Breaking Point

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Panting, the two of them looked directly up the ceiling as they lay in the same bed, concealed by blankets. Four shocked eyes blinked while Aleena gulped. "Um... that was... unexpected..."

"Yep..." Robotnik deadpanned. What the hell did he just do? It was so wrong but...

"Secret?" She asked though they both knew the answer. She felt such a terrible wave of guilt but at the same time...

He simply answered again. "Yep." He didn't know what would happen next.

She nodded. "Should we be concerned about any... epilogues..."

"Nope. An accident in the labs..." He explained shortly.

"Good... No offense, of course but... We've already crossed far too many boundaries..." Aleena felt the need to explain her response. "So... what... what do we do?"

The scientist considered it. "I am a selfish man, always have been, always will be. I'm not willing to lose this again. I know I'm not an attractive man and I'm far beyond overweight. And I'm at least twenty-years your senior... moreover, I am human and almost a cyborg at this rate..." He referred to his prosthetics. "You are magic and nature where I'm technology and science. I can't think of any two people less suited but..."

She nodded. "Well, the original mobians were the results of humans interbreeding with other animals but, I can see your point. The only issue is if we are discovered, Julian... Our relationship with my daughter and your godson and now I'm sure my sons are wondering... that's already on thin ice. But..." Aleena rolled over to look at him. "I haven't been with anyone since my husband died... it's been so long... and being isolated for so long... is it wrong that I don't care about that or our differences... Maybe it's good that we are so different..."

The bed shifted as he nervously pulled her to him. "If we keep it behind closed doors then nobody needs to even know." The purple hair cascaded onto his chest as she laid her head upon him. "I don't deserve you. I know that... but... you certainly have the right to be happy. Even if I don't... and if I can... somehow make you happy then... I can start to atone at least."

Aleena could not find any flaws in his logic. "I don't know... I think everyone has the right to some happiness in their lives. No one is perfect Julian. I failed too. I ran from you when I should have stayed and fought back. My people have shown me that it would have been possible but I ran with my children. I did nothing to show that I had any business being queen. Maybe if I had not run then none of this would happened. You would not have been so alone..." She traced a finger along his cheek. "Besides, age is just a number. Appearance, well, to be fair you're the best looking human I've ever seen. It wouldn't be fair to judge you on Mobian standards and I've never seen any other human males... The weight thing... well, you make a good pillow." She sighed happily as she snuggled into him as if to prove her point.

Robotnik thought about the last two decades. Something had always been missing. Something he thought he would never find again. He didn't care if it was wrong or selfish. However, he was all too aware that if they were found out then it would be all over...

The Oracle watched the cauldron with a terrible blush in his face. He had felt the change in the queen and couldn't help keeping a protective watch, though he carefully averted his eyes as needed. He didn't know what to think about this development. He wanted Aleena to be happy but would this cause greater harm or greater good.

Hearing footsteps, he quickly banished the vision and brought up the hedgehog princess instead as she slept cuddled with her husband. In a flurry, he conjured up the usual platter and pasted an oblivious grin on his face.

Sonic came speeding in with Manic. "Oracle! We need your help!" He said frantically. "Robotnik... He... and then... Mom..." He couldn't find the words.

The Oracle smiled. "Robotnik surrendered the kingdom, making you and your brothers the official rulers." He laughed. "But that's not all... Your mother, Queen Aleena appeared and saved Robotnik's life."

Manic nodded. "Dude, can you see the future or do you only know how to spy on us." He laughed to indicate that he was joking. "Yeah, it was crazy. We were afraid people were going to riot. And then... We talked to Cyrus about it. He regretted it almost immediately."

The Oracle nodded gently. "Your mother saved him from becoming a murderer." He concluded. "How is he doing?"

Sonic bit his lip. "He is getting help. He doesn't want to kill anyone in anger. We don't want to be like Robotnik. We are better than that..."

A green hand touched the hedgehog's blue spikes. "You are learning boy. Your ability to see past your anger and hate will enable you and your brother to lead Mobotropolis into a time of prosperity."

Manic shrugged. "Well first, we need to go see sis. We need to find Mom too. I want to know why she saved him. It's good but... what if she's in trouble? What if this is all an elaborate trick?"

"I think, Manic, that your mother has her reasons for saving Robotnik. Maybe she simply didn't want your friend to dirty his hands? Maybe she simply didn't want him to die. Your mother is a compassionate woman... She doesn't hold a grudge..." The Oracle explained. If Aleena did not want anyone to know about this then he would not say. He only hoped she knew what she was doing.

Sonic nodded. "But then there's the concern of where he's going? Where he's been? Is she with him? Where are they? I at least have to know that she's not under some kind of coercion."

The Oracle chuckled. "Where do you think he could have gone? Consider what we know of the situation. Perhaps you should go speak to your sister though. Inform her of the situation..." He said cryptically. "She's working for a new nightclub in Acorn now."

The next day, Sonia met her mother at the club to help her with choosing the new design. She was about to ask her mother about the evening prior but the smile on her mother's face caught her off guard. "Good morning Mother... Is everything alright?"

Aleena knew she should try to hide her glee better but she couldn't. The endorphins still rushing through were too great. "Of course dear. I'm just excited. I'm happy you are helping me with this. Now, let's look at these patterns."

The pink hedgehog regarded her mother and considered her expression. "You had... oh my goodness... Mother... did you?" All thoughts of Robotnik fled her mind.

Aleena felt alarm, was she already busted? "Dear, please, I can explain... I've been alone so long..."

Sonia hugged her. "Mother, I don't mind that you're dating. You're an adult. I hope you'll introduce him to me someday but in time.

Aleena breathed a sigh of relief. "Maybe someday my dear. Not until I know there's a future there." And I know nobody's going to kill him over it. "Now, what do you think of this?" She drew her daughter to a basic white fleur-de-lis. "The white will reflect the other colors of light."

Sonia recognized the change of subject but allowed it. Her mother was allowed her secrets and whoever could put that smile on her face was okay by her.

Aleena felt terrible for keeping the secret from her daughter. What would she say or do if she found out? She could simply nip it in the bud now but she didn't want to. "How is Bartleby this morning?"

"He's doing very well actually... Rotor is starting him on building his own car from a pre-designed template today. Mother... it's fascinating to watch him..." She smiled happily. "He's really coming out of his shell. I never knew how good he was with machinery. It's not just cars. Our garbage disposal broke down this morning and he fixed it like he's been fixing them for years."

Aleena listened to her daughter gush with pride in her husband. She saw the door open behind her as Robotnik entered silently. She gave him a smile as she saw him listening to Sonia's update on his godson. Yes, it was better to keep the secret for now. At least until they knew if this worth fighting for.