Metonic: Sequel to CH 57: Reborn
Requested by Guest (A/N: thanks! And sorry it took so long)
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I was not programmed for a computer, states Metal with no warning, roughly a week after he was installed.
Sonic… isn't sure how much information he has on that. Or how much he should share… Hesitantly he then types: no. you weren't. Your body was destroyed.
It is quite peculiar. To lack optical sensors when so much of my data is made for them.
And he really doesn't want to recall it, but – the magma. His hand, reaching for another one… being slapped away, seeing-
He shrugs the memories away, and writes an answer; I could get Tails to make you a new body. Probably. He's sort of offering Tails' help even when the fox really hasn't given any inclination that he would want to help Metal…
The fact that Metal doesn't have a body suddenly feels so very unfair. To not be able to see, to not be able to run… Sonic stifles a shudder at the mere thought. To not be able to see the sun sink down through the clouds, casting shadows in pink and gold and purple all across the cloudscape. To not be able to feel the soft summer breeze, the fierce winds, the humid morning mists-
"Tails!" he shouts before he's even looked at Metal's reply. "TAILS!"
"YEAH?" a voice yells back at him from somewhere below.
"I need your help!"
He turns back to the screen to wait, and sees Metal's answer:
I'd like that.
"Good," says Sonic to himself, grinning. He types, one new body, coming right up! Though Tails would need some time to make new blueprints and whatnot- It may take some time, though
I'm prepared to wait. For months, if necessary.
Sonic really hoped it wouldn't take that long…
Tails… was against the idea. Very much so, in fact. "Remember what happened last time!"
Sonic just turned up his nose and looked away. "Well yeah, but he helped us in the end."
…Eventually, Tails gave in. And then came the inevitable question Sonic somehow hadn't been aware of: "So. The new body – should I design it a hedgehog or-?" –At Sonic's uncomprehending expression, Tails patiently said, "Does Metal want it to look like his old one, or does he want… a coyote design, maybe?"
-That was an option?
"…I'll have to ask him. Be right back!"
The next and very charmingly surprising issue, for Sonic, was what sort of powers they would allow Metal. Tails voted for boosters, and nothing more. Sonic voted for all the things he could do while he served Dr Robotnik – because it was fair! What's the point in being reborn if you'll just end up a shadow of your former self?
…They debated trying to get into contact with either Sara or Knuckles to ask for a third opinion, but… but Sonic and Tails actually agreed on this point: keep the project a secret. For now, at least.
"So how much could you even grant him, with your engineering skills?" Sonic asked, the next afternoon, draped over the couch and looking exasperated.
Tails was quiet for at least ten seconds, and then the little fox piped up with an almost cheerful, "I could give him a blaster powerful enough to blow our hideaway to smithereens."
-Sonic was pretty sure that was some sort of threat. Tails threatening him with what Metal could achieve if let loose on this poor country, maybe? Saying not-so-elegantly disguised that if this plan backfired, Sonic better be ready to pay the price?
Hah. Haha. "Sure!" Sonic said. "I'll ask him what he wants, and you go wild with your engineering."
…Tails gave him a not-at-all disguised look.
The third issue, appearing three endlessly long weeks later, when Metal's body was mostly done, was what colour to paint it. Because that was a vital question, obviously. Even Tails agreed on that one, and so Sonic was sent to ask Metal again…
He had been doing a lot of chatting to him, these three weeks. He'd gotten really fast at typing to, and gotten Metal to crack a joke! (It was kinda bad, really complicated, and included math, but still) He taught Metal some names for flowers and different cloud formations, what to do when the really vicious storms start picking up dangerously fast, and how to ride a skateboard (in theory). And – and he confirmed that all Metal's memories…
…were really, truly, gone.
But. But maybe that was for the best.
The fourth issue was voice. Tails – didn't think he could program it into the new robot body. And what sort of voice, anyway? –You'll be alright without it? Sonic typed that same day.
What would I need a voice for?
Which – okay, yeah, Metal hadn't had a voice before. Silly question.
And at last, came the final issue. Could Tails move what was essentially Metal's entire being, his soul and consciousness, from the computer it was installed on, without causing any damage? Would it, again, wipe his entire memory? Or could Metal just… 'go offline', and then Tails could easily move the program?
Sonic had never needed to think about such questions before.
Sonic had never had to be anxious in this way, before.
…Or yeah, he had. The day when they first activated Metal, downloaded in that very computer. For those few seconds of waiting, he had barely dared breathe lest he would have disturbed the process.
This felt worse. Because now he knew Metal.
When Tails actually did it – plug that cable here, and those cables there – Sonic was hovering around, asking if he could help, can I help, do you need any- until Tails snapped at him, which was very uncharacteristic for him, and Sonic promptly went quiet and sat down. He nodded at Tails, who nodded back, and turned back to fiddle with the computer.
Metal… had already powered down. Blinked out. Reverted to standby.
And Sonic felt like tiny jolts were running through him, like he had to move around, bounce in his seat and twiddle his thumbs, had to look at the computer, at the robot, at Tails, all without blinking. He had to be here. But oh boy did he feel anxious…
At last, Tails stepped back. He looked over at Sonic, who leapt from his seat. "Is it do-"
"No," Tails interrupted. "But all we need to do is press a key." He looked at him intently. "Do you want to do the honours-?"
Yes. No.
No. Yes.
He stepped forward, finger flying at the key before he had the time to change his mind.
And then, then he stepped back.
The computer whirred, loudly. The robot's eyes flickered on – a sharp, green colour – and then they flickered right back off. The computer died down, and all was quiet…
-please say it's working
Please.
Sonic, limbs feeling numb and strange, took a step forward. The quiet rang in his ears. Carefully, he stretched out a hand, brushing over the robot's chest. A green crystal sat imbedded there – his brand new power source, according to Tails…
Please let it work.
He didn't know who or what he was praying to – and he didn't give a damn, as long as Metal would eventually lurch up, come to life, look at him. Live.
Just- please.
And then, one metallic hand moved, smooth shiny fingers curling up, as if in slumber. The robot – Metal, let it work – was as tall as Sonic. Looked pretty similar to him too, except that Metal had wanted it to be painted green. And his fingers were just sleek, undisguised metal. Sleek, undisguised metal suddenly moving again, hand opening.
Sonic had no idea what came over him, but he grabbed the hand.
Tails made some noise behind him, but Sonic barely heard it – because Metal's eyes flickered again. The screen sparking green briefly, and – and Sonic didn't breathe again, until slowly, slowly – the eyes switched back on. And stayed glowing, stayed alive.
And the robot moved, looked at him, and carefully waved at him.
Metal was back.
And the first thing Sonic did, was to introduce him to the concept of hugs.
A/N: I was sooo tempted to just make it end on "Please let it work". Anyway, thanks for requesting!
