This chapter is a bit long so you might want to snack on something while you read.
Mecha Action!
Chapter 9: Heartaches and the "Happy Ending"
The sky seemed less brighter than usual because of the inevitable threat of another major battle. The small nation of Organics was in a state of emergency as Knuckles had every man who could, prepare weapons and take part in the battle. The Defenders themselves where busy giving out positions to those who were able to fight, while Amy and other elite Defenders were busy going over plans with Knuckles in the Great Tree. A large round table had been set up on the platform in the center of Knuckles' lair. Around the table sat Amy, Rouge, and nine other elite Defenders including Phoenix, and the lion. Knuckles was at the head of the room briefing his soldiers on how they would attack the Mechalands capital.
"There are about six major roads we can access in order to get into the capital without slowing down. If we can block off the flow of traffic from going in and out of the capital on these streets then we'll have a slight advantage before Mecha defenses kick in."
As Knuckles continued on, Amy tried her best to stay attentive but her mind kept on wandering back and forth between Metal Sonic and Tails. As the young girl twisted her hair around her finger, Rouge, sitting next to her, took notice and leaned over to whisper to her.
"Calm down kid." Rouge whispered. "Rick's gonna be fine, it's nothing serious."
"It's not that Rouge. It's just that... well I can't say—"
"Is there a problem Amy?" Knuckles interrupted the girls putting them on the spot.
Amy and Rouge looked up immediately with the young hedgehog turning red on her cheeks. She stammered a bit before Rouge jumped in with an excuse.
"Just a technical question sir." the bat filled in smoothly and Amy nodding her head in agreement.
"Hmm... just pay attention. This is important." Knuckles replied.
Knuckles continued on with his mission briefing taking the attention away from the girls. Rouge leaned back over towards Amy to pick up where they had left off.
"Is it about that metal hedgehog?" Rouge whispered.
Without looking at Rouge, Amy nodded solemnly and that was the end of it. The meeting continued on for about another twenty minutes before Knuckles was interrupted by an imbalance in the atmosphere.
"We might be able to have the advantage if we move out early tomorrow..." the red echidna stopped as his eyes flashed green.
He suddenly became suspicious of something that was obviously outside the tree as he walked off the platform to the area where outsiders entered.
"Is there a problem sir?" the lion asked as he and the other Defenders turned to see where Knuckles was going.
Their leader said nothing as he stepped off the platform and let out a low growl. He then waved his hand and the green light appeared as someone materialized within it. As the light faded away, sudden gasps came from the elite Defenders at the table with Amy being the first to speak.
"Sonic!" she shouted jumping out of her seat.
The other Defenders spoke softly among each other wondering what Amy was talking about. Rouge tried to get the girl to sit down but Amy pulled herself away from the bat and quickly dashed off the platform. However, Knuckles stopped the girl before she could reach Metal Sonic. The elite Defenders fell silent waiting for the echidna's reaction.
"Knuckles! I'm so glad to see—"
"Silence!!" the echidna snapped at the Mecha. "How did you enter into our territory? The barrier should've stopped you!"
"It didn't and neither did the eagle. Knuckles, I came here to ask for your help." Metal said earnestly.
"Our help!? How dare they try to get an operative on the inside!" the lion shouted standing up.
Several others began to agree shouting their arguments and standing as well except for Rouge. Amy found herself trying to calm the elites down in hopes of allowing Sonic to speak once more.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE INTRUDER!?" Knuckles voice bellowed over the others instantly silencing them.
"Intruder? How can you say that to your best friend!?" Metal replied.
"How dare you insult my position by associating me with you Mechas! Go back to your own kind!!"
"I am with my own kind!!"
A deafening silence fell upon the room as the two stopped their argument. The elites had nothing to say but instead were interested in why a Mecha would make such an accusation. Amy boldly approached Knuckles and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Knuckles, please listen to him—"
"Stay away from me!" Knuckles slapped the girl away. "And why are you siding with him!?"
"Don't hurt her Knuckles!" Metal Sonic came in between the two Organics separating them. "You should be thanking her for bringing back one of your best Defenders."
The echidna gave no reply except turn back and walked onto the platform. The elites said nothing as they slowly sat back down in their seats... but Knuckles wasn't finished yet. Suddenly he turned back, his eyes glowing a menacing green color and Amy and Metal Sonic found themselves being pulled to the floor and held down by bright green chains. Several of the elites created a commotion while Rouge stood up rushing over to Knuckles to stop him.
"Hey, leave them alone!" the bat shouted.
"Stay out of this!!" Knuckles shouted at Rouge causing her to stop. "This is his punishment for trespassing and Amy's for betrayal. Because of this incident I've decided to move the troops out tonight."
"But sir, it's irrational to rush into battle like this!" a tiger retorted.
"We are moving out tonight! Gather up your troops and move out into the fields where I'll be waiting."
In a blinding green light all except for Amy, Metal Sonic, and Knuckles disappeared from the room. The echidna approached the two and looked down upon them with disgust.
"You." he glared at Metal. "Remove yourself from my territory and never return. As for you." he glared at Amy. "Take any personal items from your home and leave for it will be destroyed and you will never be allowed into Defender Territory ever again!"
With that said the three of them disappeared from inside the tree. Knuckles reappeared out in the fields while Amy and Metal Sonic reappeared by the tree leading up to Amy's home. Metal gazed around at the familiar settings of the home he remembered from years ago. But his feelings of nostalgia were interrupted by the sounds of a weeping girl. Amy had collapsed to her knees and was crying deeply into her hands. Metal kneeled next to her and comforted the girl with his cold metallic hand.
"Amy, we can still stop the battle. We just need to find someone who can trust us both." Sonic said with some hope.
Silently his young friend looked up at him with tears pouring out of her eyes. She had lost the trust of the one who had taken her in and trained her and all Metal could say was that they had to try harder? Why even bother at this point? Amy remembered how the elite Defenders reacted to Metal Sonic's arrival. She doubted any other Defender or Organic would help them. Rouge would probably be working close with Knuckles so her help would be no good and Cream was just a child. Amy decided that the best thing for her to do now was to gather up whatever she could from her home and leave with Metal.
After wiping away her tears, she silently climbed the ladder to her home; Metal hovered up along side Amy using the jet on his back. As she went into her house, Metal stood by the door watching her as she gathered up some personal items in her backpack. Amy looked back at Metal and sniffled a bit before returning to her chore.
"I'm sorry Sonic but I just don't understand why we should continue on." Amy said picking up a picture of her and her parents. "I thought about trying to use Tails to send out a signal to the Mechas telling them to not listen to ShadoMech's orders, but then he might find out and kill the both of us. I thought I would be able to make a difference or even stop the war but I guess I was wrong."
A sudden thought came to Metal Sonic and an idea came to him almost immediately.
"Amy," the pink hedgehog stopped and looked up at her mechanical friend. "maybe you can still stop the war. That is if it's not too late."
"What do you mean Sonic?" Amy asked curious of what was going on in his mind.
Metal walked in and approached her.
"It's about Tails and his... natural born 'gift'. Maybe we can use it to keep the Mechas and the Defenders from fighting... that is if it doesn't kill us all."
Now Amy definitely wanted to know what Metal was thinking but before she could ask, he was already urging her to leave her personal belongings and bring whatever weapons or gadgets she had. Minutes later the two let the hut and were on their way out of the forest when Amy told Metal Sonic to stop and land near some more huts on the ground
"I just saw someone I know." Amy said as she hopped out of the Mecha's arms and ran off into some shrubbery.
She hurried through the dark forest trying to catch up with the small rabbit she had seen running off from the village. As the young Defender emerged from some bushes, she came across Cream who was sitting by a small pond and looking towards the sky. Cream looked back to see Amy and beamed at her friend.
"Hi Amy. Why are you still here? Aren't you going to fight with the others?" Cream asked as two transporters flew overhead.
"I'm afraid not. I'm going on a special mission with a friend." Amy said giving her best smile.
Some rustling came from the bushes behind the girls and Cream looked back looking as happy as she could be.
"Is that your friend back there? He doesn't have to be so shy you know." Cream said.
Amy gave a halfhearted smile hoping that Cream wouldn't ask Metal Sonic to reveal himself.
"Hey come on out!" the rabbit shouted waving her hands. "You don't have to be afraid of us."
Amy wanted to hush Cream but before she could do anything, the bushes began to rustle again and Metal Sonic slowly stepped out of them. Cream yelped jumping back and holding onto Amy causing Metal to freeze in place.
"Please, don't be afraid of me." Metal said softly holding out a hand. "I...I used to be just like you a long time ago."
A few silent seconds went by before Cream cautiously stepped away from Amy and approached Metal. As he bent down to her level, Cream nervously placed a hand on his face and then the other and felt around the cold frame of his countenance. Soon Cream's look of fear became a look of awe as her finger went over his red and black eyes. She then held onto his hand as they gently closed over hers.
"Are you... Sonic?" Cream whispered.
Metal nodded his head as Amy watched on.
"Did that Eggman turn you into a robot?"
"I suppose so." Metal answered looking away.
Cream let out a small giggle and held Metal's hand with both of hers.
"He may change our outside, but he can never change what we have inside." the child answered optimistically.
Amy let out a small giggle as Cream hugged Metal. Suddenly he began to remember what it was like coming home from a dangerous mission to a crowd of cheering Organics. He missed that feeling so much and now felt as if he had come home from his first mission all over again. Not wanting to break up the moment, Amy approached the two and reminded Metal that they had to be on their way. Metal lifted Amy into his arms and took a few steps away from Cream.
"I knew you would come back Sonic!" Cream said to the Mecha. "Are you going to bring Shadow and Tails back as well?"
"I'll try to." Metal replied.
"Stay strong Cream and don't give up hope for us." Amy added.
After that, Metal Sonic took off into the air and he and Amy were on their way across the fields heading back into the Mechalands. In the distance, Amy could see the Defender army and a few transporters in the sky advancing through the mountain chain to the Mechalands. She sighed and hoped that she and Metal Sonic would reach Tails before any blood was shed.
Deep within the heart of the Mechalands' capital, thousands of machines and robots were marching out to the borders of the capital weapons ready to fire. Hundreds more robots began to march out of the basement levels of the five towers including Prime Tower. Their daring and fearless leader, ShadoMech, was perched on top of Prime Tower looking out towards Defender Territory as four transporters descended below the clouds falling beneath the buildings near the mountain chain.
"They're coming." ShadoMech said to himself.
He held up the Emerald of Chaos that hung around his neck and looked at it sparkle in the city lights. So much power mesmerized the Mecha to the point where he felt unstoppable or even god-like. Suddenly he received a signal from one of the army leaders and took off heading towards the frontline of his army.
At the frontline of the Defender army, Knuckles had perched himself on top of a building scoping out where the Mecha army had set themselves up. Unfortunately the Defenders weren't able to block off any of the major roads Knuckles had discussed.
"Looks like ShadoMech anticipated an early intrusion." Knuckles muttered under his breath.
Just then Rouge appeared from over the side of the roof and landed on top. She slowly approached Knuckles from the behind but obviously the echidna knew who it was.
"What is it Rouge?" Knuckles asked without turning around.
"We don't have to fight this battle, you know. It's really senseless considering who we're up against." Rouge answered.
"I know who we're up against." Knuckles harshly grabbed Rouge by her neck and pointed out towards the bright lights moving through the city. "Do you see those lights moving? Do you see how big that army is? Shadow obviously wants to fight!"
"You knew it was them all along?" the bat pulled herself out of Knuckles' grip.
"Of course I did." Knuckles went back to observing the Mecha army. "From the moment I laid eyes on them in Prime Tower it was pretty obvious."
"Why did you fight them if you knew it was Sonic and Shadow? I thought you guys were the best of friends."
"Were the best of friends! You already know that once someone is roboticized their loyalty goes, or went, completely to Eggman; even if they retain some information of who they once were. It's either that or face destruction."
She wasn't sure if she was understanding the entire situation but Rouge had a hunch as to why Knuckles was so bitter towards ShadoMech and Metal Sonic. Yet she had to ask for confirmation.
"So you'll just turn your back on them after seeing that they've obtained a new look?" Rouge asked in a demanding way. "Well what about Tails? Amy told me that he wasn't roboticized."
Knuckles only glanced at her over his shoulder and silently went back to his observation. Rouge asked again, this time stomping her foot. This time she was greeted with a pair of threatening green eyes in her face as her leader growled at her.
"I'm sure Eggman made some use out of him too!" the echidna replied. "But them being roboticized is not the point. It's where their loyalty went on that fateful day!"
Rouge was silent allowing him to continue on. Knuckles backed off of her and walked away.
"It doesn't make any sense to me as to how those three would allow themselves to be caught, it's just uncanny! I've seen them get out of the most dangerous situation with bruises and cuts all over and still be ready to take on their next mission. Then all of the sudden when I get wind of them not returning from the Mechalands, all seemed lost and I could only think that had finally met their match! But did they? NO!! They end up on Eggman's side doing his every damn biding!! They leave me in the cold for an even colder world!!"
"Well what if they really did get caught Knuckles!?"
Somehow that pushed him over his limit and the echidna got into her face again. She could never understand the pain he felt when he first laid eyes on ShadoMech and Metal Sonic in the tower. He didn't want to believe it was them in the portal he saw almost a week ago... but it was true. In his eyes his best friends had turn their backs on him leaving him nearly defenseless and hopeless in the war.
"I know them Rouge!!" Knuckles shouted in return. "They would never EVER get caught!! I can only think that they did it because they were beginning to give up on the war or already had given up."
"Looks liksomebody else has too…" Rouge thought to herself.
"...Those three pledged their loyalty to me and if they want to betray me then that's fine."
"But one of them came back asking for your help. Do you really think they betrayed you?"
Knuckles refused to answer and ordered Rouge to leave him alone. Rouge had finally gotten to the root of Knuckles' secluded behavior, but he had obviously rooted himself into that mind set over the years. Changing him back to who he was before the tragedy would take a miracle for that to happen.
Far away from the Defender army flying high above the smog clouds were Amy and Metal Sonic on their way to Prime Tower. The two descended below the clouds, Amy wearing a gas mask, in hopes of seeing how their timing was before the battle began. They could see lines of bright lights moving through the city streets.
"The Mecha army is on their way to battle the Defenders." Metal Sonic said after some quick analyzing.
"Already!? We have to hurry! There's not much time left!" Amy replied.
Metal Sonic quickened his flight towards Prime Tower and surprisingly were not confronted by and type of security; no jets, no spy bots, nothing! It's as if ShadoMech focused all of his attention on the battle and left the capital unprotected... or he wanted it to appear that way to any Defender spies. Either way, Amy and Metal Sonic saw this as their opportunity to rescue Tails from his capsule prison. Minutes flew by and as the two landed on top of Prime Tower they could hear cannon shots being fired in the distance as the battle began. They entered into the elevator on the rooftop and seconds later found themselves rushing down the cold blue hallway leading to Tails' lab. As the heavy doors opened, the fox immediately became aware of their presence and his two tails were set into motion.
"Sonic!?" Tails' voice rang in their minds.
He had pressed himself against the glass as Metal and Amy approached the machine.
"Yeah... it's me Tails." Sonic answered.
For the first time in years a smile fell upon the fox's face and even a tear drop rolled down his cheek from under the visor.
"We're gonna get you out of here, so just sit still for a few seconds." Amy said as she approached the console controlling Tails' capsule.
"No wait! You can't or else ShadoMech will kill both of you!"
"He's too busy with the battle. I doubt he'll stop to deal with us since he's so intent on other goals." Metal Sonic commented walking over to the console.
It was a few seconds before Amy had hacked her way into the program and Metal took her place at the computer and began to shut down several programs that powered the capsule. Soon the blue light from the capsule disappeared and Tails fell to the floor unable to walk; his legs had become weak after not using them for so many years. The glass case lifted up around the fox and Amy removed the helmet from his head and detached all of the wires connected to him. Finally she removed the visor and slowly Tails opened his blue eyes and looked into Amy's soft green eyes. He was awestruck by her beauty and even more amazed at finally seeing someone like him after so long. He had to reach out to her just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. ...It was real, it was all real. The soft touch of Amy's hand soothed Tails as he sighed heavily and beamed at her.
"I'd never thought I'd see the light of day after so many years..." he whispered to her.
Amy smiled taking his hand and then helped the fox to sit up. Metal Sonic had been standing behind her the entire time watching his little brother come back to life.
"Can you walk?" Amy asked Tails.
"I doubt. I can barely feel my legs." the fox replied.
Silently, Metal Sonic hoisted Tails into his arms and the three left the lab and got into the elevator. As they emerged out onto the rooftop, Amy finally asked what Metal was planning on doing with Tails.
"Remember when I told you about Tails' abnormal brain wave pattern?" Metal asked.
"Uh yeah." Amy had to think back to when she was imprisoned in Prime Tower and her first conversation with Metal Sonic.
"Well that abnormal brain wave is actually... some sort of psychic ability, but not the type I assume you're thinking of."
"Sonic..." Tails quietly interrupted the conversation.
Both Metal and Amy looked at Tails. He seemed a bit ashamed possibly of what Metal was about to tell Amy. Metal understood how private Tails wanted to keep his life but the Mecha explained that Amy had to know for she was their friend. The fox understood but kept his chin close to his chest as Metal and Amy walked out to the edge.
"You see Amy," Metal Sonic continued. "Tails has a magnetic psychic ability within his mind. He can bend or even break any type of metal at his will. Shadow and I believed he was born with it and so did our parents. Our dad told us to tell no one about it because he knew that many Organics would believe Tails to be some sort of Mecha/Organic hybrid created by Eggman and sent into Defender Territory as a spy. After checking with all of the fox families that were around at the time, our parents decided to adopt Tails."
"Wow..." Amy fell silent finding no words to say after Metal's story.
Assuming that all questions had been asked, Metal Sonic took to the air while Amy ripped apart her back pack to reveal a small jet pack on the inside. She followed after Metal Sonic and they flew off towards the center of the fierce battle.
A fireball exploded into the air as a small building collapsed upon its weak foundation. Several hundred Defenders attacked a large machine in hopes of taking it down. Knuckles lead on another group of sixty or so Defenders into a mass of Mechas and soon weapons were flying into the air and electricity sparked wildly as Mechas went down in mere seconds. The Defenders showed a great amount of spirit in the battle and easily over powered any group of Mechas they ran into but Knuckles was aware of ShadoMech's infinite supply of battling Mechas. Soon the Defenders would grow tired and weary from battle forcing Knuckles to rely on his powers and his best Defenders. He hated to admit it in the back of his mind, but he hoped that a miracle would come to rescue them.
Twenty minutes into battle and the Defenders had made very little movement from where the battle had started. It almost seemed stagnant as continuous waves of Mechas poured in every minute and Knuckles seemed to have had enough of the delay. After taking out a few Mechas around him, Knuckles gathered up power from the Emerald of Order that hung around his neck. Once fully powered, the echidna slammed his fist into the ground releasing the energy in a giant waved that swam out throughout the entire battle field. All Mechas that were touched by the opaque wave immediately began to malfunction allowing the Defender army to take them down easily.
The wave grew smaller and smaller as it traveled out in all directions until it disappeared. One Mecha who had not been affected by the energy was ShadoMech. He had formed a shield around him using the Emerald of Chaos and after the wave had passed by him he caught Knuckles in his eye sight and zoomed in to attack. The echidna spun around just in time to stop ShadoMech's attack and once again Knuckles found himself staring into the eyes of the black Mecha. Quickly ShadoMech kicked away the echidna and attempted an energy attack. Somked filled area from the blast and in the midst of it, Knuckles and ShadoMech flew out punching and kicking at each other. The Mecha suddenly grabbed Knuckles by the neck but the echidna, knowing the attack would come, took hold of the Mecha in return and threw him down towards the ground. The sheer velocity of the throw created a large crater and nearly shook the ground as Knuckles dived down at the same speed in hopes of smashing ShadoMech's head in. A bright green explosion filled the area from the impact but ShadoMech rose from the smoke a shimmering magenta shield surrounding him.
Immediately Knuckles gave pursuit but as he ascended, the echidna was greeted with a small energy blast that blinded him momentarily. This gave ShadoMech enough time to get in a few more hits before Knuckles had his guard up again retaliating with all of his might. After several seconds of impenetrable hits from both leaders, Knuckles was finally able to blast away ShadoMech long enough to order the Defenders to move in towards the capital. Immediately the Defenders heard the message and were quickly heading towards the capitol down the open road ahead of them. Suddenly the road was filled with Mechas pouring out of buildings left and right and swarmed down the street like a wild river.
Just when the soldiers thought they had to fight their way through another sea of robots, a green wave of energy swept over the area clearing their path. The Defenders continued their charge towards the capital which was only a few miles away with Knuckles flying overhead leading the group. The echidna released more and more energy waves to stop any approaching robot but soon the flow of robots suddenly stopped; ShadoMech had some sort of trap waiting for them. Despite the obvious trap, Knuckles was determined to get his men into the capital for if they were able to capture or even destroy Prime Tower, then that would boost the Defender's chances of winning the war.
Suddenly Knuckles caught a small flash in the distance out of the corner of his eye. As he looked he could barely make out two objects that seemed to be fighting in the sky. One of the objects was easily identified as ShadoMech... and the other appeared to be... Metal Sonic? Apparently Rouge was right about Metal Sonic despite how much the echidna refused to believe it. Metal was still loyal to Knuckles after so many years but was this simple act of loyalty enough to change his mind? Hardly. Knuckles ignored the distant battle and continued on towards the capital.
Metal Sonic quickly moved out of the way as ShadoMech attacked him using the Emerald of Chaos. The magenta attack flew by Metal but the blue Mecha refused to retaliate. He desperately wanted to convince ShadoMech to stop the robots but Amy urged Metal Sonic to give up.
"It's useless Sonic! Shadow's gone, you'll never get him back." the young girl yelled to him.
Tails was sitting next to her agreeing with Amy, but Metal Sonic refused to listen to either of them. He promised to Tails years ago and Cream just an hour ago that he would bring back both of his brothers to Defender territory. Yet the promise didn't mean anything to Tails now. Even he realized that ShadoMech would never change his mind for he knew the true reason behind ShadoMech's stubborn behavior. Metal took another hit and fell to the street where Amy and Tails were but before he could return to the sky, Tails stopped Metal.
"Sonic, just give up already! He's never going to change, not even for you!"
Metal Sonic looked back intrigued by Tails' statement.
"Shadow has always been jealous of you ever since the three of us joined the Defender force. He was always upset at how you would get most of the attention because of some heroic deed you would do and he would barely get even half of that attention for all of the hard work that he did. I doubt you realized this but you were always a show off on missions even when Knuckles told you not to be one. Even though Shadow was mostly jealous of your popularity, he eventually began to hate you because you were inconsiderate about how he and I felt... but it really didn't bother me that much."
Tails had said a mouthful but was it really all the truth? Metal glanced back up at ShadoMech who had listened intently to what Tails had said. Metal Sonic couldn't quite understand why his older brother would hate him for just being himself. Metal always thought that he could always be relaxed and free around his older brother. But now this sudden restriction from his own family... was unbelievable. Yet after taking another glance into ShadoMech's cold red eyes... Metal Sonic could finally see it. He could see the anger, the jealously, and even the hate deep within ShadoMech. He could finally see everything that he was too blind to see because he refused to believe that his older brother, the one he looked up to as a role model and for comfort, hated him. ...And then it dawned on him the fearful truth of how things would be from now on. They would be enemies, foes, whatever you want to call it. Metal would no longer rely on ShadoMech to lead the way for now he was the older brother and Tails would be the one in his shadow... and if that's the way things had to be… then so be it.
Metal Sonic hovered up to where ShadoMech was and looked into his emotionless eyes.
"I may never see my brother again… and that's fine. But if he's still inside of you somewhere, tell Shadow that I love him very much and I thank him for all that he's done for me."
"Your desperate attempt to hold onto something that no longer exists amuses me. But because of your irrational behavior towards your Mecha family, I have no other choice but to terminate you." ShadoMech said in response.
Even though the Mecha leader was serious about his threat, Metal Sonic remained in his place. As apart of who he is, Metal refused to let his new enemy scare him into defeat nor was he one to flee from battle. ShadoMech began to power up some energy from the Emerald of Chaos and soon was ready to attack. Metal remained immobile. The energized attack was launched creating a blinding light in the area, but when the light cleared the white eagle that belonged to Knuckles had come in between Metal and the attack. The eagle had taken the full force of the attack until the energy died down. Suddenly the bird fell out of the sky, no pain, no fear in his eyes and slammed into the pavement near Amy and Tails. The two Organics were shocked while the Mechas remained hovering over the area. Amy saw the eagle's violet eye gaze upon her. The eagle was speaking to her through his only emotion.
"Accept the power..." the hedgehog heard in her mind, but she was too confused to understand what the message meant.
A single tear drop fell out of the eagle's eye and splashed upon the pavement in sparkling drops of water. In an ethereal fashion the fair eagle disappeared into the air as shimmering drops of air slowly fading away as they ascended. Suddenly a light breeze blew by blowing some of the dust onto Amy but the rest disappeared. Amy and Tails gazed up at Metal Sonic, who in turn looked to his older brother. The four remained silent until ShadoMech launched another attack powered by his Emerald of Chaos. Metal dodged the attack and swooped down to pick up Tails and Amy. ShadoMech began to attack the three with an assault of attacks but the three were able to escape quickly towards the capital.
The Defender army had finally reached the capital area and had already been greeted by an onslaught of Mecha robots hiding in the shadows. Explosions lit up the night air as Organics and Mechas clashed in a brutal fight. Mechas were self-destructing, Organics were setting off bombs and even grew into the habit of attacking Mechas in large groups. Knuckles and his Elite Defenders were taking down several Mechas at once but their large numbers didn't seem to weaken Mecha army at all. Metal, Tails, and Amy had finally arrived in the capital area with ShadoMech hot on their heels. The Mecha leader fired another energy shot at the trio brazing them and sending the three spiraling into the side of Prime Tower. After observing the smoking hole for a few seconds, ShadoMech was satisfied and descended to help his army in combat.
The Mecha leader showed no mercy as he released several magenta energy waves upon the cluttered battlefield before him. Organics, Mechas, anyone in ShadoMech's way felt the force of his attacks as he searched for his only target: the Organics' leader. Finally he spotted Knuckles finishing off a few large robots. The red echidna spun around, his eye glowing brightly of green. Suddenly he froze as he looked at ShadoMech. The small area around the two was littered with dead bodies and robots out of commission. The Mecha leader rose into the air via his jetpack and Knuckles followed. In the blink of an eye the two shattered against each other with their emeralds glowing brightly. ShadoMech attempted to crush Knuckles hands but the echidna kicked the Mecha away and charged forward slamming ShadoMech into a nearby building.
The two were shrouded in smoke from the collision but quickly flew out with the echidna yelling in agony. ShadoMech had pierced his metal hand through the Organic's stomach refusing to pull away. Immediately the two fell to the ground causing ShadoMech's claw to dig deeper into the wound. Through all the pain Knuckles was able to open up one eye before ShadoMech disappeared from view ripping his blood soaked claw out as well. Slowly Knuckles rolled to his side to see Rouge pummeling ShadoMech out of rage and then sent him flying with a swift kick to his side. The bat looked back to see Knuckles struggling to hold back the pain and rushed to his side.
"Are you ok?" she asked looking at the gruesome wound.
He only nodded in return before the emerald around his neck began to glow its green color and healed the wound within seconds. By then ShadoMech was on his feet again and hovered into the air. Rouge heard the Mecha's jetpack and spun around ready to charge again but Knuckles tried to stop the bat with the little strength he regained. It was no use, Rouge was already gone and charging towards ShadoMech. The Mecha flexed his metallic claws before taking off straight for the enraged bat. In a flash of blood splatter, ShadoMech had forced his hand straight through Rouge's torso. A look of pain and shock covered her face as red liquid rained down on the two. Rouge wrapped her hands around ShadoMech's arms but the robot wasted no time in ripping her away from him. Knuckles watched in horror as his only love shattered onto the pavement struggling to breath.
"ROUGE!!" the echidna cried out running to her.
The gaping hole in her stomach was drowning in blood as she reached out to her lover.
"Help... me..." she forced out of her blood filled throat.
... And then she gave up. Not wanting to withstand anymore pain, Rouge slipped away into death... the unbearable look stuck on her face. Knuckles cradled the corpse in his arms wanting to cry out the pain in his heart. Yet he couldn't, his eyes remained dried as the anger within him grew. He had already lost his best Defenders once to the Mechas and now that another, more personal, ally was gone, the crime could not go unpunished. Once again the echidna's eyes glowed a fierce green but now steam rose from his body; the Emerald of Order was giving him more power. The corpse slipped out of his hands as Knuckles rose to his feet. ShadoMech stared at him from above waiting for the Organic's next attack.
A sonic boom exploded throughout the area as Knuckles slammed his fist into ShadoMech. But the robot was quick in response by putting up a barrier to block the attack. Sparks wildly flew from the barrier so Knuckles jumped back and attacked again, this time slipping by ShadoMech's defenses. A series of blows to ShadoMech's face followed with little hope that Knuckles would stop. Finally ShadoMech got a chance to parry an attack and came back with his own distinct attacks at the echidna.
Up in Prime Tower, Metal, Amy, and Tails were on the rooftop gazing down upon the battle below. The two leaders gave each other a few more powerful attacks before disappearing off to some other area to battle.
"We better stop the battle before Shadow decides to do something drastic." said Metal Sonic.
Together he and Amy gazed at Tails in between them. The fox quickly looked at the two growing nervous of what they had in mind.
"N-now?" the fox asked shaking.
"Tails, if you don't try then how will we stop both sides from fighting? We can't allow this battle to drag us in deeper into the war." Amy pleaded with him.
Still nervous about his challenge, Tails looked down upon the battle once again. Small explosions could be seen scattered all about the capital area and the sounds of Organics and Mechas clashing together was heard as well. The boy had been cooped up inside Prime Tower for so many years where the only trips he took outside were to the rooftop. Now he had the chance to end it all with one single wave of his magnetic abilities. But he could still remember the incident that brought him and his brothers to this point. He almost killed them years ago, so why risk the lives of thousands of Organics? The boy's attention was grabbed when the battle cry of a group of Organics filled the air. He looked down and, at the base of Prime Tower, could see the soldiers ambushing a few Mechas. Suddenly Tails saw his reason. The reason to risk everything for this battle. Those men down their had families waiting for them back at Defender Territory and if they died in a victorious battle then their deaths would not have been in vain. The Organics would be one step closer to returning order to the world and Tails would finally be able to see the beautiful blue sky again. Even though he had lost one brother, and the Mechas could never become Organics again, the thought of seeing the world he once loved was worth fighting for.
With his decision made, Tails forced himself to stand. Metal tried to help but the fox gently pushed the blue Mecha away and stood on his own. He legs were still weak and wobbled a bit but Tails stood strong holding his chest out.
"So you're going to do it?" Amy asked standing up.
"Yeah... going home is the only thing I wanted to do these past years." the fox replied.
Carefully Amy wrapped an arm around Tails' waist and the fox held onto the girl. Slowly the three comrades descended down to the base of Prime Tower in an open area. Metal Sonic kept a close eye for any attacking Mechas while Tails prepared to do his part of the plan.
"Ready?" Amy asked as she released the boy.
Silently he nodded and stood on his own wobbling a bit. Amy threw off her jetpack and Metal Sonic quickly took off into the air to avoid the attack.
"Amy, you may feel a little force from the wave but it shouldn't affect you." Tails warned the hedgehog.
Heeding the warning, Amy separated herself from Tails while the fox closed his eyes. Darkness shrouded his sight and the young fox could see various war torn images. Defender soldiers fighting off Mechas three times their size. Dead bodies scattered across areas where battles have taken place. Finally, Knuckles and ShadoMech still fighting with each other. Tails had to stop all of the madness for it was clearly tearing everyone apart. Suddenly he felt it. The strange energy building up within his head could be felt physically. Quickly the fox built up as much energy as he could until his head was on the brink of exploding.
...Finally it happened.
A large wave of invisible magnetic energy exploded from Tails pushing Amy back a bit. As the wave traveled throughout the capital area, building foundations, scraps of metal on the ground, and even Mechas where bent out of shape in horrible ways. Another wave was released and metals were bent even more and windows shattered into pieces. Then in a rhythmic fashion, Tails emitted more and more waves and the Mecha army began to crumble right in front of the Defenders' eyes. Even ShadoMech began to feel the effects of the waves and fell to the ground crumbling under the attacks. Immediately Knuckles knew that it was Tails' doing but was neither pleased nor disappointed. Suddenly ShadoMech used the Emerald of Chaos to create a barrier around him to negate the magnetic attacks. Slowly he rose into the air and Knuckles quickly put up his guard. Yet ShadoMech ignored the echidna and flew towards the Prime Tower area.
Tails let out a few more magnetic waves before running out of energy and collapsing to his knees. Amy rushed to his side and looked around at the damage. The bases of every building around them were completely sunk in with all of the windows gone. Mechas both broken and working were now piles of crumpled up scrap and surrounded by confused Defenders. Amy was amazed at the power Tails possessed and wondered why he didn't use it more often years ago before the accident. Before she could check on Tails' health, Amy head the sounds of a jetpack in the area. Quickly the hedgehog looked all around hoping to see where the sound was coming from... but then it faded away.
"Come on Tails. Let's get out of here." Amy said picking up the fox.
Suddenly an explosion was heard from behind them. Amy looked back to see that several floors of Prime Tower had been blown out and were now falling towards her and Tails. Knowing that they wouldn't make it out, Amy threw herself over Tails as the massive wave of debris fell upon them. The debris seemed to have overcome the two as it toppled over them and Metal Sonic watched in horror as his friends disappeared. Immediately he searched the area for the Mecha who did this and saw his own brother, ShadoMech, hovering on the opposite side of Prime Tower. In a blazing flash, Metal exploded through four floors and came out of the other side to face his brother.
"Shadow! What are you doing!?" Metal demanded of his brother.
"Ridding the world of the kind you protect so dearly brother... and now it's your turn." ShadoMech raised a hand and began to power up energy within it.
Just as he was ready to fire the sphere of energy, Prime Tower gave an awful creaking moan as the two lower floors began to give in under the weight of the upper levels. ShadoMech and Metal Sonic watched as the tower collapsed upon the two lower floors and then one by one the above floors gave in. Suddenly the upper half of the tower began to topple over as it fell and Metal Sonic and ShadoMech quickly left the area. A billowing cloud of smoke rose into the air darkening the area with Metal Sonic disappearing into the smoke to search for his friends.
As the Mecha frantically searched through the debris, a powerful white beam of light shot out of the mountain of mess. Metal watched as Amy and Tails ascended from the beam in an awe inspiring glory. The pink hedgehog was the source of the light. The last bit of dust from her eagle friend had blessed Amy with a small amount of the eagle's powers. Although it wasn't much, it was enough to save her and Tails from certain doom. The beam of light disappeared and Metal quickly caught Amy and Tails and descended to the streets.
"What happened?" Metal asked Amy.
"I...I don't know. I just saw the debris falling upon us and suddenly this shield was created around myself and Tails. I really don't know where it came from... but I'm glad it was there." Amy explained shaken from the experience.
Just then her eyes gazed up into the wide open sky above them. Prime Tower no longer ate up a piece of the sky like the four towers surrounding it. Even though it was only tower that had fallen... it seemed to have made a world of a difference in the war. Prime Tower was practically the heart of the Mechalands and now with that out of the way, there was an actual ray of hope for the Organic nation. But there still remained one obstacle between them and their bright future. A magenta beam exploded into the pavement before the three and Amy and Metal looked up to see ShadoMech appearing in through the dust of Prime Tower.
"Father's dream was to create a better world for all to live in where we would not have to fear death or starvation anything else that Organics suffer from. But you, traitor, have chosen to take it all away from him and help these weaklings!" ShadoMech scolded Metal Sonic.
"The world is decaying because of Eggman's selfish ambitions to destroy all life and create a world of his own! I can't stand by idly and allow you to destroy the world we grew up in!" Metal retorted.
ShadoMech had enough with words and was ready to attack his enemy until a green beam shot straight through him. ShadoMech looked back to see Knuckles hovering through the dust with his deadly green eyes. ShadoMech shot towards the echidna and met with Knuckles' protecting shield.
"You can not defend your nation forever Organic. Sooner or later you will fall under my power." ShadoMech warned Knuckles.
"Look who's talking?" the echidna replied. "Your base of commands has fallen and so will the entire Mecha nation worldwide. Without Tails and Sonic to help you gain control over your kind, you're hopeless... and I wish things could've turned out better for you. We're certainly going to miss you Shadow."
ShadoMech couldn't understand why his enemy felt sorrow and compassion for him. He could only understand that they were in the way of Eggman's dream so they had to be eliminated. ShadoMech powered up energy from the Emerald of Chaos while Knuckles powered up energy from his Emerald of Order. Everything seemed to be going fine until the emeralds began to react violently from being so close to each other. Knuckles and ShadoMech could barely control the energy they had built up and Amy and Metal wanted to help the two, but the power overwhelmed the two leaders. Sparks of electrical power sparked from the emeralds and finally two beams surrounded Knuckles and ShadoMech.
Although the two were paralyzed by the power, Knuckles knew he had to get rid of the emeralds so he grabbed onto the Emerald of Chaos. A surge of energy exploded from the two as Knuckles made contact with the emerald. Over the years his body had absorbed vast amounts of energy from the Emerald of Chaos making his body nearly a living emerald. With his hand stuck onto the Emerald of Chaos and ShadoMech unable to function properly, Knuckles gave one last look at his friends below. He felt so ashamed over the fact that he refused to cooperate with them before the battle and now he was paying the price for his negligence... but he knew that his death would not have been in vain.
"Whatever the outcome of this battle is... at least I can die knowing that the world is in good hands." Knuckles thought as he looked at Amy.
The power of the two emeralds grew wilder and wilder until something shot from the debris under the two. It was a large growing piece of wood and several other branches grew after it. The branches grew up and around the two enveloping the leaders in the large trunk of the tree. As the massive tree grew taller, Knuckles and ShadoMech were squeezed and overwhelmed within the tree. Metal and Amy looked up in horror as their closest friend struggled to stay alive and then suddenly something dramatic happened. With his free hand, Knuckles grabbed onto the tiny Emerald of Order and ripped it from around his neck. With the last of his strength, the echidna threw the emerald down to Amy and she caught it.
"Carry on... the power! Our future depends on it!" Knuckles shouted.
Amy was speechless as she watched Knuckles' body disappear with only his face and a hand sticking out. At that moment Tails woke up from his unconscious state to the horrid sight before his eyes.
"Shadow!!" Tails cried out but Amy held him down for his own health.
"There's nothing we can do." Metal informed his little brother.
Immediately Tails began to cry as he watch ShadoMech struggle to break out of the bark but the tree continuously pulled him back in. Earlier he remembered believing with all his heart that ShadoMech would never change. Yet the sight of his older brother on the verge of death struck the boy's heart in a painful and torturing way.
Suddenly ShadoMech looked down at Tails and Metal and something miraculous happened within his circuits. The energy from the Emerald of Chaos had finally broke through ShadoMech's robotic circuits and freed his organic mind that was lost within. For the first time in years ShadoMech finally saw Metal and Tails for who they really were... his brothers. Now realizing the impending doom he was facing, ShadoMech had to do something... something about the Emerald of Chaos. Years ago he believed that all things, whether it was good or bad, could be used for the benefit of society and it's something he still believed in till this very moment.
Quickly the Mecha ripped the Emerald of Chaos from his neck and threw it down to his younger brother. Metal Sonic caught it and looked up at ShadoMech.
"Believe ..." ShadoMech said to his brother. "Believe a happy ending for us all."
Metal nodded as his brother disappeared into the tree with only his face and part of his right arm sticking out. Seconds later the tree stopped growing. A bushel of large green leaves sat on top and Metal, Amy and Tails thought that it was finally over, but the tree went through one final stage. Now it was time for the power of the Emerald of Chaos to have its turn. Slowly from the base up the tree was turned into pure metal. Less than a minute later the entire tree was completely metal, including Knuckles and ShadoMech. Finally it was over; the fighting, the war, the hatred could finally end.
Gently, Amy tied the Emerald of Order around her neck and held Tails close to her as the boy sobbed silently. Metal Sonic was silent as he looked down at the Emerald of Chaos in his hand. The tiny purple gem sparkled and suddenly shined as a piece of sunlight shone down through the parting smog clouds for the first time since the war began. Most of the dust from the fall of Prime Tower had cleared allowing the sky to be shown and right before Metal's eyes was a piece of wonderful dawning sky. Amy and Tails caught sight of the light and looked up as well; Tails' tears became tears of joy. His dream had finally come true.
While the two younger ones smiled with excitement, Metal thought back to a memory that came to mind when he heard ShadoMech's last words.
It was a few years before the accident with Sonic and Shadow relaxing in Defender Territory after a long mission. The sun was preparing to set and residents of the forest were returning to their homes. Sonic and Shadow had found their favorite spot high in a tree that looked out towards the west. The red-orange sky and golden sun created a beautiful sunset that couldn't be forgotten, but the conversation between the brothers was worth much more.
"Shadow, do you think it's possible for this war to end with everyone happy and no side losing?" Sonic asked his older brother.
"I believe this war will end the way it's suppose to end." the black hedgehog replied.
"Yeah... Hey, maybe that's why we're here, to help the war end peacefully with everyone happy and Eggman gone for good."
Shadow said nothing but had an unsure look on his face. Sonic was curious as to what his insightful brother had to say. Finally Shadow spoke.
"A happy ending..." Shadow muttered.
"Yeah, do you believe in them?" Sonic asked.
"Not specifically in wars." Sonic frowned upon this. "But I do believe that everyone and everything, whether good or bad, is here for a purpose that can benefit us all... even if that purpose is unknown."
"So is a happy ending possible in a war then?"
Shadow nodded with a small smile on his face and Sonic felt much better.
...But now Metal Sonic wanted to take back that smile he held all of those years ago. Back then he expected a happy ending for everyone... he got his ending but inside he knew that not everyone was happy. Oh how he regretted having such an enormous dream within him.