots!” Eggman grins triumphantly. “Get his stuff back to the lair!”

The surviving Badniks file in, including Orbot and Cubot, who begin dismantling Stone’s tech from the café.

“Agent Stone.” Eggman says.

“Doctor Eggman?” Stone replies with a smile.

“I think it’s time for a latte.” The Doctor continues with a thoughtful hum. “With steamed Austrian goat’s milk.”

“I agree, sir.” Stone nods accompanied by an excited laugh.

“Let’s go then.” Eggman says, placing a large hand on the small of Stone’s back, causing the Agent to blush. “My robots will bring your stuff back to my lair.”

He escorts Stone to the Eggmobile, stepping on board and manoeuvring the vehicle into a light hover, motioning for Stone to join him, the barista does so eagerly with arms wrapped around the Doctor’s waist as he, too, mounts the Eggmobile.

They fly off toward Eggman’s lair, leaving the Badniks to dismantle The Mean Bean.

“He seems nice.” Cubot observes.

“Yes.” Orbot agrees with a nod. “Perhaps he might even mellow the Doctor out a little.”

“I hope so.” Cubot replies, rubbing the top of his flat head. “I'm getting a dent from constantly being hit on the head with a magazine.”

“Yes.” Orbot says, sighing. “And the last time he threw his morning coffee at me it messed with my circuitry.”

~~~

Much later, that very same day, Sonic and his friends wake up with matching groans inside a fully gutted out Mean Bean.

“Aww man.” Sonic groans, rubbing at his throbbing head. “Looks like our lunch spot is out of commission.”

“Back to Meh burger it is.” Amy sighs in disdain.

“I think we’ve got bigger problems than that, guys.” Tails observes, standing and brushing the dust off of himself. “Mr. Stone took on all of us… and won.”

“Hmm, yeah.” Sonic says as they all exit the now out of commission coffee shop. “We may need to keep an eye on Agent Stone, but he doesn’t seem to want to be in charge, he wants to work for Eggman.”

“I think it’s sweet.” Amy smiles, sighing at the overall romance of the situation, despite it happening to their greatest enemy of all people. “Eggman may be our nemesis, who constantly tries to take over the island, but I’m glad he finally has a friend.”

“Yeah, it only took about thirty years.” Sonic says dryly, looking pointed at the audience. “But you know what Amy, me too.”