#starline might be a little OOC but i can't help wondering whether he had some respect for tails being a worthy adversary for eggman

[spa-ghett0]

Sonic Forces and Sonic IDW AU - What if Tails met Dr. Starline earlier? (WIP)

The City, Scholar Square

Approximately 2 months, 3 days, and 12 hours since Dr. Eggman's victory over Sonic the Hedgehog

The first person Dr. Starline encountered in the City was a small fox kit.

Past the metal soldiers marching down the street, he glimpsed orange fur ducking behind trash cans and weaving in and out of alleyways. Before sprinting to a new hiding spot, the child shot a cursory glance at the squadron. Cautious, but not hesitant. Never hesitant, as though this dozen count of E-Series badniks were nothing more than simple-minded animals.

Dr. Starline was both irritated and… intrigued by the child’s naivety.

Perhaps he didn’t understand what he was evading. Ever since the inevitable victory over Sonic the Hedgehog, the City—and the planet, really—had been plunged into a delicious chaos. Despite the way Dr. Starline’s heart pounded, finally being at the epicenter of the Dr. Eggman’s highly-anticipated triumph, he could recognize the disorientation of someone so young.

Still, ignorance would be disastrous in the long run. He considered alerting the badniks and turning this into a learning opportunity. After all, he benefited from learning opportunities himself once upon a time.

Or, perhaps he did know what he was evading. Two months into a war, and even the youngest child couldn't be that ignorant. But if that was the case—why? Why would someone willingly put themselves in danger, knowing they don't stand a chance against such a force? Stupidity? Reckless abandon? Could this be a suicide mission?

The child disappeared before he could make a decision. Dr. Starline watched from the shadows of a parallel alleyway, squinting through robotic crevices to locate that orange fur. The squadron marched on, plunging the street into a dead zone once more.

A trash can sat adjacent to him, miraculously still standing after two months of raids. Once the last E-Series passed from view, a small blur darted from its hiding spot and toward the library. Frowning, Dr. Starline peered around the edge of the building, shamelessly curious about the kit’s destination.

He appeared to be running for another badnik, this one hunched over in defeat. Dr. Starline’s eyes narrowed. Black and red body. Gold bands at the wrists and a “helmet” to match. For a moment, he entertained the idea that he was staring at E-102 Gamma. But, no. That couldn’t be. Dr. Eggman scrapped E-102 years ago. Plus, this model was shorter, more broad shouldered. The fox kit, who’d knelt in front of the robot as soon as he reached it, moved to inspect the clear encasing on the badnik’s front, revealing a red insignia on its shoulder.

Omega.

Air caught in his throat.

His jaw dropped open.

Chaos, this child managed to find E-123 Omega? The last model of the E-100 Series? The most powerful of the E-100 Series? In all of the books Dr. Starline had read, none so much as hinted to the idea that Omega was still functional. Shortly after he was ordered to protect the capsule of the Ultimate Lifeform, Omega’s signal was lost and never found again. Dr. Eggman didn’t dwell, only moved on to bigger and better projects.

Was it possible Dr. Eggman found his lost champion and refurbished him for this invasion? Of course. Save the best for the war, not the battles.

The kit turned toward a toolbox lying against the library’s stone staircase. In one hand, he was holding something these miscreants must've passed off for food. With his other, he sifted through the box until he found a screwdriver and turned back to the robot.

Surely this child didn’t think… he could fix an E-Series? Attempting any would be a feat, even for Dr. Starline without glancing at the schematics first, but E-123 Omega, specifically? The corner of his mouth lifted. He couldn’t help but laugh.

He’d love to know how this child thought he was going to pull that off. Making sure the coast was clear, Starline decided to investigate.

“Hmm, that should have done it,” the child was saying as he approached. He scratched his head, frowning at the robot. “Man, I’ve been out here all morning. Sorry I’m not smart enough to figure it out for you, buddy.”

Dr. Starline glanced over the badnik, sorting through the files of information in his head. “Perhaps he’s in recovery mode,” he suggested. The fox startled, but he ignored him in favor of stepping closer to investigate. 

“Uh… What?”

“I recall the Gamma series possessing the ability to repair themselves after battle.”

Dr. Starline pressed his face against the chest window and attempted to commit the badnik’s innerworkings to memory. From there, his gaze trailed the robot slowly, considering every curve, every cut, every modification he could recall from the previous E-Series badniks. He wouldn’t forget this moment for a very long time; standing toe-to-toe with Dr. Eggman’s greatest soldier. If the child weren’t there, he may have pinched himself.

“That would make sense,” the kit said after a moment, turning back to the robot. “If not for self-repairing robots, he would really spend all of his time building new ones.” He laughed.

Dr. Starline glanced over, lifting an eyebrow. He almost asked what was so funny when he noticed the fox’s tails waving behind him.

Tails.

Plural.

... Of course.

“Where are your parents?”

Tails—an old nickname Dr. Starline remembered reading years ago that finally made sense—looked sideways at him. “Not here.”

“All alone, then?”

The kit bristled. “My friends know where I am.”

“Of course,” Dr. Starline said patiently. “Do they usually allow toddlers to roam free like this?”

Tails snorted. “How old do you think I am?”

Before he could attempt an answer, a laser shot past them. It bounced off Omega’s chestplate and ricocheted somewhere behind Tails. Another narrowly missed the hair on Dr. Starline’s head. Looking over his shoulder, his heart leapt at the sight of a dozen more E-Series bots marching toward them.

“Come on!” Tails cried, grabbing the doctor’s hand.