"Hearts of Steel"
By Sakura Courage Solo
Author's Notes: All right, I guess I should firstly tell you all where the idea for this fanfic came from, right? Well, the idea actually came from a dream I had. I essentially dreamed I was in the form of my fursona (You can check around on my DA account for a pic of her. .com ) and helping Sonic, Manic and Sonia blow what I'm guessing from the sketchyness of the dream was maybe a power plant or a swatbot factory. I remember a weird explosion while Manic and I were on a high catwalk, and this roboticized version of Sonic attacked us.I remember us barely escaping by the skin of our teeth, and then for some reason Manic was blaming me for Sonic's roboticization. I woke up about that time and it dawned on me, "If I tweak it and add to it, this could make a good fanfic!". I needed an excuse to get back into the swing of writing anyway. I suppose the dream was almost hinting at me to write this with Manic blaming me for Sonic's roboticization, since technically I'm going to be writing it in the fanfic. I dunno. I just hope it'll be an enjoyable fanfic for the rest of you. n.n
Disclaimer: Okay, first and foremost I'm a near-broke college student. Sueing me would do little to no good. Secondly, if I DID own Sonic Underground (Which I don't), then there would've been a video game based on it. Essentially, I don't own SU and don't get paid for writing this. Now go read the fanfic.
Chapter 1
"Death Metal"
"They say that when a Mobian gets roboticized, they essentially become dead inside. I'm not so sure that's entirely true myself, but then again I've never been roboticized. All I know is that I've seen many people, some who were very close to me, get turned into mindless metal slaves time and time again. I don't know if they're dead inside, but a little bit of me dies whenever I see it happen.
Do roboticized Mobians actually think, or do their electronic brains do the thinking for them? I know one time our pendants helped to temporarily bring one roboticization victim to his senses, but it was only for a short time. Could that have been proof that he was inside that cold, hard shell the whole time? Or was he only able to make a temporary return to it with the help of our power? Would our meeting with the roboticized yet free willed leader of a band of desert rogues help answer that? Not sure. Not sure at all.
What I do know is that no matter who becomes a victim of roboticization or how far they seem to drift away because of it, we can never give up on them. We have to keep trying to not only get them back, but to give them freedom as well."
~Manic
"Freedom isn't a state of culture, its a privelege. A privelege everyone deserves, and we must do anything we can to regain and preserve that precious gift."
~Sakura
Little to no sound could be heard on the streets of Robotropolis that night. Even the Swatbots and other task performing 'bots in the city were mostly staying inside tonight, presumably working hard for their master. The only thing to eventually break the silence was the sound of footsteps; three sets of them to be exact.
Sonia quietly moved a finger to her lips in a motion for her brothers to remain quiet as they snuck around a few junk piles, making their way toward one of Robotnik's swatbot factories. Neither of the brothers had any problem complying with silence as they continued to move swiftly yet quietly. It didn't take them long to make it to the back door of the place, and things were almost beginning to seem too easy as they waited for their opening. Soon enough a huge pair of thick, steel doors spread open and allowed exit to a long hovercraft. The Hedgehogs took advantage, moving inside of the structure before the doors closed, careful not to be noticed.
Once inside, the three of them immediately headed for the main computer room. They fortunately wouldn't have to hunt it out, as Cyrus had already performed an internal scan of the building and given them excellent directions that would lead them straight to their destination. It didn't take them long to follow these instructions, soon finding themselves standing right outside the door of the main computer room. Sonia peeked inside through the door's small window.
"That's weird, there are no Swatbots manning the computers..."
She said, Sonic shaking his head as he replied,
"I don't like this. It feels too easy. Something isn't right."
"Doesn't matter. We're here now, and we need to finish the mission."
Manic told him, cracking the code on the door. Sonic just sighed and nodded, following his siblings into the room as he said,
"Yeah, you're right. Like this could really be one colossal trap."
He chuckled to himself, Sonia walking right to the keyboard and beginning to tap away at its metallic keys.
"Sonic, watch the door while I overload the system."
She told him, not wanting any visitors sneaking in behind their backs. Sonic was already on it, standing at the door and ready to fight if need be.
All was silent as Sonia continued her work... perhaps too silent. It was getting on the brothers' nerves, but Sonia was too busy working at overloading the system to take notice of the silence. She almost didn't even notice as Sonic began tapping his foot impatiently and asked,
"How much longer, Sis? This place is starting to mondo creep me out..."
"Just a little longer! This is a big system to overload!"
She told him, never losing her stride as she spoke, fingers dancing over the input device of the main computer.
Soon enough, her work paid off, and the computer began to overload. She smiled softly and turned to her brothers.
"Done! Let's go before it blows!"
She said with both triumph and haste, Sonic nodding and moving to grab his siblings for a mad dash out the door and towards the nearest exit, but that's when things got bleak. Before Sonic could start his run, alarms began going off and the 'main computer' simply fizzled out as thick steel panels came down over any and all possible exits in the room, preventing any form of escape. Sonic, Manic and Sonia fell silent for a moment in the realization that this HAD been one colossal trap all along... and there was no way out.
Of course, that wasn't to stop them from looking for a way out, the three frantically searching every inch of the room for any possible form of exit; a crack or weak spot in the wall or floor that Sonic could spin on and break apart, a ventilation grate, anything! Unfortunately, nothing was found.
"I don't believe this!"
Sonia cried, hands on either side of her head.
"The main computer was a fake! Robotnik must be controlling this Swatbot factory remotely!"
"And he used the fake mainframe as the bait to trap us!"
Manic added as both anger, frustration and worry all laced his voice at the same time. Sonic was still running around the room at high speed, continuing a futile search for any possible escape route. There were none. He finally came to a stop when he realized his search was useless.
"Great... now what do we do?"
He asked, not really expecting an answer. However, as Sonia tried to keep her cool, she gave her opinion of an idea,
"The best I can think of is wait for Robotnik and/or his Swatbots to come after us and fight our way out."
"Well, I can't think of anything better, but you can bet Buttnik's already thought of us trying that Sis."
Manic replied, Sonia heaving a frustrated sigh and nodding.
"You're probably right there, Manic. But what other choice do we have?"
She asked, running a worried hand through her hair. Sonic was glancing around the room, nose twitching a bit.
"Hey, does anyone else smell that?"
He asked, his siblings blinking and sniffing the air. Manic quirked a brow.
"I smell it, but I'm not sure what it is..."
He said, Sonia taking another sniff before gasping with a sudden realization and covering her mouth.
"Guys, its sleeping gas! Cover your mouth and nose!"
She told them, her brothers wasting no time in complying. Manic had been right; Robotnik HAD anticipated that they'd come out of the room fighting... IF there were able.
The siblings tried to stay awake, the gas seeping in through their fingers as they tried to keep their faces attempts were futile, and it didn't take long for the three to end up passed out on the floor.
Manic awoke with a groan some time later. After living for years on the streets, through fights and scuffles, his body had adjusted to come around quickly after being knocked out. He blinked his eyes several times, trying to get his bearings. Once he did, he came to the realization that two Swatbots were dragging him along, one holding each arm. Manic struggled a bit feebly, still somewhat under the influence of the knockout gas. Up ahead, he could see four more Swatbots carrying Sonic and Sonia. Manic had a pretty good idea of where they were being taken. He struggled again.
"S-sonic! Sonia! Wake up!"
He called, but they were still out cold. He sighed, looking around frantically to try and find some way out of this.
That's when they came to a huge, steel door at the end of the hallway. Said door slid open, revealing the Roboticization room behind it. Manic had been right again: Robotnik was going to turn them into mindless robotic slaves, just like he'd done to all his other prisoners. Said tyrant was standing just ahead, awaiting the arrival of his latest victims for the Roboticizer. He chortled gleefully as he watched the Swatbots bring the three Hedgehogs into the room, almost like a child whose parents would bring a huge birthday giftbox to him on his birthday. It was rather sickening to Manic.
The Swatbots lined up side-by-side before Robotnik to show the captives, Robotnik putting his hands together in pleasure as he looked over the three Hedgehogs. He began to gloat,
"Oh, happy day! If it wasn't against the law, I'd feel like singing! My worst enemies, now at my mercy before me! Oh, but what is this?"
He turned his attention to the struggling Manic.
"Hmm, a resilient one you are to come out from under the sleeping gas so soon... no matter. You're still going into the roboticizer, just like your siblings."
He chortled maniacally, Manic sneering as he continued to struggle, crystal blue eyes darting about for any possible way of escape. Robotnik walked to Manic, glowering over him.
"That's right, struggle. Keep thinking you can escape. The greater your fighting spirit, the greater the enjoyment is when I crush it."
The doctor smirked evilly, walking to his special seat and relaxing back into it as he gave the order for his Swatbots to throw Manic and the others into the Roboticizers. The Swatbots were in-hesitant to comply with their Master's commands, tossing the three Hedgehogs onto the platforms. Manic tries to get up and run before the metal cylinder came up around him, but he wasn't fast enough. He was trapped.
"No... this... this can't be right! This isn't supposed to happen!"
He started to bang on the cylindrical metal wall around him in both fear and anger.
"I... I can't get Roboticized! What about the council of four?! What about finding Ma?! What about freedom?!?!"
The chamber began to glow around him. This was it: he was going to be Roboticized, and there was nothing he could do about it. He swallowed hard, sinking to his knees on the floor of the chamber in defeat.
"I'm sorry, Ma..."
He whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.
However, that's when he heard electricity begin to pop and crackle around him, the glow of the roboticization chamber flickering before everything went completely dark. He blinked, looking around in the surrounding darkness confusedly. What had just happened? He slowly stood, hearing Robotnik and his Swatbots conversing outside.
"Roboticization Chamber #2 experiencing fatal malfunction, Sir. Robiticization Chamber #2 is no longer functional."
The Swatbot that was operating the Roboticizers told his master, Robotnik growling at the mishap and booming out,
"What?! No, there can't be a malfunction NOW! Not at my sweetest moment!"
He sneered, then tried to calm himself down.
"Then again, its only Manic in Chamber 2. He's nothing to worry about... complete the Roboticization of Sonic and Sonia, then proceed to Roboticize their brother."
"Yes sir."
The Swatbot said in utter compliance, Manic swallowing hard. He wasn't sure how to feel. On the one hand, he was lucky enough to be the only one not roboticized yet and now had SOME chance of escape, but on the other hand, if he couldn't escape then in his last moments of being flesh and blood, he would have to see the horror that would be his Roboticized siblings.
"... I can't just give up though. I have a chance to escape... if I can manage that, then maybe I can find a way to help them and all the other Roboticized Mobians someday..."
He thought, blinking as he heard the hum of the other roboticizers cease. He sighed, knowing that by now his brother and sister were metallic slaves to Robotnik. Regardless, he readied himself.
Soon enough, the mechanical layers of the metal cylinder around him began to descend. As soon as they had lowered down enough, he made a break for it. Manic leapt up on the side that would most likely be facing away from the Swatbots that would be waiting to grab him, gripping the edge of the metal cylinder and pulling himself over and out. He hit the floor running, not even exactly sure where he was going to go, but there wasn't exactly any available information for planning.
Ahead of him he saw an open garbage chute. Perfect! He glanced back over his shoulder, seeing the Swatbots coming after him with laser rifles ablaze. Manic jumped to and fro as he ran, barely evading most of the shots... MOST of them. One of the shots slammed into his shoulder, causing him to yell in pain, but he forced himself to continue running regardless. As the Swatbots almost caught up, he made one last ditch effort move and leapt as hard as his legs would allow toward the garbage chute. His leap was perfect, Manic going right into and down the chute with no problem. He sighed with a bit of relief.
That sigh soon turned into a grunt as he hit the side of the shaft, the chute turning on a diagonal incline. He slid along the metal piping, by now looking ahead and trying to somewhat control his slide to an extent that he might be able to stop himself or speed up should the need occur. He glanced back behind himself in slight paranoia, knowing that Robotnik and his Swatbots were too big to go into the garbage chute after him, but he felt the need to check and make sure. After all that had happened to him this day, perhaps feeling that need was rightful for him.
The duct turned, twisted and bent in its path, Manic continuing to work at controlling his slide as he made his way down the 'route'. That's when the incline turned sharply, sending the green Hedgehog straight down again. Manic slowed his slide as he saw it coming and spread his arms and legs, spiderwalking down the now vertical shaft. As he looked below, he could see an opening. He was nearing an exit!
He continued his spiderwalk until he was right at the end of the shaft, able to see a huge bin of discarded computer, machine and Swatbot parts. It was a long way down from the shaft opening to the top of the scrap pile below, but Manic knew he had to act fast, before they busted him down here. He braced himself as he retracted his hands and feet from the shaft walls, preparing for impact as he let himself drop.
He grunted as he landed atop the junk heap on his hands and feet, the impact pressuring his braced limbs. He'd heard a sickening crack in his ankle on impact. Bo doubt it had been broken. Regardless, Manic knew he still had to move. He climbed out of the bin, hissing in pain as his injured limb pressed against the metal floor, but he kept going.
He looked back over his shoulder. The door across the room was opening, and no doubt it was Swatbots coming to get him. His crystal blue eyes darted about frantically, his mind racing about 100 MPH. He quickly spied a garbage reciprocal, diving into it just as the door opened. Swatbots entered the room, beginning to search for him. Manic could feel his heart rise into his throat as he sat there in dead silence, praying he wouldn't be found. He eventually sighed with relief as he heard them leave, getting up and peeping out the swing-type door to make sure they'd all left. He heaved another sigh of relief when he found it was true.
He climbed out, shaking some of the garbage from his quills. He was thankful it was all dry garbage.
"Well... so far so good, I guess... now to finish this escape."
He said to himself, glancing around. He then looked to the scrap pile.
"Hm, that'll go to the scrap yard... right out in the easy open. Perfect. Now if I'd just thought to stay in there in the first place..."
He almost chuckled at himself, but he was still reeling mentally from the fact that he was the only one left as flesh and blood amongst his sibling. He grimaced at the thought as he cimbed back into the scrap heap, burying himself inside of an old Swatbot shell and starting to wait things out, trying futilely to ignore the throbbing pain in his ankle.
It hadn't taken too long for the scrap bin to be picked up by worker 'bots as they headed out for the scrap yard with it. Manic laid as quietly s he could... actually almost dozing off from the mental and physical exhaustion of everything that was going on. He could barely stay awake as he laid there in silence.
That's when he felt the movement of the bin come to a stop. Manic figured they'd made it to the junkyard, and so braced himself inside the Swatbot shell. The worker bots overturned the bin onto the huge junk pile before them, the metal refuse pouring out. Afterwhich, the worker bots quietly took the empty bin and their leave. Manic grunted as he waited until they were good and gone, then proceeding to dig himself out of the pile. It was a job, considering how much metal he was under, but he eventually managed. It was fortunate for him that those bins for the garbage chutes didn't hold a whole lot.
He dusted himself off after he had his feet back on the regular ground, grabbing a long metal pipe from the pile to use as a walking cane. The pain in his ankle was getting a lot worse. He cringed more at the thought of having to get it operated on than the pain itself. He observed his surroundings carefully for a moment before beginning to limp his way through the shadows and out of Robotropolis. Until...
"Freeze, Freedom Fighter."
A familiarly feminine yet electronic voice spoke out from behind him. Manic felt chills run down his spine as he slowly turned to face the owner of the saw two pairs of robotic red eyes glowing evilly at him from the darkness. Another Voice spoke, this one as familiar and electronic as the first, but masculine.
"Target RH-003 identified. Prince Manic Hedgehog."
Manic took a fearful step back, terrified as the two figures he was most afraid to see emerged from the darkness: A roboticized Sonic and Sonia. Metal Sonic stepped forward, preparing to grab Manic.
"You are under arrest."
End Chapter 1
