Not everything is wonderful in Wonderland

chapter 1

It was nighttime; in the silence, only two people were sitting in the Wachowski's living room.

“A month, Tom... a month. And no sign of Tails, no sign of the others. They just disappeared, like Sonic...” Maddie said in a low, tired voice. 

Tom just stared out the window.

“It won't do any good to stare out the window, Tom. They're not coming back. It's been a month with no news. So far, G.U.N. hasn't responded... we have no choice but to ask them for help,” Maddie sighed.

“I know... I'm still trying to process what's happening, but you're right. We don't have time to waste.” Tom took a deep breath.

“First, let's leave Ozzy with Wade.” Maddie turned to leave.

The wind was blowing hard. After making their decision, they grabbed their keys and left.

 Tom glanced over. “We're here. This was the address they gave us in case we ever wanted to visit them.”

Tom and Maddie looked at the entrance to the house.

Maddie looks up and down. "It looks more like a lair than a house... just like Dr. Ivo . And to think they decided to live here in Green Hills, of all unlikely places, right here... even Stone opened a cafe here.

Tom smiles. "Yeah... sometimes even I question it. Well, that's not why we came here.

Tom and Maddie look at each other nervously and knock on the door. Then they hear the door open slowly, gradually revealing who is behind it.

Shadow frowns, surprised by the visitors. “Hello, good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Wachowski. How can I help you?”

“Hello, Shadow. Good evening to you too. Could you call Dr. Ivo for us, please?” Maddie gives a sad smile.

Shadow notices Maddie's smile and realizes that something must have happened. “Okay... do you want to come in?” He tries to see if there is anyone else besides Tom and Maddie. Realizing that there is no one else, he lets out a sigh.

Tom and Maddie realized he was looking for someone else, but thought it best to pretend they hadn't noticed. Shadow stepped away from the door, making room for them.

“Come in.”

Tom and Maddie exchanged one last tense glance and crossed the threshold. The inside of the house was even stranger than the outside: a mixture of a makeshift laboratory, a messy warehouse with robot parts, and completely sophisticated decor, dark curtains, dismantled gears on the table, and the strong aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen.

Stone looked surprised. “Ah... visitors?” he said with a small, but not hostile, smile. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“They came to talk to Dr. Ivo,” Shadow crossed his arms, tense.

Stone took on a more serious expression and disappeared down the hall. A few seconds later, slow but heavy footsteps echoed.

Eggman appeared, no drones flying, no bravado, no dramatic entrances. Just him, with deep dark circles under his eyes... and a strange silence on his face.

“Tom. Maddie.” He adjusted his glasses. “I didn't expect to see you so late at night. And not with that expression.”

“Ivo... we need your help,” Maddie said bluntly.

Eggman's brow rose, surprised, perhaps even uncomfortable.

“That's... new.”

Stone joined the conversation. “Is it about Sonic? After all, he always gets into trouble, and I don't see him with you guys... since he wouldn't miss the chance to come.”