The Lonely Robian

**The Lonely Robian** is the first episode of the spinoff series Shard's Journey.

## Characters:

* Shard the Hedgehog
* Rotor Walrus
* NICOLE
* Vector the Crocodile
* Saffron Bee
* Charmy Bee
* Espio the Chameleon
* Jules Hedgehog
* Queen Aleena Hedgehog/Bernadette Hedgehog
* Sir Charles Hedgehog
* Hope Kintobor
* E-02 Heavy the Robot
* E-03 Bomb
* Chuck Thorndyke
* Human Boy
* Pearl (First appearance)
* Goldie (First appearance)
* Doctor Eggman
* E-08 Spiderbind (First appearance)

## Plot

This episode starts with Shard walking by himself and monologging that he isn't any closer to learning about his pre-Robian days as he was before the first Earth Chaos Control that happened six months ago, and that Badniks have been attacking Station Square during that time. Shard notes that the Freedom Fighters aren't aware of the attacks and he doesn't plan on telling them because they deserve a rest. He also notes that no one thanks him for his hard work, but, tells himself that the humans can't handle the Badniks and the Freedom Fighters shouldn't exhaust themselves any further. He also feels that despite everything, Shard doesn't feel like he's making any difference, despite what G.U.N. and Rouge had witnessed. Humans are also afraid of him and Shard admits his abilities scare even *him* sometimes. He decides to keep it up because it's what keeps him going, but, deep inside, Shard wonders if he's become a machine and a monster. He also is thinking that there's someone out there for him, but, he feels it's crazy.

Meanwhile, at Chuck's lab, he, Hope, Rotor, and Sir Charles are working on nanites that can "separate and combine into a nigh-unlimited variety of forms", according to Hope. It's all part of NICOLE's plan to have a solid body and have it feel organic and Chuck is very intrigued about this development due to learning more about Mobian and Overlander science. Rotor sets up NICOLE's hologram form and she stands still to let the nanites do their work. Afterwards, her feet make a light tap on the ground, and says she feels solid. Hope holds her hand to test it and both can feel each other's hands, indicating the project was successful. She then starts to feel hollow in her belly, which Hope tells her she's hungry, and Rotor fetches some donuts. NICOLE admits it's odd to eat, but, not unpleasant. After eating a few more donuts and other foods, she starts to see her belly bulge a bit, which Hope explains NICOLE ate a bit much in one setting. She starts to learn about how the Mobian body works and what the inside of her mouth does and she also has compost pop out of a door inside her. She's a bit surprised as this, but, Hope explains that not everyone has nanites in their bodies. After NICOLE deposes of the compost, the group decide they need to research NICOLE's abilities more as the door on her stomach wasn't there before. NICOLE then tells the others she's going out to find Shard and she feels it's best for her to go alone. She picks up her handheld form and flies off with new wings sprouting on her back, much to Rotor's surprise.

Further out, Shard is still alone on a walk while he's thinking about NICOLE, though he can't quite piece together why. He considers the possibility of a crush, but, brushes it off as he and her are inorganics. Unknown to him, Eggman finds out that one of his robots, E-08 Spiderbind, has found Shard along with some innocent animals. Spiderbind decides to capture the animals in a web of Diamondius thread. Just then, Shard jumps out of nowhere and breaks the web, shocking Spiderbind that he broke it without transforming. He tries to taunt Shard, but, the Robian is determined to save the animals.

At the Chaotix office, Vector complains to Saffron his coffee doesn't smell like much and she admits they've been using the same coffee beans for five days. Charmy suggests they try changing the filters and coffee grinds, but, Saffron admits they only have the ones in the machine left. She also tells Vector they don't have Earth money to buy more and they haven't had a case since their office was found on Earth, not to mention the rundown state doesn't help. Just as Vector decides for them to have herbal tea instead, the doorbell rings and he sees it's Jules and "Bernadette". They say they have a friend they want help finding and they hand Vector a photo of Shard. Jules said that Chuck would pay them for finding Shard as Earth hasn't got a cash exchange rate between it and Mobius yet. Vector tells the news to Espio, Charmy, Heavy, and Bomb and they are ready to go. Vector asks if Saffron wants to go, too, and she says yes only if she gets to go with Charmy if they split up, to which he agrees. Jules then hands the other members of the search party pictures of Shard.

Meanwhile, NICOLE is looking for Shard in the sky, and she notices Jules, "Bernadette," and the Chaotix down below. Upon listening to their conversations, she realizes they are looking for Shard, too. She asks if they could form an alliance as they have a common goal and the group agrees. "Bernadette" asks how NICOLE is able to hold her handheld self and she explains that she has a solid body. She also tells them she'll elaborate later as they have to find Shard. Unknown to them, Shard is still battling the Spiderbind robot, refusing to hold still.

Back with the Chaotix, they start searching Station Square for Shard. Vector asks a human boy who says he saw him a few times a day while Bomb has trouble talking to some human girls due to a language barrier and they believe he's a toy that resembles a cherry bomb. Heavy then approaches the same pair and asks the same question and they reveal they have seen Shard. The girls then ask why the "toy" had a picture of the Mobian and Heavy explains that Bomb is his colleague. The girls, revealed to be named Pearl and Goldie, are embarrassed when they learn the truth and Heavy thanks them for their cooperation.

Shard is currently leading Spiderbind away the forest away from the animals and jumps on a building. However, Spiderbind climbs up it and Shard comments he needs to keep him busy. Vector manages to spot Shard and uses a Tether Ring to sling himself to the top of the building. When at the top, he sees Shard in Spiderbind's web and rushes to help. Before he could, however, Shard manages to transform into his Robian state. Vector manages to stop himself falling as Shard breaks free from the web. Spiderbind tries to trap him once more, but, Shard uses his Cyber End technique to make Spinderbind explode. Vector then starts falling, but, Shard catches him just in time. However, Shard still knocks Vector out and he takes him to the outskirts of town before leaving.

The rest of the Chaotix, NICOLE, Jules, and "Bernadette" manage to find Vector and Charmy assumes he was taking a nap. Vector admits this was not the case and tells them he saw Shard on a building before feeling the bump on his head. Charmy realizes the building Vector and Shard were on was a block away and Vector admits he doesn't know how he got there, to which NICOLE deduces that Shard brought him here. "Bernadette" asks where Shard is now and Vector doesn't know and he asks to know what Shard was. NICOLE explains he was a part-Robian and only a few organs remain. NICOLE tells them he escaped being 100% Roboticized and his memories are were damaged from the first Chaos Control warp. "Bernadette" tells the Chaotix that's why they wanted their help to find him, so they could help Shard get his memories back and Jules explains Eggman is also looking for Shard to win him to their side. NICOLE says they also must bring Shard home as the episode ends.

## Trivia:

* This takes place during Episode 27 of the main series.