Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Sonic Underground Reloaded ❯ Aleena ( Chapter 3 )

Aleena wrapped the day-old triplets in their blankets and laid them in the makeshift crib, which was actually an old crate that she had found in the little cabin they escaped to after Argus spotted Robotnik's forces marching into the town.

Aleena softly sang the triplets a lullaby as she waited for one of the guards to come back with news about Shadow.

Argus finally came into the room. "Bad news. Mobotropolis has burned down. Supposedly, Rotor and Cat defected to Robotnik and one or both of them killed Shadow."

Aleena shook her head. "He's still out there, somewhere." She replied. "He had a contingency plan. I'm sure that was it."

Argus nodded. "I agree."

"I doubt we can stay here and wait for him to find us." Aleena said.

Argus glanced at the napping triplets. "We can't exactly drag them along when we don't know where we're going."

Aleena blinked back tears. "I was hoping we could."

"I wish we could." Argus said. "Maybe when they're older, you can get them back."

Aleena nodded. "So when do we head out?"

"A week, maybe sooner." Argus said. "That should give you enough time to find someone to take care of them. Now, I know you won't like this, but it would be best to split them up. It'll make it harder to find them or figure out who they are."

"Makes sense, I suppose." Aleena replied. She looked at the triplets.

Sonic, the oldest baby, kicked his little feet in his sleep to the annoyance of his siblings, Sonia and Manic.

Manic quietly eased himself away from Sonic while Sonia huffed.

Aleena picked up Sonic. "I'll miss all of you." She said softly. "I wish things were different."

The next day, Aleena got the babies ready for their new homes.

Sonic would go stay with Shadow's uncle Chuck, Sonia would stay with Aleena's childhood friend, Lady Windermere, and Manic would go to stay with one of Aleena's maids (who never trusted Robotnik either).

Aleena found the three royal family medallions that was in her backpack and put one in each of the babies' bags.

"Are you ready to go?" Argus asked.

Aleena nodded slowly. "Let's get this over with."

After an hour, Aleena finally made it to Lady Windermere's home.

"Oh, I'm so glad you escaped." Lady Windermere said, hugging Aleena.

"Please do me a favor." Aleena said.

Lady Windermere let Aleena go. "Of course."

Aleena took Sonia out of her carrier and slid Sonia's bag off of her shoulder. "Please take care of Sonia. Make sure she always keeps her medallion. It's a royal family heirloom."

Lady Windermere took Sonia and her bag. "Of course. Don't worry, she'll be safe with me. I can take the other two."

"We're splitting them up to throw off Robotnik." Aleena said. She kissed Sonia goodbye. "I have to go. If anything happens to you, send her to Uncle Chuck."

Aleena handed Sonic to Uncle Chuck. "Have you seen Shadow?"

Uncle Chuck shook his head. "No, but he left Maria's locket on the doorknob." He said, easing Sonic around to hold him with one hand while he got the necklace off of the table. He handed the locket to Aleena. "I'm sure it was him, anyway. You can have it."

Aleena put the necklace around her neck. "Thank you."

Uncle Chuck noticed Manic in the carrier. "Where's the third baby?"

"At Lady Windermere's." Aleena replied. She gave Uncle Chuck the same instructions about the medallion and left.

Aleena and Argus wandered the slums of Mobotropolis, trying to find the right home.

"There's her house." Aleena said.

"Swatbots." Argus whispered as he motioned to a nearby group of Swatbots. "I'll handle them, you get Manic to his new home."

Aleena nodded.

Argus crept down the alley as Aleena rushed to the house.

As soon as Argus was out of sight, someone rushed out of the shadows and grabbed Manic's carrier.

Aleena tried her best to pull Manic away from the hooded figure. "Let go. I-"

The thief shoved Aleena away and ran off.

Aleena struggled to get to her feet. The fall had knocked the wind out of her, but she was determined to get her baby back.

Argus rushed over to Aleena. "What happened?"

"Manic. Kidnapped." Aleena said, catching her breath. She motioned down the alley that the thief headed down.

Argus and Aleena rushed down the alley and finally followed the creep down the sewers.

Argus and Aleena hid in an alcove, trying to figure out how to rescue Manic.

The thief handed Manic's carrier to the gang leader, Farrell. "Found another brat, boss."

"So he knew a baby was in there?" Aleena whispered.

Farrell pulled the blanket back. "He's got a bag with him." He said. He opened the bag and pulled out the medallion. "It's got the royal family crest on it."

"That's Shadow and Aleena's kid?" The thief asked. "Robotnik's offered fifty grand for each family member for anyone who turns them in."

Aleena rushed out of cover before Argus could stop him.

"I'm not handing him over to Robotnik." Farrell said. "He'll kill him."

"Please, just let me take him." Aleena said, crying. "I'll pay you more than Robotnik offered. Just don't hand him over."

"That's Aleena!" The thief exclaimed. "That's a hundred grand right there."

Farrell gave the guy a look. "We may be thieves, but we're not murderers."

Argus finally came over and grabbed the thief by the arm. "Come with me."

"Go." Farrell said. "Do what you have to do, Argus."

Argus led the thief back out the sewer.

Farrell handed Manic back to Aleena. "I'm sorry about that. I guess he thought you were abandoning him."

"I was trying to send him to live with my maid." Aleena said. "I can't exactly take him when I have no idea where I'm going."

Argus finally came back. "Your highness, the houses on that street have all been raided."

Aleena nodded.

"You can leave him here." Farrell said. "He'll be safe. I promise."

Aleena sighed. "I guess I have no choice." She replied. She kissed Manic goodbye, then left the instructions for the medallion before leaving Mobotropolis for parts unknown until they could rally Mobius to their cause.