Chapter 12

The Cost for the Battle of Angel Island

"Okay," Tails said, typing away at a computer node inside of the Mako gunship. "I've confirmed the damage from our fight. Loss of the Master Emerald reverted Metal Sonic to his basic abilities. I've finished the last of the necessary repairs. Are you sure you want to do this?" Following the sudden deactivation of Metal Sonic following his transformation back from Master Overlord, Tails had salvaged the heavily damaged bot and affixed him to a robot repair center in the bowels of the Mako. He wasn't sure if he wanted to do this, since he would go straight for the Master Emerald right after he was reactivated. But Sonic wanted to take that risk.

"I'm sure," he said. "Wake up Metal Sonic."

"He's not going to be happy about this," Tails said, pulling down on a lever.

"Probably," Sonic said, smirking. "But I think the odds are on our side."

Metal Sonic's eyes glowed red, signifying that Tails had done his repairs well. "Morning, sunshine!" Sonic said. "Take it easy, you-"

Metal then burst from his restraints, lunging toward Sonic before he collapsed, his damage already corrosioning into his internal processors.

"As I was saying," Sonic said, catching the robot, "take it easy. Tails fixed up the worst of the damage, but you are in no shape to fight. We're compassionate, not stupid." When Metal merely glared at him, Sonic continued. "It's over, man. Eggman is done, and you don't owe him anything. You have a chance to live your own life now. Be your own person." And then he muttered, "Robot. Whatever." He cleared his throat and continued. "I'm not asking for us to be best buds. Heck, you can live on the other side of the planet for all that I care. But can we at least call a truce? Give peace a chance?" He extended a hand towards Metal, but he merely swatted it away hard. He then revved up his jet engine and flew out the room. "Jerk," Sonic muttered, nursing his hand.

"Are you okay?" Tails asked.

"Yeah," Sonic said.

"Shouldn't we go after him?"

"Nah. we gave him the choice to live how he wants to. we 've got to honor his decision."

"I guess. At the very least, he doesn't have Eggman to repair or weaponize him anymore!"

X

Meanwhile…

"I don't understand!" Starline said. "Three sessions later and he hasn't regained his memories!" On the table, Mr. Tinker was fixing up a Motobug, who in turn trimmed a bush into the shape of Sonic's head. "He's begun gravitating towards his old machines, but not his old personality."

"This has gotten old, doc!" snarled Rough. "When you sprung us out of jail, the deal was we'd get you Eggman, and then he'd make us weapons!"

"We're gonna need some serious firepower if we're ever gonna get revenge on Sonic," Tumble said.

"N-not that we need it," Rough corrected him. "We're tough enough as it is."

"Right. It's just for…uh…overkill."

"Yeah! Insult to injury! Lots and lots of injury!"

"Gentlemen! And I use the term loosely," Starline said, interrupting their thoughts. "I will restore Eggman's personality, you will get your weaponry and your revenge." He glanced at Orbot and Cubot as they pushed a cart of food. "Perhaps he needs some kind of emotional or mental trigger to jump-start his old self?"

"Ooh! Ooh! I know!" Cubot said. "How 'bout you threaten us, boss? Nothing cheered you up like saying you'd dismantle us!"

"Or perhaps you'd like to review a list of elortich creatures you'd like to resurrect and then lose control over?" Orbot suggested.

"What kind of monster would program you with emotions and then prey upon them?!" Mr. Tinker cried, scooping up Cubot. "No, I'll take good care of you!"

"I'm confused," Cubot said, squirming in Mr. Tinker's grasp. "Is that a threat? It didn;t sound menacing this time."

"Are we sure we want the boss back?" Orbot said, but then all were interrupted by a screech. They turned and then saw a heavily beat up Metal Sonic enter the room. The first one to take action was of course Mr. Tinker.

"Oh, you poor thing!" he said, placing a hand on his head. "Hold still! I'll have you repaired in no-" Just then, something in the back of his mind: Him standing before a bacta tank with his creation inside, all of its panels shining under the lights, coated in a chrome blue glaze ("Field tested and battle hardened! You are my finest creation, Metal Sonic!") to him repairing him after his first encounter with Sonic ("How dare that Sonic damage you!" he said, welding a plate back on. "He wouldn't have recognized a piece of artwork if it didn't punch him in the face! You did punch him in the face, didn't you?" Metal just gave him a thumbs up. "Attaboy!").

He then turned to the assembled crowd and then yelled, "WHEN DID I GET HERE? WHO ARE ALL OF YOU? AND WHO DRESSED ME LIKE THIS?!"

"Finally!" Starline said, clapping his hands together.

"Ah, well," Cubot said. "It was nice while it lasted."

"Please allow me to introduce myself, sir," Starline said, bowing low. "I am Dr. Starline, a kindred spirit, and a deep admirer of your work."

"Hmph. well at least you know your place," Eggman said, all traces of his personality as "Mr. Tinker" gone. "You, keep talking!" he barked at Starline. "Metal! Get on the table so that I can fix you. Orbot! Cubot! Get me some real clothes!"

"About that, sir," Starline said. "You lost your whole memory-your whole personality-after your last battle with Sonic and the Resistance."

"Uh-huh," Eggman said, getting Metal on the desk. "Pass me the penta-module recombulator."

"Right away!" Starline said, handing him the modular welding torches while explaining the situation to Eggman. "You wound up in a remote mountain village. Using my own unique methods, I located you and had my associates here rescue you."

"What associates?" Eggman asked.

"That's our cue!" Rough said.

"You better be humble," Tumble said.

"You're in the presence of Rough and Tumble!" they both said, striking very ridiculous poses right in front of Eggman, Starline and even Metal Sonic, who rolled his optics in disgust.

"Do they always do that?" hissed Eggman.

"Unfortunately," Starline said. "But they are violent, stupid, and hate Sonic. Perfect minion fodder for you, sir."

"Oh-ho-ho!" Eggman chuckled, turning to Rough and Tumble as Metal Sonic sat up, him having installed the last of the repairs. "Hate that hedgehog, do you? What do you say I hook you up with some delightfully destructive devices and send you after that rodent?"

"Now you're talkin'!" Rough said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Just give us the hardware, doc!" Tumble said. "We'll handle the rest!"

"You better not disappoint!" Eggman said, disappearing behind a screen the Orbot and Cubot had set up and began to change his outfit. "The last group I hired didn't last long against Sonic and Shadow!" He then addressed Starline. "One last question and I should be up to speed. How did you get me back to my glorious, ingenious self?"

"I administered neuro-stimulants and aggressive hypnotherapy to get you back to your senses," Starline said. "As for getting you here, I used the power of the Warp Topaz."

"With the what-was-it?" Eggman said, coming out from the screen, now in his more iconic outfit.

"Warp Topaz," Starline said. "A unique gemstone I've spent my career researching." He held out his glove, which rested the mysterious gemstone with swirling patterns. "It's not like the Chaos Emeralds," he explained. "Their power is chaotic, and can change given the situation or their usage. No, the Warp Topaz can warp space to create gateways to other places, provided that it has a power source."

"Mmm…hard pass," Eggman said. "I've had my fill of strange magic stones (1)."

"Thought you might say that," Starline said, chuckling. "That's why I've taken the time to secure something you're more familiar with." He held out a small briefcase, and opened it. Inside, resting among its cushions, were the seven Chaos Emeralds. "Consider this my apprenticeship application," Starline said.

"Oh-ho-ho!" Eggman said, chuckling evilly. "Welcome aboard, Starline! You're my best lackey yet!"

X

Angel Island

"Yo, Knux!" Sonic said, coming to a halt near the Master Emerald. "I just did a couple of laps around the island. Everything looks intact! Tails says he can get the Mako he crashed into Master Overlord to fly again, so we're all heading back to Resistance HQ. You coming?"

"Nah," Knuckles said. "It's my duty to guard the Master Emerald. I'm staying right here."

"I'd figured you'd say that," Sonic said. "The offer still stands."

"Thanks," Knuckles said, yawning.

"If you ever get too lonely up here, let us know."

"Pfft. You'll cause some trouble and bring it to my doorstep in no time."

"Ha! True enough," Sonic commented. Then, he asked, "What about the Resistance? You plan on leading them remotely, commander?"

"Oh, yeah," Knuckles said, sitting up. "I did take command, didn't I…?" He then lay back on the Master Emerald, waving a hand dismissively. "Well, the war is over and Metal Sonic is trashed. There doesn't really need to be a Resistance anymore, does there? Eh, consider it disbanded."

"Whatever you say, Knux," Sonic said. He then dashed off the Master Emerald. "Catch ya later! I'm outta here!"

"Whatever," Knuckles said. "Get off my island."

The first thing that Sonic did when he reached the Mako gunship was run into the cargo hold, where Amy was, cataloging several crates of spare parts with an electronic clipboard. "Amy!" he called, skidding to a halt. "What'cha doing?"

"Taking inventory of what's left on the ship," she said, smiling at him.

"Thrilling," Sonic said. "Find anything good?"

"Yeah! There's tons of raw materials here!" It's just what the Resistance needs to help with the reconstruction efforts!"

"Cool!"

"I know this sort of thing bored Knuckles to tears, so I guess I'll handle it-haha!"

"Yeeeeeaaaaaah… and everything else too. Knux says he's disbanding the Resistance. Surpriiiiiiiiise…"

"Are you serious?" Amy said.

"Mm-hmm!" Sonic said, smiling sadly.

"Unbelievable."

Just then, the Chaotix came strolling in. "Just the lady we were looking for!" Vector cried, stretching out his arms.

"Payday! Payday! Weeee!" cried Charmy.

"'Payday?' What?" Amy asked them.

"The case of the missing Eggman is over!" Vector said, rubbing two of his fingers together. "We found out what happened to the doctor, who was impersonating him, and helped bring down the perp! Case closed!"

"Our reward should be substantial," Espio said humbly.

"We're gonna get fancy takeout!" Charmy cried happily.

"I…buh…whuh…" Amy stuttered.

"I'll leave this to you, madam executive of the Resistance," Sonic whispered into her ear before dashing out of the cargo bay.

"Doesn't being part of the Resistance count as anything?!" Amy yelled after him.

Meanwhile, Sonic came across Tangle and Whisper, who were just enjoying the view from the bow.

"Hey ladies!" he said. "Ready to head home?"

"Yeah! No! Maybe!" Tangle said. "I mean, sure I miss home. But I am on a flying tropical paradise! I fought a robot dragon! And survived! The past few days have been so crazy and cool! I don't think I can go back to my old life!"

"Well, what about Whisper?" Sonic asked. "Feel like you've made some friends on this trip?"

"Oh, she's a riot!" Tangle said, nudging her friend. "She just told me the funniest joke! Go on! Tell him! Y'know, the one about the toaster?" When Whisper just put down her mask, Tangle was confused. "What'd I say?!" she asked.

"Just give her some space," Sonic said, dashing off. "Sorry, Whisper! I'll see you guys later!" On the bow of the Mako, he found Silver and Blaze, who were in the midst of arguing about the future and how time had changed while they were gone.

"Are you sure?" Silver said, looking at Blaze.

"Yes," she said. "It is for the best."

"Hey guys!" Sonic said. "We should be shoving off soon." He looked at Blaze. "Then again, I guess you can use the Sol Emeralds to return home from anywhere, Blaze." He pointed his thumb at Silver. "And Silver can return to the future…however he does it."

"Right," Blaze said. "My work here is done, and the Sol Emeralds must be returned. I'll see everyone else home first, though. "

"I'm staying," Silver said. "I've got a nagging feeling the future I escaped from might still happen. I don't think the real threat has passed yet."

"Oh man-don't make it sound so dire!" Sonic said, placing his arms around Silver and Blaze. "We get to hang out more! That's awesome!"

"Well…I guess if you have to put a positive spin on it," Silver said, smiling at him.

"Heh," Blaze said. "He always does."

"And no one does it better!" Sonic said, winking at them both. "I'm going to check up on a few more folks. So see ya later!" He then raced to the top of the ship, where he found Rouge relaxing on a beach chair. "Where did you find that?" he asked.

"Eggman's private stash," Rouge said. "I thought, 'Why let it go to waste?'"

"Yeah, but…when does Eggman ever go outside?" Sonic said.

"Don't let the paunch fool you," Rouge said, lowering her sunglasses. "He actually used to have a meticulous cardio regimen."

"Huh," Sonic said. "You think you know a guy. Are you back to spying once we're home?"

"I'm a girl of many talents," Rouge said. "I keep my options open. Right now, I am enjoying this tropical getaway…and having a full view of the Master Emerald."

"How you harass Knuckles on your own time is your thing," Sonic said, knowing that Rouge was a jewel thief and she would love to get her hands on the Master Emerald, and that she and Knuckles had a lot of beef in between them. "I guess Shadow's already gone?"

"He's even worse about it than you," Rouge said, lying back down. "But, yes, he's gone, never to look back again."

"Well, tell him 'Thanks' for me," Sonic said, jumping down. "I'm betting you'll see him before I do."

"Ha!" Rouge said, blowing him a kiss. "Like he listens to me. But I'll pass it along if I get the chance."

Sonic then entered the bridge, where Tails was waiting for him. "Are we ready to lift off, captain?" he asked.

"You're right on time!" Tails said. "Here we go!" He then activated the repulsors on the Mako, which slowly lifted into the air. Meanwhile, Knuckles was watching the ship lift off, a small smile on his face, knowing that the threat to his island was vanquished once and for all.

"Way to go, man!" Sonic said, Angel Isand shinking from view. "You got this thing fixed up in record time!"

"Don't thank me yet," Tails said, one hand on the throttle. "Eggman tech is notoriously weird. I'm just glad we launched! You can thank me if we land safely."

"Psssht!" Sonic said. "If we crash, we crash. We've handled worse and come out on top."

"You keep saying that," Tails said, giving Sonic a thumbs up. "'Cause we keep proving it true," Sonic said, returning the thumbs up. "Here's to another adventure done in style, buddy!"

"Yeah!"

X

Elsewhere…

"So the biodata Metal Sonic copied off of Sonic and Shadow was corrupted?" Starline said, as Eggma sat next to a computer monitor. "How unfortunate. Perhaps you can reconstruct…"

"No, the moment's passed," Eggman said. "Neo did well, considering the lack of my brilliant leadership, but it's over."

"But…it looks like he came so close," Starline protested. "Why not-"

"Ah-ah-ah!" Eggman said. "It's time for a change of pace!"

"Does this mean you have a new plan in mind?" Starline asked excitedly.

"Of course!" Eggman said. "I always do. But it will need time to test and prepare." He pointed at Starline. "Which is why I'm putting you in charge of keeping Sonic distracted until I'm ready!"

"O-of course, sir!" Starline said, saluting. "It will be my honor! I know exactly how to lure him into an ambush!"

Eggman then descended the stairs, Orbot and Cubot following behind. They found the two skunk brothers, Rough and Tumble arguing about their new weapons.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Tumble asked.

"How are we supposed to use weapons like these?!" Rough yelled. Eggman just snatched the blueprints from them and rotated them around, so that they could properly see them.

"Oh!" Tumble said, his eyes lighting up. "This makes a lot more sense!"

"I can't wait to use this!" Rough said.

Eggman just walked into a secluded area of his base. "I called up the schematics on file as you requested, boss," Orbot said.

"Are you sure you want to really unleash that on the world?" Cubot asked. Eggman just pulled up the file, showing a minute organism with a bulbous head and several small tentacles attached to a small tube like body. But the thing that stood out was that it was corrosioning with energy like a machine, and that it had the Eggman Empire insignia on it.

"Oh, yes! Yes indeed!" Eggman said. "I've suffered quite the indignity during my last setback. Now the world will be made to suffer in return!"

And that's the end of the first saga! I have no other words to say, other than…let the Metal Virus Saga begin!

Next time: Sonic vs Rough and Tumble-Round two!