It's back everybody =D
Hello readers. I, Tumcat, am very pleased to bring this short story back to life. It's been deleted for quite some time as I mentioned before, but now I've rummaged through my files to recover each and every chapter. Nothing has been changed; the story will be posted just as I left it before.
I'm so glad to have found this story again to share it with you all. It's a very heartfelt story with some messages and themes I deliberately incorporated into the story that made it all the more personal.
The only thing changed will be the author notes at the beginning of every chapter, as they are now outdated and irrelevant.
If this is you're first time reading this story and don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry. Take none of what I said into consideration, and please enjoy the story without having to wait for new chapters!
So get comfortable and relax. Enjoy The Gift of Life =)
...
It was as if Metal Sonic sprang to life for the first time in that exact moment.
His vision returned to his visor with a firm click as his receptors immediately shot online again, and picked up the surprised gasp of the shocked fox standing in front of him who took a step back and stared open-mouthed at him. He watched as a huge grin spread across his white muzzle and say quietly with excitement, "Hey there...".
Metal Sonic sat perched on a smooth oak bench with his legs dangling down over the edge with his hands slumped inactively by his hips. His optics no longer glowed brightly red, but instead a pale nearly white tinted yellow, and they mimicked the actions and movements of two swift blinks. He watched across from him as the fox imitated his blinking with bright blue irises. "Can you understand me?"
The machine didn't answer. He simply blinked once again and kept staring.
"I'm Tails. Look, I'm Tails." the kit said with a slow voice. Tails watched as Metal Sonic tilted his head around very slightly and looked down at his shoulders, watching his arms lift and bend at the joints. He wavered his steel fingers around and flipped his hand over and under, regaining the feeling of movement. As he did this, his legs began to sway back and forth softly.
Tails' grin remained on his face as he watched the robot, fascinated and proud of his work. "I didn't think I'd be able to do it," he thought to himself, "but holy crud, I've done it. I've reset him...".
Tails took a moment to observe the machine. His dark blue frame was smudged with dried mud, and there was a noticeable silver scar along the side of his head that trailed close to his mouthless metallic muzzle. Minor scratches and scrapes were spread across the entirety of his body; some clearly visible, others nearly invisible.
He'd noticed that Metal Sonic's eyes had changed color. This further strengthened his confidence that he had completely wiped out Metal Sonic's old operating system controlled by Eggman. He had spent days working on a brand new OS that wouldn't behave like a boring lifeless cell phone AI, but one that was free of all control.
And after fixing Metal Sonic up, he could see how delicate it really was.
The badnik stopped moving around and looked back to Tails, still silent aside from the subtle creaking of the joints in his body. It was right then that the fox began to realize he hadn't quite looked at his vocal transmitters over the past few days he'd been working on Metal Sonic. Even if he could understand Tails, he likely couldn't answer if they were still damaged.
Tails lifted his right hand in the air, holding it straight up. Metal Sonic watched him and lifted his left hand parallel to the fox's. Everything about the robot seemed so odd now. Compared to how he acted days before, Metal Sonic was like a young child.
Maybe only a week ago, Tails had been there when Sonic had perhaps his most vicious battle to date with Metal Sonic outside of Eggman's fortress. The storm that day had been mercilessly cold with the bite of the screaming winds and fat raindrops hammering down at the combatants. Tails believed he hadn't ever seen either hedgehogs brawl so fiercely with incredible mach speed. The battle ended once the robot had made one fatal mistake that sent him plummeting down from the rooftops of the many fortress buildings and into the soaked earth. Eggman fled after seeing his ultimate creation fail against the hedgehog, and the fortress was soon evacuated.
The next day, Tails had scavenged through the abandoned facility in hopes of finding anything useful from the madman's machine's and unactivated bots, but he found nothing. Instead, he came across the body of Metal Sonic, which he had snuck off the fortress before the authorities and organizations flooded the fortress and confiscated everything.
Sonic still had no knowledge of his rival's presence at Tails' house, and the fox had kept it that way since he brought Metal home. He didn't know what his reaction would be, but it likely wouldn't be pretty.
Tails slowly lowered his hand to his side and watched as the mechanical hedgehog dropped his hand likewise. A certain feeling came over Tails as he witnessed Metal Sonic's state of nature completely differ from a few days ago. It was like watching a child; something innocent without much knowledge of life, death, struggle, pain, or any other part of life.
Tails turned around for a moment and walked slowly and silently with his hands together and his eyes closed. His lips were curved in a smile that bore mixed emotions about this whole ordeal.
He had successfully removed Eggman's OS and replaced it with his own lifelike system. A sense of pride and achievement filled his soul.
He was also aware that he was harboring one of Sonic's deadliest enemies in his own home. He knew he would either have to show Sonic eventually or come up with something else to do with the robot.
But out of everything he felt, there was one thought that conquered all others:
This was the start of a whole new life.
It could be the genesis of something wonderful. Metal Sonic was just a minion of Dr Eggman, but now he was an entirely different being. This could be his second chance; his only fair chance at life.
Tails looked down at his own shadow that was cast across the floor of the workshop by the golden sunset outside the windows. Behind him, a hedgehog's shadow stayed still with his head pointed in the direction of the fox.
Tails turned around to see Metal Sonic standing a few feet behind him, looking straight into his eyes and blinking. His legs were functional and were well enough to carry him around still. It was odd to see him so tranquil. He didn't seem so menacing anymore.
The kit inched towards the hedgehog, but he reacted by stepping back, seemingly startled. Tails lifted his hands and opened his palms saying with a soft voice, "It's okay, it's okay. Relax a little.". He stayed where he was with a reassuring smirk before gradually starting to scoot towards Metal Sonic again. This time, the robot stood still watching him closely.
Tails slowly put his right hand down, leaving his left hand up. Metal Sonic glanced at his hand before his optics blinked again, beginning to raise his right hand in synchronization with the fox's gloved palm. He put it against Tails' hand perfectly, aligning his fingers and palms with his. Even through his glove, Tails could still feel Metal's cold steel hand and smooth palm.
They stood like this for some while, unmoving and quiet. Tails' blue eyes were looking at Metal Sonic's yellow optics, which were interested in their connected hands. He didnt even so much as glance at Tails' eyes, he just kept them on their hands.
The fox peered into Metal's eyes as he smiled in wonder. He didn't know why he was feeling this way. He was expecting this, but he didn't think this was how he'd feel about it. He felt happy, in a sense.
He felt proud to have created life.
Metal Sonic suddenly tilted his eyes to Tails with his head still facing their hands, peeking at the fox. Tails blinked and stopped smiling, feeling somewhat startled. He gently withdrew his hand from Metals' and turned around, walking briskly over to the entrance of his workshop.
He pushed through the wooden doors and stepped out into the fresh dusk air. He looked around outside at the brilliant tangerine sky as the big orb of sun on the horizon slunk lethargically.
He didn't know what he would do. Yes, he brought new life to Metal Sonic. But what could he do with that achievement? Sonic would certainly not be happy about it. If anyone else like Knuckles or even just a passerby knew, they would either flee in terror or destroy the poor bot.
There was movement out of the corner of his eye, and Tails looked back to the workshop's doors as Metal Sonic stepped out into the sunlight. Despite the scars and smudges, Metal Sonic's armor still glimmered radiently, reflecting the world around him. His eyes were looking up at the sunset on the edge of Mobius. Power, energy, warmth, beauty...those were the thoughts that entered his head. He'd never seen something quite like it, and he could really feel it now.
Tails watched him gaze into the heat. Everything was new to him. Everything was interesting. There was no evil in his system, and there was no one to control his actions and mind. If someone tried to hurt or kill him, he wouldn't likely attack. He would feel fear. If he encountered Sonic, he wouldn't immediately target him. He would treat him with all the same wonder, interest, and caution he treated Tails with.
If just one person showed him kindness and care, he would learn how to be kind and caring.
If someone showed him life, he would live it.
Tails walked back to Metal Sonic. The robot looked away from the sun and over to the fox as he put a hand on his shoulder and gently turned him around, walking back into the workshop with him.
…
Sonic sat slouched on the recliner with an empty plate on his lap, resting his hands behind his neck and watching the corny sci-fi movie on the television in front of him. Tails sat on the couch next to the recliner looking down at his cup of fruit punch. It was still full, and he kept shaking his cup repetitively, watching the juice slosh against the edges dangerously.
Sonic rubbed his itchy nose and looked down at his plate. There was still a few crumbs of bread from his chili dog's bun laying spread around the diameter of the plate. He yawned and looked over at Tails. The fox wasn't paying any attention to the movie playing, and Sonic narrowed his eyes a little as he stood up stretching. "What's on your mind buddy boy?"
"Uh...nothing." Tails said as he set his glass down. A single drop of punch spilled over the side of his cup and dribbled like syrup down to the table below it.
The hedgehog shook his head grinning at him calmly. "Nuh uh. Not gonna accept that answer. You been kinda weird this whole evening. You hardly ate, and you aren't even watching the movie. What's the deal Tails? Something you don't want me to know?"
"If only you had the slightest idea..." Tails thought to himself. "Well, uh, I guess I've kinda been thinking of something." He stood and put his hands together against his mouth, thinking for a moment before looking at Sonic with thoughtful eyes. "Do you...um...think people can change?"
"You mean like changing their minds on what they wanna eat? My minds' always set on one food." Sonic joked chuckling a little before clearing his throat when he saw Tails was being serious. "I mean, yeah, Sure, people can totally change. Like, maybe they'll see something in a different way a week after they make up their mind. Could even be a change in someone's thoughts or way of life."
"You really think so?" Tails asked with a smile. He didn't think Sonic would answer him truthfully like that."
"Yeah! Definitely! Except people like Eggman and his goons though. Now, those people have no chance to change." Sonic said chuckling and shaking his head.
"Oh..." Tails' smile faded as he lowered his head a little in disappointment. He sighed and shook his head before grabbing his cup and tilting it back against his lips, gulping down the red liquid while Sonic popped his neck and yawned again.
"I'm headin' out now Tails. See you in two days?" Sonic called out as he walked out of the living room.
Tails finished his drink and breathed in oxygen, pausing before calling back, "Yeah, alright.". A few seconds later, he heard the front door open and close, sygnifiying Sonic's departure.
The moon was traversing across the pitch black sky at this time. The stars were absent, leaving only the distant pale traveller to trek until the sun rose again. Crickets chirped every now and then, calling for each other.
Moonlight poured into the inky darkness of the workshop as the doors opened up, and Tails walked through them and swatted his hand on the side of the wall, flicking on only two of the lights in the shack.
He went to one of the tall cabinets in the corner of the room and opened it up. Metal Sonic's deactivated body sat loosely. His visor was devoid of that bright yellow light from earlier.
"Hmmm...hope you like movies." Tails muttered to himself as he lugged Metal's body out of the cabinet.
…
A half hour later, Metal Sonic sat beside Tails on the couch with his hands on his knees, watching Octogator vs Piranhasaurus. On the side of the TV lay various DVDs like Saving Private Bryan, Face Your Wolves, and Godzilla: Pathos.
Tails sat with half lidded and groggy eyes. His back had slid down the cushion of the couch, and he was in an awkward position that wasn't quite sitting or laying down. He yawned and patted his mouth while Metal Sonic watched the TV, locked in the fantasy world of entertainment.
He leaned in more and more as corny dramatic music rose in intensity before an obscure creature made up of various parts from an octopus and an alligator lunged onscreen and attacked a poor couple by a riverside, screaming as awful green screen effects did their work and showed an unbelievably pathetic death scene.
Metal Sonic's head lurched back a little in surprise, but he moved his head back in even further than before as he watched a laughably bad costume of a tyrannosaurus with a giant pirhana's head plastered over it roar and challenge the octogator to a fight.
He watched the creatures clash and duke it out on the river's bank, blinking every now and then and jumping a little when Tails groaned and turned on his side, curling up on the couch. The robot took his eyes off the film and looked down at the fox. He lay with his eyes closed, sleeping against the movie's cheap sound effects and musical score. Metal Sonic watched him sleep for a few more moments before looking back to the television
Tails was already in his little dream world by now. He wouldn't be awake to turn off the movie or to deactivate Metal Sonic.