Love's Resistance

 

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Oh, I was on DA yesterday looking at Bartona (BartlebyxSonia) art, and one artist is convinced that Sonia has no feelings for Bartleby. Yeah, let's go through this for a moment.

Episode 1: Who does she get to go find that club with her? Bartleby

Episode 4: In the beginning of the episode, Sonia says quite clearly that her top priority is finding a gift for her dear Bartleby.

Episode 12: When she daydreams of the debutante ball, does she dance with a group of men or 1? 1. Who is this 1? Bartleby. And they are standing pretty darn close.

Episode 15: Exhibit A, Sonia gets JEALOUS when she sees Bartleby simply TALKING to another woman. Exhibit B: "He may not be my fiance anymore, but I don't want to see him blown up"

Episode 30: Who does Sonia think of when they need help getting into the palace? Notice how she does her absolute best to keep from killing him when he badmouths her mother and brothers. (and is it me or is he getting...with how she's leaning up against him)

Episode 32: "I got Bartleby" she says. Not "I'll rescue the prisoners." She specifically says his name.

Episode 37: When she finds out he's been arrested, she immediately goes to see him. When she sees him trying to take the fall, obviously to protect her, she goes to his aide as soon as the mission is done.

Yeah, she doesn't like him at all. She clearly can't stand him. All though I'll be honest. Episode 37, while certainly his finest hour, is ruined by the ending. Let's discuss the style to begin with. A) Saying goodbye outside of an airport, B) "We'll always have Mobius, here's looking at you kid", C) "This looks like the continuation of a beautiful friendship". Okay, Casablanca is known as one of the greatest romantic movies of all time but did we really need a Sonic Ripoff? And on such a crucial episode? My other issue is the conclusion of their romantic story arc. A cheesy smile, a cheesy wave, and off he goes, never to be seen again. WTH! You two are parting ways possibly for good. KISS ALREADY! We've been waiting for it this whole series. Kids are allowed to see kissing, it won't scar them for life (I promise) and seeing the small parts of an adult loving relationship might help them in the future. Another problem I have with 37 is the same I get with Episode 12. Did we really need a "blow this up" subplot. I think saving Bartleby from a rigged trial and roboticizing would provide ample opportunities for blowing shit up and then we wouldn't have to divide their character development with a boring subplot with a ruby mine. Episode 12, same thing, I think keeping Sonia's identity secret and eventually having to rescue her from the obvious trap would be enough conflict. It's a 25 minute cartoon, you're not directing Inception, it's Sonic Underground. So yeah, they're minor issues but only because they really got in the way of honest character development and I just love these characters.

Chapter 12

"What would Mother say, Oracle?""She'd say you should certainly leave the fight," a familiar voice behind them said.

The children turned quickly around to see a figure with its head hidden by a purple hood. A figure they had seen many times before. A hand removed the hood to confirm what they already knew.

"Mom?" Sonic asked, not sure if he wasn't imagining things.

Queen Aleena smiled at her beloved children. "My children." She opened her arms to them.

"Mom!"

"Ma!"

"Mother!"

The three hedgehogs ran to their mother; overjoyed to, finally, get the hug they always wanted. Aleena held them each close, crying happy tears to have them in her arms again.

After the tearful reunion, Aleena looked to the Oracle. "Thank you for sending for me. I'm sorry it took me so long. A battle delayed me."

"Mom, does this mean it's time to get Robotnik?" Sonic asked.

She shook her head. "No, my children, it is not yet time. I came because of a message the Oracle sent me." She turned her attention to Sonia, indicating what the message had said. The Queen put her arms around her daughter. "My poor baby. I hoped that you might never know this kind of pain."

Sonia sighed. More sympathy from someone who barely knew her. She loved her mother but how could she possibly know the pain she was feeling. "I wish people would stop acting like they know what I'm feeling!" She snapped as she pulled away. She instantly regretted her temper but her hormones were going crazy and she couldn't help it. "Sorry Mother, I just..."

Aleena nodded with understanding. "It's okay darling. Now, was my hearing off or am I going to be a grandmother?"

Sonia grinned and nodded. "Yes Mother, I'm going to have a baby."

At Robotnik's order, Sleet and Dingo remained in the library, searching out any and all information on the Sentinels and Guardians.

"What does he think we are anyway? Librarians?" Dingo flipped the pages. His new glasses made reading the ancient texts that much easier. "What do you think he's planning to do with this stuff anyway Sleet?"

Sleet shook his head as he read through one of the volumes. "I don't know Dingo. But I think we'll know when we find it?"

As he read, Dingo thought about Sonia. "I wonder if Sonia's alright."

"Well, if she is or not isn't your concern anymore," Sleet said. "If Robotnik's right then she has all the protection she needs and you're off the hook."

Dingo gaped at the suggestion. "But Sleet, how am I off the hook? I didn't just promise to protect her but comfort her."

"Only if he couldn't be there and technically he is," Sleet clarified. "You have no further need to associate with her."

"Sleet it's not that easy. She doesn't know he's there and," Dingo protested.

"No!" Sleet hissed. "You won't risk our lives, our free will or what little we have over a girl! I won't have it! You don't go near her unless you're going to catch her for Robotnik. Am I clear?"

Dingo pouted but nodded. "Yes Sleet." He looked away. He knew Sleet only wanted him to be safe but Dingo hated the level of control he took to do it. "I understand..."

Sleet didn't like the way Dingo was looking away as he acquiesced. Perhaps he would need to go to the pink hedgehog herself, warn her away from him. He was surprised this was necessary but judging by Dingo's accounts of the few times he'd seen her since the incident, she seemed to at least like his company. He loathed to do it, but he had his own promises to keep.

He turned a page as his mind wandered. He barely paid attention as he skimmed the article in front of him but his eyes stopped as it started to register the text. "I think this is what Robotnik is looking for. The Sentinel's Key," he read aloud slowly, reading the rest quietly to himself. "Shit! This is bad...very bad."

AN: This is a short chapter. What could Sleet have discovered? What is the Sentinel's Key and what does Robotnik want with it. Why is Sleet so strict with Dingo? You'll have to keep reading to find out :P