Blaze and Tails appeared back in Sonic's dimension, and ran to see Cream.
"Another Blaze? What?" Cream asked, looking over her.
"What other Blaze?" Blaze herself asked. Tails looked around her to see any commotion. Amy burst from behind a few trees, her Piko Piko Hammer landing beside Tails. The other Blaze Cream mentioned came from the trees, grabbed Amy, and caused her to vanish.
*Hmph. That was easy. Pathetically so…* the other Blaze said. She turned to Cream. Cream quivered, and Blaze teleported away with her. Tails turned to the false Blaze, and realised what it was.
"So he's developed a Metal Blaze unit…" Tails said. "Then it's time to dismantle you!
METAL BLAZE
Metal Blaze started the fight with a splatter of embers. Tails dodged each and every one, realising with a start that he hadn't grabbed any Rings. He grabbed the Piko Piko Hammer, and threw it at Metal Blaze. He used a Spin Dash underneath Metal Blaze, and jumped up, grabbing the hammer. Metal Blaze spun into a fiery tornado, and charged at Tails. Tails whacked the tornado with the hammer, lightly dodging the blaze.
*Tails has challenge… must judge him carefully,* Metal Blaze said. She soared away, disappearing into the sky. Blaze teleported in, grabbed Tails, and went back to the Sol Dimension.
"That ran close…" Blaze said. She looked between Tails and Cream.
"How many do you think he has?" Blaze asked. Tails pulled out his Miles Electric, and reconfigured it to provide some GPS input. Static sounded, and Tails promptly undid his alterations.
"I can't tell. But it would be a safe guess to say 'a lot'," Tails said. Blaze sighed.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that… how hard do you think it would be to fight any one of the Metallics?" Blaze asked.
"I would recommend against conflict. I think I only got away from Metal Blaze by fluke," Tails said. He started pacing, trying to figure out a solution to the problem at hand.
"Why not use Super Tails and Super Blaze? That could clear things up… or make things easier, at least," Cream said.
"First, it's Burning Blaze. Second, I need the Super Emeralds for Super Tails, and I don't know for certain if the Sol Emeralds are that powerful," Tails said. Blaze shook her head.
"I have heard no tales of the Sol Emeralds becoming stronger, and if you can't use the Chaos Emeralds, then I doubt the Sol Emeralds will be of use to you," Blaze said.
"But are we going to get the Super Emeralds, then?" Cream asked again. Tails opened his mouth to veto that suggestion, before coming up with no reason.
"Then it's settled. Step one, find the Chaos Emeralds. Step two, power them up into the Super Emeralds. Step three, defeat Metal Tails!" Blaze said. Tails immediately got to work on reconfiguring the Miles Electric to find the Chaos Emeralds.
Tails appeared in a dilapidated old factory. What purpose the factory served was lost to time, if it had prior been obvious. A thin layer of water lined the floor. Tails glided through this old, abandoned factory, wondering why a Chaos Emerald would choose here, of all places, to take rest.
"Do you know where you are?" Blaze asked.
"No… it's an old factory. I know that much. I'm looking for something to help me… ah, there it is!" Tails said. He glided over to an old control room, and looked around. Some of the monitors and keyboards had become worn with disuse and water damage, but there were a few still functioning. He booted up one of them, and waited patiently for the computer to load.
"The technology here looks really old…" Tails remarked. A tell-tale ding indicated that the computer had powered on. An icon told him that he was in the Scrap Brain Zone, a title with little meaning to Tails, and a prompt for a password. Tails entered Eggman's usual password, Eggman. Error. He tried Eggman's old name, Robotnik. Still a failure. Tails drummed the keyboard with concern. Most of Eggman's computers were trapped if three log-in attempts failed. He tried Kintobor, and found it to work.
"Eggman, even back then, your passwords were always incredibly stupid," Tails said. He began typing away at the computer, attempting to glean anything about the Chaos Emerald. However, he merely gleaned that the computers powering the lab were too old for Tails's tricks, and desisted. He could, however, look at the functioning levels and types of the traps. The fact they were set to 'Kill on sight' told Tails that it was relatively safe: if this was the traps at their most dangerous, he'd have no problems.
"Find anything?" Blaze asked.
"Not really. But I should be undisturbed," Tails said.
"Blaze? What's that over by the Chaos Emerald?" Cream asked.
"Oh no… Tails! Take tail!" Blaze said. Tails looked down at his own Miles Electric, and saw it as well.
"This could be bad…" Tails said.
Tails rushed to the location of the Chaos Emerald, noting that some kind of explosion had diminished the amount of walls to avoid. However, at the end of the Scrap Brain Zone, sitting on a pedestal, was the blue Chaos Emerald he had come for. And right by its side was a massive robot. It turned around.
*Big see cute little fox! Big give big hug!* Metal Big said.
METAL BIG
Metal Big jumped into the sky, and gave a body slam into the ground. The massive shockwaves did not faze Tails in the slightest, but did do a good job of doing a number on the floor. Tails spun like a top, and performed a Spin Dash into Metal Big. A few metal plates had fallen from him, only to be swiftly replaced.
*That did not hurt Big!* Metal Big said.
"Darn it… Blaze, he regenerates," Tails said.
"Deal plenty of damage, and try not to cool down after a blow! Combo him!" Blaze said. Metal Big flopped around, and performed another belly flop attack. This sunk the ground further, causing Metal Big to become stuck. Tails jumped up. One, two, three blows before he was forced off by inertia, and Metal Big could recover his footing. One layer of plates had already replenished. Tails performed another combo, but Big still had plenty of plates to catch up with.
"This is hopeless… but maybe…" Tails said. He dived forward and, instead of dealing a hit, he shoved one of his wrenches into one of the holes. The metal plating tried to cover it, only to come to a halt at the sight. Tails performed some more attacks, and the metal plating began to fall from around the wrench. Tails quickly whipped out the Piko Piko Hammer, and mashed a few inside bolts.
*That really hurt… Bad fox! Bad, bad fox! Big go home to cry!* Metal Big said. He ran from the room, hiding how the Metallics would return home. He left behind the Chaos Emerald.
"You got a Chaos Emerald!" Tails said, grabbing it from its perch.
"Um, no, you did," Blaze said.
"Figure of speech. But Organics one, Metallics zero," Tails said. "Unless they already got some of the other Emeralds."
"Yeah, that would be bad. Transfer and get going!" Blaze said. The Chaos Emerald in his hands vanished, and he himself felt himself go to the next level.
Tails landed at the base of a large tower. He looked up, and saw the purple Chaos Emerald at the top of it. He rushed up it, only to quickly be outstripped and pulled along by someone else.
"Come along, fox! We need to get to the Chaotix!" the voice said, dragging Tails along by a tether-ring. He did a spin up the nearest wall, performing a half-loop to the next level.
"Who are you?" Tails asked, regaining his footing and following the new figure, careful to stow away the Miles Electric.
"The name's Mighty, little fox. Mighty the Armadillo. And I'm gonna get back the Chaotix from Robotnik!" Mighty said. Tails found himself being outpaced by the newcomer, and wound up flying instead. Due to the vertical nature of the tower, Tails could start keeping pace with Mighty.
"Robotnik? He's still causing trouble?" Tails asked.
"'Course he is! He took the Chaotix, and converted them into machines to serve him. But he overlooked me, Mighty! Last seen in '95, and I'm coming at ya!" Mighty said. He flipped around a goal post, and started wall jumping the tower. Even Tails flight struggled to keep pace.
"I don't think that's Robotnik. Sounds more like the Metal Tails," Tails said.
"Robotnik, Metal Tails, I don't care! The Chaotix are robotic monsters, and I'm going to get them fixed!" Mighty said.
Tails and Mighty made it to the top of the tower, where the purple Chaos Emerald was lying in wait.
"That's what I came here for!" Tails said. He ran forward, but Mighty held him back with the tether-ring. Metal Espio revealed his camouflaged form, and Metal Vector and Metal Charmy appeared at his sides.
*Enemy detected! Time for maximum stinging!* Metal Charmy said.
*You will be no match for my confounding and mysterious ninja moves,* Metal Espio added.
*Nor my jaws! It's crunch time! Everyone attack at once!* Metal Vector finished.
"What have they done to you… no matter. I will… I will save you, Chaotix!" Mighty said.
METAL CHAOTIX
Metal Charmy's sting, Metal Espio's shuriken and Metal Vector's breath blast were launched almost immediately, and Tails and Mighty jumped to either side of the radius. The tether-ring began to reach its limit, and snapped the two back together. Tails dropped the ring, and flew up to meet Metal Charmy. Metal Charmy charged at Tails, and missed him. His stinger wedged into a wall, and Tails struck him three times. Metal Charmy gave off a small explosion, and hit the ground.
"Good going, fox! Now how do we get them out of the robotics?" Mighty asked.
"…You know, I never tried," Tails said. "But less chat, more combat!"
Mighty ran up to Metal Vector, and scooped him up. He threw Metal Vector like a wheel towards Metal Espio. Metal Espio easily sidestepped Metal Vector's barrel roll, and he hit the wall behind Metal Espio. Tails flew down, and used a three hit combo to finish Metal Vector.
*Only one left… you will never predict my confusing and powerful attacks!* Metal Espio said. He spun around, summoned a shuriken, and hurled it towards the area between Tails and Mighty. Metal Espio gasped in surprise: he had missed!
"Now how did you think you would hit either of us?" Mighty asked.
*I don't understand… I am the perfect assassin!* Metal Espio said.
"I think two of us fried his circuits… they're powerful robots… but they're still robots!" Tails remarked.
"Of course! Let's hope Metal Tails doesn't twig!" Blaze said. Mighty raised an eyebrow, but Tails shook his head. Metal Espio activated his cloaking device, and walked about invisibly.
"Now what?" Mighty asked. Tails spotted the Chaos Emerald, and scanned it with the Miles Electric. It vanished. No matter what happened, he had raised the score in the Organic's favour.
"No, seriously, what's the plan?" Mighty asked. Tails did a Spin Dash, and cycled around the room. He struck Metal Espio, flickering his cloak. Mighty used his own Spin Dash, striking Metal Espio. Tails used a quick jump, finishing off Metal Espio, and the Metal Chaotix.
*Excellent work, twin-tail…* a metallic voiced sound said.
"Metal Tails!" Tails said.
"I recognise that sound… so it wasn't Robotnik!" Mighty added.
*Yes, twin-tail… Well done for defeating the first of my robot clan! I hope you found them quite friendly…* Metal Tails said.
"I hate you," Tails said. He heard a faint slapping noise, as Blaze turned her nose up at Tails unremarkable statement.
*Reasonable. After all, I suppose the blueprints for my army are the units you call friend. So… you're after the Emeralds, too?* Metal Tails said.
"You want them, fiend? For what purpose could that be?" Tails asked.
*Not telling you. My program informs me you are smart. What possessed you to think I'd tell you?* Metal Tails asked. *Anyway, I suppose, while I have you within my grasp, I will be- wait, what?* Tails began revolving, and disappeared into the next level.
*…I hate you so much right now, twin-tail. But I guess I've still got another robot here…*
Tails appeared in a sprawling theme park. The icon of the moustachioed egg-head plastered all about the place meant only one thing: he was in Eggmanland.
"Did we have to leave Mighty behind?" Tails asked.
"We've got to get the Super Emeralds first and foremost. Even if you could undo roboticisation, Metal Tails would just redo it. And I think we both know what will happen if you get caught and infused with a Metal," Blaze said.
Tails shook himself from his reverie, and pressed on through the level. A large amount of laser walls and foes tried to stop him, but he simply boosted on through. He crossed about slopes and tunnels, and eventually came up on some kind of hourglass. He whacked it with his tail, and turned it over to signify night. He felt his body begin to contort, as his claws grew longer, his jaw became sharper, and he became all around more feral. The Piko Piko Hammer came out, and changed shape to become much spikier.
"I detect a lot of negative energy coming from your location. What is occurring?" Blaze asked.
"I… I'm the Werefox!" Tails roared. His tails began to stretch out, and he latched on to a higher ledge. A small army of robots assailed his position, to be met by the Piko Piko Hammer. After creating a large scrap metal pile out of the beasts, he stepped forth intimidatingly. The field underfoot cracked, and disappeared underneath. Tails immediately felt his negative energy seep out.
*Now, now, Tails. All patrons in the park who turn into vicious monsters will be put down. Didn't you read the sign?* a robotic voice asked. Tails looked around the new room he was in, to see a massive robot appear. One arm was a line of massive cylinders, and the other was a drill. This was the Egg Dragoon.
"Eggman! Why unleash Metal Tails?" Tails asked. A symbol appeared on the chest of the Egg Dragoon- the Eggman symbol. It started to open and close its mouth.
*Why else? To destroy Sonic once and for all, and take over the world! Do I ever do different?* the Egg Dragoon said. Tails slowly pieced together what had happened.
"…Dr Eggman? Metal Tails turned you, too?" Tails asked.
*It's Robotnik Eggman now, you foolish fox!* the Egg Dragoon, or Eggman, said.
"…Robotnik Eggman? That just sounds… really weird," Tails said.
*You don't get it? Robotnik, robot… ah, forget it! A fool like you should be lining Master Tails's circuits, not making a fool of yourself on Eggman property!* Metal Eggman said. He opened his top, and revealed the red Chaos Emerald. Tails gasped, and flew up to retrieve it. Metal Eggman's drill sent him to the ground, and the chase began.
METAL EGGMAN DRAGOON
The Eggman Dragoon glided away from Tails steadily, preparing its fire. Tails glided on after it, waiting for an opening. The Eggman Dragoon appeared beside Tails, and began shooting bolts of ice. Tails sidestepped them easily. The Eggman Dragoon created two barriers, and pinned Tails between them. He began shooting bolts of ice down, which Tails wall jumped between, before spinning about and whacking at the shield around the Chaos Emerald with the Piko Piko Hammer. He scored a direct hit, and the Eggman Dragoon spiralled back. Taking his chance, Tails hit the grind rails. He scooted along, and hit a red ring, soaring through the sky, and hitting the Chaos Emerald again.
*How dare you… Against the Ultra-Hyper Prototype III! Out of my sight!* Metal Eggman said. He shot behind a pink wall, disappearing. Tails spotted an hourglass, and struck it, converting to the Werefox. Tails dived on past the pink wall as well, to find himself falling. He focused, and let his tails slow his descent so that he'd land on the falling land softly. The Eggman Dragoon hovered beside this land.
*I've got you now, werefox!* Metal Eggman said.
"Not on my watch!" Tails the Werefox said back. He leaped at the Eggman Dragoon, and clung to his glowing green weak spot. The Eggman Dragoon fired its drill, and Tails dodged neatly to one side. The drill lodged into the glowing green weak point, and pierced its way inside. Tails glided up, and smashed two holes in the cockpit with his tails. He pried the red Chaos Emerald from its nest, and threw it onto the falling piece of ground. The Eggman Dragoon began to spiral down and down further.
"That was your power source, Metal Eggman? Don't put your eggs all in one basket!" Tails said. He retrieved the red Chaos Emerald, and the two teleported to their respective destinations.
The next place Tails landed, like the Scrap Brain Zone before it, was unknown to him. It was a factory-like place, but Tails could not identify where, or what it was making, or even what adventure of Sonic's this place was.
"Where am I?" Tails asked into his Miles Electric.
"Nowhere near us, that's for sure. Your readings are fuzzy *krstch* and our connection isn't 100%," Blaze said.
"But I calibrated it so that our connection would be perfect anywhere on either Earth or Mobius. And you're even in a different dimension!" Tails said. He put away the Miles Electric, and took his first steps into this place. Signposts told him he was in the future, but he wasn't entirely sure he could put stock in that statement.
*Hey, you!* a familiar voice said. One of the Metallics approached him, its pink hue making it instantly recognisable.
"Amy? Aren't I supposed to find you, not the other way around?" Tails asked.
"Amy? Please be careful, Mr Tails!" Cream said into the Miles Electric.
*Yeah, I've got the Chaos Emerald you want right here,* Metal Amy said, holding up her equivalent to the Piko Piko Hammer, and opening it, revealing a turquoise glow.
"Then why haven't you scurried back to Metal Tails, hm?" Tails asked.
*You have something I want. This Piko Piko Hammer substitute is quite effective, and the Chaos Emerald boosts its power quite significantly… but it's not mine. I want my Piko Piko Hammer back,* Metal Amy said.
"That isn't going to happen!" Tails said.
METAL AMY
Metal Amy ran towards Tails much faster than Tails anticipated. Although he was charging a Spin Dash, he quickly switched to blocking Metal Amy's swing with his own Piko Piko Hammer. He stepped back, and Amy stepped forward. She swung her Piko Piko Hammer, which Tails jumped over, and landed beside Metal Amy. Metal Amy stepped back, to try and put Tails inside the Piko Piko Hammer's reach. Tails realised his advantage, and pressed it. He curled into a ball, and shot into Amy directly inside her range shadow, causing her to lose her grip on the hammer. It fell from her grasp, and Tails scooped it up. He opened it, and flung the Chaos Emerald out of the tip. It disappeared, and he knew Blaze collected it.
*OK, now that was just mean!* Metal Amy said, as Tails threw her back the fake Piko Piko Hammer.
"Hey… that's what I'm here for!" Tails said, as he activated the sequence for escaping to the next level.
*…How rude…* Metal Amy said in a melancholy fashion.
Tails next stop landed him inside a very familiar vehicle. He looked around, and began to recognise his location.
"Did you *krstch* make it out OK?" Blaze asked.
"All right! I'm in the fifth area now. It looks like it's still in space, though," Tails said. He looked at the controls of his old Cyclone, trying to familiarise himself with them. The Cyclone did a sequence of odd things that, to an observer, would make it look like the Cyclone was glitching, before Tails finally found the proper buttons. He pressed on, feeling the Cyclone regain the role of an extension of Tails's body.
"OK!" Tails said, starting to walk about the Eternal Engine. He decided to hover through the wreckage of the last time he was here, and found only token resistance. He reached the power generator of the Space Colony ARK, and spotted the green Chaos Emerald. A dark blur shot like a line, wiping the Chaos Emerald from its resting spot.
"Hey!" Tails cried out. He switched his Cyclone to Tornado-III mode, and sped up after the blur. His machine was designed to keep pace with Sonic. Anything with that speed should be no problem.
Tails followed the black blur through space, feeling grateful the green blur of the Chaos Emerald was available to track. He had to create a protective dome for himself, but that was simple.
*Unbelievable…* the black blur said. He turned about, and levelled the Chaos Emerald. With a wide blast, Tails felt himself slow down.
*To think I had a tail… I have let my guard slip. But don't think I'm like Metal Tails's other creations… I will not allow you to whisk the Chaos Emerald from my grasp with nothing more than a battle. Be seeing you,* the Metallic form of Shadow said. He put the Chaos Emerald into his chest, and dived back to Earth. Tails felt himself able to speed up.
"Blaze! Cut him off! It's Metal Shadow!" Tails said.
"I'm on my *krstch* way!" Blaze said.
Metal Shadow glided down the beam, glad he had let his little twin-tail slip. He heard a few footsteps, and looked up. He saw a tremendously hot figure with his heat sensors, and groaned. If he knew his foes, Blaze would be a harder person to give the slip than Tails was. He resigned himself to a fight if need be, but he was going to give Plan A his best shot. He shot from the beam, and Blaze collided with him. They both landed on a road.
METAL SHADOW
Blaze began her charge, watching Metal Shadow skate along beside her. Metal Shadow began absorbing Rings, charging for an attack. Blaze started colliding with Metal Shadow, causing the Ring magnet to become disrupted. Blaze spun, and drew the rings to her. Metal Shadow groaned, and increased his speed. Blaze started blazing forth, trying to catch up. Fire began to form under her feet, and Blaze grinned. She scooped up an orb of fire, and threw it at Metal Shadow. Two more soon followed, and Metal Shadow was thrown head over heels. He landed on his feet, and pulled out the Chaos Emerald. He focused, and threw a spear made of light. Blaze grabbed it in one hand, and threw it right back. Blaze charged forward, and grabbed the Chaos Emerald.
"Blaze Power Up!" she said, feeling a new energy surge through her body. She ran forth, and began creating small little explosions. Metal Shadow started to glitch a little, before falling to his knees, defeated. Blaze returned to her own dimension, taking the Chaos Emerald with her.
Tails was teleported from the Cyclone almost as soon as it had landed. He began to look around, to identify his location.
"Are you all right? I got the fifth Emerald," Blaze said. Tails gulped.
"Tails?" Blaze asked again.
"This looks like Soleanna's laboratory," Tails said. He looked about. Angry red lizards that were overlooking him, floating silver orbs… this was the Aquatic Base of Soleanna, all right.
"And? What's so bad about Soleanna?" Blaze asked.
"The place was swarming with little bugs in the very fabric of reality itself. Although, whenever Sonic, Shadow or Silver mention it, they almost never mention that aspect," Tails said.
"Oh, you've been there before. To be honest, I've never even heard of Soleanna… keep an eye out for those seams in reality!" Blaze said. Tails nodded, and began flying. One saving grace was that Tails never felt tired in Soleanna. A laser grid deactivated as Tails made his approach, and he began to wonder if any of the little bugs that plagued this land would be malicious this time.
*It's no use!* a squeaky metal voice shouted, stopping Tails in his tracks. He had made it into this room with only one visit to the netherworld that was the exterior of this lab, but that was only brief, with one tail firmly planted inside where he was supposed to be. He was willing to call that a success.
*Take this!* Metal Silver finished, blasting Tails backwards. Tails hurriedly scooped up his rings, and stood his ground.
METAL SILVER
Silver pulled back the gloves on his hands, and focused. A few crates in the room were levitated, and the green shapes flew at Tails. Tails kicked one, two, three of them, before eventually making it up to hit Silver. His strike landed, and Metal Silver fell to the ground. He performed a breakfall, and started hovering. Tails followed suit, and Metal Silver gave an annoyed noise.
*You little fox!* Metal Silver cried out. He folded his arms, and created blades of compressed air. The green scythes charged at Tails, which Tails nimbly dodged. Metal Silver groaned, and focused again. A compressed air blade appeared directly behind Tails, and came forward. Tails was knocked to the ground, but the blade itself continued and hit Metal Silver.
*Give up!* Metal Silver said, descending portions of the roof on Tails. Tails rolled out of the way, and uncertainly resumed his feet. He looked up, and noticed the netherworld outside of the Aquatic Base was now in view.
"Follow me, Silver!" Tails said, floating up. Metal Silver hovered up faster than Tails, beating him to the world's exterior. He let out an anguished roar, and disappeared.
"Bad idea to enter that place…" Tails said. He looked around. The yellow Chaos Emerald was lying in wait, presumably left so that Metal Silver could ambush Tails. That plan went well for Metal Tails. It disappeared into the Sol Dimension, and Tails moved on to the final level.
Tails found himself flung to a base in a dark and stormy cloud. What he found more interesting was the fact that both Blaze and Cream had followed him.
"What are you two doing here?" Tails asked.
"I have no idea, Tails…" Blaze said.
"Where are we, Mr Tails?" Cream asked. Tails looked around thoughtfully.
"I think we're in the Final Fortress, Eggman's final domain in our… wait… no, this was Metal Sonic's final domain!" Tails said.
"Then what are we waiting for? I'll go forth!" Blaze said. She began running forward, with Tails and Cream rushing after her. She pulled the three into a Triangle Dive, and they flew up a fan to the next level. A trio of large Eggman's Robots with hammers were waiting for them.
"My turn," Cream said, pulling Tails and Blaze into a stack. She fired the pair of them at the robots, knocking aside their helmets.
"I'll go forth!" Blaze said, pulling Tails and Cream into fists, and firing them at the robots until they exploded. A small spike appeared from the ground, and became a large pole.
"Got it!" Tails said. He whipped up a tornado, and the three whirled around the pole, rocketing upwards until they reached the top. Tails flung them from the pole, and they started grinding along a beam of energy. They landed in front of a door, and saw a few more hammer robots, as well as some flying ones, guarding a door.
"We don't have time for this!" Blaze said. She curled her hands into flames, and pointed them to either side. Tails and Cream scooped up some of these flames themselves, and threw them upwards, to create a makeshift Team Blast. The robots crashed and burned, and Tails, Blaze and Cream were able to reach a massive button. The three stepped on it, and were launched skyward by a massive explosion.
"That was dangerous, but really cool," Cream said.
"A self-destruct switch! How convienient!" Blaze said.
"Hm. Wonder why it self-destructed!" Tails said. The three landed on a series of grind rails, and grinded further into the base.
"Yellow laser coming!" Blaze cried out. Tails hurriedly dodged the blast, and they reached the springs. They launched into the sky, and landed on another set of grind rails.
"Oh look, more laser cannons, how original," Blaze said nonchalantly.
"One, two, three, four laser cannons! We'd better watch out!" Cream counted.
"I see another self-destruct switch!" Tails said. He increased his speed, hurriedly weaving through the laser cannons. Blaze and Cream moved forward, dodging the laser cannons, before spotting a massive one charging a huge beam.
"Hang on, Miss Blaze!" Cream said, grabbing her hands, and pulling her up. The large laser cannon twisted slightly, and exploded, leaving behind a platform. Cream quickly flew over to it, to see Tails panting heavily.
"We did it, team!" Blaze said, smiling slightly at her two partners.
*Yeah, well done, Tails!* a cocky metal voice called out.
"Oh, no…" Tails said.
*Welcome to the Final Fortress, Tails. And you two, Blaze and… uh… I'll get back to you on your name, rabbit. It's so nice of you to come on such short notice…* Metal Sonic said.
"Sonic, you're not one of Metal Tails's minions! Snap out of it!" Tails said.
"Please don't fight us, Mr Sonic!" Cream said.
*Aw, would you look at that? You think you're going to buy over the original Sonic by invoking that worthless copy! Besides… do you want this?* Metal Sonic asked, holding up the white Chaos Emerald.
"Blaze, grab it!" Tails said. Blaze charged forward like wildfire, and Metal Sonic dodged to one side at the speed of light.
*Not going to work, cat! If you want the Chaos Emerald that badly, you're going to have to defeat me!" Metal Sonic said.
"We can do that easily. You with me, guys?" Blaze asked.
"I will help you, Blaze!" Cream said. Tails was less comfortable.
"Tails, come on. You've fought the Metals of your other friends already. What's stopping you taking on this one?" Blaze asked.
"I… might have killed Silver," Tails said. "I'm not going to kill Sonic!"
"Tails, it looks like we don't have a choice! We've got to defeat Metal Sonic!" Blaze said. Metal Sonic started spinning on the spot, and dived at Blaze. Blaze jumped over him, and landed atop him, sending him sprawling.
*Well, if that didn't work…* Metal Sonic said. He zoomed towards a portion of the Final Fortress, and pulled out huge chunks of metal. He started assembling them around his body, turning into the Metal Overlord.
"Remember what I said about our lack of choice? We have even less now!" Blaze said.
"…You're right… I will defeat you, S- Metal Sonic!" Tails said. Blaze summoned the Sol Emeralds to her side, and triggered her Burning Blaze form. The power of the Sol Emeralds extended out, and created powerful and protective barriers for Tails and Cream.
*You think you can stop me? A fox, a cat, and a rabbit?* Metal Overlord asked.
Yes, I think that we can. We will show you what we're made of! Burning Blaze said. She charged at Metal Sonic, with Tails and Cream not too far behind. Metal Overlord cleaved down on them, an attack doomed to failure. He shot ice blasts from his chest, an attack Tails pierced easily.
"Hold on, Blaze! I'll go get us Rings!" Cream said, diving down into the Final Fortress. Burning Blaze felt some Ring energy seep into her. She fired heavy fireballs at Metal Overlord, torching at least one joint, but not dealing sufficient damage for defeat.
*Is that all you've got, Blaze? I was expecting more out of you, you infernal cat!* Metal Overlord said.
Sonic? If you're in there, this is for what you've done for me! Burning Blaze said. Cream shot up, and the three heroes formed a triangle. They launched to the Metal Overlord, diving in and out of his joints. Tails nabbed the Chaos Emerald, and Metal Overlord slowed his functions. Burning Blaze spun around, and sent the trio to the Sol Dimension.