Flower: I GOT OVER 100 REVIEWS!!! (bounces) Hoorah! To celebrate, I think I'll…hmm…ah, put my Chaos and Flower comic up on Deviantart…when I get the chance. Ahem. And for anyone who don't like my art – (sniffle) – all chapters will now be two-and-a-half pages long. Thanks to all! (hugs)

Chaos: Yeees, whatever. Review responses! Thanks for 100!

Oracle apprentice – Hi! Are you a new reviewer? I'm glad you like the angsting…you should really read Maze of Memories. (shameless plug)

Kirbs – Have done – see above. And stop sending me forwards!! (twitch twitch) Oh, and glad to see you're doing review responses now! Everyone should! But, maybe you could write them in italics? To be unique, y'see…

Spawn of 84 – Or just Spawn. But anyway, I'm not sure his predicament is going to help him a huge amount…(shifts eyes) Apart from maybe strengthening friendship, or giving Robotnik a death sentence, or something…(plots)

Kelly/Mitsuka – Which name do you prefer? Anyway, glad you are still liking this…

Espina – Ooh, nice name. Did I meet you already? Anyway, I take it you like Espio, huh?

El – Sorry it's confusing. (droop) Anyway, glad you like, and keep up the ranting…venting anger is good!

Tarem – (thumbs-up) Chapters will be longer now. Glad I'm leaving you speechless! Heh heh.

NM – (freaked out) Oh, don't worry, I won't hurt Espio! Not for…(calculates)…about three chapters anyway. (searches for exit)

Pinky – (squeal) That name is so cute! I could write it all day! Or…maybe not. RSI…and don't worry, I have no intention on giving up this story for another twenty chapters yet. Where I am stuck…kinda.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Mecha was struggling to hold Espio, who was changing colours almost too fast to follow, and wriggling like a fish. Sonic stepped over to him and said, "Let me help." Mecha glared at him, and replied,

"I know that's you, Sssonic."

Response unknown,the voice droned inside his ear He ignored it.

"I am Cinos."

Response registered.

Mecha seemed to be puzzling over this, but didn't resist when Sonic took Espio's other arm. Quickly they reached the Robotisization room, and Sonic struggled not to recoil from the menacing machine, remembering when he had been dragged in.

It looked slightly different to what he remembered; it had several new metal panels where it had been repaired, and seemed even bigger than before. Robotnik was already there in his swivel chair, and motioned to Mecha.

"Prepare the machine." he commanded, grinning at Espio, who had turned a brilliant white and was flickering. Sonic had an idea, and thought,

Lower volume.

Volume lowered, the voice replied in his ear. Good; at least it listened to him. Sure enough, when he spoke, his electronic voice was very quiet.

"Keep struggling. I have a plan." As Espio thrashed around helplessly, but not quite so desperately as before, Sonic whispered in his ear, careful to pause if either of the others looked at him, and ignoring the voice blaring in his head that he was disobeying orders.

Then the tube hissed up, and Mecha motioned to Sonic, who dragged a kicking Espio forward and shoved him in. Robotnik smiled as Espio pressed his hands against the glass, apparently in helplessness.

"Any last words, chameleon?"

The glass distorted Espio's voice, but he could still be heard. "I'm going to help my friends escape from here, and you can't stop me." he recited, scales flaring red in defiance. Robotnik burst out laughing and sneered,

"Oh? How're you going to do that?" Espio grinned, not breaking eye contact, and shouted,

"Chaos Control!" Then he disappeared with a green flash. Robotnik leaped to his feet with a cry of shock, and Sonic smiled inwardly. Espio's scales flaring luminous green had created a good effect; it could have easily tricked him, if he hadn't known.

Report to Master Robotnik.

The voice was insistent, but Sonic ignored it.

As he had expected, Robotnik stopped the machine, and searched the room quickly. He knew about Espio's camouflaging trick...but he could find nothing. Perhaps the chameleon did know Chaos Control...he wouldn't have been able to reach an emerald when chained…it did make sense.

Report to Master Robotnik

The voice was louder, almost drowning the sounds of anger from the doctor, and before he could stop himself Sonic had blurted out the secret.

Thankfully his volume was still low, but his worries only increased.

In proper Robotization...would this voice be able to control him completely? Or would his entire body have been converted to metal? He shuddered to think.

Then Robotnik ordered Mecha and Sonic to go and check on the prisoners. He himself strode away to the video cameras, leaving the Robotizer room empty.

Or seemingly empty.

Espio uncamouflaged from his place, stuck to the ceiling, with a sigh of relief. He dashed to the control panel, pulling out one of his shurikens. The Robotizer wouldn't be working for a long time when he was finished with it.

Sonic and Mecha pounded along the corridors back to the prisoner's room, and made it in ten seconds flat. Mecha dug his claws into the door, and heaved it open, shattering the lock.

"Check over there." he commanded Sonic, and walked to the other end of the room, clearly beginning to trust the robotized hedgehog again after he had shoved a friend into the Robotizer. Sonic dashed over to where Shadow, Rouge and Tails hung. With a quick glance at Mecha he bashed all three of the switches, one after another.

They dropped to the floor silently, and Shadow motioned to Rouge and glared at Mecha. "We'll distract him. Get everyone else." he whispered to Sonic.

COMMAND VIOLATION DO NOT CONVERSE WITH PRISONERS COMMAND VIOLATION DO NOT FREE PRISONERS.

The voice was deafening and the jolt of electricity stronger...but nothing would keep him from his friends again.

Sonic ran along the row, hitting the switches almost without looking.

Mecha finished looking behind a pipe in the corner, and looked round in time to have Shadow sock him in the face. The robot immediately jumped a half-circle and slashed out, and it was only by jumping two feet into the air that Shadow wasn't sliced open.

Then Rouge shot past him with a sliding kick, knocking the cornered robot off his feet. The bat flipped back with a grin, as Mecha crashed to the floor, hissed out, "Nooo..." and went deathly quiet.

Knuckles walked over to them, rubbing his wrists, and muttered, "That was...a little too easy." Vector kicked the robot, which clattered and slipped over, eyes blank. The crocodile grinned,

"Ah, he ain't getting up for a while. C'mon, lets get outta here!" Cream nodded hastily; Mecha freaked her out, moving or not, and the others filed out of the room. Sonic was last to leave, staring at the still robot suspiciously. Something was wrong...and it wasn't the voice continually blaring in his head.

Then Tails called to him, and he dashed after them.

Behind him, Mecha's eyes flashed on again, and he ran a quick self-report.

Functioning at 89. Damage: Minimal.

The robot hissed softly, and moved soundlessly from the room, following the infrared heat signature of the animals.

He was going to KILL Sonic.