Chapter Text
In Mia's room, the soft morning light slowly crept through the curtains as Mia lay peacefully asleep on her bed, lost in a gentle dream of tranquility and calm. Her face was relaxed, undisturbed by the world around her.
Downstairs, Eggman made his rounds checking on each of his children, making sure they were all awake and ready for the day. However, when he reached Mia's room, he paused, scratching his head in puzzlement as he noticed her door was still closed.
"Why is she still sleeping so long?" Eggman muttered to himself, glancing up at the hallway clock with a frown.
With a heavy sigh, Eggman climbed the stairs and made his way down the hall toward Mia's room. He gently knocked before slowly pushing the door open. Sure enough, there was his beloved adopted daughter, Mia, still curled up beneath her blankets, sound asleep.
Eggman walked quietly to her bedside and softly rubbed her back, then raised his voice to wake her.
"Mia! Wake up, it's morning!"
Mia stirred with a start, blinking her eyes open and quickly sitting up as she spotted her father standing over her.
"I am very sorry for sleeping in so late, Father — but did you need me for something?!" Mia asked, looking up at him with a firm, alert expression despite having just woken up.
Eggman crossed his arms with a satisfied nod. "Hmm, yes. I have an extra babysitting job for you today. You'll be watching our kids along with two special visitors — Charmy and Cream."
Mia's eyes immediately lit up, and a wide grin spread across her face as she let out a cheerful laugh. "Ha! I would absolutely love that! Babysitting is right up my alley — though I have to admit, I haven't had the chance to meet Charmy and Cream yet! This will be exciting!"
Eggman raised an eyebrow, studying his daughter with slight concern. "Are you sure it won't be too hard to babysit all of them at once?"
"You don't remember my 13 siblings when I was a baby with my oldest brother, Michio, do you?" Mia said firmly, stepping closer to her father with a determined look on her face. "I grew up watching over all of them — from the very youngest to those nearly my own age. And even when I became a visitor at my own castle, I still made sure every single one of them was cared for. Babysitting is something I know better than almost anything else."
Eggman stood quietly for a moment, his eyes drifting as a wave of old memories washed over him — flashes of a younger Mia, tireless and devoted, tending to sibling after sibling with remarkable patience and strength far beyond her years. He rolled his eyes with a reluctant smile.
"You're right... my bad," Eggman admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish chuckle. "I keep forgetting just how capable you truly are."
"Apology accepted, Father," Mia replied simply, straightening her posture with quiet confidence.
"Alright then — go to breakfast!" Eggman said, gesturing toward the stairs with a wave of his hand.
Mia gave a small nod before heading off to the bathroom, stepping into a warm shower to start her morning properly. Once finished, she changed into her neat suit uniform — styled closely after her father's own iconic look — and made her way downstairs. She moved with calm, unhurried grace, filled her plate with breakfast, and settled into her seat behind her youngest siblings, already keeping a quiet, watchful eye on them as she ate.
Eggman made his way to his office, settling into his large chair with a satisfied exhale before reaching for his cellphone. He scrolled through his contacts and tapped Vector's name, leaning back as the line began to ring.
"Hi, Vector, how are you?" Eggman asked warmly, his voice carrying its usual confident tone.
A gruff, familiar voice crackled through the speaker. "Hey, Doctor Eggman! Didn't expect to hear from you today. Can I help you or whatever?"
Eggman drummed his fingers on the desk. "Are you working today, Vector? I have a small favor to ask."
Vector let out a low grunt on the other end of the line. "Well, yeah — Espio and I are in the middle of a detective case today, so things are pretty busy on our end. The thing is, I've got Charmy with me, and honestly... he's just too young to be tagging along on a job like this. The little guy's more of a handful than a help sometimes, you know?"
Eggman chuckled to himself, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Perfect timing, then — because I happen to have just the solution. My adoptive daughter, Mia, will be home today, and she absolutely loves babysitting. Charmy would be in excellent hands with her."
There was a brief pause on Vector's end, followed by a relieved laugh. "Oh man, that's actually a huge help, Doc! Thank you very much! Espio and I will swing by your place and drop Charmy off before we head out. We really appreciate it!"
"Of course," Eggman replied smoothly. "She'll take good care of him."
With that, Vector ended the call, and Eggman set his phone down on the desk with a satisfied nod.
Back in his office, Eggman leaned forward in his chair and scrolled through his contacts once more, this time landing on Vanilla's name. He tapped the screen and waited as the line began to ring.
In her cozy home, Vanilla was tidying up the kitchen when the soft chime of her wall phone caught her attention. She glanced over with mild curiosity before stepping over and lifting the receiver.
"Hi, Ms. Vanilla, how are you?" Eggman asked warmly, his voice carrying a pleasant, unhurried tone.
Vanilla blinked, pleasantly surprised by the familiar voice on the other end. "Oh, Doctor Eggman...! What a nice surprise — can I help you with something?"
Eggman leaned back comfortably in his chair. "Actually, yes. I was just wondering — do you happen to have any plans today? Perhaps a hangout with friends?"
Vanilla let out a soft, slightly flustered laugh. "Funny you should mention that — I nearly forgot I had plans with a dear friend of mine today! The trouble is, I have no one to watch Little Cream while I'm out. I simply can't bring her along this time." She smiled gently, glancing over at her daughter with a warm, apologetic look.
Eggman's smile widened, and he tapped his fingers together with quiet satisfaction. "Well then, consider your problem solved. My adoptive daughter, Mia, will be home today — and I must say, there is no one better suited for the job. She has a true gift for babysitting, and she would be more than happy to look after Cream."
Vanilla's expression immediately softened with relief and delight. "Oh, how wonderful! That is so very kind of you, Doctor. I feel much better knowing Cream will be in such caring hands. We will head over shortly — thank you ever so much!"
"Think nothing of it," Eggman replied smoothly. "Mia will be expecting her."
With a warm farewell, Vanilla set the receiver back on the wall, her heart a little lighter as she went to help Cream get ready for the visit.
Meanwhile, Vector, Espio, and Charmy made their way down the familiar path toward Eggman's house. The morning air was warm and buzzing with the sounds of the city fading behind them as they walked. Charmy, never one to stay quiet for long, fluttered his wings impatiently and zipped up beside Vector with wide, curious eyes.
"Hey, Vector — who is the babysitter?" Charmy asked, tilting his head as he hovered at Vector's eye level.
Vector crossed his arms and kept walking with a steady, unbothered stride. "Don't worry about it, little buddy. You'll find out when we get there. We're heading over to Eggman's house — you'll meet 'em yourself."
Charmy puffed out his cheeks, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but said nothing more as he buzzed along beside them.
Not far away, Vanilla was making her own way toward Eggman's house, her hand gently holding Cream's as they walked together down the quiet, sun-dappled street. Cheese floated contentedly beside Cream, chiming softly as they strolled along.
Cream looked up at her mother with polite, curious eyes. "Excuse me, Mama — who is the babysitter today?"
Vanilla smiled warmly down at her daughter, giving her small hand a gentle squeeze. "Oh, don't worry, dear. We'll find out together when we arrive at Doctor Eggman's house. I'm sure it will be a wonderful surprise."
Cream nodded, though her curiosity only seemed to grow as she exchanged a glance with Cheese, who let out a cheerful little "Chao" in response.
As both groups neared Eggman's house from opposite directions, Vanilla and Vector happened to round the corner at the same moment, nearly bumping into each other before stepping back with surprised laughs.
"Oh my goodness — Vector!" Vanilla said, pressing a hand to her chest with an amused smile.
"Ha! Vanilla! Didn't expect to run into you!" Vector laughed, rubbing the back of his head with a grin.
Espio gave a calm, respectful nod to Vanilla, while Charmy's eyes immediately landed on Cream standing beside her mother. His face lit up at once, and without a second thought, he launched himself into the air and zipped straight over to her.
"Cream! You're going to Eggman's house too?!" Charmy buzzed excitedly, hovering right in front of her face.
Cream blinked, then giggled softly behind her free hand. "Yes, Charmy! It seems we both are!"
Charmy looked her up and down for a moment, floating in place with a slightly awkward expression, clearly not quite sure what to say next. "So, um... "What are you doing here, Cream?" he asked, landing gently and scratching the back of his head.
Cream smiled politely. "The same as you, I imagine."
The two groups came together and walked the remaining distance side by side, arriving shortly at the grand front door of Eggman's impressive home.
The door swung open, and there stood Eggman himself, dressed smartly and wearing a broad, welcoming smile. He spread his arms wide with an air of proud hospitality.
"Ah — welcome, welcome!" Eggman said warmly, stepping aside and gesturing grandly for everyone to come inside. "Please, come in and make yourselves at home!"
Vector let out a low whistle as he stepped through the doorway, his eyes sweeping across the wide, impressive interior. Vanilla followed gracefully, her gaze drifting around the room with quiet admiration.
Before either of them could say much, the sound of small, excited footsteps filled the hallway as Eggman's children came rushing in, their eyes wide and bright with delight at the sight of Charmy and Cream.
"Charmy! Cream!" They cheered, crowding around the two visitors with big smiles and eager chatter, all talking at once as the lively energy of the room filled with warmth and laughter.
Vanilla's eyes swept slowly across the grand interior of Eggman's home, taking in every detail with quiet admiration. The high ceilings, the polished floors, the elegant yet bold décor — it was all breathtaking.
"My goodness... your home is absolutely stunning, Doctor Eggman," Vanilla said warmly, pressing a hand to her cheek as she marveled at every room. "Every room is just as beautiful as the last!"
Vector let out a low, impressed whistle as he crossed his arms and looked around with wide eyes. "Yeah, I gotta say — this place is seriously something else. The style, the layout... when did you even build all this?"
Eggman chuckled proudly, waving a hand with a modest air. "Ah, well — I can't take full credit, actually. It wasn't built by me. My adoptive daughter, Mia, designed and crafted the entire home as a personal gift to me. Every room, every detail — all her doing."
Vector and Vanilla exchanged a surprised glance.
"Speaking of which —" Eggman said, his chest puffing slightly with fatherly pride. "Have either of you had the pleasure of meeting my adopted daughter, Mia?"
Vector rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish look. "Well... I mean, I think I've crossed paths with her before, but honestly? I barely remember it. Can't really say I know her."
Vanilla shook her head gently, her expression soft and curious. "I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to meet her at all, no."
Eggman smiled and turned toward the hallway, raising his voice with a warm, commanding tone.
"Mia! Come out, please — we have guests!"
A moment passed, and then Mia appeared in the doorway of the living room, moving with a calm, unhurried ease — relaxed and self-assured, yet carrying herself with a quiet, natural dignity. Her sharp eyes swept briefly over the two visitors before settling with composed attentiveness.
Vanilla blinked, clearly taken aback. Vector's jaw dropped slightly.
"Wait — this is your adopted daughter?!" Vector said, his voice rising in disbelief as he looked from Mia to
Eggman and back again. "How did this even happen?!"
Vanilla pressed a hand to her heart, equally stunned. "Yes — Doctor Eggman, how on earth did you come to adopt her?"
Eggman's expression softened, and he folded his hands behind his back with a quieter, more thoughtful air.
"It was quite some time ago," he began. "I found her abandoned — left alone in a small basket on the doorstep of my old home. She was so small, so helpless..." He paused, his voice carrying a rare tenderness. "I took her in without a second thought and raised her as my own from that day forward."
Vanilla's eyes glistened with emotion, and she brought a hand to her lips. "Oh my... that poor dear."
Vector shook his head slowly, his usual bravado completely gone. "Man... that's rough. Real rough." He looked over at Mia with a new kind of respect in his eyes.
"That's awful!" Vanilla breathed softly, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes glistening with emotion as she gazed at Mia with a deep, heartfelt sympathy. Vector stood beside her, unusually quiet, his usual boisterous energy completely gone as the weight of Mia's story settled over him.
Both of them looked at Mia — really looked at her — with a new and profound respect.
Meanwhile, Eggman's kids had already gathered around Charmy and Cream, buzzing with excitement at having visitors. Charmy and Cream, however, had their eyes fixed on the tall, composed young woman standing calmly near the doorway. The two children leaned close to each other, exchanging hushed whispers.
"Hey... who is she?" Cream murmured quietly to Charmy, her large, curious eyes never leaving Mia.
Charmy tilted his head, studying Mia carefully. He opened his mouth to respond — but before he could get a single word out, Eggman's kids erupted all at once.
"That's our adopted oldest sister, Mia!" they announced proudly, practically shouting over one another with big, beaming grins.
Charmy and Cream both flinched slightly at the sudden outburst, then exchanged a wide-eyed glance with each other.
"Wait —" Charmy said slowly, his brow furrowing. "We were told there was a mean Mia?!"
Cream nodded quickly in agreement, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and alarm. "Yes — are you sure this is the right person?"
Orbot floated forward immediately, puffing up with mild indignation as he crossed his small arms. "Mean?! Absolutely not!" he declared firmly, shaking his head. "This is our oldest sister — and she is nothing but kind and sweet. Whoever told you otherwise was completely wrong!"
Charmy and Cream looked at each other once more, then slowly back at Mia, their expressions shifting from uncertainty to quiet, growing curiosity.
Mia simply stood where she was, calm and unhurried, meeting their gazes with a steady, warm look — unbothered, patient, and perfectly at ease.
Meanwhile, with the introductions settling into place, the time had come for the adults to take their leave. Vanilla knelt down gracefully in front of Cream, pulling her daughter into a soft, loving hug and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Be on your best behavior, dear," Vanilla whispered warmly, smoothing down Cream's ears with a tender hand. "Mind your manners and be kind — just as I've always taught you."
Cream nodded earnestly, squeezing her mother back. "Yes, Mama. I promise."
Not far away, Vector crouched down to Charmy's level with a grin, extending his fist. Charmy didn't hesitate — he immediately bumped it back with a bright, enthusiastic smile.
"You be good out there, little buddy," Vector said, his voice gruff but warm. "No causing trouble, you hear me?"
"Got it!" Charmy buzzed happily, giving a mock salute.
With warm farewells exchanged and final hugs given, Vector and Vanilla made their way to the front door, stepping out into the sunny morning air as Eggman closed the door gently behind them.
As soon as the front door clicked shut behind the last guest, Eggman wasted no time. He strode purposefully into his office, moving with the brisk, self-important energy he always carried when a big day was ahead. He pulled on his crisp white lab coat, the fabric settling neatly over his broad shoulders, then reached for his packed bag case resting beside the desk — already prepared the night before, because Eggman never left anything to chance.
Before heading out, he made a brief but meaningful stop. He gathered his children around him with a sweeping gesture, his large mustache curling upward with a proud, affectionate smile.
"Behave yourselves — and help your sister, you hear me? So whatever!" he declared warmly, leaning down to plant a kiss on each of his kids' foreheads one by one. He then turned and gave a broad, cheerful wave in the direction of Cream and Charmy. "You two as well — be good!"
With that, Eggman gave one last satisfied nod, picked up his bag, and marched out the front door, his coat billowing slightly behind him as he disappeared down the path.
The door swung shut with a soft, final click.
A brief, comfortable silence settled over the entryway. Then Mia stepped forward, calm and unhurried, clearing her throat softly as she turned to face the two young visitors with a composed, welcoming smile.
"I am Mia," she said clearly, her voice steady and warm. "It is very nice to meet you both — you are Cream and Charmy, correct?" She inclined her head in a graceful, respectful bow as she finished the introduction.
Charmy blinked, then straightened up proudly, puffing out his small chest. "I am Charmy — and it's really nice to meet you too!" he announced, giving a quick, energetic little bow of his own.
Cream stepped forward next, her large eyes bright and polite. She clasped her hands neatly in front of her and dipped into a gentle, proper bow — exactly the way her mother had always taught her. "I am Cream," she said sweetly, "and this is my very dear friend, Cheese. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mia!"
Cheese gave a cheerful little spin and chimed in with a bright "Chao!" as if offering his own personal greeting.
Mia offered them both a quiet, approving nod before turning to survey the whole group — her younger siblings buzzing with barely contained energy, and the two new faces already beginning to settle into the lively atmosphere of the house. She stood comfortably in front of them all, relaxed yet watchful, her sharp eyes sweeping the room as she let the children begin to settle naturally into their own rhythm.
It wasn't long before Cream and Charmy had already struck up an animated conversation with Eggman's kids, the chatter flowing easily between them. After a few minutes, one of the younger children looked up with wide, hopeful eyes and turned toward the hallway where Mia stood quietly.
"Are we allowed to go outside?" they called out, the question echoed immediately by several of the others all at once.
Mia glanced toward the back of the house, then gave a calm, easy nod. "Yes — and I will be coming with you," she said simply, already moving to follow them toward the back door.
The warm morning sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow as Eggman's children spilled out onto the playground, their laughter and chatter filling the air with cheerful energy. Charmy buzzed excitedly from one end of the yard to the other, while Cream walked more gracefully alongside the others, Cheese floating happily at her side.
Mia, meanwhile, had settled herself onto the bench beneath the shaded patio with quiet, unhurried ease.
She sat with her back straight and her hands folded neatly in her lap, her sharp eyes drifting slowly across the yard — watching, observing, missing nothing. To anyone looking in, she appeared perfectly still, almost as though she had drifted somewhere far away inside her own thoughts. But Mia was never truly absent. Even in her deepest state of inner calm, some part of her remained alert — an instinct honed through years of watching over others.
The children had gotten hold of a ball, tossing it back and forth with growing enthusiasm. Charmy, never one to hold back, wound up with all the energy his small frame could muster — and hurled the ball with every ounce of force he had.
The ball sailed wide.
It struck Mia squarely before she could visibly react.
"No, Charmy! That hurt Mia!" Cream cried out, spinning toward him with wide, alarmed eyes, her voice sharp with concern.
Charmy froze mid-air, his wings stuttering as the color drained from his face. "I — I didn't mean to! It was an accident — I'm going to be in so much trouble!" he stammered, his gaze darting nervously toward Mia.
Nearby, Metal Sonic stood perfectly still, his red eyes fixed on his oldest sister. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he shook his head — a silent, firm signal: do not panic.
Sage stepped forward, crossing her arms with a calm but pointed look directed at both Charmy and
Cream. "You don't have to worry," she said evenly. "Our oldest sister can hear and defend herself — even when you think she isn't paying attention. You'd do well to remember that."
And then — it happened.
Without so much as opening her eyes or shifting her posture, Mia's hand moved. A single, fluid motion — a precise, open-palmed deflection — and the ball ricocheted cleanly off her palm, arcing through the air in a long, graceful curve before landing with a distant splash far out into the pool.
The entire yard went silent for half a second.
Then —
"Did you all see that?! Our oldest sister!" Orbot exclaimed, spinning in place with barely contained pride.
"Hooray for Mia!!" Cubot cheered, throwing both arms into the air with boundless enthusiasm.
A ripple of excited chatter broke out among Eggman's children, all of them grinning and nudging each other as they looked between the pool and their oldest sister.
Mia opened her eyes slowly. She rose from the bench without hurry, straightening her suit jacket with one smooth pull, and turned her gaze — calm, unhurried, and entirely unsurprised — directly toward Charmy.
"I knew it was you," she said simply, pointing at him with quiet certainty. "Charmy threw that ball — and it hit me."
Charmy's jaw dropped. He stared at her, completely bewildered, his wings carrying him a few inches off the ground as if he might need to make a quick escape. "How did you know it was me?! You weren't even looking! I — I'm really, truly sorry, Mia — I made a mistake, I swear!" His voice was a mix of genuine remorse and pure, unfiltered astonishment.
Mia regarded him for a moment, her expression steady and calm.
"You don't need to keep apologizing," she said, her tone matter-of-fact but not unkind. "I sensed it. My inner awareness — what I call my aqua inner eye — allows me to perceive movement and presence around me without relying on sight or sound. It simply... is. I felt the shift in the air before the ball ever reached me."
Charmy stared at her with enormous eyes, his curiosity now completely overtaking his guilt. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, clearly struggling to process what he had just witnessed — and heard.
Mia stood calmly in front of the children, her sharp eyes drifting slowly across the backyard as the kids continued to play and laugh in the warm afternoon sun. Everything was peaceful — exactly as it should be.
That was when Charmy and Cream quietly exchanged a glance with one another, a shared thought passing between them without a single word. It had been nagging at both of them since the moment they'd arrived — a memory, distant but vivid, of a tournament they had once attended together. They had watched fighter after fighter step onto the arena floor, each one more impressive than the last. And now, standing just a few feet away from Mia, that same competitive spark had begun to flicker to life inside them.
Mia sensed the shift before either of them spoke. She glanced down, her gaze settling on the two children with calm, unhurried patience.
"What do you need?" Mia asked, her voice steady and even as she looked between Charmy and Cream.
The two exchanged one last look — and then both burst out at once.
"We want to battle you!" Charmy and Cream shouted together, their eyes bright with determination.
A rare, quiet smile tugged at the corner of Mia's mouth. She let out a short, amused breath — almost a laugh.
"Ha. Sure — I do love a good battle," she said simply, turning on her heel. "Come with me."
Without another word, Mia headed back toward the house, and Charmy and Cream fell into step behind her without hesitation. Eggman's children, who had been watching the whole exchange with wide, curious eyes, immediately abandoned their game and scrambled after their oldest sister, not wanting to miss a single moment.
The entire group made their way through the house and down the staircase, descending into the lower level of the estate. As the door at the bottom swung open, Charmy's wings carried him a foot off the ground in pure astonishment.
"Whoa — this is the biggest laboratory I've ever seen!" he exclaimed, spinning in place as his eyes tried to take in everything at once.
The lab was vast and immaculate — banks of monitors lining the walls, rows of neatly organized equipment, towering machines humming with quiet, steady power. It was a space that commanded respect the moment you entered it.
Cream turned to Mia with polite curiosity. "This belongs to Doctor Eggman, doesn't it?"
"Not entirely," Mia replied, moving through the lab with the ease of someone who knew every corner of it by heart. "This particular section is my own laboratory. Though it is shared — my father works here, Shadow makes use of certain tools and equipment, and the Egg Pawn units have their own designated areas. Each space has its purpose."
She came to a stop in front of a large, enclosed structure — a towering box-shaped chamber that rose nearly to the ceiling. Mia stepped up to the control panel built into its side and began entering commands with practiced precision, her fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard.
Behind her, Sage crossed her arms and turned toward the two visitors with a knowing look.
"Fair warning," Sage said calmly, "our oldest sister is extraordinarily powerful. I wish you both the very best of luck — and I mean that sincerely."
Charmy and Cream glanced at each other.
Mia finished her inputs and stepped back from the panel, turning to face the group with composed ease.
"Who would like to go first?" she asked.
A beat of silence passed. Then —
"I'll fight you!" Cream said clearly, stepping forward and meeting Mia's gaze with quiet resolve.
Charmy spun toward her immediately, his eyes wide. "Cream, you can't seriously fight Mia!"
Cream lifted her chin with calm certainty. "I can — and I will. I am brave enough."
Charmy stared at her for a long moment, then let out a breath, shaking his head with a reluctant grin.
"...Alright. Good luck, Cream."
Cream gave a small, composed nod of thanks before turning her attention back to Mia.
The two of them stepped inside the training chamber together. The transparent walls of reinforced glass rose up on all sides, and outside, Eggman's children and Charmy settled onto the observation bench, pressing forward with wide, eager eyes.
Mia crossed to the far side of the chamber and turned to face Cream across the open floor. She rolled her shoulders once, stretched her arms out in a slow, fluid motion, and exhaled — settling into a state of centered calm, her sharp eyes fixing on Cream with quiet, focused attention.
Cream stood across from her, her large eyes bright and determined. She balled her small hands into fists at her sides, planting her feet in a ready stance. Cheese hovered just outside the glass, chiming softly with an encouraging little spin.
"I can't wait to see what you're truly capable of!" Cream said, her voice carrying a genuine, earnest excitement as her eyes sparked with anticipation.
Mia regarded her for a quiet moment — steady, composed, and entirely unhurried.
"So," she said simply, the faintest trace of a smile crossing her face as she raised her hand in a calm, open gesture toward Cream, "show me."
Next: Mia Vs Cream