Chaos: Phew! Finally got this done...I edited a lot in this chapter - be more interesting for you, Az, right? - so sorry for the long wait. And hey, guess what? There's a piccy of me'n Flower on DeviantArt now! See it at

www. deviantart. com/ deviation/ 10736406

(Delete spaces in URL...wouldn't show up otherwise...(sweatdrop))

Spawn of 84 - Here's the next update...bit longer than normal...(gulp)

Az - I wouldn't eat keyboards, they're a bit crunchy. Anywho how far did you get on in this story? Write in your review but...try not to give it away?

Sky Aura - SOMEBODY NOTICED! Welp, got that off my chest. Hope you like this chapter. As for being MM sequel...no, it doesn't really fit. I did consider it though.

Kirbs - Ok, welp, I forgive you this time. Make up some words of your own, ne?

chaolovin' - ...a short response for a short review...hehe.

NM - You're still here! w00t! I was getting worried there...

el the echidna - Ooh, new reviewer! Hi! Well, sorry it's confusing...the really confusing bit hasn't even started yet...(gulp)

Tarem - Cute, eh? Thanks! It's not always that cute...but I try!

KellyR - Who are you on DeviantArt? Mmm...Mitsuka? Hehehe.

Chibi Yoshi (!) - CHIBI! Hooray! I thought you'd died or something...(sniff) Anywho, yes, I love Pern. Especially Ruth! (hug) As for the M of M approach...well, I was kinda waiting for somebody to notice that. (sweatdrop) No, when I said 'others' I meant 'others'...or something. I have no idea what I meant. (nervous laugh)

N. Harmonik - 'tis an interesting approach but...the story is a little different. (sweatdrop) Read on!

SD - w00t! SD is easier to type anyway. As for Sonic finding a way around Eggman's commands...I don't think he's realised what they are yet...ah, I can't explain, you'll see in the chapter!

Mythica - Haven't read any Pern books?! My heart breaks for you! The Weyrs are where the dragons live. (wink) As for Son- err, Cinos (how could I forget that?!) Yes, he does save Cream. Did I just give it away? Well, it says in the first few lines anyway...

Flower: Waii! I love all you reviewers! (hugs) Right, so, err, here's the chapter! If I get any more reveiws, I'll have to make these chapters longer, else it'll all be review responses...(sweatdrop) Ah, not to give you any ideas! (gulp)

Mighty smashed through the door and took in the overturned furniture, the broken window, and the dazed Cheese beside the bed. "We're too late…" he groaned. Then crashes began coming from outside the window.

………………………………

Cinos smashed Mecha in the face with his claws, knocking the robot over. Cream struggled free and dashed towards the house, as Mecha jumped up easily and advanced upon Cinos.

"Traitor!" he hissed, "You dare to fight me?!" Cinos backed away, drawing him away from the house. Then he turned and ran flat-out. Mecha activated his jet engine and knocked him to the ground easily.

"With that metal on, you cannot run half as fast as you used to!" the robot crowed. Cinos struggled underneath him, trying to free himself, and wondering how to fight the robot.

Weapon inventory - empty. Fighting strategy - unknown.

The strange, computed commands flashed through his head again. What IS that?! He wondered desperately, trying to keep his attention on Metal Sonic.

'What is that' - command unknown.

Mecha slashed his free spikes, drawing blood, and laughed as Cinos cried out. Then he reached forward and dug both diamond-tipped claws into his neck, piercing the metal.

"You will die!" he shouted. Cinos wriggled, and managed to roll onto his back, knocking the robot off-balance. Then he kicked up, and Mecha jumped back, hissing.

"Not so stupid as you look, then." Cinos was panting inside the metal, and knew he was losing easily. Mecha paused a moment - wondering what Robotnik would say if he admitted to killing Cinos - then offered a hand, and said, "Come back with me, now, and we will forget this little fight?"

Cinos paused; it was a tempting offer. "Or," Mecha continued, "Would you rather stay with them?" He pointed over the hedgehog's shoulder, and Cinos turned to see the animals dashing towards them, faces twisted with hate.

He backed away in horror, and turned to Mecha, whose eyes flashed. The deal was done. In seconds he was away in the darkness, Metal Sonic cruising easily by his side.

………………………………………………..

Knuckles lengthened his stride, signalling to Shadow to run ahead, and called, "They're getting away! Hurry!"

………………………………………………..

Cinos was panting weakly, trying to ignore the message that flashed in his mind again and again.

Warning!

Energy level - critical.

Mecha turned to face him and said, "Hurry up! They are following!" Cinos sighed in exasperation, and called,

"The metal is…slowing me…down." He looked over his shoulder, and saw several animals pursuing. How did they run so fast?! Mecha hissed up next to him, and sneered,

"Are any of these your friends?" He was mocking, but Cinos shook his head anyway. Metal drew a gun out of his arm, and aimed.

"We fight."

Then he fired the gun. The chameleon looked up at the sound of the hissing shot, an instant before it hit him. He was sent flying backwards with a yell, electricity coursing around in paralysing jolts.

Amy skidded to a halt to look back, and Cinos jumped at her, claws outstretched. He had time to slash her once before the black and red hedgehog smashed into him. He tumbled backwards, and the hedgehog bounded over him to Mecha.

Then he heard more shouts…the others! Fear jabbed him; they would tear him apart. He started to sit up, when Amy's hammer smashed into his face with a clang. Stars exploded across his sight as he fell back, and he dimly saw her hovering over him with a worried expression.

There were funny lines running across his vision, and his eyes were burning in protest. He weakly tried to slash her, but missed by a mile.

Energy level - criticaaaaaaaa...

The mechanical voice droned away mid-word. He dimly heard her say,

"Oh, Cinders, sorry, I broke your eyes…"

In reply he murmured, "I am not Cinders, I am…I am…Sonic."