Chaos: I can't believe I haven't updated in ages! I told Mitsuka I'd update last week…ouch. Sorry! Anyway, there're now two pictures of Cinos on Deviantart; one by me and one by Mitsuka. Here, and remember to delete the spaces. (wink):
Mine: http:www. view/ 11004068/
Mitsuka's: http:www. view/ 11036643/
Flower: 95 REVIEWS?! (eye twitches) Well, err, keep it up!Maybe I'll get even more than on Maze of Memories…mmm…
Sipp - Can I call you that? I have nicknames for most of my reviewers. Hehe. Anywho, you were actually reading my work?! (falls over) And I am using Microsoft Word...but an old version. And we all know the old version spell check is rubbish. And I'm glad your interest is secured. Would it be even better if I sneakily told you that Robo Knux and Mighty had a bigger part later? (shifts eyes)
Kirbs - You will see! Mwahahah!
NM - Oops, I got you mixed up with Kirbs. Don't hurt me! But if you want to see the picture, it's on my art account. And we all know where that is...right? RIGHT?
SD – Hehe. I really should implement some more Metal Sonic into this story…
N.Harmonik- Well, Mighty got captured, and Cheese is currently 'lying dazed beside the bed'. Though she has another part later. Mwaha.
Kelly – Hehe. Gotta love dancing! SPREAD THE LOVE PEOPLE!
Spawn of 84 – Wiffle bat? That sounds cute! And painful. And don't worry; the title refers to Sonic's metal coat, not the theme. Well, not really. I mean…aww, forget it.
Ravenghost – Hi! Nice name. Glad you like!
El – Oh, you will see…
Az – Well, prepare to be really crazy…now you have to wait twenty chapters!
Tarem – You can't imagine? Good, good. That's what I aim for.
Pink Shimmer – Yeah, I like Cinos. Name and person. I love you, Cinos! (glomp)
Kurama – Hey! You're insane! Just like a lot of people that review! Hmm…is that a good thing?
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Eventually Sonic reached the thick steel door, thankful for not meeting Mecha along the way.
Carefully he unlocked it, and the voices inside quietened. He noticed that the overhead lights had been turned off, plunging all the occupants into darkness, and the partly opened door cast a sliver of yellow light into the room. He could see Tails, chained in his customary place, and blinking against it. For a moment he was struck by how thin and beaten his best friend looked, a wave of horror flooding him as he realised he had done that himself.
Willingly.
He shoved away his thoughts for the moment, and pushed the door open entirely, flooding the room with light. All of his friends were chained in a row, but not close enough to reach each other. Together yet apart.
Tails' eyes adjusted and he informed, "It's Mecha." The others glared at Sonic. He looked at them in surprise, and then checked over his shoulder. There was no robot. He stepped outside the room, fumbled for the light switch, then stepped in and shut the door.
"Metal Sonic isn't here."
Command error. Order: 'do not converse with prisoners' disobeyed.
He ignored the voice.
Tails smiled sadly. "No, don't worry, guys. It's just an illusion of Mecha." Nobody laughed, and Sonic blinked his eyes on and off in confusion.
"I don't understand." He muttered, trying to ignore the repeating message in his head, which was growing steadily more insistent. He turned his head to check the others, and Rouge, who was nearest, cried out in surprise as she saw his exposed spikes.
"It's Sonic!" Sonic blinked again, more puzzled than ever.
"Who else."
Command error command error command error-
Sonic shook his head slightly, trying to clear the voice. Knuckles was giving him a strange look, and finally said, "I guess...when Robotnik fixed your eyes...he made them red, Sonic. Wow, you and Mecha could pass off as twins."
Sonic staggered back and leaned against the wall. "This is not happening." he muttered.
Command err-
Shut up! he thought silently at the voice.
Comm- 'shut up' command unknown-and error command error.
Amy cut his thoughts by grumbling,
"My arms hurt. Are you letting us down, or what?" Sonic nodded quickly, putting aside his thoughts for later, and starting to walk over to the wall. Then a shout from outside made them all freeze.
"Cinos! Where are you? The Robotizer is finally ready!"
"What? No way! I bashed that thing into pieces!" Rouge wailed. Sonic ran to the door and dashed outside.
"Here, Master." He nearly choked on the words. Maybe when Robotnik came he could knock him out and they could escape...
VIOLATION ORDER ONE DO NOT HARM MASTER ROBOTNIK
The voice nearly knocked him out with its volume, accompanied by a twinge of electricity that had not been there before. But he had no time to wonder.
Robotnik came into sight around the corner and his hopes died. Metal Sonic was walking behind him, with several guard bots, and glaring at Sonic as though he were a fly to be swatted. He forced himself to bow, and said,
"I was listening to the prisoners from here. They are talking of escape, Master."
Speech incorrect. Correct response searching...
Fortunately Robotnik began speaking before the voice could complete its search.
Robotnik snorted, and said, "We'll see what they say when they're Robotized." He pushed open the door and stepped in, followed by Sonic and Mecha, and began looking over the prisoners.
"Who wants to be first?" he asked with a sickly grin. "How about you, armadillo?" Then he peered at Mighty and continued, "Hmm...never seen you before. Live in the sewer, do you?" He laughed mockingly.
Mighty spat at him and said, "If I were free you wouldn't be so confident!" The doctor scowled and said,
"I don't like your attitude. You'll be last...you can watch all your friends being transformed first!" Then he scanned the group again and pointed to Espio. "You...I don't like the look of you. Mecha!"
Mecha entered the room, casting Sonic a hateful glare, and crossed to Espio, who was starting to shift colours nervously. The robot pressed the chain release button, and Espio dropped to the floor.
Before he could move, the robot grabbed him by the neck and dragged him out of the room, kicking and yelling. Sonic paused for a second, until Tails mouthed 'Go!' and he dashed after them, slamming the door.