#StobotSwapAU

[vitevii]

Stobotnik Role Swap AU

Been thinking through a Stobotnik role swap AU, trying to figure out their dynamic and what would change or stay the same. I think I finally settled on something I like and have a lot of thoughts about- Stone and Robotnik are still an agent and a brilliant scientist respectively, but the hierarchy of their relationship is flipped with Stone being the ‘boss’ and Robotnik as the ‘henchman’.

EDIT: Link to part 2!

Thoughts:

Stone (before the movies and during what would be movie 1) is a highly-decorated & respected shadow ops and/or special ops agent

He rose through the ranks thanks to his many varied talents, tactical brilliance, and his dedication to & success in completing his missions no matter what stands in his way

Robotnik is the shadow ops Break-Glass-in-Case-of-Emergency scientist. He’s called on when nobody else can get the job done, but they try not to give him any more funding or resources than necessary bc they’re scared of his eccentricity, antisocial nature, and sheer brilliance

Robotnik gets promoted to being directly under Stone’s command at Stone’s request - I’m thinking either bc Stone is assigned to investigate the Sonic EMP from movie 1 (he has to intimidate/persuade the military generals to let him take a chance on Robotnik, a little like Walters did in movie 1) or because pre-movies Stone decides he needs a scientist to join his team permanently for ease of access to customized tech or something

If it’s the second option, Stone goes to Robotnik with a test task to see if he’s good enough (he actually wants to see how Robotnik operates, but also does want to make sure the rumors of Ivo’s brilliance are true). Robotnik does his thing, Stone is speechless and amazed by the results. Stone decides then and there he HAS to have Ivo at his side. ('Doctor... this is... you're incredible.' 'Of course I am. That's why you're here.')

Also, whenever they first meet, Robotnik goes off on a rant or insults Stone, and Stone is taken aback (and delighted) by how Robotnik isn’t scared of him- Stone’s gotten bored of people being too easily intimidated by his status and reputation.. even if that is useful oftentimes

Stone secretly and maybe only subconsciously wants someone in his life who he can drop the formalities with, someone who doesn’t care about his rank and career and past

Ivo realizes (but won’t admit) he is grateful to Stone for giving him a more of a chance to be himself and to finally have the resources to work towards his robot dreams

This first post is mostly about their backgrounds and how they met. I've got a bunch more thoughts I'm organizing and will post soon with same tags as this post

Also might write fic or make some art for this..

[vitevii]

Stobotnik Role Swap AU Part 2

Here’s some more stuff about my Stobot Swap AU! Featuring: A potential excerpt from the fic I plan to write, more thoughts about Stone and Robotnik’s relationship prior to Sonic’s arrival, and another idea for a potential fic scene!

[AU: Stone and Robotnik are still an agent and a brilliant scientist respectively, but the hierarchy of their relationship is flipped with Stone being the ‘boss’ and Robotnik as the ‘henchman’.]

If you want to see the first post I made on this, it’s here: link (and it's also my current pinned post)

-

From the day he met Ivo, Stone was fascinated by the doctor... especially during the 2 minute rant the doctor blasted at him from point-blank (literally and figuratively). From the first day he saw Ivo at work, gliding and spinning between workstations like a dancer, Stone was enthralled by the doctor. From the first day he saw Ivo- glistening with sweat and grinning maniacally- complete one of his incredible inventions, Stone was captivated by the doctor. All of those days occurred in the same week. Stone had fallen very rapidly head-over-heels for the doctor, though he would not have used such terminology at the time, and he wouldn’t admit the fact to himself yet.

Regardless of the terms and conditions, Agent Stone had decided.

He would have the doctor for himself.

-

When Dr. Robotnik is first promoted to serve directly under Agent Stone, he tries to dial back his retorts and tirades against more ‘simpleminded’ agents as he fears that Stone may send him back to the lower levels of shadow ops or that he may get Stone into trouble in such a way that they’re both demoted. But after a while under Stone’s command, Robotnik gets a taste of Stone’s power, and he begins testing the waters on just how far Stone and Stone’s reputation can protect him. He drops formalities/titles for other agents and only addresses Stone properly (Mr. Stone/Sir/Agent Stone). He addresses anyone of lower rank with weird little nicknames and insults, and they can’t do anything about it. Ivo is very smug about this. He gets more and more accustomed to his new freedom and to being himself- as long as Stone is around.

He starts making sure he’s always around Stone.

Military personnel who’ve had the misfortune honor of working with the Agent+Scientist duo start referring to Robotnik as ‘Stone’s lap dog’ and ‘Stone’s lab rat’ when Robotnik and Stone aren’t around.

Random agent to Robotnik after being insulted: you disrespectful little freak I swear I’m gonna tear you ap-… ah..Agent Stone, Sir!

Stone, walking into the room with death in his eyes: Ah, Agent C, so sorry to interrupt. Did you have something important to say to Dr. Robotnik?

Random agent: Uh n-no it’s nothing important, Sir.

Stone: Well then if you’re done wasting the good doctor’s time, he and I will be on our way.

Stone turns to exit the room again, Robotnik starts walking backwards, grinning and then flipping off Agent C (who is fuming again)

-

The first time Dr. Robotnik lashes out physically against Agent Stone, Ivo freezes up, his fist still clenched around Stone’s tie, realizing that he could very easily lose his position at Stone’s side for this.

Stone is staring at him, seemingly unbothered, with eyebrows raised, clearly intrigued but not revealing much else. Ivo lets go and backs up. “Sorry, Sir,” He manages to mutter through gritted teeth. It’s been a long time since he’s apologized to anyone for anything. “That won’t happen again.”

-

[Scene below would take place after they’ve known each other for a while. Stone is fully in love with Robotnik but hasn’t confessed, Robotnik still thinks that Stone only keeps him around for his inventions and expertise.]

When Stone gets seriously injured, Robotnik puts him under general anesthesia and puts him in restraints before operating because Stone has a habit of reflexively lashing out when dazed. When Stone comes to after the surgery, the first thing his hazy vision lands on is Ivo's face, very close to his, and then he registers that his wrists are strapped down. His eyelids flutter.

Stone murmurs dreamily “Oh, doctor.. what do you have planned for me?”. And then he fades away into unconsciousness again.

Robotnik blushes deeply and feels things he doesn’t understand. He never mentions this to anyone. The next few days, he’s strangely quiet, his brow furrowed, focused only on monitoring the agent’s vitals and recovery. Stone, when he’s regained his senses properly, is concerned about the change in demeanor and asks, “Doctor.. is something bothering you? Did I hurt you when I…?”

Ivo scoffs. “Do you take me for a blithering idiot? I know to take the proper precautions. Shut up and let me focus.”

Stone nods and rests his head back down, smiling. “Of course, Doctor. I trust you.”