Sorry I was gone so long, but finally the long awaited next chapter. I'm going to finish this story up quickly. Hopefully within a week since I was so bad leaving you all hanging, but it probably won't be very likely. Still trying to get used to the new format that Fanficiton is using. Also, since we're not allowed to have song fics on Fanfiction, I'm putting up the version with the lyrics on DA. I don't know how to provide the link though since it keeps killing it everytime I try to add it so if anyone can tell me, I'll be grateful. Please Review. I do not own anything except the plot and OC characters.

Chapter 9: Promises and Secrets

The sound of music reached the Metarex's ears entrancing him. He understood the words completely and their meaning startled him as the song was quite familiar to him. Was his master trying to hint something to him or simply provoke him? He spotted his leader sitting in its throne monitoring the screens. They reflected the Metarex preparing for the battle that was to surely come.

"Master."

The Metarex didn't bother turning around. "I know. Things are getting more troublesome."

This didn't bode well. Something must have happened in another region of their forces. There could only be two possibilities.

"What has happened?" he asked bracing for whatever it had to say.

"Both the Metarax and Guardians have struck our forces. We managed to avoid any serious damages." responded the Metarex leader as it got to its feet.

That shouldn't be possible. The two groups had different reasons for wanting to destroy the Metarex, but the fact they struck together could mean...

"Are they working together?" The words barely left his mouth before its master spoke.

"No. It appears to have been luck. Both promptly started attacking each other." replied the leader placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Freezing Fang hesitated, but forced himself to speak, "Will this interfere with…"

"Do you doubt me so?" countered the Metarex before he could finish.

The Metarex remained silent as the Metarex leader returned to the monitors. Everyone was armed and ready for whatever Sonic and his friends would do. They couldn't possibly penetrate their defenses.

"Sonic and his friends along with the villagers will be arriving soon. Then your wish will be fulfilled," the leader paused for a moment and questioned, "Are you certain you want this?"

He didn't miss a beat. "I have told you many times master. Yes. I want this more than anything."

The Metarex sighed. Freezing Fang realized how aged its master appeared even under all the armor. The pressure of leading so many forces in so many areas finally taking a toll.

"Very well. It will go as planned." The Metarex leader turned around. "As for you little one, it is unwise to hide and listen to others."

The Metarex swerved to the door as Talu revealed himself.

"You shouldn't be here. Go back to the others." ordered Freezing Fang.

"No. I want to understand what's going on. You do bad things, yet you're a good person. Why?" inquired the inhabitant.

"Little one. Tell me. Do you understand what the song is about?" asked the leader.

He paused to listen to only shake his head. "No. I don't understand the language."

"It's a story about a person loyal to his home and was willing to do anything to protect it." explained the Metarex.

He froze and shot a bloodthirsty glance toward its master. It promised not to reveal to anyone the wish he had wanted to fulfill after all these years. It was a secret between the both of them they swore not to tell anyone, yet it was willing to break it to one of the inhabitants.

"Master…" the Metarex started.

"I know. You shouldn't worry so much," said the Metarex leader to Freezing Fang as it trailed off, "Soon things will be clear."

"These Guardians. What do they do?" the boy questioned bring the leader out of its thoughts.

The Metarex inquired, "Do you wish to join them?"

"If it means stopping you, then yes." was Talu's response

The Metarex leader burst into laughter surprising the both of them. Neither had expected to react that way and gave each other a look thinking of the possibility that it has finally lost its mind.

"You sure have guts kid. Admitting to your suppresor that you're going to join the enemy to their face shows you have courage. But do you have the ability to back it up?" spoke the leader as its laughter subsided.

The inhabitant's answer: "I can and I will."

"I see. Good luck then." said the Metarex again catching everyone off guard.

Where was the bloodthirsty monster they had expected? Surely the leader of an unstoppable force would do everything in its power to crush everything in its path.

"Master. You shouldn't encourage him." spoke the Metarex as it edged closer to the Metarex leader.

It abruptly spun around and eyed him. "Freezing Fang. He wants to be able to do something so what right do I have to say no?"

"He's a child." he retorted.

The leader cocked its head to the side as it said, "You weren't that much older than him when you made your decision."

He fidgeted under its master's gaze deciding what were the best words to use.

"This case is different." The words came out slowly as if he wasn't sure if they were the right thing to say.

"You can't say that. You know very well that isn't true. I'm surprised you would use a very poor excuse." spoke the Metarex as it wagged a finger in Freezing Fang's face.

Talu watched, intrigued by the argument the two Metarex were having. They didn't sound like the monsters he had imagined them to be. They, after all, destroyed his homeland making everyone suffer, but they seemed sincerely good people.

"I don't want him to get involved." the Metarex admitted bowing his head.

The Metarex leader laid a comforting hand onto his shoulder as it said, "You can't stop the younger generations. I would know."

The leader pulled out a small crystal from a compartment that the boy couldn't see and dropped it into the inhabitant's hand.

"What is this?" The gem seemed to grow brighter in the palm of his hand.

"It's a way to find and join the Guardians; however, I have some warnings and want two things from you." This brought out of Talu's stupor.

"Master…" began Freezing Fang.

"What are they?" interrupted the boy.

"If you eat that, you will be able to grow powerful enough to join the Guardians, but it can kill you. Another thing is that you may never return home if you do join them." spoke the Metarex.

He didn't even hesitate. "I understand. What are the two things you want?"

"Don't die. Don't let yourself die meaninglessly." The Metarex leader's voice was heavy with sadness and the inhabitant's expression softened.

"I won't." After a moment's hesitation, he added, "What about the other?"

"Don't blame Freezing Fang. Try to forgive him. You may hate him now, but there are things at work here that you don't understand." The said Metarex shifted his eyes away from the scene as if he couldn't bear what was happening.

Forgive the one who took him from his home? Forgive the one who was destroying the homeland?

"I don't know if I can." Talu finally said.

"I know, but just try." spoke the leader.

Before the boy could speak, the base shook causing equipment around them to fall to the ground. Electricity crackled all around them and the Metarex had taken the inhabitant underneath its cloak to shield him. Once the shaking stopped, it removed its cloak away from him and looked to Freezing Fang.

"Mater. It appears that they have arrived." stated the Metarex as it stared at the ceiling.

"Yes it does. Let's head to that location." agreed the Metarex leader as it headed towards the exit.

Freezing Fang nodded. "Understood."

"Wait!"

Talu was completely confused. What was going on? Who was here? Were they under attack? Where were they going?

The leader stopped to whisper, "I'm sorry little one."

"What…" He didn't even feel the blow.

The boy collapsed to the ground as the two Metarex exited the room.