Well, people. I finally finished the next chapter for Claws. Don't worry, more surprises are coming. As usual with me, let's answer reviews before we get to the chapter.

Dark Qiviut: I made the rating change, but what are you talking about with the Archie comics? Never heard of them.

Shade-the-Hedgehog: Rating is changed, so don't worry. I hope that's the only swear word I use. I hope I'm not too predictable, though I'm glad you like it!

Those two make my day, any day. But anyway, Here's the next chapter. Remember, follow the RRE rule. I ain't repeating it anymore, you aught to know by now!

What Has Gone On Before

Sonic's eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise. "Wait, you're that girl! The girl who told me to take Tails!"

Deathstryke blinked, then smirked. "Nice try." She said. She raised her hands in a fighting position—and metal claws, each a foot long, came out of each of her fingers. "Say goodnight."

At the sight of the claws, all of the Freedom Fighters, including the princess, who never swore, all said the same words that pretty much summed up the situation. "Oh, shit!"

Chapter 2: Family and Memories

Deathstryke raised her claws into a fighting stance. "Come and get me, big boy."

But even the most highly trained assassin can forget some facts, Lady Deathstryke being no exception. A metal fist slammed into the side of her head, sending her into the wall. "Alright, gal. Ya mess with Shugah-hog, ya mess with all of the Freedom Fighters!" shouted Bunnie Rabbot as she stood where she had slugged Deathstryke into the wall. Outside, Tails and Cream gave a high-five.

Deathstryke shook her head in an attempt to stop her ears from ringing. Then she stood up. "Is that it? All you managed to do is crack your wall."

Murmurs of astonishment filled the air. "How can she still be standing?" Dr. Quack asked Sally, who shook her head. "I have no idea."

Deathstryke leapt at Bunnie, planting her feet into the rabbit's face. Using Bunnie as a springboard, Deathstryke flipped onto the table, then ducked a volley of blaster fire.

Outside, Tails and Cream watched Deathstryke dodge the blaster bolts with liquid grace. They knew she worked for Robotnic, yes, but the words were out of their mouths before they knew it. "Cool."

Inside, Deathstryke was bored. "Shoot where I' going to be in a few seconds, not where I'm at." She thought desperately.

Sonic rushed at her again, this time succeeding in giving several punches at a rapid rate. When he pulled back, he was shaking his hands like he had hurt them. He had.

Deathstryke retracted the claws of her right hand, balled up her fist, and sent it into Sonic's face, sending him down and dazed.

While all this was happening, Tails was thinking of what Sonic had said to Deathstryke. Was she the one who saved him from Robotnic?

Screams from the inside the building and the shattering of the window brought Tails back to reality. He looked behind him to see a wolf had been thrown out the window. He looked back inside to see Deathstryke holding Sally by her neck with the claws of her left hand were poised above the ground squirrel's head.

Suddenly, he recognized her. "Rena, stop!"

Time seemed to stop as Deathstryke turned to the broken window and stared. "What did you call me?"

"Rena." Oh yes, he recognized her now. She looked exactly like the fox girl in his locket, silver fur and all. "It's me. Don't you recognize me? It's Miles."

Now everyone was staring. Cream because he was talking to a fox that could kill him in a second if she wanted to, The Freedom Fighters because he had said his real name, and Deathstryke because she recognized both names.

"Rena." She muttered, lowering Sally and withdrawing her claws. "I know that name. My name…"

Flashback

Rena Prower struggled against the bars that held her in the cell. The other prisoners, including her foster parents, watched her with sympathy.

The doors opened and Robotnic, his assistant and nephew Snively, and two swatbots entered the prison area. They walked down the hallway looking at each of the prisoners until they reached Rena. As scared as she was, she glared defiantly at the fat man.

"Will she do?" Snively asked.

"What do we know of her?" Robotnic asked a swatbot.

"Name: Prower, Rena." Said the swatbot. "Found in last raid. Father: Prower, Agustus, agricultural mechanic. Status: deceased. Mother: Prower, Mina, doctor. Status: deceased. Siblings: one. Brother: Prower, Miles, infant. Status: unknown. Distinguishing marks: silver colored fur. Was found fighting off swatbots with several defeated units around her. Believe that Sonic the Hedgehog helped her, but was not seen until after Prower was taken."

"Fought off my swatbots, eh?" Robotnic said, leering at the child in front of him. "My, my. She'll do perfect."

"I don't care what you do to me, just leave Miles alone." Rena growled, sounding a lot braver than she was.

"Oh?" Robotnic asked. "You don't care? Good. I'll make you mine. I will have obedience, or your brother will pay with his life."

As he was talking, the swatbots had gone into the cell to get her, but upon hearing Robotnic's quip about Miles, Rena flew into a rage. Once again, she moved with liquid grace, yet not knowing how she was defeating the swatbots. "No! Leave Miles out of this! He has nothing to do with you!"

The swatbots down, she ran out the door of the cell, past Robotnic and Snively before they could do anything, yelling "If you touch a hair on my brother, Robotnic, I'll kill you! I swear it!"

She ran, evading swatbots and fighting them when she had to. But she was caught by a stunner, just ten feet from the door leading outside.

She woke up in an operation room and hour later to find several robots standing over her.

"Ah, you're awake." Said Robotnic's voice. Rena looked around, trying to find him. She spotted the speaker on the ceiling and guessed there was a camera somewhere. "That's good. I want you to enjoy this. Though just a prototype, you will be my greatest weapon. Plus, for maximum obedience, your memories shall be modified. Enjoy them while you can, Lady Deathstryke."

She only had a few seconds to ponder the name before the pain began.

End Flashback

Deathstryke opened her eyes and found all of the Freedom Fighters watching her carefully. Tails and Cream had come in through the broken window and were standing next to Sonic and Sally.

She settled her gaze on Tails. "Miles?"

Tails nodded slowly.

Her eyes filled with tears. "My brother…" she whispered. "I've found you at last."

Tails took a step forward, but Sonic held him back, glaring at Deathstryke. "Easy, little buddy. I don't trust her just yet."

Deathstryke sighed. "It doesn't matter." She stood tall. "Robotnic's grip on me is broken. I am his slave and Lady Deathstryke no longer. My name is, and always has been, Rena Prower." She kneeled and put her hands between her legs. "I surrender. I have caused wrongs I should never have committed. Set me under the highest guard. No food, no water. I must accept the consequence of my actions." She looked at Sally. "I am at your mercy, Princess."

"Can we trust her, Sal?" Sonic asked, still keeping a firm hold on Tails and Cream.

"I'm not sure." Sally said. She walked forward until she was just out of reach of Deathstryke's claws. "Deathstryke…Rena." She amended when the fox flinched at the first name. "What happened to you."

Rena's eyes filled with hate. "Robotnic." Was her answer.