Chapter 1 - Just A Lazy Day

The sun was quit high in the sky, and being in the middle of summer, that meant total heat, and no moister anywhere in the air. Everyone was standing in front of a fan, or swimming inside a pool. Ivo, on the other hand, sat under a little forest of trees in the park, panting like a dog. He would normally be inside one of his bases to keep cool, but keeping chill under some trees was his best option, due to the streets being populated by people getting ice or heading to the pool, so he was stuck.

It wasn't all too bad, however. There was a nice small pond close by, where he would dump his head in. It was too small for him to just jump into and keep cool that way, but it was there to keep him cool, nonetheless. A duck or a squirrel would come by, and he would fling a little piece of bread from his lunch over to it, and as they happily ate it, he would give a little smile.

No one seemed to see him under the trees, because he would tuck himself away in between all the trees so that he wouldn't be seen, and the sun wouldn't hit him, ether. The light would escape through the very few cracks from the branches and leafs. He would look out to see if anyone was in eye shot of the pond so he could walk out. He tried his hardest to keep the trip to the pond to a minimum, however, just in case someone turns at the last second and sees him. He would leave his small pair of Prince-nez (glasses) in the shade so he wouldn't lose them in the pond when he head dunked.

As Ivo slowly drifted into the lazy hours of the afternoon, Sonic was getting bored with just sitting in the Thorndykes house, and decided to take a run in the park. Heading outside, his ears dropped to the heat. "No wonder everyone is staying inside." He said, lightly. "It's really humid out!" He turned back to the door way. "…but it's why too boring in there for me to care." He jumped down the steps and started to run off to the street.

He made it to the park in no time at all, and was looking around when he saw someone out at the pond. Sonic tilted his head, trying to figure out who it was. His head was down in the pond, and his body was too far away for him to see. He started to walk over to the pond when he saw the very familiar red vest. He stopped at the sight of the figure. "Is he…trying to drown himself?" He said quietly as he slowly got closer to the man in the pond.

Ivo flung his head back, gasping for are, some of the water droplets flinging over to the hedgehog that he so plainly didn't see beside him, and started to shake. Sonic backed up as he did, laughing lightly. "What are you doing?"

Ivo stopped shaking, keeping his eyes away from the hedgehog's. He took a deep breath, and said timidly, "Oh…cooling off…how long have you been watching?"

"I don't know, a minute or so, maybe. You can hold your breath for a long time. I thought you were trying to kill yourself."

Ivo rolled his eyes as he got up to grab his glasses from under the shade. "Yes, because I hate life and everything about it." He sighed. "I wouldn't just outright drown myself. If anything, I would just take a shot gun, and have someone shoot me one-hundred times over."

Sonic stopped moving. He blinked, lowering his ears slightly. "…And you are telling me this…why…?"

Ivo shrugged. "I don't know. You thought I was drowning myself. I just wanted to tell you I wouldn't think to kill myself like that…well…I wouldn't want to kill myself period…but…oh whatever." He picked up his glasses and placed them on, handing Sonic a piece of bread. "Want some?"

Sonic blinked. He was wondering if it was a good idea or not. "Did you do something to it?"

Ivo shook his head lightly, smiling. "No, silly, I got it from the bakery. Here, have some."

Sonic stared at it. "You seem different somehow. Are you sure you're Eggman?"

Ivo nodded. "Well…the name's really Ivo. But, if you want to go calling me by that crappy name, go right ahead."

Sonic blinked again, finally taking the piece of bread. "Ivo…is that Italian?"

Ivo sighed. "Yes…and its French, German, and…." He stopped as Sonic's jaw started to drop slightly. "My family comes from all around, you see." He chuckled. "I guess you can call me a mutt."

Sonic smiled lightly. "Are you sure you're Eggman? I mean, you're laughing and…giving me bread…"

Ivo chuckled a little more. "Look, you caught me on a good day. I'm not being forced to-I mean…I haven't started any plains to take over the city or anything…" He's chuckling got a bit more sarcastic. "Just a lazy day for me…"

Sonic's ears perked up as he took a bite from the bread. "What do you mean, 'not being forced'?"

Ivo turned nervously. "I…I can't say."

"What do you mean? Who's controlling you?"

Ivo turned, his face a bit more concerned. "Look, I can't say, nor would I want to say. No one is controlling me! I'm under my own free will…" He sighed.

"Sure. Why would you say that, then, hm?" Ivo turned away. "You said that you can't say. So that means you are hiding something. I'm going to find out what it is you're hiding, and stop it. Whether that's you or someone else, I don't care. I know a cry for help when I hear it! And, THAT, my friend, is a cry for help!"

Ivo's heart was starting to race. "Why would I be asking for help?" He said, hesitantly. "I'm fine, honest."

Sonic raised his right eye brow little. "Really…why, then, are you hesitating when you speak?"

Ivo started to look around more nervously. "Look, I wish I could say…but I can't…"

"Why?"

"Because, if I say what it is I'm longing to say, they'll come after me!"

"Who's 'they'?"

"Sonic, you're making this difficult." Ivo said, tearfully. "I wish I could ask for help, but I can't…" He started to back up. "I'm sorry…"

Sonic's ears lowered. "You sound so scared…it's not normal…"

Ivo turned his head slightly. "That's because I am…look, I got to go…I-Decoe…will get worried…" He turned, and started to run off, leaving his bag of bread. Sonic tried to stop him, be he was gone before he could utter a single word. He turned to the bag, and picked it up, sighing. He slowly walked back, trying hard not to turn to follow Ivo.

Ivo slowly turned to a dark alley way, where a young teenage boy and a young adult were standing there, waiting. He bowed his head as low as he could, trembling lightly.

"Don't worry, Uncle…Everything's fine." The teenage said, lightly.

"Yes, Ivo, there's nothing to fear. No one will hurt you if you keep under cover." The young adult added.

Ivo nodded, tears filling his eyes. "The Hedgehog knows…something's up…. I'm sorry….So sorry…"

"Don't be, Uncle!" The teenager shouted. "Everything is going to be fine. Let him know! Then maybe he can help fix us up!"

Ivo looked up lightly, trying not to make eye contact. "You think?"

The teenager nodded. "They don't call me the leader for nothing. I promise, everything will be back to normal, soon." Ivo nodded. "No, go home. Your kids will grow worried of your absence."

Ivo nodded again, and turned. "Oh, and Sonic has your bag." Ivo stopped, turning back to look into the teenager's deep, sky blue eyes. He was smiling. "No need to worry, Uncle." He said, lightly, tilting his head lightly. "I promise."

Ivo bowed his head again, and slowly walked home.