Me:*Sips Dr. Pepper*Ah. Oh hey, readers! Welcome to the next chapter of 'Locked Up Tight', where everything starts getting good! In case you're wondering, Sonic and Shadow have gone out to gather up the rest of our crew, so I guess we wai-
Sonic:*Rushes in with Shadow right behind him*CLOSE THE DOOR!
Shadow:*Slams the door shut and blocks it with furniture*
Me:What is going on!?
Sonic:Well, Metal kind of-
Me:I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Shadow.
Sonic:What-
Me:Sorry Sonic, but he's more likely to tell the truth. Now Shadow, please tell me what happened.
Shadow:*Points over at Sonic*This douchebag painted a mustache on Metal Sonic when he was charging.
Me:*Frowns*Really, Sonic?
Sonic:*Shrugs shoulders*When I see a can of paint, a paintbrush, and a vulnerable robot, I'm going to paint a mustache on the robot.
Me:*Sighs*Oh wow. So where's Metal So-
Metal:*Smashes through door with a large, curly mustache drawn on face*Eliminate Sonic the Hedgehog!
Me:*Facepalms*And he smashed through my bedroom door!
Metal:*Stomps towards Sonic*Eliminate Sonic the Hedgehog!
Sonic:*Gets in battle stance*Bring it on!
Me:NO!*Steps in between them*You are not fighting in my bedroom!
Sonic:She's right. Let's take this outside.
Me:NO! Just go and help Metal wash off his mustache.
Sonic:But-
Me:GO!
Sonic:FINE!*Pulls Metal out the smashed door*
Me:Hey Shadow?
Shadow:Hm?
Me:Can you fix my door?
Shadow:*Scoffs*What do I look like? A repairman?*Walks out the smashed door*
Me:*Growls*I'm seriously going to kill that hedgehog! But not now! Anyway, this is the third chapter of 'Locked Up tight', and I'm alreasy thinking up some juicy ideas. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and everything after it! Now, Qu-Wait is Eggman ready or does he have something wrong with him too?!
Eggman:*Walks in drinking a latte*What?
Me:Go get ready!
Eggman:Hmph. Sorry if I can't enjoy my scheduled breaks in peace.*Walks out the door*
Me:YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE BACK OVER AN HOUR AGO! ARGH! QUE THE STORY!
Chapter 3:Betrayal
The real problem is not whether machines think, but whether man does.
He floated in a endless pool of white.
There was no ground below his feet and no sky above his head. Everything was just... white.
And then... there was a spot of blue a few feet away.
At first, it was small then it slowly increased until it formed arms, legs, a body, and... blue quills.
"Sonic!"He cried.
Somehow, his feet found some kind of solid ground, but he paid it no heed. Instead, he ran towards his best friend, his arms stretched outwards. When he finally made it, he slung his arms around his best friend's torso in joy.
But something wasn't right.
His best friend's body felt... metallic.
He released his best friend's torso and backed away, fear suddenly filling his heart. And he didn't know why.
Then he saw it.
His best friend's body was a sleek, metallic blue. Instead of there being short back lower back quills, there was a circle shaped rocket booster. At the sides were short silver arms with bright yellow hands that had sharp claw like fingers.
His 'best friend' turned it's head, revealing it's ferocious red eyes and gray mouthless muzzle.
"Hey, little buddy."Spoke his 'best friend', his voice just a monotone drone.
"TAILS!"
His eyes widened and he took a few steps back, his legs shaking.
"You're-You're not him."He stuttered.
"TAILS!"
"Not who?"Asked his 'best friend', turning around to reveal the rest of it's metallic body.
"Y-You're not Sonic."He answered, stopping in the middle of his retreat when he felt some kind of invisible barrier block him from going any further.
"I think you're mistaken, pal."His 'best friend' took a step closer to him. Then another. And another."I'm 100% Sonic the Hedgehog."
"TAILS!"
"No."He whimpered, cowering against the invisible barrier.
"Yes."His 'best friend' hissed, continuing to approach until it was directly in front of him.
"No."
His 'best friend' somehow managed to smirk."Yes. "
Then his 'best friend' raised one of it's clawed hands in the air. Instantly, the hand transformed into a medium-sized arm cannon. Smirk growing wider, his 'best friend' then lowered the arm cannon to his chest.
"Bye- bye, buddy."
The arm cannon went of-
Tails jerked awake, his breath coming out in sharp pants. Above him, he noticed was Knuckles who let out a sigh of relief as he whipped his right hand around.
"About time you woke up."
Tails squinted his eyes in confusion. It was then that he noticed that the right side of his face was burning. He reached up to touch his cheek only to jerk it back when it began to throb.
"D-Did you-"
"Slap you to wake ya up?"Knuckles stood up, wiping dust from his knees."You bet."
Tails used his elbows to push himself up into a sitting position, using some of his will power to not groan at the sudden dizziness that followed afterwards."May I ask why?"
"Because you fainted, kid."Knuckles put out a hand for Tails to grab. The fox stared at the hand for a few seconds before graciously taking it. With a small grunt, Knuckles pulled him up onto his feet. Instantly, Tails leaned against Knuckles for support, the dizziness kicking up to the next level.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah."Knuckles began to lead him to a different part of his house."After all the dust cleared from the bombing on your house, I saw you sitting there on the ground, staring at something in the distance. Then, suddenly, your eyes rolled up into the back of your head and you just passed out on the ground."
"Oh."
Tails didn't try to ask anymore questions. He just allowed Knuckles to lead him straight to wherever it was he was leading him.
After a few minutes, it turned out that he was being lead towards the kitchen. Knuckles swung out a hand and pushed the door open, revealing who was inside.
Amy, Rouge, and Shadow, all sat at Tails' oval shaped table that was in the middle of medium-sized kitchen. On the table, was an opened first aid kit, which Amy was digging through, clenching some cotton balls and peroxide in her hands. When she heard the kitchen door slam shut, she looked up from the first aid kit. She smiled.
"Tails! You're alright!"
"More or less."Mumbled Knuckles, leading Tails over to one of the spare kitchen chairs near Amy."Took me about 10 minutes to wake him up."
"I've been out 10 minutes?"Asked Tails, looking over to Knuckles in slight disbelief as he plopped down in the chair.
"Yeah."Knuckles pulled out a chair, twisted it around and sat into it, crossing his arms on the top of it."10 minutes too much."
Loud rustling came from the first aid kit as Amy continued to search though it."After we checked to much sure that no more bombs were coming, Knuckles worked on reviving you while the rest of us came here to make sure none of us were seriously injured."
"Unfortunately,"continued Rouge, glancing sharply at Shadow,"one of us attempted to hide it."
Shadow looked away from her and instead focused his gaze on a coffee stain that was on the surface of the table. The black hedgehog had his arms crossed against his chest, but, what Tails noticed, was that his left hand seemed to clench his right arm.
"Here it is."Amy pulled some bandages from the first aid kit and handed it with the rest of the other items off to Rouge.
She took the items, gave Amy a nod of gratitude and turned to Shadow."Let me see it."
He glared at her, a scowl on his face."No."
She sighed, a hand pinching the bridge of nose."Please don't try to be stubborn with me, Shadow."
"No."
"Shadow the Hedgehog."His right ear flicked."I've known you for a year and I know all your weaknesses."She narrowed her eyes at him."All your weaknesses."
Shadow seemed to stiffen when she mentioned his 'weaknesses'. Shadow sat there for a few seconds, possibly thinking whether or not he should give in. But, finally, with a growl, he released his grip on his right arm and thrusted it towards Rouge.
Due to the fact that there was a thin layer of dust covering Shadow's body, the large bleeding cut that was on his arm was evident against his dark fur. Rouge tsked at the cut before opening up the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and dipping one of the cotton balls in there. She then proceeded to clean the cut, ignoring the way Shadow seemed to tense up.
While she was doing that, Knuckles turned his head to glance at Amy and Tails.
"So,"he began, using his foot to tip his chair back and forth,"what's the plan?"
"The plan?"Asked Tails, raising an eye-ridge.
"Yeah, someone's bombed your house and Sonic's still missing. We need a plan."
"I've got an idea."Tails and Knuckles turned to Amy, who was already packing some of the items she pulled out back into the first-aid kit."We all go home, take a shower, get some rest, and we meet at my house tomorrow."
"What?"Knuckles stopped tipping his chair and pointed over to Amy."Someone, possibly Eggman, just bombed Tails' house and you want to-"
"It wasn't Eggman."Mumbled Tails, drawing the attention of everyone in the room."Or at least I don't think it was."
Knuckles narrowed his eyes at him."Then who was it, kid?"
"W-Well, it was someone who looked a lot like Sonic, but at the same time they d-didn't."Tails swallowed thickly, his mouth suddenly dry as he scoured his mind for image of what he saw only minutes before."T-The only difference is that they looked m-metallic."
"Metallic?"Uttered Knuckles and Amy in unison, the both of them looking at each other with horror on their faces.
"If you're thinking what I think your two are thinking then you're wrong."Heads turned to stare at Rouge who was finishing up the knot on Shadow's bandage."Ole Dr. Eggman hasn't used something like that for years. From what I heard from in one of his bases, he lost the schematics for it a long time ago."
Amy and Knuckles sighed in relief which caused Shadow to raise an eye-ridge. What on Mobuis were they talking about that got them so worried in the first place?
Before Shadow could question them, Tails spoke up."I'm pretty sure then that it had to be Metal Sonic."
"Metal Sonic? Again?"Knuckles shook his head, a small look of disgust on his face."Doesn't Eggman know when to quit? Especially since what happened the last time!"
"Wait."Shadow directed his gaze on Tails."Didn't you say that this Metal Sonic attacked you and Sonic a day or so ago?"
Tails nodded, a look of recognition crossing his face."Yeah, he did! I almost forgot about that!"
"Then it was him!"Screamed Shadow, letting out a loud growl as he slammed his fist down on the table, making those who were unprepared jump."It was Metal Sonic who I saw run out of that jewelry shop in Spagonia!"
Shadow skated towards the jewelry store in Spagonia, his movements quick and steady while his ears were perked up in the air, listening to the shrill ring of the alarm. Behind him, he heard the faint flutter of Rouge's wings.
And the not-so-nice words that she hissed underneath her breath.
The not-so-nice words were probably caused by the fact that he took off while she was still talking to rush towards the alarm that had only moments ago begun to slice through the air.
He was suddenly thrown from his thoughts when a light blue blur shot out of the jewelry store, down the sidewalk, and right past him.
It took the black hedgehog one second to notice the blue blur before he paused in the middle of his run, turned and sped in the direction of the blue blur. In about five seconds, he rushed in front of the blue blur, hoping to get it to slow down so, he could get a good look at the thief. Instead, the blue blur jumped up into the air, used Shadow's head for a backboard which caused the black hedgehog to stumble forward and landed on the other side. All without slowing down.
By the time Shadow had turned his head, the blue blur was gone, leaving nothing behind. Shadow cussed lowly as he slammed his hand down onto the sidewalk, leaving a small crater in the cement. Behind him, he heard a small flutter before there was a small clicking sound that continued to get closer.
"Who was that?"Questioned Rouge, coming up beside him, her hands at her hips.
"Who do you think that was?!"Snapped Shadow, standing up to his full height."It had to be the Faker!"
"Big Blue?"Rouge shook her head, her eyes still studying where the blue blur had run off."I doubt that. Why would he be stealing from a jewelry shop?"
Shadow shrugged his shoulders, glaring as if the blue blur was right in front of him."There had to be something in there that he wanted."
"Like wha-"
Rouge's bangs slapped against her eyes as a large wind nearly caused her to go flying. Fixing her bangs, she then glanced to the spot where Shadow once stood only to find it empty. She made a sound deep in the back of her throat and glared at the quickly shrinking black blur in the distance. Sighing, she then flapped her wings and took off into the air, following her hardheaded partner.
Rouge smirked, her small fangs poking out of the corners of her mouth."What did I tell you, honey? Big Blue would never do something like that in his in entire life."
Shadow turned and gave her a stern stare, his red eyes burning."That doesn't matter now, Rouge. What matters now is what that metallic Faker was looking for."
Tails hummed in thought, his hand on his chin. Getting an idea, he then looked over to Rouge."Rouge, are you sure that nothing was taken from that jewelry shop?"
She nodded."Pretty sure. Like I said earlier, nothing was taken from the jewelry shop. Not even this,"her eyes began to sparkle,"big beautiful gem."
Knuckles placed his hands on the table and leaned towards her direction."Big beautiful gem?"
"Yes."She sighed as the image popped up in her head."It sat up on that pedestal, sparkling in the sunlight. But,"she glared at Shadow,"someone wanted to go search for the 'Faker' again so, I didn't really get a good look at it."
Knuckles looked at Tails, a serious look on his face."You thinking what I'm thinking?"
He nodded."A Chaos Emerald?"
"A Chaos Emerald."Echoed Knuckles.
"Impossible."Shadow grunted, waving his hand at their theory."As soon as I stepped through the door, I would've been able to pick up the energy radiating from the emerald."
"U-Unless,"piped up Tails, who attempted to ignore Shadow's narrowed eyes that warned him to prove him wrong,"that emerald was replaced with a fake."
Knuckles wagged his finger (just imagine he did since his gloves are so big)."That would explain why Shadow didn't sense it. Fake emeralds usually have little to no Chaos Energy inside of them."
"So, that means the doctor is after the Chaos Emeralds."Concluded Shadow, tapping the table."We need to-"
"Get some rest."Interrupted Amy, speaking up for the first time in a while.
"Huh?"Asked Shadow, staring in her direction.
"It's late."She began, pointing at the red clock that hung on the wall above Tails. The short stubby black hand was pointed a little after 12 and the thin tall black hand was pointed at 10. 12:50."And we're all tired from nearly getting blown to bits. I say we all go home and meet at my house tomorrow."
"Really, Amy?"Knuckles groaned."Metal Sonic is running around causing havoc, Sonic is still missing, probably dead for all we know,"Amy glared deeply at him when Tails' ears flattened against his head, but he ignored it,"and you want us to take a little break because its past our bedtimes?"
"Rose is right."
Knuckles sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at Shadow."Oh, come on! Don't tell me that you're also afraid of going after Metal Sonic too."
"I never said that I was afraid!"Roared Shadow, standing up from his chair, causing the chair to clatter to the ground. The whole room went quiet as he glared down at Knuckles who returned it. After a few seconds, Shadow breathed through his nose in an attempt to calm himself before pointing a finger at the echidna."Listen here Echidna. It is pitch black outside and only you, me, and Rouge are capable of seeing anything. This would mean that Rose and the fox would either have to stay here and be left vulnerable for a second attack or they could come with us and be vulnerable to an attack by Metal Sonic. Not only that, but have you noticed that Metal managed to sneak up to this house without any of us hearing a single thing? That means Eggman built him with stealth. So, if we were to go out there after him, we would be at an disadvantage with a robot that could blend into the shadows.
And,"he leaned in closer, his body almost touching the table as he stared intensely at the echidna who was sitting across from him,"in case you still don't get it, it would mean that Metal would be able to take us down one-by-one or all together before the real fight could even began."He narrowed his eyes."I'm not afraid of fighting Metal, I'm, unlike you, just using my common sense so, the rest of us won't end up like the Faker."
When he finished, everyone instantly focused their eyes on Knuckles, who continued to glare at Shadow, his hands, which have long ago left the table, was now clenching the chair like it was a stress toy. After a while, he released the chair, got up from the table and walked towards the kitchen door.
"Knuckles!"Amy shouted, turning and staring at the echidna."Where are you going?"
He stopped and, without turning, he answered her question."Back to Angel Island. I've been away from the Master Emerald too long. I got to make sure that Eggman hasn't sent Metal Sonic after it."
"But-"he continued walking until he reached the door, opened it up, and left the kitchen."Remember to meet at my house tomorrow!"
"Whatever."He called.
Amy sighed, placing her head in her hands. Meanwhile, Rouge frowned at Shadow, shaking her head in an disappointed manner.
"You didn't need to do that Shadow."
Shadow straightened up, glancing at the door where Knuckles had exited only moments before, scoffing underneath his breath."I beg to differ. He wants to be such a pigheaded idiot and make us go out into the night and get us all killed."
"A pigheaded idiot?"Rouge smiled."Sounds like someone else that I know."
Shadow scowled at her as he reached down, picked up the overturned chair and placed it back in it's original position."Very funny, Rouge."
"What? You now I'm right."
Shadow rolled his eyes before he headed towards the kitchen door. Shoving it open, he then exited the kitchen, the door swinging behind him.
"Shadow!"Rouge stood up and headed towards the door."I was just joking, honey."
When there was no reply or sign of the black hedgehog, Rouge then rushed out the door, leaving Amy and Tails alone together in the kitchen.
Amy pushed her head up from her hands, glancing at Tails when she heard the fox yawn. For the first time, she noticed that the fox's eyes were starting to droop, his head only being supported by his hands. Looking up at the clock, she then saw that it was now 1:20.
"Tails?"
"Hm?"He hummed, turning his tired eyes on Amy.
She bit her lower lip."Will you be alright here by yourself with a huge hole in the front of your house? Or do you need to stay over at my house?"
Tails turned his eyes away from her, hoping she didn't see the fear that developed in there.
A few years ago, Tails had caught the flu. Unfortunately for him, Sonic, who was his caretaker, had to take off to stop Eggman from terrorizing a small village. Since everyone else was busy or... didn't want to catch 'fox germs', Sonic was forced to leave him with Amy. At first, Tails was overwhelmed by the amount of pink that was pretty much everywhere. On the walls, the floor, the roof. The house itself was just pink! But he had to admit, he was surprised about the lack of Sonic pictures that his best friend loved to whisper about. It wasn't until he was sprawled out on the bed in the guest room when he found something that he will never forget.
Right on the roof above him was a giant picture of Sonic with a bunch of lipstick marks all over his face.
Later, when Sonic had come to pick him, he found the young fox shivering underneath the covers. When he asked Amy what was wrong, she just blamed it on the flu.
Tails couldn't get the image out of his head for weeks.
Remembering that Amy was still waiting for an answer, Tails gave her a small smile."No thanks, Amy."
She raised an eye-ridge."Really? Are you sure?"
He nodded."Yeah. I can just bring up a holographic image to make it appear that the front of my house is still there."
Amy tilted her head."Holographic image? But, doesn't that mean that if something or someone touches it, they may go through it?"
"Not exactly."When Amy gave him a confused look, he continued."When I deploy the holographic image, to everyone outside the house, it will feel and seem like the front of my house is still there, but to everyone on the inside, they can easily see that there is a huge hole in the front of the house."
Amy nodded."Cool. So, you'll be fine for the night?"
"Yes, Amy. I'll be totally fine."
"Ok. Then I guess I should start going."
Amy stood up from the table, pushed in her chair and walked towards the kitchen door. Halfway to the door, she stopped and turned to Tails, a look of uncertainty on her face.
"Are you sure that you'll be fine..."
"Yes, Amy."Tails sighed, feeling like a small child. But he did appreciate her concern."I'll be completely fine. I've stayed in my own house by myself before."
"Ok, ok. But,"Amy pointed a finger at him,"if I don't see you at my house tomorrow then I'm going to come running down here with my hammer and smash another hole into your house."
Tails gave her a light smile."Good to know."
Amy rolled his eyes at him, waved her hand and exited the kitchen, now leaving Tails all by himself.
As soon as he was sure that Amy wasn't anywhere near him, the smile fell away from his face and was instead replaced with a pained expression. He then allowed his head to slam onto the table, tears, that he had tried so desperately to hold back, dripping down his face.
"Sonic is still missing, probably dead for all we know."
"Please be okay, Sonic."Tails whispered, squeezing his eyes shut.
He hardly noticed the pair of arms that wrapped around his midsection or the soft voice that came with them.
"He will be."
"Where is he?!"Growled Eggman, pacing in the middle of his control room.
Behind him, Orbot and Cubot watched him, seeming to have nothing better to do. They were both strangely silent, which made Eggman slightly curious at first, but he soon relished in the fact that for once, everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Sir?"
Eggman turned his head, frowning when he discovered that, instead of Metal Sonic, was Med-bot X2, standing in the doorway."What is it, Med-bot?"
"I have the results of the hedgehog's temperature."
Eggman straightened up."You do? Well, spit it out."
Med-bot X2 nodded, his eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree."According to my records, the hedgehog's temperature has lowered from 102.6 to 100.2. At this moment his temperature continues to decrease."
Eggman gave a light sigh of relief."Good. Return to the lab and make sure that the hedgehog does not have a relapse."
"Yes sir."
And with that, the Med-bot marched out the door, turning in the general direction it came from. Eggman watched the door close behind the Med-bot before he turned, his eyes studying the now repaired monitors.
"Yay!"Cheered Cubot, his hands in the air."The blue pineapple's okay!"
Orbit shook his head, ashamed at the fact that Cubit was modeled after him. Turning his head, he casted his gaze on Eggman, watching his expression carefully.
"Are you not excited that Sonic is okay, sir?"Questioned Orbot, coming up slowly behind Eggman."Or were you faking your concern earlier?"
Eggman sighed, twisting his head to the side to peek at Orbot."I'm... satisfied with the fact that the Hedgehog is okay. But, its Metal that I'm concerned with at the moment."His eyes moved to the one screen that wasn't working like it should."His signal isn't broadcasting."
Orbot followed his gaze. The picture that was currently on the screen was the map of Mystic Ruins. In the middle of the map was one red dot, sticking out on the greenish color of the map. But that was it. The red dot was moving nor was it blinking like it should.
Orbot looked to Eggman once more."Do you think that Metal was destroyed?"
Before he could answer, Cubot suddenly appeared beside them, his arms crossed."I hope so! He was nothing, but a meanie weenie! "
"How so?"Muttered Eggman, his tone obviously showing that he didn't care as he pressed some buttons on the control panel of the monitors.
"Well, he calls me an imbelice, whatever that means,"Eggman rolled his eyes. Sometimes, he wondered whether or not he was drunk while he when he decided to make Cubot,"and he kept saying like, 'Well, I bet it's your fault that Master never defeats my counterpart. At least, I'm useful! I even made sure that my counterpart was vulnerable so-"
"WHAT!"Roared Eggman, turned away from the control panel to stare at Cubot in disbelief, the yellow robot now getting his full attention."What did you say?!
Cubot's eyes widened at Eggman's sudden interest."Um, he calls me an imbe-"
"No."Eggman leaned down, grabbed Cubot's shoulders, and began to shake him."Tell me about Metal Sonic making the Hedgehog..."
"O-oh, th-that."Barely restraining himself from knocking Cubot's head off, Eggman stopped shaking the robot to listen what he had to say next."Metal said that-"
Cubot was suddenly thrown to the side, causing Eggman to fall backwards onto his rear. He then watched as the robot was slammed into Orbot, making the two of them fall to the ground in a pile of robotic limbs.
"Master?"Eggman looked up, staring into the, somehow, innocent red eyes of Metal Sonic."You called?"
Eggman was silent for a moment, shock written all over his face. He quickly snapped out of though by clearing his throat, slowly picking himself off the ground."Yes, I have some questions to ask you. But, first, may I ask where you have been?"
Metal tilted his head, a habit he, involuntarily, picked up from his counterpart."Where I have been?"
"Yes."Eggman now stood on his feet, easily towering over Metal's smaller frame."I contacted you ten minutes ago. It should've taken you two minutes at the most to get back to this base."
"I'm sorry, Master."Apologized Metal, bowing his head."I ran into some trouble when one of my counterpart's friends spotted me."
"Spotted you?"Eggman eyed him, suspiciously."Which one?"
Metal was quiet for a second, his glowing eyes seeming dull. When the second was over, he looked up to Eggman."The fox."
Eggman hummed, a hand going to his chin."And what did you do?"
"I avoided confrontation. I left before the fox could get a proper look at me."
"Good. Now, let me ask you another question."Eggman stepped forward and, before Metal could react, picked something out of one of his metallic quills. Drawing his hand back, Eggman studied the object in his hand before sticking in Metal's face."Why do you have plaster on you?"
Metal stared at the large piece of plaster."I don't know."
Eggman tsked."Really?"Tossing the plaster to the side, he then turned around, grabbing a piece of paper that was resting on the control panel."Then let me ask something that you do know."Eggman stared at something on the paper before he held it out to Metal."Ever heard of one of my special concoctions called 'X12'?"
Metal took the paper, his eyes racing over it's contents."No, Master. I haven't."
"Really?"Eggman crossed his arms behind his back and began to stroll behind Metal."Because, just a few minutes ago before you arrived, I sent one of my robots to check the lab for 'X12', but it reported back saying that it was missing."
Metal twisted his body, watching Eggman carefully."I have a feeling that you're accusing me of something, Master."
Eggman shook his head."Not at all, Metal Sonic. I'm just saying that a few hours ago, the Rodent was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Now, he's lying in the Medical Lab, sick. And,"he looked at Metal,"you were the last one who was near him other than Cubot and Orbot."
Metal clenched his fists as he pointed to Cubot and Orbot who were sitting up on the floor."How do you know that they didn't poison my counterpart?"
Eggman snorted."Those two? Their I.Q's are so low that they would probably end up giving the Hedgehog syrup instead of poison."
"HEY-"
Out of the corner of his eye, Eggman noticed that Orbot had once again reached out and slapped a hand over Cubot's mouth, cutting off his rant. Looking away, he refocused his gaze on Metal, noticing that the metallic hedgehog was staring at him, intensely.
"Now, I'm going to ask you this, Metal Sonic. Did you take 'X12' out of my lab?"
"No, Master."
"I don't think you're telling me the truth. Did you take 'X12' out of my lab?"
"No, Master. I did no-"
"Tell me the truth, Metal Sonic!"
"... Yes, Master."
Eggman nodded, his expression grim."Ok. Did you use 'X12' to poison the Rodent?"
"Master, I do not see the point of all these questions-"
"Just answer the question."
"Yes, Master."
Eggman's jaw clenched."Why?"
Metal shuffled his feet, but otherwise kept his eyes on Eggman."Because you gave me permission to do so, Master."
Eggman paused mid-step. He then whirled around to Metal, a perplexed and angry expression on his face."WHAT. When did I give you permission to poison the Hedgehog?"
"I came in and asked you if I could while you were updating my counterpart's test results."
Eggman frowned, his anger growing."I didn't know that's what you meant! I thought you were asking whether or not to put mustard or mayonnaise in the Rodent's lunch!"
Eggman huffed, obviously aggravated. Rubbing his temples, he then attempted to calm himself down, a sigh coming out from between his lips. Making up his mind, he looked down at Metal.
"That's it."
"Huh?"
Eggman pulled up his sleeve, his eyes traveling over all the buttons. Finding the one he was looking for, he then sighed."I'm shutting you down, Metal Sonic."
Metal's eyes glowed a menacing red."What?"
"I'm sorry, Metal Sonic."
Then, Eggman pressed the button.
Nothing happened.
Eggman pressed the button again, a shocked look on his face. Then he pressed it again. And again. And again.
"Why isn't this working!"
Metal chuckled, causing Eggman look up from the button."Because I don't want it to work."
Eggman gulped."What? H-how did you-"
"I knew that you would find out sooner or later about what I did to my counterpart."Metal let out something similar to a sigh."I was just hoping that it was going to be later."
Eggman backed up a step."You knew that I was going to shut you down?"
Metal nodded, crossing his arms behind his back."Yes, which is why I disconnected the black wire that was leading to my A.I. earlier."
"T-that's-"
"Impossible? Genius?"
"No."Eggman smirked, much to Metal's confusion."That's exactly why I called for back-up."
As if on cue, the doors behind Eggman slid open, revealing two large gray robots with sharp purple eyes and the famous trademark Eggman symbol on their chests.
Eggman turned his head to frown at the robots."It's about time you got here!"He pointed at Metal."Contain him!"
The robots stood there for about a minute before marching forward, their hands out. Then, to Eggman's surprise, they grabbed him around the arms.
"What the-RELEASE ME!"Eggman screamed, wiggling in their grips."I COMMAND YOU!"
"No."Metal walked up to him, tilting his head up to stare into his face."I command them."
Eggman stopped his struggling, surprise flowing across his face."How!?"
"You programmed me to have a little over half of your intelligence. And you're asking how?"
Eggman lowered his eyes, suddenly wishing that he hadn't made Metal so smart. The metallic hedgehog felt satisfied with his silence, loathing the fact that he was unable to smirk. Raising his hand, Metal made a waving gesture towards the two robots.
"Take him to one of the special cells."
The robots nodded once, making sure that their grip was tight before heading towards the door. Eggman made one last attempt to get out of their grips by banging his elbows against their chests, hoping to damage them enough that they would drop him.
Unfortunately, they didn't.
As the robots passed through the doorway with Eggman, he managed to catch something that Metal said.
"Now to take care of my other subject."
Eggman let out a grunt of pain as he was thrown into the cell, landing harshly on his right side. Wrapping a hand around the bruise that was forming there, he then turned in time to see the cell door be slammed, his former robots staring down at him. Getting up on his knees, he glared at the robots, a scowl on his face.
"Someone doesn't look happy."
Eggman focused his glare on Metal, watching as the robot stepped out of the shadow of the corridor. It surprised him how menacing the robot looked with half of his face covered by the shadow of the corridor, his two red glowing eyes being the only thing that told Eggman that Metal actually had his whole face. Realizing that Metal had just spoken to him, Eggman tilted his head down a bit, causing his glasses to give off a bright flash, making him look just a bit threatening.
"I see you're trying to be sarcastic like your counterpart."
Metal clenched his fists."I am nothing like my counterpart!"
Eggman hummed."Sure you're not."
Metal stood there, staring at Eggman. But, to him, it felt like Metal was attempting to shoot lasers out from his eyes, hoping to hit him right between the eyes. At least that was one thing Eggman was happy that he didn't give the metallic hedgehog. After a few minutes, where it seemed that Metal was going to send the entire night staring, the metallic hedgehog's head suddenly snapped to the side.
"Hurry up, you idiots!"
Eggman raised an eyebrow at Metal's sentence, noticing something off about him. Before he think anymore into it, Eggman heard a thunking sound from down the corridor. Moving as best as he could without making his side flare up, he peered down the hallway to see Cubot and Orbot, heaving something on their shoulders, their backs turned to him at the moment.
"Cubot, Orbot, my most loyal robots!"Shouted Eggman, his hope rising."Get me out of here!"
"Sorry, Robotnik."Cubot turned his head, revealing his eyes which were a bright red color instead of it's normal light blue."We work for Metal Sonic now."
Eggman's jaw dropped, shocked. Metal took great joy in seeing the surprise and betrayal that was on evident on his face as he opened the cell door next to Eggman.
"Throw him in here."
Him?
Eggman squinted his eyes as he watched Cubot and Orbot throw something into the cell next to him, mentally cursing himself for not fixing up the lighting in the once abandoned hallway. His eyes widened when he finally got a glimpse at who it was.
Sonic.
The hedgehog was sprawled out on his stomach, his quills hanging limp around his pale body. Eggman's heart skipped a beat when he noticed the large claw mark on Sonic's left cheek, which was bleeding heavily onto the cell floor. If it wasn't for the fact that Sonic's breathing was loud and raspy, Eggman would've assumed that Metal had... well, you know.
Turning his head from Sonic, Eggman glared at Metal Sonic, who slammed the cell door close."You shouldn't have taken him out of the Medical Lab."
Metal twisted his head to him, obviously knowing who Eggman was talking about."You don't say?"
Eggman gestured over to Sonic's motionless body."I do say! Without a proper environment his condition could-"
"Worsen? I know."Metal moved away from Sonic's cell, his hands crossed behind his back."But, I don't care."
Eggman frowned at that. But, he had other things to worry about."So, what now? Are you going to torture, injure, kill your own creator?"
"Kill you? No, not yet."Eggman gulped."I need you and my counterpart for an important experiment."
Eggman mentally shuddered at the way Metal pronounced the word 'experiment'."What kind of experiment?"
Metal shrugged."Who knows what I might do? Let's just say that its not going to be enjoyable."
Metal began to walk away, Cubot, Orbot, and the two robots following closely behind him. He stopped mid-step when Eggman spoke up again.
"You're not going to get away with this!"
Metal snickered."Really? Because I beg to differ."He looked over his shoulder."Remember Robotnik, I'm not you."
And with that, Metal turned his head, gestured to the small group of robots, and walked away into the shadows of the hallway. Eggman's watched where they disappeared for about a minute before he groaned, his hands rubbing his temples.
"I should've seen this coming from a mile away. I already had other Metal Sonics betray me without even batting an eyelash so, why did I think it would be different this time? Maybe if I had-"
The sound of shifting coming from Eggman's left made him pause the middle of his rambling. Twisting his head to the side, he stared down at hedgehog who was shaking, his fists clenching and unclenching.
What happened next made Eggman freeze in shock.
Sonic opened his eyes and-
Me:*Pops up covered in sugar*Hey, guys!
Sonic:Why are you-
Me:Let's just say that Eggman's and I got into little argument.
Sonic:Over what?
Me:Latte breaks.
Sonic:Are you OK? Actually, is Eggman okay?
Me:*Squeezes coffee out of hair*Maybe. I mean I did shove creamer in a place where creamer should not go.
Sonic:Ew.
Shadow:*Walks in sipping a latte*Is it time to leave now?
Me:Yeah.*Sees latte*Throw it away.
Shadow:No.
Me:I said throw it away!
Shadow:No.
Me:Throw it away or else.
Shadow:Or else what?
Me:Or else I'll take away your rights to the weapon room.
Shadow:... Fine.*Throws latte into the garbage can*
Me:Good. Now, its time to say goodbye to the readers.
Sonic:Bye!
Shadow:Good riddance.
Me:SHADOW! Argh! Bye!