"This just isn't my day…" Sonic grumbled as he was being dragged throughout what must've been Dr. Eggman's entire base of operations. That place was huge! "706, would you shut him up?" the walking death machine at the front of the small group rolled his eyes. At this, the yellow-orange-streaked Shadow Android at Sonic's left flank pressed a button on the electronic handcuffs around Sonic's wrists, giving him a static jolt that successfully silenced him, but did little to convince him to cooperate. He tried to lunge at the android, but the identical yellow-green-streaked one on his right yanked him back in line by the arm. "You could at least tell me where you're taking me, Neo!" the only organic being in the group snapped at the one in front.
"Fine," the more advanced version of Metal Sonic sounded as if he was sighing in annoyance, though it was obvious he didn't breathe. "We're taking you straight to Dr. Eggman." 'Well duh.' "What's he gonna do with me?" "We don't know, but I think it's safe to assume you'll be staying here for a while." "Figures…" the teen mumbled discontentedly, looking left, right, up and around at all the unfamiliar mechanical sights, trying to remember which way they'd come in so he might be able to escape. However, judging by the number of fighting robots he'd seen in the few minutes he'd been there, this would be no easy task. Not to mention the place was ginormous and confusing as all Hell to navigate. How did any of these robots know where to go and how to get around?
"Hey Neo, why aren't we using an elevator?" Shadow Android 706 spoke up, raising an eyebrow. "Because it's more annoying to Sonic that way," the answer came as a malicious chuckle. A blue, catlike ear flicked in irritation. "Besides, if he knew how to use the elevators, it'd be easier for him to escape, would it not?" "Well, I guess…" "Then shut up," Neo waved a hand as he led the group deeper and ever higher into the sprawling fortress. No matter how many flights of stairs they climbed, there always seemed to be another one waiting for them at the other end of the floor. They went through room after room, most of which were filled to the brim with robots and machinery of all shaped and sizes. Some were built for fighting, some for labor, some for fixing and/or cleaning, and more. 'Where does Eggman get the money for all this?'
By the time they reached the control room, Sonic was sure he'd shed and replaced every strand of fur and quill on his body at least twice. The door split in half and slid open when Neo went up to it. He didn't stop moving when it opened; he just kept going as if there had never been an obstacle to begin with. The other three followed suit. The door opened up into a long, dark hallway with another weight-activated sliding door at the end, though this one was bigger and opened up into a large, circular room lit only by the mass amounts of computer screens and blinking machinery embedded in the walls, with the exception of one large window placed directly in front of a semi-circle desk with a leathery computer chair currently occupied by the doctor himself. In one smooth, fluid motion the somewhat elderly man spun in his chair to face his creations and enemy. "Commendable work, you three," he sneered, eyes hidden behind glinting lenses, legs crossed one atop the other, arms folded. "I knew you'd fare better than Metal would. I'll see to it you all get a generous reward."
"You sent Metal after me knowing he'd lose?" "Why not? It wore you down enough to be knocked out, and it's not like I can't just build a new one," the scientist shrugged. "So you're just as horrible to your allies as you are to your enemies?" cobalt huffed. "Guilty as charged," Eggman responded in a sing-song tone, raising his right hand. "They're all expendable. If they don't do as I tell them, no matter what the reason is, the consequences are severe. Metal did fulfill his purpose, but since he's now unable to do what he was built for, it would be easier to melt him down than repair him, no? This way, all those who work for me are kept in line." "You're even worse than I thought," the cuffed hedgehog scowled, but it only encouraged the smirk on Eggman's face to widen.
"Good. But that's enough about the robots. As for you," he gestured, "you will be held here and used not only as bait, but also for genetic experimentation, and anything else I say. Those three will be looking after you from now on," he pointed to the robots surrounding Sonic, who nodded in unison. Sonic himself, on the other hand, was wearing a look of utter disgust on his face. "Like Hell you'll keep me locked up in here!" he tugged furiously at the chains binding him to handcuffs latched on to the Shadow Androids' wrists, but it was of little use, as both of them were every bit as strong as the real Shadow. "Don't worry," his archenemy seemed to be enjoying this a little too much. "I'll get you a nice big hamster wheel to run on. And hey, pretty soon, you'll have a little friend in there with you. How's that sound?"
Every word only made Sonic try harder to get away. At a loss for words, he huffed and spat at the ground near Eggman, who hardly seemed to notice. "Good then. 706?" "Yes, sir?" the robot in question had to grunt, thanks to Sonic. "When does Shadow plan on coming back to the apartment?" The second Sonic heard this, he froze dead in his tracks, eyes wide. "Tomorrow afternoon." "Excellent. Tell 301 to come up here and see me for instructions tomorrow morning." The technological genius spun back around in his chair for a moment, then came to face the other four again, this time holding a small device that somewhat resembled an iPod Touch. "I have a little message for our little friend, Shadow," he grinned.
"You fucking monster…"
Author's Note: I did say it'd get worse, did I not? Sorry for the short chapter…