"At last… we have all of the Chaos Emeralds…" Tails panted.

"Good thing, too. The Metal Tails was after them, too. Wouldn't want him to get his hands on the things, would we?" Blaze added. "Now how do we power them up?"

"Hidden Palace Zone, on Angel Island," Tails said almost immediately. He slowed down his movements, coming to a sudden realisation.

"What? What's wrong with that?" Blaze asked.

"Knuckles is supposed to watch over the Master Emerald! But he's Metal now…" Tails said.

"Don't tell me you've gone soft on the Metal Units. Remember, Tails… they're the enemy! We've no choice but to take them down!" Blaze said.

"It's not that… Metal Knuckles could easily get Metal Tails the Master Emerald. Possibly," Tails said. Blaze grabbed Tails' wrist, and the pair teleported to Angel Island.


Tails flew through Angel Island, Blaze holding on to his arms. Fatigue was trying its hardest to edge into him, but his own sheer determination allowed him to ignore this inconvenient fact. Within a few minutes, the pair had reached the Master Emerald, to see two shapes in a duel.

"That's right! I forgot!" Tails said, almost jubilant. Metal Knuckles was facing off against Organic Knuckles. Metal Tails had never actually made Metal Knuckles one of the combined forms who had hunted the Chaos Emeralds. That relief was short lived, however, as that fact would change without his intervention. Tails quickly curled into his spinball form, and dashed into Metal Knuckle's back. Metal Knuckles was sent reeling, and Knuckles could follow the blow with his own punch, knocking Metal Knuckles off the nearest cliff.

"Not half bad, Tails. Though I did have that fight in the bag," Knuckles remarked.

"Knuckles, Metal Tails has gone rogue, and his army includes just about everyone we know. I've seen Big, the Chaotix, Eggman, Amy, Shadow, Silver, Sonic… and I suspect Mighty as well," Tails said. Knuckles's eyes widened in horror.

"Well, then, we've got to do something!" Knuckles said.

"Exactly. That's why we're here. Which way to the Hidden Palace?" Blaze asked.

"We have the Chaos Emeralds… we just need to power them up to the Super Emeralds," Tails added, in response to Knuckles's raised eyebrow.

"Well… if you want the Super Emeralds, I'd suggest taking a bit of a shortcut," Knuckles said. He went to the Master Emerald, and held it up. A giant ring appeared as if from nowhere.

"Get in there. And be quick about it," Knuckles said. Tails bowed in thanks, and the pair of Tails and Blaze dived in the giant ring, which vanished back into nowhere as they passed through.


Tails and Blaze appeared in the Hidden Palace Zone. Ignoring the long-since passed prophecy regarding the Master Emerald, the pair bolted straight towards a bizarre contraption, and threw the Chaos Emeralds into their respective locations. They glittered and shone, and became the Super Emeralds.

"That's it?" Blaze asked.

"It was a lot harder last time I did this. Angel Island probably knows that we don't have time for that. Or we only needed to do it the hard way once. One or the other," Tails said. He jumped up, and scooped up all seven Super Emeralds.

"But however it happened, we have the Super Emeralds. Defeating Metal Tails is starting to look feasible," Tails said. Blaze teleported the two from one place to another.


Tails, Blaze, and Cream teleported to land in front of the base Metal Tails had constructed for himself. The place looked massive, but Metal Tails simply drifted down to land in front of the trio.

*Here so soon?* Metal Tails asked.

"You bet we are! And we're going to kick some tail!" Blaze said.

*Tut, tut… we can't have that, now can we?* Metal Tails asked. He snapped his fingers, and a trio of new Metallics arrived. Metal Mighty, Metal Rouge, and Metal Knuckles.

"My goddess… we leave you be for five minutes and you turn to metal?" Blaze asked Metal Knuckles.

*You didn't defeat Metal Knuckles earlier. You just broke a stalemate,* Metal Knuckles said.

*We're on a bit of a treasure hunt, Organic Tails. We're looking for seven jewels called the Super Emeralds,* Metal Rouge said.

"Well, you're not getting them!" Tails said, rising from the ground. The seven Super Emeralds started spinning around him, as he paused.

"Let me think… oh, right," Tails said, before being zapped by Metal Tails' cannon. Metal Knuckles and Metal Rouge ran forward, and scooped up the Super Emeralds, before tossing them to Metal Tails.

*Perfect! I now have both the Super Emeralds and the Master Emerald in my possession! World domination is merely a hop, skip and a jump away!* Metal Tails said, returning to deep within the base. Tails ran forward, but was stopped by Metal Mighty.

*Step no further. Metal Tails needs us to stop you getting in his way…* Metal Mighty said.

"We'll defeat you! Just as we've done to all your friends!" Blaze called out.


TEAM TREASURE

Tails dived forth, and created a gust of wind. The robots were launched into the air, to be grabbed by Metal Rouge. Metal Rouge fired Metal Mighty at Cream, knocking her to the ground.

"No!" Blaze cried out. She scooped up Tails, and fired him at Metal Mighty. Metal Mighty rolled into a ball, and rolled away, out of the fight. Tails created another Tornado, and launched both Metal Rouge and Metal Knuckles into the sky.

"We've got to hurry!" Blaze said, scooping up Cream. Tails pulled out his Miles Electric, and flew forward, Blaze following behind with Cream. Tails used the ability to scan for the Emeralds to find Metal Tails.


The group arrived in an overly large room. On the other side, Metal Tails was tinkering with a mech, the Super Emeralds lying at his feet.

*Hold it!* a female robot voice said. Landing in between Tails and Metal Tails was Metal Blaze. Blaze stepped forward, glaring at her counterpart.

"We've got to defeat Metal Tails! Step aside!" Tails pleaded.

"Not going to happen. She hasn't got a shred of Organic within her. That, of course, means I'll be dismantling this one!" Blaze said. Metal Blaze let out a hiss. Parts of her began to automatically rewire themselves. Her purple plating turned red, and fire began flowing out of her body.

"Hm… you think it's going to be that simple?" Blaze asked. She spun around, and allowed the Sol Emeralds to power her up to Burning Blaze.

Let's fight now! Blaze said. Metal Blaze raised her hands, and a circular arena of flame appeared around the two cats, locking Tails and Cream out of the room, and leaving Metal Tails free to tinker.


METAL BURNING BLAZE

Metal Burning Blaze stepped forward menacingly. She charged forward, and met Burning Blaze's foot. Burning Blaze dashed forth, plinking off Metal Burning Blaze. The two glared at each other. Burning Blaze spun her hand around, and shot a burst of flame at Metal Burning Blaze. Metal Burning Blaze simply increased the temperature, dissipating the flames. Or at the very least, merely causing them to become useless.

My goddess… we're in a stalemate! Burning Blaze exclaimed.

*So it seems, Organic one…* Metal Burning Blaze said. She charged forward, and kicked Burning Blaze in the chest. She stepped on both of Burning Blaze's wrists, and cooled the fire around Metal Tails. Tails, however, was still locked out.

"NO!" Tails cried out. Metal Tails turned from his mech, and his hands flurried about between Burning Blaze and Metal Burning Blaze. With a burst of purple light, Metal Tails' general was at full capacity.

Metal Burning Blaze smiled. The Sol Emeralds rested on the backs of her hands, her forehead, her breasts and her outer ankles, glowing with full strength. Somehow, Tails doubted that Metal Burning Blaze was going to revert.

*My gratitude, Master Tails. I can now finally defeat Tails, and your strength will reach full potential! The world is about to become Metal!* Metal Burning Blaze said triumphantly.

*Speaking of which… the Master Beryl is now complete! Both the Master and the Super Emeralds will allow me to achieve world domination!* Metal Tails boasted. Tails clenched his fist.

"Not if I have anything to say about it, you won't," Tails said. Metal Tails flew up, and soared into a hatch on top of the Master Beryl. The Master Beryl sprung to life, revealing itself as a limp, lifeless version of Tails. It seemed almost like a doll, and were it not for the deliberate mistakes, it would appear that the Master Beryl was simply a bigger Metal Tails.

*Like it? I based it on one of that fool Eggman's failed designs of making me. You haven't seen the last of it… and I doubt you ever will!* Metal Tails boasted. The Master Beryl magnified his voice a millionfold.

"Please be careful, Mr Tails!" Cream pleaded. Tails spun his tails around rapidly, and began to fly. All of a sudden, he felt insignificant against his foes.


MASTER BERYL

The Master Beryl hovered in the air, the head supporting the limp body. Twin laser beams shot from either eye, which Tails nimbly dodged. The effort sent him perspiring slightly, and Tails realised, with a start, how out of shape he was for this. He couldn't fly indefinitely… but he couldn't afford to stop. He reached for his Miles Electric.

*Lose the gadgets, tails!* Metal Burning Blaze said, lobbing a fireball at Tails. Tails flipped around, dodging the fiery orb, but feeling the Miles Electric fall out of his hands. He watched its descent, realising he was in for a long day of work building a replacement.

*Not so tough now, are you, tails?* Metal Burning Blaze asked. Her Sol Emeralds shone brightly, and a few more streams of fire blasted at Tails. Tails whizzed past each one, and felt a few of his hairs singed off. He pulled out the Piko Piko Hammer, and looked across at his foes in determination.


"You can do it, Mr Tails!" Cream called out from the ground. All she could see from the ground were the lower points of the Master Beryl's tails. She shivered slightly, and heard a few clanking noises. She turned around, and noticed a slew of shapes step forward.

"Eep!" Cream cried out. All of Metal Tails' Metallic army had appeared, from Metal Sonic to Metal Mighty.

*Cute rabbit!* Metal Big said cheerfully. Cream felt Cheese land in her ears, but what would one Chao do against this army?

*CLUNK*

Something had fallen from the sky, landing on Metal Amy's head. Metal Amy looked up, to see the Piko Piko Hammer.

*Finally… I've got my hammer back!* Metal Amy said.

"A-A-Amy…" Cream said, backing up slightly.

*Don't worry, Cream. This won't hurt a bit…* Metal Amy said. Cream closed her eyes, and heard the sound of hammer against… metal? She opened her eyes, and saw a not insignificant portion of the Metal army thrown against the wall.

"Amy?" Cream asked excitedly.

*Did you really think I was going to hurt you, Cream?* Metal Amy asked, holding her hammer on her shoulder confidently. Cream looked dumbfounded.

"Amy, look out!" she cried out. Metal Mighty flung himself at Metal Amy, and Metal Amy swung her Piko Piko Hammer at him, knocking him out of flight.

*Now look what you guys have gone and done. Tails is up there, fighting on his own, and we're down here, beating up on the little kid!* Metal Amy said.

*What do you mean, alone? He's got Blaze!* Metal Silver said.

*…Yes… They both do,* Metal Amy said. Cream stepped back, and watched all of the Metallics shoot into the air in synch.


Tails' pockets were empty. For perhaps the first time in his life, he didn't have a plan. He couldn't stop his Metal counterpart, like Sonic could.

*Am I seeing the start of an organic blue screen there? Cut to the chase, and let me singe you to pieces, tails!* Metal Burning Blaze said.

"Tails… Tails?" he asked.

*Oh great, he's malfunctioning!* Metal Burning Blaze said.

"No… it seems like you're the one who's malfunctioning, Me… no, Blaze! You're in control! I can feel it!" Tails called out. Metal Burning Blaze's next fireball was in the palm of her hand, but she deigned to toss it.

*What are you doing, my general? Knock him out of flight already!* the Master Beryl said.

*No…* Metal Burning Blaze said, tossing a fireball right back at the Master Beryl. It caused the fireball to vanish, and the Sol Emeralds lost their power. Metal Burning Blaze started to malfunction, and dropped from the sky.

*Teach you to disobey your master!* the Master Beryl said. With another blast of lasers, Tails was struck. His tails stopped whirring, and he began to fall. Tails closed his eyes: he had failed.

*C'mon, step it up!* a familiar, laid-back voice said. Tails opened his eyes back up, to see Metal Sonic holding onto him.

*Don't forget us!* Metal Mighty said, punching a hole in the Master Beryl, and pulling out a Super Emerald. Several more of the Metallics followed suit, tossing them all forward in rhythm. The limp limbs of the Master Beryl forestalled Metal Tails' attempt to grab them before Metal Knuckles, who passed them to Tails.

*It's all up to you, Tails. Show 'im what you're made of!* Metal Sonic said.

*Enough! Worthless, the lot of you!* Metal Tails cried out. The Master Beryl's eyes glowed a deep blue, and the Metallic Army lost power at once. Tails started hovering, holding the Super Emeralds. He looked down, and saw Cream flying up, holding the wreckage of Metal Burning Blaze. Tails dived down, and closed his eyes. The Super Emeralds surrounded the trio.

*What…* Metal Burning Blaze asked weakly. The Super Emeralds dived in to the trio, and they powered up.

Tails became Super Tails, glowing golden with vitality. Four Super Flickies surrounded him, their brows furrowed with power.

The Metal Burning Blaze Unit's Sol Emeralds began to shine once more, and Metal Burning Blaze was back in business.

Cream felt Cheese's inner power flow through her, and saw two more Chao in her hands. She crossed them, her energy as Chaos Cream empowering her spirit.

*What…* Master Beryl said.

We will show you what we're made of! Chaos Cream said.

We have what it takes to fight you! Super Emeralds against Master Emerald! Super Tails said.

*And you're not deactivating this Burning Blaze!* Metal Burning Blaze exclaimed.

MASTER BERYL

Super Tails shot forward, and let his Flickies start pecking at the Master Beryl. Chaos Cream levelled her arm, and shot two Chao directly into the Master Beryl's eyes. Metal Burning Blaze shot a fireball at Master Beryl's neck, causing an opening to form. Super Tails quickly glided his way through, and landed in the cockpit beside Metal Tails.

*You!* Metal Tails cried out. Another burst of fire, and the bottom of the Master Beryl remained. Chaos Cream and Metal Burning Blaze remained on standby, waiting for Super Tails. Super Tails' Flickies dived in at out at Metal Tails, and he tried to swat them away.

*Don't go to that control panel!* Metal Tails said. *There's… a self-destruct button to destroy all of your friends!*

That one over there, the big red one in the protective glass? I knew you'd never have a reason to press it before they rebelled. This switch, however, is the one that turns them all back on! Super Tails said, flipping the on-off switch to on with great gusto.

*You… how did you do this?* Metal Tails asked.

There's nothing less corruptible than an organic spirit. Show's over, Super Tails said, knocking Metal Tails out of the roof of the Master Beryl. He followed him, and looked around at the Metallics.

Now I just need to fix you all, Super Tails said.

*Oh, that won't be necessary…* one of the Metallics said from behind Super Tails.

Uh oh…


Robotnik! Super Tails cried out.

*Oh, now you call me that… you moronic fox! I can't believe I was so scared of you! But not any more… because I've got myself a nice, shiny new mech, and it's all thanks to you! Metal Eggman said, still assuming the form of a mech. He dived in to the Master Beryl, and reconfigurements spun around. The Master Beryl morphed into something more.

*Say hello to the Rubellite Andesine!* Metal Eggman said. Super Tails just stared blankly.

I think you're taking this gem theme naming just a little bit too far… Super Tails said.

*Fine. It's the Egg Fox. Happy?* Metal Eggman asked. *No, wait, why am I bothering? I will squish you here and now, meddlesome twin-tail!* He looked around, and blasted Super Tails, causing the power of the Super Emeralds to slow down. Metal Burning Blaze held the now depowered Tails and Cream in each hand. Tails looked up, and saw Metal Tails finally come back down.

"That's it!" he said. He started flying, and grabbed Metal Tails.

*Twin-tail?* Metal Tails asked. Tails started hurriedly performing an operation on the pair. With a yellow glow, Metal Tails became the cyborg he always wanted to be.

*Tails?* Metal Burning Blaze asked.

*Who else?* Metal Tails asked. He fired a Buzz Bomber from his cannon, and created a Metal Cream casing around Cream. He held up the Super Emeralds again, and the three became their Super forms once more.

*Bah! I don't understand why, but sure, I'll take on your Metal forms. After all, I have the switch right here!* Metal Eggman said. He flipped it, and saw no change.

*What?* Metal Eggman asked.

*Super Tails, Eggman. Super Tails!* Metal Super Tails said.

EGG FOX

Metal Super Tails shot forward, firing four Buzz Flickies from his cannon. They flew to some of the Egg Fox's most vulnerable spots, and Metal Burning Blaze shot fireballs directly at each one. Metal Chaos Cream pulled out three Metal Chao, and threw all three directly at the Egg Fox. The Egg Fox started smoking, and spinning in circles.

*Tails! Use the real super power of teamwork!* Metal Sonic encouraged. Metal Super Tails grabbed the wrists of both Metal Burning Blaze and Metal Chaos Cream, and charged at the remnants of the Egg Fox. It burst, and the last of its pieces fell to the ground.


"You've done a good job, Tails," Sonic said, dusting his hands. It felt great to be back to normal. Metal Tails just smiled, as he turned to Metal Mighty, and let his hands flurry about. Within seconds, Mighty was back to normal.

"But I really don't recognise that guy," Sonic added.

*Mighty the Armadillo. Last seen in '95," Tails said, as Mighty sped away. He looked around, and dismantled more and more of the Metallic Army. He was even polite enough to undo the roboticisation of Eggman. Finally, the last of the Metallics was Metal Tails himself. Metal Tails let out a deep breath, and pulled apart his circuitry. He spun over himself like a top, leaving behind Tails.

"Well done, Tails," Blaze said, her Burning Blaze form finally having cooled off.

"Blaze," Tails said, nodding slightly.

"Listen, Tails… I…" Blaze started, before stopping. She looked down nervously.

"Blaze?" Sonic asked.

"It's… it's nothing. See you later, Tails," Blaze said, walking up to him. She kissed him on the cheek, and stepped behind him. Tails turned around in shock, but Blaze had already left.

"Blaze… thank you. Without you, we'd all be doomed," Tails said.