The Misadventures of Dr Robotnik

A Christmas gift

It had Been six months since Dr Ivo Robotnik, the world's greatest scientist had disappeared. Six months since Stone had quit his government job and moved to Green Hills and six months since Marie's world was turned upside down. Stone had opened a coffee shop on the corner of the Main Street that ran through the towns centre that had grown in popularity almost overnight.

After serving the last of the customers for the evening, Stone gently dusted off his apron and flipped the open sign over before tidying the chairs and making his way upstairs to his apartment.
Opening the front door, Stone was greeted by the sounds of the TV and the sight of a small figure sound asleep curled up in a blanket on the couch.
Stone never told Marie about the "Green Hills incident" only that Robotnik had disappeared without a trace. He had moved them out here for two reasons; to look for any clues regarding the doctor's disappearance and to help keep Marie away from the government who stood to gain from her brilliance.
Stone shook the thought of Washington and Robotnik Labs from his mind and entered the small kitchen to prepare dinner.

Just as Stone finished cutting the vegetables, his phone rang. Answering the call, He was greeted by commander Walters.
* "good evening agent Stone how are you?"*
*"What can I do for you sir"*
he replied through a smile that he had long ago learned to fake.
*"We need you to come back to Washington. There are a few questions we'd like to ask you*"
Stone furrowed his brow slightly and swallowed the lump in his throat
*"I'll leave immediately sir"*
Ending the call, Stone sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. Christmas was in two days and commander Walters had decided to call him back on the one day that Marie would need him most.

leaning slightly against the countertop, he scrolled through his contact list before dialling the number.
After a few rings, the phone was answered.
"Hey Aban, what's up?"
Came the voice of a woman.
" hey Maddie, I know that it's sort of last minute but I gotta go out of town for a few days and was wondering if you could look after Marie?"
There was a slight pause on the other end and Stone listened with bated breath
*" uh sure sure, no problem! Drop her off tomorrow morning" *
Maddie replied
" you're a lifesaver Maddie! Thank you"
" I know"
Stone hung up and finished preparing dinner. After setting the plates down on the table, Stone made his way over to the couch and gently nudged the sleeping form under the blankets. There was a loud groan. Marie slowly stretched her arms above her head yawning.
"Dinner's ready sleepyhead"
Stone chuckled lightly turning to sit at the table.
Marie pawed the sleep from her eyes and gently ran her small fingers through her bedridden hair while dragging herself from the plush sofa.

During dinner, Stone had broken the news to Marie that she would be spending Christmas with the Wachowski's this year. Needless to say, she didn't take it well.
When he explained why, Marie's face darkened and she began to fume silently. After her father's disappearance, the government had erased all traces of him and even so far, as to deny his existence at all. In her eyes, they were nothing but parasites.
"Do you really have to go?"
She pondered while pushing her food around the plate. Stone sighed loudly
"Can't be helped I'm afraid".

After dinner, Marie retired to her room while Stone cleared the table. After he stowed the used dishes and cutlery in the dishwasher, Stone retired to the couch with a beer in hand.

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The roads were slick with ice and mud as a black SUV pulled up to the Wachowski residence.
A thick blanket of snow covered the driveway.
Stone retrieved a small blue suitcase from the backseat as Marie trudged through the the knee deep snow and up the stairs to the front door. Before she could even knock, Marie was swept off of her feet into a hug by a blue blur.
"Sonic!"
The girl giggled as her blue friend greeted her with glee.
"Oh my god, I'm so happy that you're staying with us!"
The hedgehog replied as he dragged Marie into the living room where she was soon crash tackled by Ozzie.
Upon entering, Stone was greeted by the sight of his daughter laughing hysterically on the floor as Ozzie sniffed at her wildly. He smiled before setting the suitcase down gently and shutting the door.
Glancing at his watch, Stone made a beeline for the door.
"Can't stay long, got a flight to catch but thanks again really appreciate it!"
He waved rushing down the stairs and to the car. Marie stood there waving as Stone took off down the icy road. Entering the house again, Marie joined Sonic on the sofa as he attempted to quests Maddie's Netflix account. Sonic groaned at each failed attempt.
His frustration clearly starting to get to him, he handed the remote over to his friend.
"Think you can crack it?"
"Think I can crack it?"
With a smug grin, Marie took the offered remote. 30 seconds later, they were ready for a marathon of cartoons.