(Tumblr went down as soon as I went to post this. I'll try to make some sketches later, I just haven't had time to draw at all. part three of an alternate universe where Vito ends up in the world of @unreadgorgon575 's comic Sonic Shattered)
Sunny had been silent since the yolkomotive had set course. The engine hummed faintly and gentle thuds of Vito’s footsteps echoed behind him. Vito respected that Sunny didn’t seem to want to talk, but he couldn’t stand the silence.
Vito paced slowly. He looked at Sunny. He could tell he was hiding something, not something malicious, but something of emotional weight.
Vito had been raised in an orphanage and had been put through the foster system. He was familiar with the signs that a child was being mistreated, but he doubted himself. Maybe, he was misidentifying those signs. He might have just been overprotective of him after comparing him to Sage. He hadn’t been near someone who had been through a situation like that in a very long time.
He at least had to ask a few questions and hope the answers alleviated his worry. Vito broke the silence, “Do you have a favorite pass time?”
Sunny turned slightly. He had expected Vito to eventually talk, but he hadn’t expected him to ask such a mundane question. “What?” Sunny responded.
“Do you have a favorite pass time? Like a hobby or an interest? I’ll go first. I like to cook. Next to robotics, the culinary arts are one of my top interests. I’m the best cook and baker Iknow- Well, besides when it comes to macrons. I can never manage making them look edible.” Vito let out a chuckle.
“I-” Sunny stopped. He knew he shouldn’t answer because Mr. Dr. Eggman probably wouldn’t want him to. He wouldn’t answer a personal question unless he was allowed to.
Vito frowned, “It’s alright. You don’t have to answer. Just attempting small talk, which I'm generally not a fan of. So how about a different question, who are all the members of the Chaos Council?”
Sunny scoffs, but decided to give Vito a proper answer, “There’s Devil, Poacher, Boiler, me, and then his eminence: Mr. Dr. Eggman.”
Vito twisted the end of his mustache with his left hand, “Mr. Dr. Eggman? It isn’t just Doctor Eggman? Strange.” Before Vito could say anything else or ask any more questions, the yolkomotive landed.
Sunny moved to the doors of the vehicle and they slid open. Vito followed and looked out the door at the scene ahead of him: It was a village and there was a man with green hair, a fox that looked like tails, and a rabbit in royal garb that looked like Cream.
“Sir, what is the meaning of this?” Sunny looked at the man with green hair. Vito could only assume that this had to be Poacher, another council member.
“I’m rescuing a kingdom, what does it look like? and who is that?” Poacher vaguely motioned to Vito.
“He’s not of importance and you need to consult his eminence about these things.” Sunny furrowed his brow.
“Says the one who can’t breathe without consulting him. I’ve already done it.” Poacher waved Sunny off. Vito took a mental note of what he said.
“If you did he would have made me aware–” Sunny stopped. He must have been listening to someone again, that someone being Mr. Dr. Eggman. Sunny continued talking but it was clear that it wasn’t directed to anyone in the room, “Yes, your eminence. I will proceed.”
Vito moved past Sunny to the rabbit near Poacher. He squatted down and she backed up a little. “Hey. No need to worry, It’s alright. What’s your name?” He spoke softly.
“It’s Nightshade. Who is that?” Nightshade looked over to Sunny.
“That is Sunny, my superior. He’s a little strange, but harmless.” Poacher answered before Vito could.
Vito stood, frustrated that he had been talked over. The Tails-like fox nearby spoke, Harmless?! He-”
“It’s the monster! Everyone Run!” One of the villagers shouted, interrupting him. Slowly approaching was a giant flicky, a pink hedgehog, and a blue hedgehog.
Vito looked over at him carefully. This was most definitely Sonic, but it wasn’t at all the Sonic from his world. This was disappointing. Not only was it disappointing, but it made him lose a bit of his hope. As much as he didn’t like Sonic, him being here would have been great because he at least wouldn’t be dealing with this unfamiliar place alone.
Vito half zoned out the conversation around him. Amy said she would be willing to speak to Belladona. After that there was a lot of Nightshade yelling at Amy about how it was her fault that Belladonna was dead and how she was now taking her kingdom and leaving. Belladonna must have been this world’s Vanilla.
Sunny started talking and Vito focused back in on what was being said. “Board the yolkomotive, your highness. Poacher and I will collect your subjects.” He looked to Vito, “You need to board with her.”
“Know that I respect what you have to say but I also have respect for myself and I won’t allow people to tell me what to do.” Vito moved towards Sonic and walked around him a few times. Analyzing him.
“Nine- Who’s this dude?” Sonic’s ears flicked backwards.
“How should I know, I’ve never seen that guy in my life.” Nine responded.
“My name is Vito. I was kinda hoping you’d be the Sonic from my world, but alas you are not. You’re a tad bit shorter, your shoes are different, and you’re missing a scar on your ear.” Vito’s demeanor had changed to be far more hostile and threatening. His tone sent a chill down Sonic’s spine.
“Sonic from your world-? You aren't from around here either, are you?” Sonic backed away.
“Nope.” Vito scoffed and walked away from Sonic and went into the ship. He had little desire to properly deal with Sonic till he could confirm that the council could actually help get him home.
He sighs. No one else was in the room with him. Nightshade had been placed somewhere else and he had gone back to the control room. He mumbled quietly to himself for a moment, “I’ll get home Ivo, I swear.”
Moments later, Vito nearly fell over once the ship lurched forward. Something smelled like it was burning. Wood smelled like it was burning. Sunny quickly walked in, he looked vaguely nervous.
“What’s burning-?” Vito sniffed.
Poacher walked in, the sliding doors slamming shut behind him. “Must you use such obvious methods?!"
“His eminence told me to burn it, so I did.” Sunny responded.
“You know it’s okay to deviate from Mr. Dr.’s order’s sometimes?!” Poacher slammed a hand down on the console. Perhaps he put his hand down on it a little too hard, Sunny Flinched. Poacher pulled his hand away from the console.
Vito looked over at Sunny, concerned. I really didn’t want his earlier assumptions to be correct, but it was clear to him that Sunny had been mistreated. He mentally made a goal that moment to look out for both him and Devil till he could return home.
He slowly approached and spoke softly, “Hey. I don’t know for how long I’ll be here but I’ll help in whatever way I can and you don’t have to listen to someone’s orders.”
“Yes. I do.” Sunny sighed.
Vito’s face fell slightly and he looked over to Poacher. He cleared his throat, “We weren’t properly introduced. I’m Vito. You’re Poacher, right?”
“Indeed, I am. Is it just Vito? Just saying your first name isn’t really a proper introduction.” Poacher teased slightly.
Vito kept Sunny in view while he responded, “Says the man who goes by ‘Poacher’. The Egg themed names are charming though. My full name is Vito Ramone Robotnik. Just Vito is fine though.”