Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Out of the battle ❯ Sick ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Sonic and Manic walked through the underground black market in Mobotropolis, searching for a new part for their van.

 Manic broke into a coughing fit.

 Sonic patted Manic on the back.

 Manic exhaled loudly. “Thanks, bro.”

 “That’s the tenth time today you’ve coughed like that.” Sonic said, handing Manic his canteen. “You’re going to the doctor tomorrow.”

 Manic took a sip of water from the canteen. “Fine with me.”

 “Let’s hurry up and get the part so you can rest.” Sonic said.

 They finally reached the automotive booth. 

 Trevor set a box on the table. “Hey, Sonic, Manic. What do you need?”

 Manic started coughing again.

 “A new alternator for the van.” Sonic said, patting Manic on the back.

 Trevor found the part in one of the boxes and handed it to Sonic. “Manic? Are you okay?”

 Sonic looked at Manic. “Nevermind what I said, bro. You’re going to the doctor as soon as we’re done here.” He said. He handed some money to Trevor. “That’s the eleventh time this has happened today.”

 “Hope you feel better, Manic.” Trevor said, putting the part into a bag. He handed it to Sonic.

 “Thanks, Trevor.” Sonic and Manic replied.

 Sonic and Manic started walking away as Manic began coughing yet again. 

 “Text Sonia and let her know we’re going to the doctor.” Sonic said.

 Manic nodded as he texted Sonia.

 “Why do you hate going to the resistance doctor anyway?” Sonic asked.

 “Because… I stole some supplies when Farrell took me there when I was a kid.” Manic replied.

 Sonic sighed. “Dude.”

 “I know.” Manic muttered. “But doctor’s appointments were too expensive and Farrell didn’t want to spend money every time I needed stitches or antibiotics.”

 “You told me he always told you to steal the best.” Sonic said as they reached the office. “You mean to say he was too cheap to pay the doc?”

 “I got sick or hurt constantly.” Manic replied. “He told me he’d spend more money on me than he would the other street kids. It just got way too expensive.”

 “He treated you like his own son, I’ll give you that.” Sonic said, opening the door. “No stealing.”

 Manic walked in the door. “Fine, I’m sorry.”

 Sonia opened the door and let Sonic and Manic in the hideout.

 Manic drank some water as Sonic helped him to the couch.

 “Thanks, bro.” Manic muttered as he laid down.

  “So what did the doctor say?” Sonia asked.

 Sonic walked Sonia into the kitchen.

 “He probably has chronic respiratory irritation.” Sonic replied. “All those years of living in the sewer, breathing in all of that… you know, messed his lungs up. He also thinks some of the resistance bases may have mold and all of the fumes from Robotnik’s factories didn’t help matters.”

 “So when will he get better?” Sonia asked.

 Sonic shrugged. “He may have breathing problems for the rest of his life.” He replied. “He needs a better living environment. Honestly, the doctor is amazed he’s alive. Breathing in sewage for eighteen years could’ve killed him.”

 Sonia glanced at Manic, who was asleep on the couch. “I don’t think my society friends will take him in.”

 “So they don’t care if he dies or has health problems for the rest of his life just because he was a homeless thief?” Sonic asked. “Even if we take shifts to stay with him?”

 “Someone might take him in as a favor to me.” Sonia replied.

 “Hmm… maybe the Duke of Velcronia will take him in.” Sonic said. He motioned for Sonia to follow him.

 Sonic and Sonia walked over to the couch and sat down on the floor.

 Manic was awake and rubbing his head.

 “Are you okay?” Sonic asked. 

 “I have a major headache and I’m nauseous.” Manic muttered.

 Sonic got up. “I’ll get you some aspirin.” He said. He hurried off to the kitchen.

 “You may have to drop down to a support level in the resistance.” Sonia said.

 “I think so too.” Manic replied. He started coughing again.

 Sonia handed Manic his cup of water.

 Manic’s coughing fit finally ended after several minutes.

 Manic took the cup of water and slowly sipped it. “Thanks, sis.”

 “You’re welcome.” Sonia replied.

 Manic glanced at the kitchen. “The resistance doctor couldn’t do anything aside from asking questions and figuring that living in a sewer caused problems.” He said. “He doesn’t know for sure what’s actually wrong with me.”

 Sonic came in and gave Manic the aspirin.

 “Thanks.” Manic muttered. He took the pills and laid down again. He pulled out his phone.

 “You rest, we’ll make dinner.” Sonia said.

 Sonic and Sonia headed into the kitchen.

 Sonia opened the cabinets. “So what kind of quality of life will he have?” 

 “Who knows?” Sonic asked. “Resistance doctors don’t have the equipment to diagnose him properly. Thankfully, he doesn’t need to be on oxygen.”

 Manic started gagging.

 Sonia and Sonic exchanged glances, then ran back into the living room.

 Sonic gently turned Manic to his side right before he threw up. “Ugh.”

 “I’ll get you a towel.” Sonia said, walking away.

 Sonic noticed Manic’s phone was on and playing a video with flashing lights. He turned the video off. “Okay, we definitely don’t need to do light shows in our gigs.”

 Manic sipped his water.

 “Were you watching the video when you got a headache?” Sonic asked.

 “No, but it didn’t help.” Manic replied.

 Sonia came back in with a towel and a damp washcloth. “Wash your face with this.” She said, handing Manic the washcloth. 

 “Thanks, sis.” Manic replied. He wiped his face with the washcloth.

 “He threw up on me, but he got a washcloth?” Sonic asked.

 “You’re not sick, Sonic.” Sonia replied. “Go clean yourself up.”

 Sonic got up and headed to the bathroom.

 Sonia finished wiping off the couch and floor, then noticed Manic’s spines were still dirty. She took the washcloth that Manic had set down and started cleaning Manic’s spines.

 “I never had anyone take care of me while I was sick before.” Manic said.

 Sonia sighed. “You had a depressing childhood, Manic.”

 “It could’ve been worse.” Manic replied.

 “I suppose so.” Sonia said.

 Sonic, wiping his spines, came into the room. “Bad news, guys. Cyrus just texted me to tell us that the Duke of Velcronia is on the run now.”

 “So who’ll take care of Manic?” Sonia asked.

 Sonic shrugged. “Maybe he should go stay with Knuckles.” He replied. “The floating island has better air quality than anywhere else in Mobius.”

 “Then let’s go first thing tomorrow.” Sonia said. She stopped cleaning Manic’s spines. “Would you like me to make you some dry toast or get you some saltines?”

 “Saltines.” Manic replied. “And… I can’t take more aspirin, can I?”

 “I wouldn’t risk it.” Sonic said. “I’ll turn the lights off though.”