Chapter II
Vendetta
Author's Notes: Hiya-hiya! Stoney here! First of all, I appreciate all the feedback I'm getting from you guys! It really helps motivate me to continue writing. For those of you who were disappointed because the last chapter didn't actually have Sonic and Metal Sonic switch places, be patient. The switcheroo will come soon, I promise. And no, it won't happen in this chapter, either. I plan to make Mecha and Sonic's feelings toward each other clear before I switch them, and in this chapter we'll take a brief saunter through Mecha's thoughts to learn what he thinks about the situation. So tie yourselves down, stuff wax in your ears and pray to your God, 'cause here we go!
"I hate him."
Sparks flew from the fusion cutter as it chipped away the dented metal from his body. The whine of machinery was loud enough to make anything else inaudible, but he spoke anyway.
"I HATE him!"
His eyes burned with rage as they stared hard at the image superimposed on his robotic vision. The image was of a blue hedgehog waving and grinning at him, his body language calling him a complete wimp.
He slammed his metal fists down on the table so hard that the triple-forged titanium buckled. "I HATE HIM!!!"
The sounds of machinery suddenly cut out as a robotic voice spoke up from his side. "Mr. Metal Sonic, please remain still. Your movement is compromising the repairs."
Mecha turned his head to regard the repair 'bot who'd just spoken. "How long until I am fully functional again?" He asked, ignoring the 'bot's previous statement.
"At this rate, too long." Was the monotonous reply. "Approximately another three hours at the least."
Mecha's eyes dimmed. "Then hurry it up and continue." He growled. The sounds of active machines resumed, and Mecha returned to staring at the ceiling of the Repair Bay. "You will pay for this, Ssssssonic." He muttered, before shutting himself down.
----------
Five Minutes Earlier...
A whoosh of air and accompanying sonic boom announced Sonic's arrival in Knothole. As usual, the first person he saw was Sally, asking if the mission was successful. He gave her a big thumbs-up before heading through the village to tell everyone else.
Sonic got halfway through the village square before he was tackled to the ground by Tails. "Sonic! How'd the mission go? Did you kick their butts?"
Sonic mussed the fur on top of Tails' head. "You bet I did, little bro. Me an' Metal Sonic got into a bit of a fight, and he didn't wind up winning. I'd say he'll be out of the picture for awhile now."
"Awesome!" Tails cheered. "What else happened?"
"Ah, well, you know, the usual. Dismantling SWATbots, wrecking buildings, giving Doc Buttnik something to think about. Tell you what. Howzabout you let me up, and I'll give you all the details?"
Tails got up off Sonic with an embarrassed look. Sonic stood up, primly dusted himself off, then launched into a long and overly exaggerated tale of his heroic mission to Robotropolis. As Sonic spoke, he dramatically acted out key parts in the story for Tails' benefit. Tails was an excellent audience: He stood captivated as Sonic described sneaking through the heavy security around the power plant, then locating and destroying the power core, causing the entire building to erupt in flames. He gasped when Sonic told of meeting Metal Sonic, and cheered when Sonic explained how he won the fight. Sonic didn't stop the story until Sally strode up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder and asked him with a touch of sarcasm if he was going to eat dinner sometime.
"Uh, yeah, sure Sal. I'll be right there." He answered sheepishly. "C'mon Tails, let's go get some grub!"
"Okay! Hey, wait for me!" Tails yelled as Sonic took off towards the Conference Room. Spinning his twin tails behind him like helicopter blades, Tails lifted off and flew after Sonic.
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His distorted, sparking, near-lifeless body lay at his master's feet. All but the most essential of his systems had shut down in a desperate attempt to preserve his own life, which meant he was all but paralyzed. He knew it would be only a matter of time before he deactivated completely if he did not receive proper treatment and repairs.
Struggling to speak with his words marred by static, he began to plead for mercy. "I lost the battle. Forgive me, Sir."
"Why should I?" Was the scornful reply. Robotnik sneered at his creation. "You have failed me for the last time, Metal Sonic. Take him to the incinerator!" He barked at a couple SWATbots standing nearby.
Mecha stared, photoreceptors wide open. "No! Doctor, please-!"
"SILENCE!" Robotnik bellowed. "I have heard enough of your worthless excuses! Get him out of my sight!"
"No! Don't, please! I will try again! Sir!" Metal Sonic wailed as his frame was picked up and carted out of the room. "Please! Don't do this! NO!"
"NOOOO!!"
Metal Sonic came online screaming. He looked around himself wildly, expecting to hear the hum of the incinerator starting up at any moment. Instead, he heard the quiet whirring of the battery recharger in the Repair Bay.
Mecha sat up and blinked. He was still functioning! It hadn't really happened! Relief washed through his circuits in a refreshing wave. He was okay. His master hadn't abandoned him.
He grew confused. But what was that bizarre string of visual data he'd received while recharging...?
Could it have been...?
"Impossible." Mecha scoffed. "Only biological organisms dream. Robots cannot." Still, the data did seem exactly like how a dream should be, according to what he knew about them. Maybe it WAS possible after all?
Mecha ran a quick self-diagnostic, making sure that he was still functioning correctly. Perhaps he had accidentally received a virus of some sort? He checked, but all signs came up clear. There were no corrupted files in his system, either. Mecha shook his head. Maybe the hedgehog damaged his system scanner. If that was the case, he could have a virus and he wouldn't even know it.
Mecha's eyes flared. It was all Sonic's fault! The hedgehog had done this to him, he was sure. Sonic had definitely had the opportunity to do so, and the motive, too. He'd probably done something to Mecha during their battle...
In a fit of rage, Mecha stood up and ripped out the cords that were sending power to his batteries. Firing his rocket engines, Metal Sonic flew out the entrance to the Repair Bay and aimed himself towards the Great Forest. He'd track down Sonic and exact revenge if it took all day.
"Prepare to die, Ssssssonic!" Mecha hissed as he passed Robotropolis' border.
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"You again??" He growled. "Don't you know when to give up?!"
She batted her long eyelashes at him in an expression she used to bring men to their knees. "Why, I don't know what you're talking about. I was just out for a stroll, is all."
"Liar!" Mighty snorted. "Knux told me all about you! Stay away from the Master Emerald, understand? I'm not gonna let you take it!"
Rouge's foxy smile became an annoyed frown. "Oh, really? And what makes you think I'm even after it? Or did Knuckles neglect to tell you I've quit the treasure-hunting business?"
Mighty faltered. Knux HAD neglected to tell him that, and Rouge's supermodel looks were affecting him more than he was letting on. He gritted his teeth and composed himself. "Shut up! I don't believe you for one second, bat! Get out of here NOW before I make you!"
Rouge rolled her eyes and tossed her hands into the air. "Fine! I only came by to tell Knuckles some important news, but if that's the way you're gonna be about it, then forget it! Just tell him that I've found something important that he might be interested in. If he wants to know what it is, then tell him to meet me at the south shore of Never Lake in two hours. That's all." A flap of leathery black wings, and Rouge vanished into the treetops.
Mighty relaxed with a nervous sigh, and wiped a thin sheen of sweat off his forehead. That was close.
Mighty unhooked a portable communicator from a small belt around his waist and adjusted it to Knuckles frequency. Depressing the "Talk" Button, he began talking into the speaker. "Knuckles, come in. It's Mighty. Knuckles, can you hear me?"
A rustle of static came through, followed by Knuckles' voice answering. "Yeah, Mighty, I hear ya. What is it?"
"Rouge just stopped by for a visit." Knuckles startled Mighty a bit by growling at the mention of Rouge's name. "She said she wanted to talk to you." Mighty continued.
"Did ya chase her off?"
"Yeah, but she wanted me to tell you something." He related to Knuckles the rest of what the white bat had told him.
"It's a trap." Knux stated flatly.
"Well, I don't know. She seemed to be telling the truth, Knux. Maybe you'd better check it out anyway, just in case. I can hold down the fort until you get back."
Knuckles considered for a long moment. He really didn't want to trust anything Rouge said at face value, but she would have needed to be a dang fine actor to convince Mighty she was being honest. "Fine. But I'm taking Espio with me." He replied at last. "You, Vector and Charmy play guard until I return. If we're not back within forty-eight hours, contact the Freedom Fighters for help."
Mighty nodded. "You got it! See you then, Knux!"
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"Hey! Could I get some more chili dogs, please?"
"AGAIN??" The exasperated chef replied. "That was your third helping just now! Don't you think you've had enough?!"
Sonic patted his stomach and smiled. "A word of advice for ya. You can never, repeat NEVER get enough chili dogs! They're the supreme food of the universe! Now, can I get some more? Pretty please?"
The chef sighed. "Oh, allright. But this is the last time!"
Sonic beamed. "Thanks, man!"
Five minutes later, Sonic walked back to one of the tables in the Conference Hut with a plate loaded down with his favorite food. He set the plate down carefully and took a seat. Next to him, Tails was working on his own, smaller plate of chili dogs. Sally was eating a large salad across the table.
Sonic wrinkled his nose at Sally's choice of dish. "How can you stand to eat that stuff, Sal?"
Sally took a bite of some leafy green lettuce and swallowed before replying. "What I want to know, Sonic, is how YOU can stand to eat three helpings in a row and not be full!"
Sonic grinned and began devouring his dinner. "Touché."
Across from Sonic, Tails had already finished. He licked up all the excess chili around his mouth and fingers, and burped loudly.
Sally gasped. "Goodness, Tails! What do you say after that?!" She reprimanded.
Sonic paused his eating frenzy for a moment and grinned. "Wait, I know! How about 'nice diaphragm control'?"
"And YOU stay out of this!" She said to Sonic. "Well, Tails?"
Tails thought for a brief moment, then his face lit up in a grin identical to Sonic's. "That sure tasted better going down than it did coming up!"
Sally blinked in surprise, and Sonic cracked up. "Oh, man! Good one, Tails!" Sonic laughed while sharing a high-five with the fox. "That was great!"
Sally's expression clouded over with anger. "Did you tell him to say that, Sonic?!"
"Sure did!" Sonic grinned. "The guy's a natural at it, too! Here Tails, watch this!" Sonic leaned back, swallowed another bite of his food, then let out an enormous belch which shook the rafters of the hut. This evoked peals of laughter from the two-tailed fox, and an angry sigh from Sally.
"Oh Sonic, why don't you just GROW UP??" She huffed before eating the last bite of her salad and getting up to put her dishes away.
"I would, except I'm too handsome to get old!" Sonic called after her. "C'mon Tails. Let's get this stuff cleaned up, and then I'll race ya to the Lake of Rings and back!"
"Alright!" The fox cheered.
Ten minutes later found the duo at the edge of Knothole, digging starting blocks into the dirt. "Okay," Sonic began, "we'll race to the lake, circle around it, then zoom back to Knothole. First one to touch that big tree behind us wins. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Right, then! On your mark.."
A loud cry of delight interrupted them. "SONIC!!"
Sonic and Tails clamped their hands over their heads and dropped to the ground, ears ringing with the volume of the cry. Milliseconds later, Sonic was forced into a very tight bear hug by an excited Amy.
Sonic gagged, struggling to get air into his lungs. "Amy...let go...I can't breathe..."
The pink hedgehog released Sonic, but not before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Sonic yelled and clawed frantically at the affected area once his arms were free to do so. Amy didn't notice, as she was too busy hopping up and down on the spot and squealing Sonic's name over and over.
Tails, whom had recovered by now, began to watch with an expression bordering somewhere between laughter and disgust. He didn't like boy-crazy girls any more than Sonic did, but Sonic's reactions to Amy's presence were usually very funny to someone watching from the sidelines.
Sure enough, Sonic panicked. "Tails!" He yelled. "Readysetgo!" He fled into the forest without another sound.
"Hey!" Tails yelled angrily before taking off in close pursuit. "Sorry Amy, having a race! See ya later!" He called back to the confused hedgehog as he vanished into the trees after Sonic.
Amy blinked twice. She shook her fists in the air and tilted her head back to scream at the heavens, "I hate it when you guys leave me behind! Get back here!!"
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Robotnik growled and clenched his fists tighter around the SWATbot's neck. Sparks flew from underneath his fingers, but he ignored them. "What do you MEAN he got away?!" He roared, shaking the hapless robot violently.
The SWATbot had not yet deactivated, miraculously. However, it's words slurred together as he replied, "Priority hedgehog evaded pursuit from units three, five, and six. Metal Sonic engaged Priority Hedgehog in battle, and Priority Hedgehog departed. SWATbot units were unable to match velocity of-"
Whatever else the robot was going to say, it never did so. Robotnik roared again and threw the SWATbot into the wall, effectively smashing it to pieces.
The other SWATbots in the room stared straight ahead impassively, not paying the slightest bit of attention to their former companion. Robotnik seethed, his metal hand clenched over his chair's armrest so hard it bent the frame. True, he had programmed the bots to behave like this, but right now their calm indifference irritated him.
"Round up SWATbot squadrons 3, 6, 5, and 8! I want them patrolling the area with status reports every ten minutes! If that hedgehog comes back, he will NOT escape again!" He growled to the nearest robot.
"Yes, sir!" The SWATbots saluted smartly before turning on their heels and exiting the room.
Robotnik pressed a button on his armrest, then realized he had twisted it so much it wasn't working anymore. Robotnik growled again, and pressed another button on his opposite armrest. Leaning over, he spoke into a built- in intercom.
"Computer!" He barked. "Scan the city for Metal Sonic!"
"Scanning." A pleasant female monotone replied. "Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' is not located within the search perimeters."
"Increase the scan range by five miles." Robotnik impatiently ordered. He knew it was possible that Mecha was patrolling outside the city, in the barren wasteland that separated Robotropolis from the rest of the surrounding countryside.
"Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' is not located within the search perimeters."
Robotnik furrowed his brow, then sat back and began thinking. Mecha had left the city and its surroundings entirely, and had done so without reporting in. Robotnik began absently twirling one side of his moustache around his finger. Where was the most likely place Mecha would be if he wasn't in or near the city?
The answer hit him like a falling piano. Of course! "Computer, new search. Scan location: Great Forest for Metal Sonic."
"Scanning."
Robotnik drummed his fingers on his working armrest impatiently.
"Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' has been found at coordinates-"
Robotnik interrupted impatiently. "Patch through a transmission to his current position."
"Acknowledged. Contacting, please wait."
------
Metal Sonic swept the forest with his radar again, then studied the results. There were millions of life readings around here, but most of them were non-sentient animal life. Nothing resembled the object of his search. He shut off his rocket engine to lessen the amount of noise he caused, then began walking. He'd find Sonic sooner or later, he was sure.
A large blip appeared on his radar screen. "Well, well, well. It appears that the hedgehog is headed my way." Mecha observed. Another blip appeared, following the first. "And his fox friend is with him, as well. Well, the more, the merrier."
Already a plan was forming in the blue robot's mind. He opened a panel in his arm and pulled out two round, metallic objects. Looking around, he spotted two trees on either side of him. Perfect. He walked over to one tree, placed the object inbetween its lowest branches, then walked over to the other tree and did the same. He stood back and surveyed the scene. Unless you were looking for them, you couldn't see the devices. Mecha brought out a tiny remote control riddled with gadgets, and pressed down on a certain button. A nearly inaudible hum indicated that the objects were now activated.
Mecha glared in the direction that Sonic would arrive from, then dashed into a grove of bushes to hide. He would not fail this time.
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"Aw, c'mon Tails, you can do better than that!"
Tails gritted his teeth and forced his tails to spin a little faster. "Shut...up...Sonic!"
Sonic grinned at his flying companion. Actually, Tails was doing better than Sonic had expected. Already Sonic was cruising at one-half his full speed, and Tails was still side-by-side with him. Sonic made a mental note to not underestimate the fox in the future.
"Ready to eat my dust, kiddo?" Sonic called out.
"Ha! Just you wait, Sonic! Watch this, and eat MY dust!"
Tails pulled off one glove, pulled something shiny and yellow out of it and held it over his head. The object gave off a brilliant yellow glow that encompassed Tails' whole body. When it faded, Tails was pulling ahead of Sonic by a large margin.
"Hey! No fair using Power Rings!" Sonic yelped. He began to pour on the speed to catch up with the canine, and the space between the two racers slowly began to narrow.
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Metal Sonic looked up from his radar to watch the area between the trees. They were almost here...
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Tails drew on some more of the Ring's power, boosting his lead another few meters. This was great! He was beating Sonic!
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Sonic lapsed into the ground-gulping stride that he used to break the sound barrier, and leaped forward dramatically. There was no way he would let Tails beat him!
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Tails could see the lake in the distance. He was almost there! He swooped down inbetween a couple trees-
And was stopped in midair by some invisible force.
Tails' train of thought instantly derailed. What in the world? He wasn't moving forward or backward an inch! He tried to propel his tails to go faster, but they were frozen in position. He tried to reach behind himself and forcibly spin them, but his arms wouldn't move. He hung in midair, motionless and bewildered.
Tails began to panic. What had happened??
Metal Sonic entered Tails' line of vision. Tails' eyes grew wide and he tried to yell out a warning to Sonic, but his jaw wouldn't work. "I would not suggest you do that." Mecha purred. "We wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, would we?"
Tails struggled wildly against whatever was restraining him. He had to warn Sonic!
Metal Sonic growled as he noticed Tails fight against the force field he'd set up. "Very well, be that way." He punched a button on his remote control and the field zapped Tails with a small amount of electricity. "That shall teach you to stay still. Now remain quiet and do not attempt to escape. If you cooperate, I will not hurt you any more."
Tails breathlessly ceased his struggles, thoughts whirring. How was he going to get out of this one?
Sonic burst through the trees behind Tails and skidded to a stop at the sight that greeted him: Tails, locked in mid-dive, and Metal Sonic, standing in front of him. "Mecha!" Sonic yelled in outrage.
"Hello, Ssssssonic." Mecha hissed. He produced two laser guns from a panel in his chest and motioned towards Tails' head with them. "I believe it would be in both of your best interests to not make any sudden moves right now."
Slowly Sonic raised his hands in defeat, eyes never leaving the guns aimed at his friend. "Leave him out of this, Mecha. I'm the one you want, aren't I?"
Metal Sonic carelessly twirled a gun around one steel claw while regarding Sonic with a scornful look. "Maybe, maybe not." He taunted. "If you would prefer to have your fox friend return to you in his original configuration, you'll cooperate and do as I say."
Mecha's built-in radio suddenly crackled to life through a speaker on the side of his head. "Metal Sonic! Come in!" Robotnik's gravelly voice spoke over the hiss and whine of static.
Mecha spoke out loud, eyes never leaving Sonic's. "I am here, Doctor."
"Where the devil have you been?! Your report is overdue!"
"I have been busy tracking down and locating the hedgehog, sir." Mecha calmly replied. "I am currently holding his fox friend hostage. Would you like to speak to them?" He added sarcastically.
A brief, surprised pause came from Robotnik's end. "Mecha, bring him here to the city." Robotnik finally replied excitedly. "I'll send SWATbot squadrons 3, 6, 5, and 8 to meet you at the edge of the forest and escort you. Shoot the fox if he gives you any trouble at all."
"Yes sir." Mecha replied before switching his radio off. He turned to gaze at Sonic, furiously realizing that he wouldn't be able to fight Sonic here like he'd planned. "Come," He spoke, hiding his rage beneath a mask of calm indifference. "We are going to Robotropolis."
Sonic's expression darkened. "Well, it doesn't look as if I have much choice, do I?"
Mecha replaced one gun within his hull, brought out his remote and flipped a switch. The objects hidden in the trees slowly rose into the air, and Tails rose up with them. Sonic squinted at the area around Tails. If he looked closely, he was able to see a faint yellow glow that betrayed the field's location. Metal Sonic moved forward, and the field floated along behind him, occupant and all. "Get going." Metal Sonic ordered, motioning for Sonic to walk ahead of him so the robot could see him at all times. Sonic gritted his teeth but obeyed, Mecha following him and the trapped Tails bringing up the rear.
It was the oddest trip Sonic had ever taken. He was far more used to running than walking, but the field around Tails was unable to travel very fast and thus slowed them down. He could practically feel Mecha's eyes boring into his back the whole way. Indeed, Mecha was glaring at Sonic with enough fiery anger in his gaze to melt lead. Mecha refused to even have a decent conversation with Sonic, so the journey was made in silence.
At the edge of the Great Forest, Mecha, Sonic and the captive Tails were surrounded by legions of robots. Sonic glumly realized that there were far too many for him to take out by himself. If he hadn't been in a fix beforehand, he definitely was now.
---------- Robotnik hadn't felt so happy since he first overtook Mobotropolis and did away with the King. Sonic was his at last! He got up from his chair and did a very uncharacteristic victory dance right there. He stopped after only a few steps and sat back down, huffing and wheezing from the exertion. He wiped sweat from his forehead and grinned evilly. Now, time to plan for what he was going to do with the little rodent.
Robotization? No, Sonic deserved far worse. Roboticizing Sonic for all the things he'd done would almost be kind.
Death? No, that was also too kind, compared to other things he could do...
Torture? Perhaps. The idea of keeping Sonic alive just enough to continue feeling prolonged, excruciating pain greatly appealed to him.
Robotnik snapped the fingers on his metal hand with a sharp clank. "I've got it!" He pressed a button and spoke into his armrest intercom again. "Computer, ready my laboratory for a biological test on compound 18957."
"Acknowledged."
Robotnik clapped his hands together with glee as he got up and headed for his lab. Revenge would finally be his!
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Knuckles banked down in a slowly spiraling dive as they entered the air above Never Lake's southern shore. Espio rode on his back, clinging to the echidna's dreadlocks with all his might and forcing himself to not look at the ground. Heights freaked him out.
Knuckles landed with perfection that came from years of practice, not even jostling his passenger. "We're here, Espio. You can let go now."
Espio quickly released Knuckles and went into camouflage mode, disappearing from sight. Knuckles nodded approvingly. "Follow me and stay close." He instructed his companion in a whisper.
Knux entered the wide stretch of beach that led down to the water's edge. Already waiting for him there was a very familiar fruit bat. "All right, Rouge, what's the deal with asking me to come here?" Knuckles demanded.
Rouge tossed him something yellow and black. Knuckles caught it easily and studied it for a moment. It appeared to have once been a shoe, but had been melted until it was nothing more than a glob of twisted metal and plastic with some wires sticking out of it. "What's this?"
"I found that in the woods about twenty meters west of here." Rouge explained while pointing into the trees. "There was another one there that was just like it. Check out its' bottom."
Knux turned the mangled shoe over and noticed six circular tubes sticking out of the bottom, now bent in different directions. It seemed oddly familiar somehow.
"They were sitting next to a small crater in the ground. And do you know what I found next to it?"
"No, what?"
"Footprints."
Knux shook his head. "I still don't see what you're trying to tell me."
"Knuckles, what you're holding is a hoverskate." Rouge replied exasperatedly. "Tell me, who's the only person we've ever known who wore hoverskates?"
Knuckles' eyes bulged, and he dropped the skate as if it was still hot. "No. Way. He's dead, Rouge!"
"But we don't know that for sure." Rouge pressed on, the hope evident in her voice. "Suppose he survived somehow?"
"Are you INSANE?!" Knuckles yelled. "He fell to Earth from ORBIT, for Chaos' sake! There's no WAY he could have survived!"
"How do you know?!" Rouge asked, beginning to yell herself. "He could've used Chaos Control, couldn't he?!"
"No! Sonic had all the emeralds when he came back inside, and neither of them could Chaos Control without one!"
"But we never did find out where the fake emerald went, did we?! Sonic said that the Eclipse Cannon malfunctioned before he threw the fake emerald into it, and the emerald went missing afterwards. Sonic Chaos Controlled with it, so it's entirely possible that Shadow did too!"
Espio faded into sight inbetween the arguers, forcing them apart. "Guys! Guys! Calm down already!"
Rouge blinked as she shifted her attention to the purple chameleon. "Who're you?"
"A friend." Espio replied shortly. "Now both of you, knock it off!"
Knux forced his voice into a calmer tone before speaking again. "He didn't survive, Rouge. You found somebody else's shoes." He picked up the dropped wreckage and tossed it back to the bat. "Stop deceiving yourself. It'll make your life a lot easier, and it'll make you a lot more tolerable. C'mon, Espio. We're heading back."
Rouge gritted her teeth angrily and yelled after their retreating backs. "You know what your problem is? You're too dang pessimistic, that's what!" She looked down at the shoe cradled in her hands, and her expression softened.
"Shadow..." She whispered. "I hope you're still alive." Slowly she turned, spread her wings, and flew away in the opposite direction that Knuckles had departed from.
"Please come back..."
Vendetta
Author's Notes: Hiya-hiya! Stoney here! First of all, I appreciate all the feedback I'm getting from you guys! It really helps motivate me to continue writing. For those of you who were disappointed because the last chapter didn't actually have Sonic and Metal Sonic switch places, be patient. The switcheroo will come soon, I promise. And no, it won't happen in this chapter, either. I plan to make Mecha and Sonic's feelings toward each other clear before I switch them, and in this chapter we'll take a brief saunter through Mecha's thoughts to learn what he thinks about the situation. So tie yourselves down, stuff wax in your ears and pray to your God, 'cause here we go!
"I hate him."
Sparks flew from the fusion cutter as it chipped away the dented metal from his body. The whine of machinery was loud enough to make anything else inaudible, but he spoke anyway.
"I HATE him!"
His eyes burned with rage as they stared hard at the image superimposed on his robotic vision. The image was of a blue hedgehog waving and grinning at him, his body language calling him a complete wimp.
He slammed his metal fists down on the table so hard that the triple-forged titanium buckled. "I HATE HIM!!!"
The sounds of machinery suddenly cut out as a robotic voice spoke up from his side. "Mr. Metal Sonic, please remain still. Your movement is compromising the repairs."
Mecha turned his head to regard the repair 'bot who'd just spoken. "How long until I am fully functional again?" He asked, ignoring the 'bot's previous statement.
"At this rate, too long." Was the monotonous reply. "Approximately another three hours at the least."
Mecha's eyes dimmed. "Then hurry it up and continue." He growled. The sounds of active machines resumed, and Mecha returned to staring at the ceiling of the Repair Bay. "You will pay for this, Ssssssonic." He muttered, before shutting himself down.
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Five Minutes Earlier...
A whoosh of air and accompanying sonic boom announced Sonic's arrival in Knothole. As usual, the first person he saw was Sally, asking if the mission was successful. He gave her a big thumbs-up before heading through the village to tell everyone else.
Sonic got halfway through the village square before he was tackled to the ground by Tails. "Sonic! How'd the mission go? Did you kick their butts?"
Sonic mussed the fur on top of Tails' head. "You bet I did, little bro. Me an' Metal Sonic got into a bit of a fight, and he didn't wind up winning. I'd say he'll be out of the picture for awhile now."
"Awesome!" Tails cheered. "What else happened?"
"Ah, well, you know, the usual. Dismantling SWATbots, wrecking buildings, giving Doc Buttnik something to think about. Tell you what. Howzabout you let me up, and I'll give you all the details?"
Tails got up off Sonic with an embarrassed look. Sonic stood up, primly dusted himself off, then launched into a long and overly exaggerated tale of his heroic mission to Robotropolis. As Sonic spoke, he dramatically acted out key parts in the story for Tails' benefit. Tails was an excellent audience: He stood captivated as Sonic described sneaking through the heavy security around the power plant, then locating and destroying the power core, causing the entire building to erupt in flames. He gasped when Sonic told of meeting Metal Sonic, and cheered when Sonic explained how he won the fight. Sonic didn't stop the story until Sally strode up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder and asked him with a touch of sarcasm if he was going to eat dinner sometime.
"Uh, yeah, sure Sal. I'll be right there." He answered sheepishly. "C'mon Tails, let's go get some grub!"
"Okay! Hey, wait for me!" Tails yelled as Sonic took off towards the Conference Room. Spinning his twin tails behind him like helicopter blades, Tails lifted off and flew after Sonic.
----------
His distorted, sparking, near-lifeless body lay at his master's feet. All but the most essential of his systems had shut down in a desperate attempt to preserve his own life, which meant he was all but paralyzed. He knew it would be only a matter of time before he deactivated completely if he did not receive proper treatment and repairs.
Struggling to speak with his words marred by static, he began to plead for mercy. "I lost the battle. Forgive me, Sir."
"Why should I?" Was the scornful reply. Robotnik sneered at his creation. "You have failed me for the last time, Metal Sonic. Take him to the incinerator!" He barked at a couple SWATbots standing nearby.
Mecha stared, photoreceptors wide open. "No! Doctor, please-!"
"SILENCE!" Robotnik bellowed. "I have heard enough of your worthless excuses! Get him out of my sight!"
"No! Don't, please! I will try again! Sir!" Metal Sonic wailed as his frame was picked up and carted out of the room. "Please! Don't do this! NO!"
"NOOOO!!"
Metal Sonic came online screaming. He looked around himself wildly, expecting to hear the hum of the incinerator starting up at any moment. Instead, he heard the quiet whirring of the battery recharger in the Repair Bay.
Mecha sat up and blinked. He was still functioning! It hadn't really happened! Relief washed through his circuits in a refreshing wave. He was okay. His master hadn't abandoned him.
He grew confused. But what was that bizarre string of visual data he'd received while recharging...?
Could it have been...?
"Impossible." Mecha scoffed. "Only biological organisms dream. Robots cannot." Still, the data did seem exactly like how a dream should be, according to what he knew about them. Maybe it WAS possible after all?
Mecha ran a quick self-diagnostic, making sure that he was still functioning correctly. Perhaps he had accidentally received a virus of some sort? He checked, but all signs came up clear. There were no corrupted files in his system, either. Mecha shook his head. Maybe the hedgehog damaged his system scanner. If that was the case, he could have a virus and he wouldn't even know it.
Mecha's eyes flared. It was all Sonic's fault! The hedgehog had done this to him, he was sure. Sonic had definitely had the opportunity to do so, and the motive, too. He'd probably done something to Mecha during their battle...
In a fit of rage, Mecha stood up and ripped out the cords that were sending power to his batteries. Firing his rocket engines, Metal Sonic flew out the entrance to the Repair Bay and aimed himself towards the Great Forest. He'd track down Sonic and exact revenge if it took all day.
"Prepare to die, Ssssssonic!" Mecha hissed as he passed Robotropolis' border.
----------
"You again??" He growled. "Don't you know when to give up?!"
She batted her long eyelashes at him in an expression she used to bring men to their knees. "Why, I don't know what you're talking about. I was just out for a stroll, is all."
"Liar!" Mighty snorted. "Knux told me all about you! Stay away from the Master Emerald, understand? I'm not gonna let you take it!"
Rouge's foxy smile became an annoyed frown. "Oh, really? And what makes you think I'm even after it? Or did Knuckles neglect to tell you I've quit the treasure-hunting business?"
Mighty faltered. Knux HAD neglected to tell him that, and Rouge's supermodel looks were affecting him more than he was letting on. He gritted his teeth and composed himself. "Shut up! I don't believe you for one second, bat! Get out of here NOW before I make you!"
Rouge rolled her eyes and tossed her hands into the air. "Fine! I only came by to tell Knuckles some important news, but if that's the way you're gonna be about it, then forget it! Just tell him that I've found something important that he might be interested in. If he wants to know what it is, then tell him to meet me at the south shore of Never Lake in two hours. That's all." A flap of leathery black wings, and Rouge vanished into the treetops.
Mighty relaxed with a nervous sigh, and wiped a thin sheen of sweat off his forehead. That was close.
Mighty unhooked a portable communicator from a small belt around his waist and adjusted it to Knuckles frequency. Depressing the "Talk" Button, he began talking into the speaker. "Knuckles, come in. It's Mighty. Knuckles, can you hear me?"
A rustle of static came through, followed by Knuckles' voice answering. "Yeah, Mighty, I hear ya. What is it?"
"Rouge just stopped by for a visit." Knuckles startled Mighty a bit by growling at the mention of Rouge's name. "She said she wanted to talk to you." Mighty continued.
"Did ya chase her off?"
"Yeah, but she wanted me to tell you something." He related to Knuckles the rest of what the white bat had told him.
"It's a trap." Knux stated flatly.
"Well, I don't know. She seemed to be telling the truth, Knux. Maybe you'd better check it out anyway, just in case. I can hold down the fort until you get back."
Knuckles considered for a long moment. He really didn't want to trust anything Rouge said at face value, but she would have needed to be a dang fine actor to convince Mighty she was being honest. "Fine. But I'm taking Espio with me." He replied at last. "You, Vector and Charmy play guard until I return. If we're not back within forty-eight hours, contact the Freedom Fighters for help."
Mighty nodded. "You got it! See you then, Knux!"
----------
"Hey! Could I get some more chili dogs, please?"
"AGAIN??" The exasperated chef replied. "That was your third helping just now! Don't you think you've had enough?!"
Sonic patted his stomach and smiled. "A word of advice for ya. You can never, repeat NEVER get enough chili dogs! They're the supreme food of the universe! Now, can I get some more? Pretty please?"
The chef sighed. "Oh, allright. But this is the last time!"
Sonic beamed. "Thanks, man!"
Five minutes later, Sonic walked back to one of the tables in the Conference Hut with a plate loaded down with his favorite food. He set the plate down carefully and took a seat. Next to him, Tails was working on his own, smaller plate of chili dogs. Sally was eating a large salad across the table.
Sonic wrinkled his nose at Sally's choice of dish. "How can you stand to eat that stuff, Sal?"
Sally took a bite of some leafy green lettuce and swallowed before replying. "What I want to know, Sonic, is how YOU can stand to eat three helpings in a row and not be full!"
Sonic grinned and began devouring his dinner. "Touché."
Across from Sonic, Tails had already finished. He licked up all the excess chili around his mouth and fingers, and burped loudly.
Sally gasped. "Goodness, Tails! What do you say after that?!" She reprimanded.
Sonic paused his eating frenzy for a moment and grinned. "Wait, I know! How about 'nice diaphragm control'?"
"And YOU stay out of this!" She said to Sonic. "Well, Tails?"
Tails thought for a brief moment, then his face lit up in a grin identical to Sonic's. "That sure tasted better going down than it did coming up!"
Sally blinked in surprise, and Sonic cracked up. "Oh, man! Good one, Tails!" Sonic laughed while sharing a high-five with the fox. "That was great!"
Sally's expression clouded over with anger. "Did you tell him to say that, Sonic?!"
"Sure did!" Sonic grinned. "The guy's a natural at it, too! Here Tails, watch this!" Sonic leaned back, swallowed another bite of his food, then let out an enormous belch which shook the rafters of the hut. This evoked peals of laughter from the two-tailed fox, and an angry sigh from Sally.
"Oh Sonic, why don't you just GROW UP??" She huffed before eating the last bite of her salad and getting up to put her dishes away.
"I would, except I'm too handsome to get old!" Sonic called after her. "C'mon Tails. Let's get this stuff cleaned up, and then I'll race ya to the Lake of Rings and back!"
"Alright!" The fox cheered.
Ten minutes later found the duo at the edge of Knothole, digging starting blocks into the dirt. "Okay," Sonic began, "we'll race to the lake, circle around it, then zoom back to Knothole. First one to touch that big tree behind us wins. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Right, then! On your mark.."
A loud cry of delight interrupted them. "SONIC!!"
Sonic and Tails clamped their hands over their heads and dropped to the ground, ears ringing with the volume of the cry. Milliseconds later, Sonic was forced into a very tight bear hug by an excited Amy.
Sonic gagged, struggling to get air into his lungs. "Amy...let go...I can't breathe..."
The pink hedgehog released Sonic, but not before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Sonic yelled and clawed frantically at the affected area once his arms were free to do so. Amy didn't notice, as she was too busy hopping up and down on the spot and squealing Sonic's name over and over.
Tails, whom had recovered by now, began to watch with an expression bordering somewhere between laughter and disgust. He didn't like boy-crazy girls any more than Sonic did, but Sonic's reactions to Amy's presence were usually very funny to someone watching from the sidelines.
Sure enough, Sonic panicked. "Tails!" He yelled. "Readysetgo!" He fled into the forest without another sound.
"Hey!" Tails yelled angrily before taking off in close pursuit. "Sorry Amy, having a race! See ya later!" He called back to the confused hedgehog as he vanished into the trees after Sonic.
Amy blinked twice. She shook her fists in the air and tilted her head back to scream at the heavens, "I hate it when you guys leave me behind! Get back here!!"
----------
Robotnik growled and clenched his fists tighter around the SWATbot's neck. Sparks flew from underneath his fingers, but he ignored them. "What do you MEAN he got away?!" He roared, shaking the hapless robot violently.
The SWATbot had not yet deactivated, miraculously. However, it's words slurred together as he replied, "Priority hedgehog evaded pursuit from units three, five, and six. Metal Sonic engaged Priority Hedgehog in battle, and Priority Hedgehog departed. SWATbot units were unable to match velocity of-"
Whatever else the robot was going to say, it never did so. Robotnik roared again and threw the SWATbot into the wall, effectively smashing it to pieces.
The other SWATbots in the room stared straight ahead impassively, not paying the slightest bit of attention to their former companion. Robotnik seethed, his metal hand clenched over his chair's armrest so hard it bent the frame. True, he had programmed the bots to behave like this, but right now their calm indifference irritated him.
"Round up SWATbot squadrons 3, 6, 5, and 8! I want them patrolling the area with status reports every ten minutes! If that hedgehog comes back, he will NOT escape again!" He growled to the nearest robot.
"Yes, sir!" The SWATbots saluted smartly before turning on their heels and exiting the room.
Robotnik pressed a button on his armrest, then realized he had twisted it so much it wasn't working anymore. Robotnik growled again, and pressed another button on his opposite armrest. Leaning over, he spoke into a built- in intercom.
"Computer!" He barked. "Scan the city for Metal Sonic!"
"Scanning." A pleasant female monotone replied. "Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' is not located within the search perimeters."
"Increase the scan range by five miles." Robotnik impatiently ordered. He knew it was possible that Mecha was patrolling outside the city, in the barren wasteland that separated Robotropolis from the rest of the surrounding countryside.
"Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' is not located within the search perimeters."
Robotnik furrowed his brow, then sat back and began thinking. Mecha had left the city and its surroundings entirely, and had done so without reporting in. Robotnik began absently twirling one side of his moustache around his finger. Where was the most likely place Mecha would be if he wasn't in or near the city?
The answer hit him like a falling piano. Of course! "Computer, new search. Scan location: Great Forest for Metal Sonic."
"Scanning."
Robotnik drummed his fingers on his working armrest impatiently.
"Scan complete. Robot designation 'Metal Sonic' has been found at coordinates-"
Robotnik interrupted impatiently. "Patch through a transmission to his current position."
"Acknowledged. Contacting, please wait."
------
Metal Sonic swept the forest with his radar again, then studied the results. There were millions of life readings around here, but most of them were non-sentient animal life. Nothing resembled the object of his search. He shut off his rocket engine to lessen the amount of noise he caused, then began walking. He'd find Sonic sooner or later, he was sure.
A large blip appeared on his radar screen. "Well, well, well. It appears that the hedgehog is headed my way." Mecha observed. Another blip appeared, following the first. "And his fox friend is with him, as well. Well, the more, the merrier."
Already a plan was forming in the blue robot's mind. He opened a panel in his arm and pulled out two round, metallic objects. Looking around, he spotted two trees on either side of him. Perfect. He walked over to one tree, placed the object inbetween its lowest branches, then walked over to the other tree and did the same. He stood back and surveyed the scene. Unless you were looking for them, you couldn't see the devices. Mecha brought out a tiny remote control riddled with gadgets, and pressed down on a certain button. A nearly inaudible hum indicated that the objects were now activated.
Mecha glared in the direction that Sonic would arrive from, then dashed into a grove of bushes to hide. He would not fail this time.
----------
"Aw, c'mon Tails, you can do better than that!"
Tails gritted his teeth and forced his tails to spin a little faster. "Shut...up...Sonic!"
Sonic grinned at his flying companion. Actually, Tails was doing better than Sonic had expected. Already Sonic was cruising at one-half his full speed, and Tails was still side-by-side with him. Sonic made a mental note to not underestimate the fox in the future.
"Ready to eat my dust, kiddo?" Sonic called out.
"Ha! Just you wait, Sonic! Watch this, and eat MY dust!"
Tails pulled off one glove, pulled something shiny and yellow out of it and held it over his head. The object gave off a brilliant yellow glow that encompassed Tails' whole body. When it faded, Tails was pulling ahead of Sonic by a large margin.
"Hey! No fair using Power Rings!" Sonic yelped. He began to pour on the speed to catch up with the canine, and the space between the two racers slowly began to narrow.
----------
Metal Sonic looked up from his radar to watch the area between the trees. They were almost here...
----------
Tails drew on some more of the Ring's power, boosting his lead another few meters. This was great! He was beating Sonic!
----------
Sonic lapsed into the ground-gulping stride that he used to break the sound barrier, and leaped forward dramatically. There was no way he would let Tails beat him!
----------
Tails could see the lake in the distance. He was almost there! He swooped down inbetween a couple trees-
And was stopped in midair by some invisible force.
Tails' train of thought instantly derailed. What in the world? He wasn't moving forward or backward an inch! He tried to propel his tails to go faster, but they were frozen in position. He tried to reach behind himself and forcibly spin them, but his arms wouldn't move. He hung in midair, motionless and bewildered.
Tails began to panic. What had happened??
Metal Sonic entered Tails' line of vision. Tails' eyes grew wide and he tried to yell out a warning to Sonic, but his jaw wouldn't work. "I would not suggest you do that." Mecha purred. "We wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, would we?"
Tails struggled wildly against whatever was restraining him. He had to warn Sonic!
Metal Sonic growled as he noticed Tails fight against the force field he'd set up. "Very well, be that way." He punched a button on his remote control and the field zapped Tails with a small amount of electricity. "That shall teach you to stay still. Now remain quiet and do not attempt to escape. If you cooperate, I will not hurt you any more."
Tails breathlessly ceased his struggles, thoughts whirring. How was he going to get out of this one?
Sonic burst through the trees behind Tails and skidded to a stop at the sight that greeted him: Tails, locked in mid-dive, and Metal Sonic, standing in front of him. "Mecha!" Sonic yelled in outrage.
"Hello, Ssssssonic." Mecha hissed. He produced two laser guns from a panel in his chest and motioned towards Tails' head with them. "I believe it would be in both of your best interests to not make any sudden moves right now."
Slowly Sonic raised his hands in defeat, eyes never leaving the guns aimed at his friend. "Leave him out of this, Mecha. I'm the one you want, aren't I?"
Metal Sonic carelessly twirled a gun around one steel claw while regarding Sonic with a scornful look. "Maybe, maybe not." He taunted. "If you would prefer to have your fox friend return to you in his original configuration, you'll cooperate and do as I say."
Mecha's built-in radio suddenly crackled to life through a speaker on the side of his head. "Metal Sonic! Come in!" Robotnik's gravelly voice spoke over the hiss and whine of static.
Mecha spoke out loud, eyes never leaving Sonic's. "I am here, Doctor."
"Where the devil have you been?! Your report is overdue!"
"I have been busy tracking down and locating the hedgehog, sir." Mecha calmly replied. "I am currently holding his fox friend hostage. Would you like to speak to them?" He added sarcastically.
A brief, surprised pause came from Robotnik's end. "Mecha, bring him here to the city." Robotnik finally replied excitedly. "I'll send SWATbot squadrons 3, 6, 5, and 8 to meet you at the edge of the forest and escort you. Shoot the fox if he gives you any trouble at all."
"Yes sir." Mecha replied before switching his radio off. He turned to gaze at Sonic, furiously realizing that he wouldn't be able to fight Sonic here like he'd planned. "Come," He spoke, hiding his rage beneath a mask of calm indifference. "We are going to Robotropolis."
Sonic's expression darkened. "Well, it doesn't look as if I have much choice, do I?"
Mecha replaced one gun within his hull, brought out his remote and flipped a switch. The objects hidden in the trees slowly rose into the air, and Tails rose up with them. Sonic squinted at the area around Tails. If he looked closely, he was able to see a faint yellow glow that betrayed the field's location. Metal Sonic moved forward, and the field floated along behind him, occupant and all. "Get going." Metal Sonic ordered, motioning for Sonic to walk ahead of him so the robot could see him at all times. Sonic gritted his teeth but obeyed, Mecha following him and the trapped Tails bringing up the rear.
It was the oddest trip Sonic had ever taken. He was far more used to running than walking, but the field around Tails was unable to travel very fast and thus slowed them down. He could practically feel Mecha's eyes boring into his back the whole way. Indeed, Mecha was glaring at Sonic with enough fiery anger in his gaze to melt lead. Mecha refused to even have a decent conversation with Sonic, so the journey was made in silence.
At the edge of the Great Forest, Mecha, Sonic and the captive Tails were surrounded by legions of robots. Sonic glumly realized that there were far too many for him to take out by himself. If he hadn't been in a fix beforehand, he definitely was now.
---------- Robotnik hadn't felt so happy since he first overtook Mobotropolis and did away with the King. Sonic was his at last! He got up from his chair and did a very uncharacteristic victory dance right there. He stopped after only a few steps and sat back down, huffing and wheezing from the exertion. He wiped sweat from his forehead and grinned evilly. Now, time to plan for what he was going to do with the little rodent.
Robotization? No, Sonic deserved far worse. Roboticizing Sonic for all the things he'd done would almost be kind.
Death? No, that was also too kind, compared to other things he could do...
Torture? Perhaps. The idea of keeping Sonic alive just enough to continue feeling prolonged, excruciating pain greatly appealed to him.
Robotnik snapped the fingers on his metal hand with a sharp clank. "I've got it!" He pressed a button and spoke into his armrest intercom again. "Computer, ready my laboratory for a biological test on compound 18957."
"Acknowledged."
Robotnik clapped his hands together with glee as he got up and headed for his lab. Revenge would finally be his!
----------
Knuckles banked down in a slowly spiraling dive as they entered the air above Never Lake's southern shore. Espio rode on his back, clinging to the echidna's dreadlocks with all his might and forcing himself to not look at the ground. Heights freaked him out.
Knuckles landed with perfection that came from years of practice, not even jostling his passenger. "We're here, Espio. You can let go now."
Espio quickly released Knuckles and went into camouflage mode, disappearing from sight. Knuckles nodded approvingly. "Follow me and stay close." He instructed his companion in a whisper.
Knux entered the wide stretch of beach that led down to the water's edge. Already waiting for him there was a very familiar fruit bat. "All right, Rouge, what's the deal with asking me to come here?" Knuckles demanded.
Rouge tossed him something yellow and black. Knuckles caught it easily and studied it for a moment. It appeared to have once been a shoe, but had been melted until it was nothing more than a glob of twisted metal and plastic with some wires sticking out of it. "What's this?"
"I found that in the woods about twenty meters west of here." Rouge explained while pointing into the trees. "There was another one there that was just like it. Check out its' bottom."
Knux turned the mangled shoe over and noticed six circular tubes sticking out of the bottom, now bent in different directions. It seemed oddly familiar somehow.
"They were sitting next to a small crater in the ground. And do you know what I found next to it?"
"No, what?"
"Footprints."
Knux shook his head. "I still don't see what you're trying to tell me."
"Knuckles, what you're holding is a hoverskate." Rouge replied exasperatedly. "Tell me, who's the only person we've ever known who wore hoverskates?"
Knuckles' eyes bulged, and he dropped the skate as if it was still hot. "No. Way. He's dead, Rouge!"
"But we don't know that for sure." Rouge pressed on, the hope evident in her voice. "Suppose he survived somehow?"
"Are you INSANE?!" Knuckles yelled. "He fell to Earth from ORBIT, for Chaos' sake! There's no WAY he could have survived!"
"How do you know?!" Rouge asked, beginning to yell herself. "He could've used Chaos Control, couldn't he?!"
"No! Sonic had all the emeralds when he came back inside, and neither of them could Chaos Control without one!"
"But we never did find out where the fake emerald went, did we?! Sonic said that the Eclipse Cannon malfunctioned before he threw the fake emerald into it, and the emerald went missing afterwards. Sonic Chaos Controlled with it, so it's entirely possible that Shadow did too!"
Espio faded into sight inbetween the arguers, forcing them apart. "Guys! Guys! Calm down already!"
Rouge blinked as she shifted her attention to the purple chameleon. "Who're you?"
"A friend." Espio replied shortly. "Now both of you, knock it off!"
Knux forced his voice into a calmer tone before speaking again. "He didn't survive, Rouge. You found somebody else's shoes." He picked up the dropped wreckage and tossed it back to the bat. "Stop deceiving yourself. It'll make your life a lot easier, and it'll make you a lot more tolerable. C'mon, Espio. We're heading back."
Rouge gritted her teeth angrily and yelled after their retreating backs. "You know what your problem is? You're too dang pessimistic, that's what!" She looked down at the shoe cradled in her hands, and her expression softened.
"Shadow..." She whispered. "I hope you're still alive." Slowly she turned, spread her wings, and flew away in the opposite direction that Knuckles had departed from.
"Please come back..."