Steel
Instead of blood flowing in her veins, electricity rushed through her circuits. Weaponry filled her body, storing missiles and firepower. With a directive, she dashed through the air like a rocket, blazing and blitzing without breaking a sweat like an organic Freedom Fighter. While Mobians tired and perspired, as a robot, she was ensured with consistent endurance, unless someone dealt a finishing blow, and she doubted it would happen.
Every angle of her roboticized form glinted under the lights. Brilliant shades of blue, brown, silver, and auburn metal plating constructed the perfect killing machine. Mecha Sally gazed at her reflection. Eggman, her malevolent creator, had brought a full-length mirror to her room. He leaned against it, his arrogance on display with a smirk. Lien-Da quietly waited behind him, hands folded by her waist, a potential target waiting to be sniped if Eggman tired of her.
"What do you think, my dear? Like your new upgrades?" Eggman asked, toying with the end of his mustache. "Legionization has compelling perks to further the game, but a full body makeover for one of my favorite robots always brings a true smile to my face."
As Lien-Da pursed her lips, Sally raised her claws. Pincers, their edges faintly serrated, formed fists. The doctor's work was impeccable, as always. Her servos burned in anticipation, and she nodded, thanking him for perfecting her.
Chortling, he slapped his hand on her pointed shoulder. "Oh, in all my years, I never thought I'd hear such a compliment from you, princess!" He sighed, guiding her toward the exit and gesturing for Lien-Da to follow. "Well, I had when I decimated another Mobius, but it's here and now that matters. My inevitability knows no bounds across dimensions."
Sally agreed. Eggman readily crafted and executed his plans without mistakes. Her creator was a mastermind among masterminds, and she was only a cog in his grand machine. He had trounced one Mobius and sought this world to further his conquest, Sally more than prepared to lay her life for his devastation.
They walked toward his control room, the sound of three sets of footsteps echoing in the metallic hallway. Snively had been disposed of off days ago, leaving the doctor giddy for winning the decades-long duel. In his jubilation, he had rewarded Sally's prowess against Monkey Khan with new upgrades such as a scorching cannon in her right hand, strengthening her jet boosters, and lengthier arm blades.
Thinking of how she would utilize them titillated her. She saw herself streaking across the sky, skewering the Tornado in one slash. Amy and Sonic would fall, the former nuisance for his affections to her doom. As Tails struggled to eject the burning wreckage, she'd engage Sonic, snatching his hands, twisting them until his phalanges satisfyingly snapped.
"Doctor," Lien-Da said, interrupting Sally's train of thought.
Eggman hummed, continuing to walk. "What is it?"
She held a communicator to her ear, lowering it when he addressed her. "I've received word from my agents in Albion. Our infiltration has begun."
His lips spread in a thin, cynical smile. "Ah, good! I was wondering when your people would get on that. I was getting tired of waiting."
The edge in his tone stiffened Lien-Da's shoulders. Her fear, discreetly palpable, almost elicited a chuckle from Sally.
"In that case, join them when you can. The Dark Egg Legion will need their Grandmaster on the battlefront whipping those rogue echidnas into shape," Eggman added, gesturing over his shoulder. "Take any of the spare airships with you and your squadron." He rested his hand upon Sally's head, leering down at her. "I have everything I need in this bundle of robotic royalty."
Lien-Da met Sally's gaze. Her violet eyes quivered with an easily placed emotion. Sally sensed her blood pressure rising, her skin growing clammy with sweat, and even her tightly clenched fists, gestures of anticipation, couldn't conceal her frustration.
She departed with a bow. Eggman scoffed at her backside, whispering when she was out of earshot. "An amusing woman, isn't she, Mecha Sally? Her scheming isn't as secretive as she believes."
"You will crush her soon enough, sir."
"Hoho! Indeed, I will."
Lien-Da was only a stepping stone in Eggman's plan. The game would not end in her favor. If Sally could smirk, she would have. While Lien-Da became embittered toward her place, Sally obeyed. Eggman's instructions were her life. Without him, she would have remained the shell of her former self, subservient to a fallen crown, trapped by a pittering heart that beat for her nemesis.
Eggman's word was law. As his most devout creation, she lived to serve.
Accessing the control room, Sally observed the various holographic monitors. Eggman had invested in the Dark Egg Legion across the globe. Their numbers were already attacking different villages and cities. Sonic wouldn't be able to save everyone. He couldn't be everywhere at once.
Eggman sighed as he sat in the central chair. Orbot and Cubot sprung to life from their game of checkers, the latter quickly shoving the pieces in a cardboard box underneath their small table. Crossing his legs, Eggman dragged his finger across the closest screen, showing an eagle-eyed view of Mobotropolis. Sally hardly felt a prick of longing for her old home. The doctor perfected her amoral, dispassionate personality with a few twists of her wires.
"I could send a few atomic missiles careening their way," he mumbled, stroking his chin. "Blast them off the map as I did some time ago. It made Sonic despair, but where's the fun in it now?" He drummed his fingers against his cheek. "The resistance is in tatters at the moment. So many alliances of deception and in-fighting in their supposed democracy. It would be a cinch to crush them, there's no point. Hearing it through the grapevine isn't as soul-crushing without Sonic witnessing it firsthand."
"Shall I retrieve Sonic for you, Doctor?" Sally inquired, her gaze fixed on the kingdom.
He chuckled and leaned toward her, sneering, "I love the cut of your jibe, Mecha Sally. Your suggestion is appreciated." He patted her head. "But that won't be necessary. Remember? Sonic is after us. He'll do anything to save you, and you'll do everything to destroy him."
She nodded. Again, the doctor was correct. The Death Egg was on a global hunt. Sonic and his childish friends attempted to defeat them every step of the way with varying results.
They were currently flying miles above the great forest of Northamer. Furville was their destination. Eggman would release her onto the population, leading the roboticization charge with her armada of cronies. Another blow against the Republic of Acorn made a quiet buzz of amusement resound in her vocal cords.
She glanced at Eggman. He was still gazing at her. She asked if he needed anything.
Eggman smiled. "No, no. Just thinking. Tell me, Mecha Sally, what do you think of the hedgehog?"
"He is contemptuous. A foolhardy hero, one who insists he is above your rule." She narrowed her eyes. "I will drag him before you for his crimes against the empire."
He should've bellowed with laughter. An eruption of eager, devilish delight should have been the proper response. Instead, Eggman adjusted his posture, Orbot and Cubot peering around his rotund frame at her.
"Good response, but there must be something more." He steepled his fingers. "What do you think of the hedgehog?"
The only noise in the control room was the electricity hissing in the walls. Cubot tried biting his invisible fingernails, only for Orbot to swat his hand away. They were waiting for her answer, expecting it shortly, and Mecha Sally ruminated.
What was Sonic to a robot such as her? In her old life, he was her dearest companion, her beloved. He had been her best friend through the years. At one point, he was even her royal consort. When he smiled at her, assuring her of the future, her organic counterpart's face flushed, her heartbeat quickened, and her worries melted away. When he touched her, when he kissed her, Sally knew everything would be right in the world.
When she believed he died to the Xorda, she was broken. She was that same shell, unfulfilled. It was as if she was living her worst nightmares, going through the motions of her mourning, still being expected to lead as a symbol of freedom. She was alone, struggling with years of trauma, crying bitterly when in her room, her hair long and unbrushed. The emotional baggage she carried threatened her collapse.
Even when Sonic returned, he broke her heart again. She couldn't control the sharp motion of her hand when it connected with Sonic's face, the straw that broke the camel's back.
Ancient memories sprung to life, like how life would flash through her opponent's eyes while she held them by their throat. Scampering down the Great Oak Slide. Racing through Robotropolis. Falling to her death when someone cut the rope. Sonic wishing for her to wake up from a coma. The strife with Kodos and Naugus and her father spanning months.
Longing for Sonic as he played with Mina. Kissing him before his supposed demise. A year by herself that seemed endless. Having her heart broken and breaking his in return. Almost marrying Patch in a wedding gown she later discarded. Jealousy as Bunnie and Antoine announced their engagement.
Making amends and fixing fences. Returning to the Freedom Fighters. A friendship renewed, no longer strangers. A night under a full moon where they made a promise. Leaping from the Tornado in his arms, kissing him for luck.
Bullets riddling through her body aboard the Death Egg. Nicole's cry.
A new world. Boomer and Antoine. Her new ally saving them numerous times.
Hey, Sal.
The old world. A spark of confusion and comprehension. A second flash, followed by the crunching of metal suppressing her scream as her flesh was pulled, transcending Sally to Eggman's purpose.
In her old life, she loved Sonic.
In her new life, loathing remained.
"If I may speak freely, Master?"
"You may."
"I want to tear through Sonic the Hedgehog's chest and rip out his heart that still beats for me."
And Eggman's wild, maniacal, approving laughter rattled the control room.