"Hearts of Steel"

by Sakura Courage Solo

Chapter 2

"Iron Will"


Manic's heart and emotions were in complete turmoil as he looked onto the metallic countenances of his siblings. Even after what he'd experienced in the Roboticization Chamber, it was hard for him to believe it was true: his beloved Brother and Sister were now mindless metallic slaves to Robotnik.

Manic took a nervous step back, swallowing hard. His voice was shaky from his shot nerves, but he tried to speak anyway.

"Bro... Sis.. its me, Manic... your Brother? Don't you remember?"

He asked, his voice cracking and rattling from his emotions and his physical state. He was hoping that somewhere deep down inside, maybe his siblings would remember him for who he was other than a target to capture.

The now metallic Sonic was quick to grab Manic by the arm however, staring at him coldly.

"Under the law of the Great Robotnik, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent."

The blue Hedgehog of a robot said in a cold and unforgiving electronic voice. Manic felt a chill go down his spine again as he began to futilely struggle.

"S-sonic, stop! Please! Its me, your Brother! You gotta recognize me Bro, please!"

Manic plead, but it fell on deaf ears. The metallic Sonia took Manic by the other arm, she and her brother preparing to take Manic right back to the Roboticizer. The green Hedgehog felt like giving up.

However, that's when an EMP grenade was suddenly dropped into the area. The robotic two of the siblings immediately released their grip on their Brother as it went off, the electro-magnetic pulses sending their electronic minds spiraling. Manic fell to the ground as they released him, looking up in surprise as their metallic bodies went into what could only be described as robotic convulsions. The green Hedgehog slowly stood, looking around for whoever had thrown the grenade.

That's when someone suddenly grabbed him from behind, causing him to gasp in surprise with his already on-end nerves. Whoever grabbed him went into a mad rush away from the scene, moving through the back alleys of Robotropolis with ease and agility. Manic blinked his crystal blue eyes in surprise and looked to his 'grabber'.

He'd mostly expected a guy, so his surprise only grew when he saw it was a blonde Hedgehog woman with unusual aqua green eyes. She took a glance at him as she continued to run and asked,

"Are you all right?"

With Manic's mind in something of a haze from mental, physical and emotional stress at this point, he could only offer a nod of yes in response, even though that was hardly true. The Hedgehog woman didn't look back at him again, continuing her run without breaking her stride.

"Just hold on, I'm gonna get you somewhere safe."

She told him, Manic giving another half-hearted nod as he relaxed in her grip, glad he wasn't alone in this nerve-wracking situation any longer. As he relaxed, he felt his body succumb to the stress it had gone through. He fell into a deep and relaxing sleep.


Manic soon awoke to the smells of burning incense and various kinds of medicine. His head throbbed as if Robotnik had played Dance Dance Revolution on it, and we're talking way up there on the scale of like, 'Dragon Blade' on Supernova's 'Difficult' mode. Regardless, he slowly but surely sat up and took a look at his surroundings. He found himself in a room that oddly looked like a chamber in a cavern, but with furniture and lights that made it feel like a normal bedroom to some extent.

He blinked in confusion, wondering what this place was. He then winced as he felt some pain in his ankle, pulling back the covers to get a look at it. It had been set, cleaned, stitched, wrapped, etc. The whole works.

"Someone patched me up... was it that Hedgehog woman?"

He wondered aloud, then glancing to the night stand. On it was an incense burner, which was currently hosting some halfway burned Rose and Vanilla incenses. Beside the incense burner were some medical tools and bottles of medicine. Was she a certified doctor or something? He then noticed a pair of crutches leaned against the nightstand. He was in hesitant to take them, getting to his feet and starting towards the drapery-door, as there was no actual solid door there.

That's when the draperies were pulled aside as someone entered, a blue Fox woman with ruby chocolate eyes stepping into the room. She was an attractive sight to look at with shiny blue fur, her hair pulled into two shoulder length ponytails by red ribbons. Her slender body was clothed by a sleeveless red shirt, a pleated brown skirt and a pair of brown leather spaghetti strap sandals that accentuated her slim calves and elegant feet. Manic only found himself able to stop staring at her when she spoke to him,

"I see you're awake. How do you feel?"

The Fox woman asked in a smooth and mid-toned voice. Manic rubbed his forehead a bit and said,

"My head's pounding and my ankle hurts a little, but otherwise..."

The Fox woman smiled a bit, going to him as she replied,

"Good, it sounds like you've mostly been recovering for the past three days. The headache will go in a few minutes, it just hurts because you've been asleep for so long and your body itself hasn't quite 'woken up' yet. Now, back to bed with you, you still need rest!" She began to usher him back to the bed, Manic a bit shocked by part of her statement.

"Th-three days?"

He asked with a shaky voice of surprise as the Fox helped him lay back down. She pulled the covers back up to his neck and nodded.

"Yes, you've really been unconscious for that long, but at least you're back with it now and have gotten rid of all that apparent physical and mental fatigue you were experiencing."

She said, fluffing his pillow for him. Manic was still in a little shock, but that shock was soon replaced with another as he began to remember exactly what happened those three days before. He felt a lump form in his throat. It was finally really sinking in on him what had happened, and he felt there was nothing he could do about it.

The Fox woman took notice to his suddenly disturbed expression, blinking a bit.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

She asked, sitting in the chair by his bed. Manic snapped out of his daze of memory and looked to her.

"Huh? Yeah, fine, just... yeah."

Was all he could manage, the Fox sighing a bit. It was apparent to her that there was something wrong, but it was equally apparent that he wasn't ready to talk about it.

"Well, if you say so... anyway..."

She decided to try and get his mind off of whatever was bothering him.

"I apologize for my rudeness, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Vanna Linza re Fox, the doctor of this base. And you are?"

"Manic... Manic the Hedgehog... wait, did you say 'base'? As in the Resistance?"

Vanna scratched the back of her head a bit, ears tilting.

"Ah, not exactly... I mean we're all in this against Robotnik, but we're not exactly Resistance members..."

Manic quirked a brow, sitting back up in the bed so he could look at her on an even eye level.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

He asked. Vanna seemed a bit nervous with her answer, as if skeptical that Manic would take it well. She finally replied however,

"We're... mercenaries."

"Mercenaries? Oh, I get ya. You're the type that won't get involved in anything dirty, but you won't fight the dirty either unless you're paid."

"Well I wouldn't say we're like that..."

She sighed a bit, seemingly hurt by Manic's feelings toward mercenaries. Manic felt a bit badly when he saw her reaction, looking down.

"Sorry Vanna, I... I shouldn't'a said that after you helped me like you did... "

"No, its all right, Manic. A lot of mercenaries out there are exactly what you just said, and that lot of them makes the few of us look bad. Listen, maybe it would be better if you talked with Sakura."

"Sakura..."

Manic thought for a moment, remembering the Hedgehog woman who had rescued him three days before.

"She wouldn't happen to be a blonde Hedgehog, would she? Aqua green eyes? Dark clothes?"

Vanna nodded and replied,

"That's her. She's our leader. Would you like for me to send her in?"

"Yes, please. I wanna thank her."

"Of course."

Vanna got up and exited the room. It didn't take long for Sakura's familiar face to enter the room, said face wearing a smile when she saw the now awake Manic. She chuckled softly as she walked toward him.

"So, I see Sleeping Beauty is finally awake. Did it take a kiss from Vanna to yank you from dreamland, mate?"

She joked, speaking with a heavy Australian accent. Manic couldn't help but chuckle at her joke.

Now while Manic had problems believing that someone who looked like Vanna was a mercenary, he had no problems whatsoever seeing that Sakura was capable of one such job. Her body was slim but well toned with muscles, body clothed by a pair of camouflage pants and a black shirt with the yellow Batman logo plastered across the front. In a holster at her hip hung a 357 Magnum, and judging by her movements, that hefty gun was NOT weighing her down any. She did hold some feminine traits amongst all that tomboyishness, her blonde quills attractively long and soft as lovely aqua green eyes looked into Manic's crystal blue ones. A crystal pendant hung around her neck.

Manic laid back on the pillows, head starting to throb some again as he chuckled again,

"Nah, I think it was the incense... or this headache one."

He cocked one corner of his mouth in a smirk, glancing to Sakura.

"Anyway, I wanted to thank you for saving my bacon back there. I owe you big time."

"This one's on us, but next time it'll cost ya."

She told him, but Manic could tell she was joking again. Sakura took a seat in the nearby chair, crossing her legs.

"So, mind telling me what exactly you were doing in Robotropolis by yourself... Manic, was it?"

"Yeah, Manic. I was there trying to escape... you see, me and my sibs were busted on a mission and I was the only one that got away without getting Roboticized. Those two robots that you got with that EMP grenade... that was my Bro ans Sis."

"Oh man, that's harsh road mate. I'm so sorry... if its of any comfort, I know how you feel. My Father was Roboticized by that sidewinder a few yars back... whole reason I became a mercenary."

"That's harsh too, Sakura. I'm really sorry..."

"Eh, don't worry about it. In the past. Gotta move on and make the future better, a'ight?"

She gave him a reassuring smile.

"By the way though, you say your name's Manic... now that wouldn't happen to mean Prince Manic of the Royal Hedgehog Family, now would it?"

"Yup, that's me. My sibs and I have been trying to find our Ma for a long time, ever since the Oracle said..."

"Oh, don't get me started on that bloke! That Oracle is full of Cactus Needles! He can't tell the future any more than you can tell me what I had for breakfast!"

Sakura was closer by now, almost in Manic's face with her anti-Oracle rant. Manic's nose twitched a bit before he covered it and said,

"Actually, it smells like you had beef jerky and cheddar cheese sticks..."

Sakura sweatdropped, backing up and clearing her throat before continuing.

"Sorry about that mate, but I think you see the point I'm gettin' at. I don't doubt the Oracle is smart and wise, but he CAN'T predict the future. I don't care what he says, we as individuals build our own future."

The blonde Hedgehog shook her head, her soft quills swaying gracefully as she did so.

"But there is one thing he's right on. The Royal Family is gonna hafta be together for us to defeat Robotnik. That's impossible if your Bro and Sis are Roboticized."

"Yeah... and there's no way to change them back. Still... that... doesn't mean I won't stop fighting."

"Doesn't mean any of us will, Manic. You're wrong on one thing though: There IS a way to change them back, just that no one's found it... yet. You listen here now Manic, we're gonna help you get your Bro and Sis back, a'ight? No matter what it takes."

"Y-you'd do that for me?"

"Resistance Members or Mercenaries, it doesn't matter mate. We're all in this fight against Robotnik together. You're our ally, and allies look out for each other."

Manic felt a smile grow across his face, despite the pain of his headache. He leaned his head back on his pillows.

"Thanks Sakura..."

"No problem, mate. Now get some rest so you can eat dinner in a while."

She smiled back to him, getting up and heading for the drapery door, quietly taking her leave so that Manic could rest.

---

A short while passed. Manic had managed to catch a quick nap, but the situation still had his nerves wracked to some extent. It hadn't taken him long to awaken again and feel the need to explore his new surroundings. He got up, grabbed his crutches and headed out the drapery door of his room.

The whole base seemed to be set inside of a cave, lights run along the ceiling and electrical wires hanging about the walls to service electricity to various parts of the base. Somewhat crudely made but purpose-fulfilling wooden furniture occupied most of the 'rooms', one room in particular containing a surprising amount of technical equipment. Manic was a bit surprised to see the like of it in such an unrefined base and so entered said room, gazing at the computers and such around him.

That's when he heard someone mutter to himself across the room, the green Hedgehog's eyes following the sound. There at a computer keyboard sat a black Hedgehog boy with quite a headful of quills that seemed to be in dire need of a comb. He wore a simple gray shirt, denim shorts and a pair of white boots, a gold chain hanging around his neck. He then took notice to the fact that Manic was in the room upon seeing his reflection in the computer screen before him. The Hedgehog turned in his rotary seat, looking to Manic with cobalt blue eyes and something of a cocky smirk. Looking him in the face, Manic could tell the guy wasn't over 14 at the most.

"You must be the prince who got busted in Robotropolis, am I right?"

The boy asked with a chuckle, leaning back in his seat leisurely and crossing one leg over the other. Manic opened his mouth to reply, but the black Hedgehog showed something of a turgid attitude as he abruptly interrupted Manic before he could speak,

"Name's Damien. RJ and I work all the technical tasks of this joint. Y'know, hacking, planning, mapping, that sort of thing."

"Uh, nice to meet you dude. I'm guessing you already know my name from Sakura, right?"

Damien leaned forward to give an answer, but was cut short as a particularly angry voice rang out,

"Damien! Get over here and help me with these *** **** boxes!"

The black Hedgehog sweatdropped, immediately getting up and rushing towards the back of the oversized room. Manic blinked, moving to follow in curiosity.

When he caught up with Damien, he found the boy helping a white Echidna with pinkish-red eyes move some particularly heavy looking boxes full of electronic hardware. The two grunted as they carried the boxes, soon setting them down on a pile with the others and heaving sighs of relief. Damien fanned himself with his hand.

"Geez RJ, do ya have to use such strong language? Its just a few heavy boxes..."

"Don't get smart with me Damien!"

The albino Echidna barked, unruly white bangs of hair swaying as he turned to point an accusing finger at his counterpart.

"All you do is sit around all day at the computers and tap your fingers around on a keyboard while I do all the HARD work!"

"Hey hey, I'm just doing my job man!"

Damien argued in something of a nonchalant manner, seemingly not intimidated by RJ's anger.

"I work the software while you work the hardware. Sounds pretty equal if you ask me."

"Equal? I'm the one who breaks his back all day lugging around and setting up all this junk!"

Manic just stood and observed as the two argued, having decided at first glance of that Echidna that he did NOT wanna get involved in their argument. RJ had a very well toned physique, muscles evident but not ungodly huge. He wore a sleeveless black shirt, blue camo pants, black and blue wristbands and a pair of plain-looking blue shoes. He was definitely different from the Echidnas Manic had seen on Angel Island. In fact, Manic was wondering why RJ was here instead of there.

The argument was heating up between the two technicians, Manic deciding he'd ease away and go explore the rest of the base. However, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what appeared to be a roboticizer sitting in the corner... but it looked different, like it had been modified to some extent. He swallowed hard, then looked to Damien and RJ. To risk facing their wrath for interrupting their argument to question them on the device, or to simply leave them be...

Manic decided to risk it after a few seconds of contemplation, turning to the two and speaking,

"Uh, guys? I hate to interrupt, but can I ask a quick question?"

Damien and RJ turned to him, much to Manic's relief seemingly forgetting their argument totally for the moment.

"Sure, what is it Manic?"

The albino Echidna asked, the green Hedgehog turning back to the Roboticizer.

"This... is this a... REAL Roboticizer?"

He asked, voice almost shaking. Damien walked to him, overlooking the device as well as he began to explain,

"Yup, its a real one all right. We found it in a junk pile after it'd had a malfunction and Robotnik chunked it."

RJ stepped up aside his counterpart and added,

"We repaired the malfunction and have been trying to reverse engineer it into a Deroboticizer."

"Have you had any luck?"

Manic asked hopefully. Both RJ and Damien shook their heads.

"Not really. The most we've been able to do so far is deactivate the function that deprives free will of Roboticization victims."

The Echidna told him, Manic blinking.

"So, it roboticizes without turning people into slaves?"

"That's about the size of it."

Damien replied, shrugging.

"RJ and I have been working on it for months. Hopefully, I'm getting enough data of the internal workings so that I can reverse engineer its programming soon."

"The plan is that when and if we finally get this thing working as a Deroboticizer, we go around stunning Roboticized Mobians with EMP grenades and temporarily deactivating their systems so we can bring them here and Deroboticize them."

RJ added, Manic looking hopeful as he asked,

"So then, before long... we might be able to..."

"Turn your Brother and Sister back to normal, yup."

Damien said with a confident smirk. He looked to RJ.

"We'll fix it up, right RJ?"

"If I can ever get you to do some serious work around here."

"Hey! I do my part!"

Manic couldn't help but chuckle as the two began to argue again, turning his attention away from them and towards the Roboticizer. There was hope yet.


End Chapter 2