Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed chapter 9, it drained me of my energy
to write all that. O_o Thank you Scotty CF and TJ the Shadow freak for
their reviews!
***Story***
***Robotropolis***
"LET ME GO!!!" Melody screamed as the Swatbots carried her down a musty narrow hallway, filled with muck and all kinds of mechanisms. Aqua green body failed to squirm or resist however, she had been touched in the back of the neck by the lasso of the immobilizer, cutting her brain signals off for about an hour. In the west wing, next to the hanger, was where the holding cells were located. It consisted of six prison cells, capable of holding 3-5 prisoners. (Depending on the size.) Shadow, had been alarmed by the whole controversy. As soon as the alarms had sounded through the city's walls, he knew a big battle was about to break out. The obsidian hedgehog had tried numerous times to break free and aid his companions, but it was to no avail. Robotnik had made sure that the confinement areas were secure and practically in destructible. It had been a long week for the clouded- minded prisoner. He slept most of the time, but never gained any energy. It was a nightmare filled sleep, consisting of painful memories and horrifying moments. One thing he had been grateful for however was that the Freedom Fighters had caused the delay in his roboticazation. The guards were always busy with something, whether it be battling a nearby disturbance or heeding orders from the mad scientist. Robotnik hadn't mentioned Shadow at all; it was as if something else was sapping him of all his time and energy. This surprised Shadow; he seemed so intent on destroying him after that refusal in the main control room. Metal Sonic came down every now and then, but only briefly, the former E-102 robot mostly guarded him.
He was not prepared for what he saw when the door to the main prison room opened. Swatbots carried in a struggling bundle of green fur, or at least her head was going back and forth wildly. Her body was as still as an inanimate object. Shadow came to the bars of his cell and placed his hands on them, peering curiously at the fleet. His garnet eyes widened when he realized whom it was. "MELODY!" he shrieked. He banged on the bars and was like a mad animal, the swatbots and that annoying immobilizer had snagged yet another victim. The robots paid no heed to the black hedgehog enragement, and took Melody to the very end of the prison hall. There, they placed her in and locked her cell tight. Turning and marching back out, they left the two prisoners behind. Shadow finally ceased his futile struggle. "Melody...are you hurt, are you ok?!!" No response at first, but finally, Melody's voice came over the dirty air. "Yeah..I'm fine.I just feel so weird, its hard to breathe." Shadow paced restlessly, he just wanted to be with her, to comfort her, she did not deserve this, and no one did. Shadow heard Melody begin to cry, and immediately, he felt the compassion in his rise. Love was so strange, but it had Shadow by the throat. When he thought of her, he felt everything inside swirl into a tornado of emotions. But at the same time, it was a pleasant and welcoming feeling, a feeling satisfying to the very soul. But at the moment, it was a painful un-restful feeling, which consumed him. He couldn't be with her, he couldn't hold her tight and comfort her as she had comforted him in his time of pain. This angered him so much, he screamed with all his might. "YOU WILL DIE ROBOTNIK, I WILL MAKE SURE OF IT!!" His head bowed and his eyes closed. "Melody..."
Melody was feeling the same way. she was crying because she was denied her wish to be with her love, Shadow. He was but a few strides away, but the steel bars of her holding cell and her being paralyzed prevented her from getting to him. The two were defenseless, and they could only hope that the Freedom Fighters would come back soon.
***Robotropolis Robotnik's Quarters***
Robotnik had been particularly happy about all of the action that had taken place a half an hour ago. He had captured Melody and Shadow, and even the Master Emerald. A computer scanned the jewel, doing a power estimate to make sure that it was the real thing. Unfortunately this time, it was. Snickering, the dictator pulled out his blue prints once more, not knowing that a lurker was in the city, a spy, who had secretly dispersed from Knothole and returned. His jet black fur mixed in well with the smoke pouring from the towers of Robotropolis, they where running high in their production of oil and metal. His green suit was a bit dusty and black from the collection of pollution. His navy blue waist sash was torn, but wearable. In his paws, he held Nicole. "Sometimes a fighter is got to do, what a fighter has got to do.." he muttered as he reached the heart of the city. Attacking was not his plan, but he knew one mistake could cause quite an uproar in the city's perimeter. He avoided the cameras, and stealthily slipped passed the swatbot guards. Strider's gleaming sword hung ready to use in his back strap. The wolf decided that he would do something to help the Freedom Fighters. Like Shadow and Metal Sonic, he too noticed that the dictator was acting rather strange. Robotnik knew he had the upper hand on the battle right now, so why was he so irritable and so darn cautious? It just didn't make any sense. He was keeping something from somebody, and that was his mission, to find out.
Taking out Nicole, he opened her up. "Nicole, any mechanical machines headed this way?" Nicole beeped a few times, and finally responded. "No my main wolf, however, swat patrols may come by in the matter of minutes. I don't remember Tails sending you on this mission Strider." The wolf smiled weakly. "He didn't, but this is an emergency Nicole." Nicole showed a hologram of a frowny face, but that was all. "Nicole, is there a way you can pin point where all main computers are?" Once again Nicole beeped a few times. A small image of a map of Robotropolis appeared on the screen. Red dots appeared in various places, showing the locations of the computers. Strider smiled. "Thank you Nicole." Once again, no response from the chip. Closing up Nicole, Strider went down many pathways, and melted into the shadows, this was one of those one-chance missions. He gradually moved from the north side of the city, to the east side, where he found his chance. Robotnik was pretty obvious about where he stayed, a huge sign said step here if you need to be roboticized, and the Eggman logo in the center clearly said, "Robotnik's Quarters." Taking out his sword, he managed to trace the main wires leading into the building. Taking out Nicole, he ran a scan on it and found the computer wire. He gingerly removed the covering of the thick coating with his sword, and using a bit of skill, took Nicole apart in the back and hooked her up to it. "Nicole, download as many files as you can from this source." Nicole beeped and began to download. "This will take 5 minutes." Strider stood guard while the computer finished its work. Finally, when Nicole was complete, Strider removed the wires, replaced them back and even managed to cover up his tracks as he slipped away from the city. He had the information, now all they had to do was analyze it. Something in the pit of Strider's stomach told him they weren't going to like what they see.
Robotnik was still intently studying the blue prints of Project Annihilation, totally unaware of the sudden hack of his computer. His face seemed to grow colder and evil with every detail he noticed, this one would surely not fail. The Master Emerald would power the robot. Located in the shoulder area of this mechanical wonder stood giant laser shooters, capable of firing an extremely accurate, not to mention painful, beam. Its interior was well suited for the doctor's need, and the boosters in the back would help its speed. "Feet thrusters" gave it the power to rocket up in the sky and even hover a little. But due to its bulky size, it could only shoot upward a few feet. This was useful, if Robotnik wanted to crush something. Its control would be smooth and easy. Its main attack would be an energy ball that was shot from the chest area. This would trap the attacker in the center of the ball of energy, and there would the real pain begin. It would ultimately destroy many living beings, but it would probably take a few for Sonic. Re-rolling up the blue prints, Robotnik placed them in a drawer and headed back to the south wing, in a deep underground part of the city were Robotnik was keeping both the Egg Carrier and his weapon. The worker bots had just finished the interior and controls. A few AI robots were revising the circuitry, while others began to prepare to finish the final finish of the project. It was a long tower that would come from the head of the robot. On the top consisted of a spear with a devastating weapon. It would send out a signal in the form of sound waves out into the air. They were going to be long lasting, so they wouldn't wear out in the course of time until being absorbed by a living animal. The signal would cause the brain to send out strange signals to the nervous system, causing a chemical to be produced in the blood stream. The chemical would collect and build up, forming metal and generate new systems, ultimately roboticizing it. He would use this finishing move to put the entire planet under his control. The sound waves would travel from region to region, causing every living- breathing animal to turn into a robot under his control. There was one set back however; he had to be at a specific elevation for this to occur. The ice cap mountain would be the perfect place to begin his domination of the entire planet. No doubt the Freedom Fighters would try to stop him, but by judging the machine's weaponry, it didn't seem like a real threat. Robotnik himself was free from the fear of being killed by his own weapon; the interior was lined with special alloys that would prevent the waves from affecting him. Laughing coldly, he knew it was only a matter a time before the day of doom for all living animals would come. Ultimately, he would finally have Sonic under his control.
***Robotropolis Main Control Room ***
Things in the main control room were relatively quiet. Metal Sonic was monitoring as usual, but he was barely paying attention to the boring screens. All the actions that had taken place really meant nothing to him. What was really bothering him, was well, himself. He had never had such a feeling of anger before, or any feelings at all. He was simply a robot that did what it was told. But after the upgrade, new and strange changes had begun to take place inside his mechanical insides. It was no longer a simple yes sir and seek and destroy type thing. No, it was now an emotional ride, with many twists and turns along its path. He had noticed it when Robotnik had shown him his anger or annoyance. What was happening to him? Why could he think and feel all of sudden? And the Freedom Fighters..did he really hate them? Or was that too slowly dwindling? Nothing made sense at all. His communicator beeped. Picking up and switching it on, Robotnik's sinister voice came on. "Metal Sonic, I want you to go guard the prisoners while I inspect the roboticizer, I'm sure we will have two new loyal members of our empire soon enough." The communicator beeped and went out. Leaving the main control room, Mecha Sonic headed down from the center of Robotropolis to the East wing. Shadow and Melody had been strangely quiet. The Freedom Fighters had yet to show up, and a sense of doom was upon them, like they would be metal in only a few short moments. Melody stood at the bars, staring into the garnet eyes of Shadow. She had regained her ability to move, and only wanted to spend these last moments gazing into the eyes of her loved one. Shadow shared a mutual feeling. The main prison door opened, and Metal Sonic silently walked in, his eyes narrow and bright red in the darkness. He glared at Melody and Shadow, trying too look intimidating, hiding his emotion. Shadow had no reaction, but Melody sure did. "Metal Sonic! Its you!" Shadow curiously looked up, how did she know of Robotnik's creation? Metal Sonic glared at her with a chilling stare. "I told you if that doctor found you, you would be killed, but you heeded not." Melody could only stare; even Metal Sonic had turned against her. He was no longer that concerned robot she had met when she was "born." Sinking back down to the cold damp ground, Melody buried her head in her hands. Metal Sonic refrained from looking at her, as he stood in the center of the room, keeping guard. 10 minutes slowly slid by, and no words were exchanged. Every now and then, a muffled sob could be heard from Melody's cell. Shadow had his eyes closed, trying desperately to keep himself from crying, he felt as if the end was drawing closer with every second. A beeping sound erupted through the tense atmosphere. Metal Sonic switched it on. "Metal Sonic, take the girl and Shadow to the roboticizer, its time to finish this.." At those words, the two prisoners leapt to their feet. About a dozen swatbots all of sudden entered the room, their lasers pointed directly at Shadow's head. "Take him." Metal Sonic said. An AI swatbot unlocked Shadow's cell, while the others kept their aim on target. The horror in Melody's eyes was unexplainable, they were going to roboticize Shadow before she had the chance to say goodbye. "SHADOW!!! SHADOW!!!!!" She began to cry hard. Shadow looked back, he too was now crying. "Melody..I.I love you!!" Those were his last words when the swatbots forced him to leave the room, leaving only Metal Sonic and Melody.
Melody was sobbing her heart out, and Metal Sonic couldn't take it. The painful feeling returned to his insides, emotions were coursing through him. This wasn't real, this couldn't be happening. His communicator switched on. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I SAID BRING BOTH PRISONERS, NOT ONE, I WANT THAT GIRL TO WITNESS THE DEATH OF HER BOY FRIEND. I'M SENDING THE FLEETS BACK WITH SHADOW, AND DON'T MESS UP AGAIN YOU WORTHLESS SCRAP METAL!"
Metal Sonic felt the painful feeling slowly turn into one of anger. Melody, through a river a tears quickly saw Metal Sonic's emotion, and ran to the entrance of her cell. "Why do you take it?! Why do you let him rule your life like that?! Don't you know you are more than what you seem?! Are you going to take orders forever? Just be thrown aside like I was?" Metal Sonic glared at her, his thoughts, his mind, whirling in a hurricane of uncontrollable thoughts. The pain, the sadness, that was all that Robotnik caused, and now, he had threatened him again. He had been deactivated all those years, yet he still had faithfully served him, through thick and thin. But he was still treated like he was fresh from Robotropolis's trash heap. Melody's words began to reach him; he came to her cell just as the swatbots entered the area. "Time to go.Mel." He said, trying to look like he was enjoying this. "This is the end for you.."
Melody cried harder than she ever had in her life as Metal Sonic began to punch in the codes for her prison cell. "Don't let Shadow die..please, at least let him go and get yourself out..you don't have to take this..Metal Sonic I beg you." Her head bowed in the despair. Metal Sonic stopped from putting the last digit in to open the cell door when images of Robotnik begin to flash inside his mind. He remembered all the lectures, the beatings, and the constant put-downs. His only demeanor was to destroy life..and Melody, she had done no wrong. But she would die too, and she would be forced to witness Shadow's death. But he couldn't go against Robotnik, no he couldn't! It was impossible, no way, he couldn't do it! His eyes closed and Robotnik's voice rang through his memories. "You worthless piece of scrap metal...you idiot...Get out of my sight.." His fists clenched, sadness was replaced by anger. Something came over the mechanical robot, he felt himself losing control. Curling up into a sudden spin dash, he took out every last swatbot surrounding Shadow. Standing up, he hit the last digit, and Melody's door opened. Looking down, refusing to look into her eyes, he knew he had done something that could not be forgiven in his master's eyes. Picking up a swatbot part, he flung it at the prison room's camera, destroying it completely. Shadow quickly ran to the now shocked Melody. The two embraced and held each other tight briefly, but quickly broke their long missed hug.
Metal Sonic stood silently, staring at the ground, confused about what just happened. "Metal Sonic.." Melody said. "What are you doing..?" She still couldn't believe what happened. Metal Sonic looked up, his eyes blazing. "Get out of here! HURRY, JUST GET OUT OF HERE!!" Melody wanted to say more, but Shadow scooped her up and quickly skated from away from the holding place, leaving the remarkable robot behind.. The 2 hedgehogs plowed through the city, their only thought was getting out of this horrible city. Metal Sonic dirtied himself up a bit, and flung himself to the ground just as Robotnik was walking in, alarmed by the sudden out burst of clamor from the room. "WHAT! THEY GOT OUT?!! YOU FOOL! YOU FOOL!" Without so much as another glance from Robotnik, he left the room; it was time to get things ready, for it was a sure thing that the Freedom Fighters would be here soon.
Robotnik quickly made his way up to the control center, to prepare the Egg Carrier for lift off. He wanted to destroy Metal Sonic so badly. That failure could really put a dent in his plans. However, Robotnik did need him, who would pilot the ship while he was out for battle? Pressing a button, an alarm sounded through the whole city of Robotropolis. "All personal report to the Southern Wing of the city, and board the Egg Carrier. All fleets prepare for battle." Robotnik paged Metal Sonic, who surprisingly answered. "What happened, HOW DID HE ESCAPE? ANSWER ME!" Metal Sonic spoke forcefully into the speaker. "He jumped me from behind while I was opening the cell door, looks like the swatbots weren't doing their job." Robotnik scowled. "GET TO THE EGG CARRIER AND LIFT IT OFF, ITS TIME FOR TO ME TO DOMINATE THIS PLANET, I WILL BE KNOWN AS THE DICTATOR OF THIS WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE!" Picking himself up, the now reluctant robot headed to the Egg Carrier. He got the main thrusters online, and began to lift off into the air. Robotnik, to his surprise wasn't aboard. "What could he possible be doing to prepare for battle down there? And what did he mean by his time had come?" Thought Metal Sonic as the ship gained altitude. Little did he know, that Robotnik planned to eliminate everything that breathed in oxygen.
***Mystic Ruins Knothole***
Sonic and the Freedom Fighters where preparing for battle when Shadow and Melody arrived. Everyone crowded in, very glad to see their two comrades alive. It brought back a fighting spirit that was almost lost in the last battle. Knuckles however only questioned about the Master Emerald and its location.
"I don't know where your emerald is Knuckles!" Shadow insisted
"We must get it back, NOW! IT IS MY JOB TO PROTECT IT!"
"Are you crazy?!!" Said a random person from the crowd. "If we go back there we'll be killed!" Sonic was fuming; Robotnik had pulled his last straw. He was about to say something when Tails, Donovan, and Strider came running out. "SONIC!" cried Tails as he came to his hero's side. "What's going on Tails? Something happen?" Tails quickly shook his head. "No time for that, we have to get to Robotropolis, Eggman has a roboticizer that will wipe all the living things out in this planet if we don't hurry!!!" A gasp went through the entire crowd. "So that's what he wanted the Master Emerald for!" Screamed Sonic. Donovan stood up. "We need to get moving, if we don't hurry we will all be metal, and I for one WON'T STAND FOR THAT!" Everyone cheered in agreement, but also screamed in fear. It was an emergency battle, and this time, it was truly a life and death situation. Melody and Shadow hated the fact that they were headed back to the very city they were imprisoned in for so long, but they had no choice.
The Freedom Fighters quickly gathered what weapons they could use. Lead by Sonic, they headed back to Robotropolis, knowing that time was not on their side. "It has come to this.." Sonic thought as he ran at an incredible speed. "I'm actually scared...for once I'm scared for my life.." He increased his speed, leaving the others behind. A wave of panic had gripped every soul, lynched any hope of a peaceful end. It was now or never, the final battle of Robotnik and the fate of universe would be decided on this final war. Who will win?
***Story***
***Robotropolis***
"LET ME GO!!!" Melody screamed as the Swatbots carried her down a musty narrow hallway, filled with muck and all kinds of mechanisms. Aqua green body failed to squirm or resist however, she had been touched in the back of the neck by the lasso of the immobilizer, cutting her brain signals off for about an hour. In the west wing, next to the hanger, was where the holding cells were located. It consisted of six prison cells, capable of holding 3-5 prisoners. (Depending on the size.) Shadow, had been alarmed by the whole controversy. As soon as the alarms had sounded through the city's walls, he knew a big battle was about to break out. The obsidian hedgehog had tried numerous times to break free and aid his companions, but it was to no avail. Robotnik had made sure that the confinement areas were secure and practically in destructible. It had been a long week for the clouded- minded prisoner. He slept most of the time, but never gained any energy. It was a nightmare filled sleep, consisting of painful memories and horrifying moments. One thing he had been grateful for however was that the Freedom Fighters had caused the delay in his roboticazation. The guards were always busy with something, whether it be battling a nearby disturbance or heeding orders from the mad scientist. Robotnik hadn't mentioned Shadow at all; it was as if something else was sapping him of all his time and energy. This surprised Shadow; he seemed so intent on destroying him after that refusal in the main control room. Metal Sonic came down every now and then, but only briefly, the former E-102 robot mostly guarded him.
He was not prepared for what he saw when the door to the main prison room opened. Swatbots carried in a struggling bundle of green fur, or at least her head was going back and forth wildly. Her body was as still as an inanimate object. Shadow came to the bars of his cell and placed his hands on them, peering curiously at the fleet. His garnet eyes widened when he realized whom it was. "MELODY!" he shrieked. He banged on the bars and was like a mad animal, the swatbots and that annoying immobilizer had snagged yet another victim. The robots paid no heed to the black hedgehog enragement, and took Melody to the very end of the prison hall. There, they placed her in and locked her cell tight. Turning and marching back out, they left the two prisoners behind. Shadow finally ceased his futile struggle. "Melody...are you hurt, are you ok?!!" No response at first, but finally, Melody's voice came over the dirty air. "Yeah..I'm fine.I just feel so weird, its hard to breathe." Shadow paced restlessly, he just wanted to be with her, to comfort her, she did not deserve this, and no one did. Shadow heard Melody begin to cry, and immediately, he felt the compassion in his rise. Love was so strange, but it had Shadow by the throat. When he thought of her, he felt everything inside swirl into a tornado of emotions. But at the same time, it was a pleasant and welcoming feeling, a feeling satisfying to the very soul. But at the moment, it was a painful un-restful feeling, which consumed him. He couldn't be with her, he couldn't hold her tight and comfort her as she had comforted him in his time of pain. This angered him so much, he screamed with all his might. "YOU WILL DIE ROBOTNIK, I WILL MAKE SURE OF IT!!" His head bowed and his eyes closed. "Melody..."
Melody was feeling the same way. she was crying because she was denied her wish to be with her love, Shadow. He was but a few strides away, but the steel bars of her holding cell and her being paralyzed prevented her from getting to him. The two were defenseless, and they could only hope that the Freedom Fighters would come back soon.
***Robotropolis Robotnik's Quarters***
Robotnik had been particularly happy about all of the action that had taken place a half an hour ago. He had captured Melody and Shadow, and even the Master Emerald. A computer scanned the jewel, doing a power estimate to make sure that it was the real thing. Unfortunately this time, it was. Snickering, the dictator pulled out his blue prints once more, not knowing that a lurker was in the city, a spy, who had secretly dispersed from Knothole and returned. His jet black fur mixed in well with the smoke pouring from the towers of Robotropolis, they where running high in their production of oil and metal. His green suit was a bit dusty and black from the collection of pollution. His navy blue waist sash was torn, but wearable. In his paws, he held Nicole. "Sometimes a fighter is got to do, what a fighter has got to do.." he muttered as he reached the heart of the city. Attacking was not his plan, but he knew one mistake could cause quite an uproar in the city's perimeter. He avoided the cameras, and stealthily slipped passed the swatbot guards. Strider's gleaming sword hung ready to use in his back strap. The wolf decided that he would do something to help the Freedom Fighters. Like Shadow and Metal Sonic, he too noticed that the dictator was acting rather strange. Robotnik knew he had the upper hand on the battle right now, so why was he so irritable and so darn cautious? It just didn't make any sense. He was keeping something from somebody, and that was his mission, to find out.
Taking out Nicole, he opened her up. "Nicole, any mechanical machines headed this way?" Nicole beeped a few times, and finally responded. "No my main wolf, however, swat patrols may come by in the matter of minutes. I don't remember Tails sending you on this mission Strider." The wolf smiled weakly. "He didn't, but this is an emergency Nicole." Nicole showed a hologram of a frowny face, but that was all. "Nicole, is there a way you can pin point where all main computers are?" Once again Nicole beeped a few times. A small image of a map of Robotropolis appeared on the screen. Red dots appeared in various places, showing the locations of the computers. Strider smiled. "Thank you Nicole." Once again, no response from the chip. Closing up Nicole, Strider went down many pathways, and melted into the shadows, this was one of those one-chance missions. He gradually moved from the north side of the city, to the east side, where he found his chance. Robotnik was pretty obvious about where he stayed, a huge sign said step here if you need to be roboticized, and the Eggman logo in the center clearly said, "Robotnik's Quarters." Taking out his sword, he managed to trace the main wires leading into the building. Taking out Nicole, he ran a scan on it and found the computer wire. He gingerly removed the covering of the thick coating with his sword, and using a bit of skill, took Nicole apart in the back and hooked her up to it. "Nicole, download as many files as you can from this source." Nicole beeped and began to download. "This will take 5 minutes." Strider stood guard while the computer finished its work. Finally, when Nicole was complete, Strider removed the wires, replaced them back and even managed to cover up his tracks as he slipped away from the city. He had the information, now all they had to do was analyze it. Something in the pit of Strider's stomach told him they weren't going to like what they see.
Robotnik was still intently studying the blue prints of Project Annihilation, totally unaware of the sudden hack of his computer. His face seemed to grow colder and evil with every detail he noticed, this one would surely not fail. The Master Emerald would power the robot. Located in the shoulder area of this mechanical wonder stood giant laser shooters, capable of firing an extremely accurate, not to mention painful, beam. Its interior was well suited for the doctor's need, and the boosters in the back would help its speed. "Feet thrusters" gave it the power to rocket up in the sky and even hover a little. But due to its bulky size, it could only shoot upward a few feet. This was useful, if Robotnik wanted to crush something. Its control would be smooth and easy. Its main attack would be an energy ball that was shot from the chest area. This would trap the attacker in the center of the ball of energy, and there would the real pain begin. It would ultimately destroy many living beings, but it would probably take a few for Sonic. Re-rolling up the blue prints, Robotnik placed them in a drawer and headed back to the south wing, in a deep underground part of the city were Robotnik was keeping both the Egg Carrier and his weapon. The worker bots had just finished the interior and controls. A few AI robots were revising the circuitry, while others began to prepare to finish the final finish of the project. It was a long tower that would come from the head of the robot. On the top consisted of a spear with a devastating weapon. It would send out a signal in the form of sound waves out into the air. They were going to be long lasting, so they wouldn't wear out in the course of time until being absorbed by a living animal. The signal would cause the brain to send out strange signals to the nervous system, causing a chemical to be produced in the blood stream. The chemical would collect and build up, forming metal and generate new systems, ultimately roboticizing it. He would use this finishing move to put the entire planet under his control. The sound waves would travel from region to region, causing every living- breathing animal to turn into a robot under his control. There was one set back however; he had to be at a specific elevation for this to occur. The ice cap mountain would be the perfect place to begin his domination of the entire planet. No doubt the Freedom Fighters would try to stop him, but by judging the machine's weaponry, it didn't seem like a real threat. Robotnik himself was free from the fear of being killed by his own weapon; the interior was lined with special alloys that would prevent the waves from affecting him. Laughing coldly, he knew it was only a matter a time before the day of doom for all living animals would come. Ultimately, he would finally have Sonic under his control.
***Robotropolis Main Control Room ***
Things in the main control room were relatively quiet. Metal Sonic was monitoring as usual, but he was barely paying attention to the boring screens. All the actions that had taken place really meant nothing to him. What was really bothering him, was well, himself. He had never had such a feeling of anger before, or any feelings at all. He was simply a robot that did what it was told. But after the upgrade, new and strange changes had begun to take place inside his mechanical insides. It was no longer a simple yes sir and seek and destroy type thing. No, it was now an emotional ride, with many twists and turns along its path. He had noticed it when Robotnik had shown him his anger or annoyance. What was happening to him? Why could he think and feel all of sudden? And the Freedom Fighters..did he really hate them? Or was that too slowly dwindling? Nothing made sense at all. His communicator beeped. Picking up and switching it on, Robotnik's sinister voice came on. "Metal Sonic, I want you to go guard the prisoners while I inspect the roboticizer, I'm sure we will have two new loyal members of our empire soon enough." The communicator beeped and went out. Leaving the main control room, Mecha Sonic headed down from the center of Robotropolis to the East wing. Shadow and Melody had been strangely quiet. The Freedom Fighters had yet to show up, and a sense of doom was upon them, like they would be metal in only a few short moments. Melody stood at the bars, staring into the garnet eyes of Shadow. She had regained her ability to move, and only wanted to spend these last moments gazing into the eyes of her loved one. Shadow shared a mutual feeling. The main prison door opened, and Metal Sonic silently walked in, his eyes narrow and bright red in the darkness. He glared at Melody and Shadow, trying too look intimidating, hiding his emotion. Shadow had no reaction, but Melody sure did. "Metal Sonic! Its you!" Shadow curiously looked up, how did she know of Robotnik's creation? Metal Sonic glared at her with a chilling stare. "I told you if that doctor found you, you would be killed, but you heeded not." Melody could only stare; even Metal Sonic had turned against her. He was no longer that concerned robot she had met when she was "born." Sinking back down to the cold damp ground, Melody buried her head in her hands. Metal Sonic refrained from looking at her, as he stood in the center of the room, keeping guard. 10 minutes slowly slid by, and no words were exchanged. Every now and then, a muffled sob could be heard from Melody's cell. Shadow had his eyes closed, trying desperately to keep himself from crying, he felt as if the end was drawing closer with every second. A beeping sound erupted through the tense atmosphere. Metal Sonic switched it on. "Metal Sonic, take the girl and Shadow to the roboticizer, its time to finish this.." At those words, the two prisoners leapt to their feet. About a dozen swatbots all of sudden entered the room, their lasers pointed directly at Shadow's head. "Take him." Metal Sonic said. An AI swatbot unlocked Shadow's cell, while the others kept their aim on target. The horror in Melody's eyes was unexplainable, they were going to roboticize Shadow before she had the chance to say goodbye. "SHADOW!!! SHADOW!!!!!" She began to cry hard. Shadow looked back, he too was now crying. "Melody..I.I love you!!" Those were his last words when the swatbots forced him to leave the room, leaving only Metal Sonic and Melody.
Melody was sobbing her heart out, and Metal Sonic couldn't take it. The painful feeling returned to his insides, emotions were coursing through him. This wasn't real, this couldn't be happening. His communicator switched on. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I SAID BRING BOTH PRISONERS, NOT ONE, I WANT THAT GIRL TO WITNESS THE DEATH OF HER BOY FRIEND. I'M SENDING THE FLEETS BACK WITH SHADOW, AND DON'T MESS UP AGAIN YOU WORTHLESS SCRAP METAL!"
Metal Sonic felt the painful feeling slowly turn into one of anger. Melody, through a river a tears quickly saw Metal Sonic's emotion, and ran to the entrance of her cell. "Why do you take it?! Why do you let him rule your life like that?! Don't you know you are more than what you seem?! Are you going to take orders forever? Just be thrown aside like I was?" Metal Sonic glared at her, his thoughts, his mind, whirling in a hurricane of uncontrollable thoughts. The pain, the sadness, that was all that Robotnik caused, and now, he had threatened him again. He had been deactivated all those years, yet he still had faithfully served him, through thick and thin. But he was still treated like he was fresh from Robotropolis's trash heap. Melody's words began to reach him; he came to her cell just as the swatbots entered the area. "Time to go.Mel." He said, trying to look like he was enjoying this. "This is the end for you.."
Melody cried harder than she ever had in her life as Metal Sonic began to punch in the codes for her prison cell. "Don't let Shadow die..please, at least let him go and get yourself out..you don't have to take this..Metal Sonic I beg you." Her head bowed in the despair. Metal Sonic stopped from putting the last digit in to open the cell door when images of Robotnik begin to flash inside his mind. He remembered all the lectures, the beatings, and the constant put-downs. His only demeanor was to destroy life..and Melody, she had done no wrong. But she would die too, and she would be forced to witness Shadow's death. But he couldn't go against Robotnik, no he couldn't! It was impossible, no way, he couldn't do it! His eyes closed and Robotnik's voice rang through his memories. "You worthless piece of scrap metal...you idiot...Get out of my sight.." His fists clenched, sadness was replaced by anger. Something came over the mechanical robot, he felt himself losing control. Curling up into a sudden spin dash, he took out every last swatbot surrounding Shadow. Standing up, he hit the last digit, and Melody's door opened. Looking down, refusing to look into her eyes, he knew he had done something that could not be forgiven in his master's eyes. Picking up a swatbot part, he flung it at the prison room's camera, destroying it completely. Shadow quickly ran to the now shocked Melody. The two embraced and held each other tight briefly, but quickly broke their long missed hug.
Metal Sonic stood silently, staring at the ground, confused about what just happened. "Metal Sonic.." Melody said. "What are you doing..?" She still couldn't believe what happened. Metal Sonic looked up, his eyes blazing. "Get out of here! HURRY, JUST GET OUT OF HERE!!" Melody wanted to say more, but Shadow scooped her up and quickly skated from away from the holding place, leaving the remarkable robot behind.. The 2 hedgehogs plowed through the city, their only thought was getting out of this horrible city. Metal Sonic dirtied himself up a bit, and flung himself to the ground just as Robotnik was walking in, alarmed by the sudden out burst of clamor from the room. "WHAT! THEY GOT OUT?!! YOU FOOL! YOU FOOL!" Without so much as another glance from Robotnik, he left the room; it was time to get things ready, for it was a sure thing that the Freedom Fighters would be here soon.
Robotnik quickly made his way up to the control center, to prepare the Egg Carrier for lift off. He wanted to destroy Metal Sonic so badly. That failure could really put a dent in his plans. However, Robotnik did need him, who would pilot the ship while he was out for battle? Pressing a button, an alarm sounded through the whole city of Robotropolis. "All personal report to the Southern Wing of the city, and board the Egg Carrier. All fleets prepare for battle." Robotnik paged Metal Sonic, who surprisingly answered. "What happened, HOW DID HE ESCAPE? ANSWER ME!" Metal Sonic spoke forcefully into the speaker. "He jumped me from behind while I was opening the cell door, looks like the swatbots weren't doing their job." Robotnik scowled. "GET TO THE EGG CARRIER AND LIFT IT OFF, ITS TIME FOR TO ME TO DOMINATE THIS PLANET, I WILL BE KNOWN AS THE DICTATOR OF THIS WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE!" Picking himself up, the now reluctant robot headed to the Egg Carrier. He got the main thrusters online, and began to lift off into the air. Robotnik, to his surprise wasn't aboard. "What could he possible be doing to prepare for battle down there? And what did he mean by his time had come?" Thought Metal Sonic as the ship gained altitude. Little did he know, that Robotnik planned to eliminate everything that breathed in oxygen.
***Mystic Ruins Knothole***
Sonic and the Freedom Fighters where preparing for battle when Shadow and Melody arrived. Everyone crowded in, very glad to see their two comrades alive. It brought back a fighting spirit that was almost lost in the last battle. Knuckles however only questioned about the Master Emerald and its location.
"I don't know where your emerald is Knuckles!" Shadow insisted
"We must get it back, NOW! IT IS MY JOB TO PROTECT IT!"
"Are you crazy?!!" Said a random person from the crowd. "If we go back there we'll be killed!" Sonic was fuming; Robotnik had pulled his last straw. He was about to say something when Tails, Donovan, and Strider came running out. "SONIC!" cried Tails as he came to his hero's side. "What's going on Tails? Something happen?" Tails quickly shook his head. "No time for that, we have to get to Robotropolis, Eggman has a roboticizer that will wipe all the living things out in this planet if we don't hurry!!!" A gasp went through the entire crowd. "So that's what he wanted the Master Emerald for!" Screamed Sonic. Donovan stood up. "We need to get moving, if we don't hurry we will all be metal, and I for one WON'T STAND FOR THAT!" Everyone cheered in agreement, but also screamed in fear. It was an emergency battle, and this time, it was truly a life and death situation. Melody and Shadow hated the fact that they were headed back to the very city they were imprisoned in for so long, but they had no choice.
The Freedom Fighters quickly gathered what weapons they could use. Lead by Sonic, they headed back to Robotropolis, knowing that time was not on their side. "It has come to this.." Sonic thought as he ran at an incredible speed. "I'm actually scared...for once I'm scared for my life.." He increased his speed, leaving the others behind. A wave of panic had gripped every soul, lynched any hope of a peaceful end. It was now or never, the final battle of Robotnik and the fate of universe would be decided on this final war. Who will win?