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“We shan’t send a decree of oblivion to consume the earth!” Robotnik stood before his grand fadre in a state of distress. Gerald had unveiled his true intentions with his old spell book: a world enthralled in death, a barren land of nothingness.
“By combining our prowess, we can rule this world! Together!” He clasped his hands in unison desperately, his voice pleading.
“Society is a plague fabricated by the powers above, if anyone is to understand that it's you ,” he pestered, slowly approaching his grandson, his eyes sharp and cold, “ all your life, you've been shunned by this world. You have nothing here, not a soul who cherishes you.”
His words suffocated the alchemist; his hands shuddered as he lowered his head, his eyes beseeching,
“But… I have you now,” he attempted to counter, “we are family .”
Gerald's cold expression refused to change, his eyes glanced over his grandson's form before his lips curled in distaste,
“Oh, Ivo… you're no Maria.”
Those were the last words the alchemist's mind allowed him to hark before he drove his dagger into his relative's form. Warm blood coated his hands, the world around him growing dark, a suffocating and paralyzing allure conformed around his mind. His grandfadre’s final words enveloped him as he cast a final spell:
“An eternal slumber shall befall upon thee! An ailment only undone by the entwinement of an intimate embrace, begot only by true love…. ”
“And let's face it,” the curmudgeon hissed, “who could ever love you, Ivo?”
Stones' axe severed the wall of thorns that impeded their pursuit to find the alchemist. All had almost been lost after an atrocity that befell them, conducted by Lord Gerald, following his descent into madness. As a result, both those of the Robotnik Lineage had been declared dead, that is, until the black and red hedgehog came before them, revealing a shocking revelation.
Robotnik may still be alive.
It had been months since Stone had served and nurtured his grace; his existence had been plundered into nothingness as a result.
But now there was a chance he might be reunited with his Majesty, if what the Dark hedgehog claimed held true.
Sir Sonic, along with the young prince, Tails, and his unyielding brother, Knuckles, had assisted Stone in his search for the alchemist, despite their unwavering past.
As much as he despised it, the three had a heart of gold that Stone had never witnessed within another living being before. And while he would not express his gratitude aloud, he was eternally grateful for their assistance.
Especially as the wall of thorns that enveloped them grew thicker and thicker. Thorns tore at his chain mail as he forced his body through the sharpened border. Desperate to see his Majesty once more, indifferent to the scars the thorns carved into his cheeks.
A large door stood before them, one last barrier to pass through.
The red echidna threw his fists into the wooden door, planks of wood splintered as they crumbled to the floor, the five of them slipping inside the opening that had been made.
The room was filled with a flurry of red. Blooming roses extended their petals to the sky, seeking the faint light that peeked through the cracking tower's foundation.
Stone's heart sank as his eyes fell upon the figure before him. Rested so carefully in the center, roses surrounding him, lay Robotnik.
The young fox flew over to the alchemist's body before Stone could shove his way through the field. He lay his large ears up against Robotnik's chest, his expression relaxing.
“He is alive; he is simply in a state of comatose.”
Relief flooded the guard’s mind despite the overwhelming flurry of emotions that engulfed him.
“But for this long?” Sir Sonic inquired, “There must be something awry. This is no condition solved by any remedy I know of.”
“He has been cast into an Eternal sleep…” The dark hedgehog's brooding voice arose from the corner where he stood.
“The Grandsire must have cast one final spell before his actions ceased.” The red echidna offered hesitantly.
“He is cursed?” Stone’s voice splintered in his sorrow.
Shadow nodded slowly, the three princes looked at one another in solicitude as Stone suddenly dropped to his knees. His hands clasped in a prayer,
“ Please, I beg of thee… ” Stone decreed,” Tell me you know what must be done to reverse this. As a former apprentice to Lord Gerald… please tell me there is a way to remove such a curse from my Majesty, ” His brown eyes glistened in torment as they filled with tears, “ tell me there is a way to save him.”
The bastardized prince's eyes flickered carefully as they examined the man before him. In his uncertainty, he looked up to the princes before him.
The blue hedgehog nodded slowly, content with the decision to be made.
Shadow closed his eyes, doing his best to recite the spell:
“An eternal slumber shall befall upon thee.” He took a breath . “ An ailment only undone by the entwinement of an intimate embrace, begot only by true love…. ”
The young fox gasped before them,
“True loves… kiss?” He inquired carefully of Sir Sonic.
Stone's hands lowered slowly as his eyes grew wide with realization. He hung his head, his mind overwhelmed with thoughts he ought never to have.
Surely, he was not worthy of such a task. He was not worthy of a man like Robotnik.
He loved and worshipped his Highness, but he was not the one capable of reversing the spell. His love was unrequited, restrained, and unfair. Everything but true.
But who else would be fitted for the task? No other person in the world cherished the alchemist as much as his servant did.
Despite his adversity to the idea, it was the only option he had. He was willing to do anything to get his grace back… even if his conscience told him he was not worthy enough to do so.
Stone could feel the concerned eyes upon him, glancing sideways at the group of young princes before him.
He turned his head away, his eyes bulging through his skull before he took a hefty inhale, standing upright once more.
He spoke not a word, and yet his silence implied an understanding among the rest of the young men in the room.
Sir Sonic cranked his head to the others as he carefully stepped outside the room, his brothers shuffling slowly in his tracks along with Shadow.
Before their Majesties had left the room, the young fox halted before Stone, his eyes expressing an ever-so-consuming sense of warmth and understanding as he placed an assuring hand along the servant's leg.
Recollections from their previous conversations within the cave seemed to resurface in both of them. The young fox had known.
Stone glanced tiredly at the fox, nodding in appreciation as he watched him leave.
Such privacy and silence had never been so distressing.
It took him a long moment before he turned his body to face the resting figure within the center of the room, entwined in roses, he lay.
He stepped forward, his face molding into one of pained sympathy. The alchemist looked so…miserable. His brows perched high in anguish as a frown eluded him. So troubled despite his restful state, like he was experiencing the same nightmare over and over in his eternal slumber.
Had he fallen into sleep feeling this way? Tormented? Betrayed? Brokenhearted?
Stone could never forgive Gerald for what he did to him, what he did to them .
But at the same time, Stone had been incapable of being by the alchemist's side. He could have stopped this. Months, Robotnik sat along the cold floor as roses of thorns bloomed around him. Stone should have been by his side, always. Then and now.
Despite that, he hadn't. But at this moment, he had the chance to be beside his Majesty once more. He needed to take that risk.
No matter the outcome, he had to try.
He knelt slowly to the floor, the blooming roses creating a comforting perch above the thorn bed.
Stone's body trembled, overtaken by emotions once suppressed. He was ill fit for this task… for the Majesty, Robotnik.
And yet… a warm sensation enchanted him as his body moved closer to the alchemist. Never had his heart felt so full, so filled with love. A love and appreciation he had assembled for Robotnik for so many years.
His gloved hands trembled as he embraced the alchemist's face; he had never had the opportunity to be this close… this intimate. It felt wrong at the moment, but he'd do anything to get him back.
“Forgive me, your grace,” his voice choked him as he lowered his head towards Robotnik.
He laid his lips gingerly along those that resided under the alchemist's magnificent bristles.
A surge of mournful anguish vanquished Stone. A tear slipped from his eyes upon the man whose lips he was entwined with.
He removed himself, slowly, his lips quivering in desperation as he hung over his lordship, awaiting a sign…
Slowly, around the body of the alchemist, the flowers began to retreat into their buds. The thorns subsided, leaving only him and his grace in their departure.
Robotnik stood in the castle gardens, away from the celebration that commemorated the new king and queen of Greenhills, the Wachowskis.
He wasn't entirely sure why they had invited him and Stone, knowing how the alchemist yearned so desperately for their title.
Perhaps it was their unwavering kindness that seemed to withstand any turmoil… Robotnik found it revolting despite accepting the invitation. He only did it because his guard expressed great interest in providing a hunt for the castle feast.
Despite the time that had passed, Robotnik could not outlive the day he had stabbed his relative. Or more appropriately, his Grandfadre had stabbed him in the back.
A love he once thought he had found, its reality ripped from him in an instant.
And now all of his hopes and desires became unattainable once more. What was he to do now?
“Getting away from the noise, your grace?”
The familiar clinking of his assistant's chainmail grew closer; he never wore anything else. He tilted his head to greet the glowing aura of Stone, his smile suffocating and infectious.
He grunted in response,
“Tis’ not exactly something I desire to celebrate.” He mumbled.
“Come now, your Highness. Your rivalry with Sir Sonic has still yet to cease,” He offered with an amused smile.
Robotnik had always cherished the titles Stone had assigned to him. Despite his status, Stone would always view him as his one true Majesty.
Despite that, he shook his head with a snort,
“I have grown along in my years, even if I were to achieve the title I so deserve, it would only be a short-lived victory.”
Stone hummed in accordance,
“Astute as always, your Highness.”
Robotnik felt something gently caress his fingertips. He looked below him at a single rose that sprouted out from the garden. Its petals swayed in the wind.
An ailment only undone by the entwinement of an intimate embrace, begot only by true love… And let's face it, who could ever love you, Ivo?”
Robotnik took a hard swallow as he broke the stem of the rose, its thorns digging into his fingertips despite the gloves.
Stone seemed to gleam at the sight,
“Beautiful, isn't it?” He lamented.
Robotnik hesitated in a response, his eyes cemented to the flower. A realization hit him swiftly, one he had not considered to ask all of those nights ago.
“The curse that was cast upon me… how was it broken?” And by whom? He wanted to ask.
Stone's smile slowly began to falter, his eyes growing sharp. His tongue fumbled over the words as he attempted to explain the situation,
“It… it was… it was I, sire. I freed you from your eternal sleep.” He revealed, his voice giving out near the end of his sentence.
Robotnik shot a gaze at his servant, unable to comprehend exactly what such a claim meant,
“I imagine you must have cast some marvelous spell to wake me… I can only imagine the power of such a spell to counter the curse-”
“No, sire”, Stone intervened quickly. “I did not use any spell. I'm no mage.”
Robotnik's breathing hitched, and the thorns of the rose's stem suddenly grew sharper. He turned slowly to Stone, his face enveloped in befuddlement.
“Then… how?” He whispered carefully.
Stone's large brown eyes held the pain of a guilty man. His chest rose quickly as he did his best to recite his memory,
“The curse cast upon thee… In its decree, it provided an amendment to mitigate the effects…”
Robotnik's eyes bore sharply into Stones, his mind flooded with impossible conclusions.
“A… intimate… embrace… begot only by…” he choked, taking a stiff inhale, “true love.” His voice quivered.
The realization hit Robotnik quickly, the world around him suddenly becoming hazy. Unable to express his bewilderment, he began stepping away from his assistant, his eyes becoming accusatory.
Stone's eyes grew wide with remorse,
“Sire..?”
“No,” he stopped him, shaking his head in disbelief, “ This must be one last trick conducted by Lord Gerald,” he scoffed in a chuckle despite the tears that began to form along his eyes,” you cannot fool me-”
“No!” Stone grabbed the alchemist's arm quickly, both of them eyeing one another in dismay, paralyzed.
Stone took a hard swallow, acknowledging the grip he held on Robotnik. Despite knowing he ought to remove it, he tightened his hold. His voice deepening with intent,
“This is no trick, your Majesty,” he whispered.
Robotnik's expression sharpened, his face contorting with misery,
“How… that's not… that can't be,” he expressed, exasperated.
Stones lowered himself ever so slightly, and he placed his other hand along Robotnik's arms, his gaze unfaltering,
“Tis true… your Majesty…” he croaked, “I…I love you. More than I could anything else. More than I am capable of. For a very long time now.” His voice broke.
Robotnik's gaze refused to break from Stones, enveloped in awe.
After a moment of silence, Stone removed his grasp in remorse. Lowering his gaze out of respect for the alchemist.
Robotnik removed his glance as well, his breathing hitched and unbalanced. His heart pounding in disbelief, overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas he never thought to be true.
Stone took one last breath before whispering carefully,
“If it is any consolation, your grace, “ he looked back up fondly at him, a smile creeping along his lips, “ every second our lips were intertwined, I was in eternal bliss.”
Robotnik's heart swelled; he knew his servants' words held true with such sincerity. He was struck with a flurry of incomprehensible emotions: confusion, anguish, despair… tenderness, and fervor.
What was the feeling that had suddenly overtaken him? His body began to yearn, his mind desperate to disprove his doubts.
His bones rattle with feverency. He threw his hands forward and gripped the sides of Stone's shoulders before throwing his lips onto his.
A muffled gasp escaped Stone before his tense posture softened, a hum of pleasurable relief escaping through his nose as he wrapped his arms around his Majesty.
Robotnik was well aware that the two of them knew nothing of what they were initiating. The only exposure to such a performance was that of the operas they attended. But this felt so much different. So much more intimate, fueled by passion alone.
Their noses pressed up tightly against the other's face as the two men attempted to navigate the other's lips. Their facial hair blocked most of their contact. The arrangement was making it exceedingly difficult to breathe.
Their lips broke from one another, the two men taking in hefty gasps as they glared in astonishment at the other.
Robotnik's complexing was warm, resembling the red rose he had dropped to his feet as he threw himself to embrace Stone.
Stones' tender bottom lip began to quiver as a weak smile overwhelmed him, tears seeping from his eyes.
Robotnik's face contorted in a gleeful pain. Such intimacy, he once thought was never accessible, had suddenly presented itself before him.
He stifled a sob, his head lowering as his fingers dug into the shoulder pads of his assistant. Stone tilted his head, allowing for better access as he initiated the kiss once more, the tears of the alchemist running along his servant's face.
Robotnik ran his fingers along the neck of his assistant, his nails digging into the skull of Stones, his long, wavy black hair wrapping around Robotnik's fingers.
Heat radiated from the other's face, their cheeks becoming rosy at the contact.
Their bodies pressed up against one another as their shared wails rattled the two of them. Deep inhales halted their embrace as they attempted to join together once more.
Their cries soon devolved into whimpers as their lips desperately danced around one another, yearning to be conjoined.
Their kisses grew gentler as the time passed, their lips now swollen and raw, grazing one another with intimacy.
Stone removed his lips from Robotnik's as he placed his forehead firmly against Robotnik’s.
Robotnik's breathing stuttered as he welcomed the new tender embrace, his hands grasping Stone's arms tightly.
Their breathing eventually leveled as the two men pressed their foreheads together, the moonlight before them illuminating their figures against the darkened sky.
Stone nuzzled his face against the alchemist as he wrapped his arms around him, placing one last kiss along his wrinkled cheek.
“I hope you see now…” Stone whispered, “The love I have for you shall always reign true .”