Tails screamed and it wasn't just from the pain searing his leg. He screamed because he had trusted. Foolishly, recklessly, and despite being burned before, he trusted Dr. Robotnik.
Metal climbed over his torso and a fresh wave of pain stole the air from his lungs, yet he continued screaming soundlessly while silver glazed up his wrists.
His hands fell from his leg to arch, fingers sharpening and shredding through his gloves. However, even as white-hot agony enveloped him, his pained blue eyes found the doctor.
Robotnik had his head thrown back in laughter, but the sound was lost to Tails as he drifted in a memory.
.
.
Zone 1's power plant tossed orange plumes into the red sky. The five-year old fox watched the rising smoke through the Egg Carrier's tinted windows, glancing down at the trash bobbing in the sickly green tides and beating against the towering steel walls that surrounded what had once been West Side Island.
The kit frowned, tails shifting nervously. The villagers…most had never been nice to him…but did they really deserve this?
He turned from the window, guilt weighing down his expression and head bowing in the dark dining room.
"Something wrong?" Eggman asked beside him, arms folded over his chest and expression unreadable as he gazed upon his new City Zone.
Tails grabbed his namesakes and clutched them to his chest. "I…I used to live there." His voice quieted while he admitted, "The villagers…most of them didn't like me, and the other kids used to bully me a lot."
He hesitated, realizing this was the most personal thing he'd ever said to the doctor. However, he needed to get this off of his chest, and the man was all he had, so he continued.
"They'd break my inventions, pull on my tails and call me a freak. But…"
It was home.
The kit turned back to the window, misery wracking his heart. Maybe this was wrong—
"I was bullied too."
Tails jolted, fur puffing up in his shock. He turned and found Eggman still looking outside, a grimace under his mustache. "Guess no one likes a genius regardless of where you come from."
Tails' eyes widened and Eggman chuckled, though more quietly than usual. "Surprised?"
The fox slowly bobbed his head. "I never really thought about how you used to be as a kid." His expression became sympathetic. "Is that why you want to take over the world?" he asked neutrally to hide the discomfort he still felt about the man's goal.
"For revenge against those bullies?" the doctor scoffed. "Even I'm not that petty."
Tails' frown deepened. "Then why?"
Eggman shrugged. "I suppose I want to remake the world, but to do that," his voice hardened, "I must tear down what's already here."
Tails stared at him. Gradually, his gaze turned cold and his head titled, bang falling over his eyes. "In this new world of yours…will there still be bullies?"
The man flashed his teeth. "I can promise you, in my world no genius will ever say they're being bullied."
Tails' mouth curved into a smirk. "I like the sound of that, Doctor…though to take over the world, you're going to need power."
Eggman's eyes widened while Tails said, "There's this island with a power source that might be exactly what you need…"
Tails knew he was taking a step he wouldn't be able to take back, and though a part of him was screaming for him to stop, the voice went silent when Eggman's hand landed on his head.
His eyes widened while the man ruffled his hair. "That's my lab assistant!"
Tails' face warmed with pleasure, and for the first time, he thought maybe he and the doctor could become friends.
.
.
Metal climbed up Tails' neck and a scream wrenched out of his throat.
His eyes spasmed with pain, but still he glared at the cackling doctor. "You…"
Fear, pain, and regret strangled Tails' heart, yet it was his rage that burned the brightest. Rage at himself for letting his guard down, rage at the doctor for lying so convincingly, and rage at Sonic for lying to him first.
The fox stretched a clawed hand towards the doctor, but metal wrapped over his tails and they seized up in agony, their spinning slowing to a stop.
The world tilted. His body went limp. Tails' twin reached for him with his mouth open in a shout.
Yet Tails hardly noticed as a single question broke through his haze of anger.
What…what is so wrong with me?
Because if not even a mad scientist like Robotnik wanted Tails, maybe Sonic had been right to abandon him.
Tails started to fall and didn't even try to catch himself.
Sonic's eyes widened as Alt-Tails screamed. He quickly noticed the metal spreading up from the kit's roboticized foot, and his teeth clenched.
"Eggman," he growled, preparing to rush at the man.
A hand caught his shoulder and Sonic turned to see Alt-Sonic glowering up at the doctor.
"There's a cleanser that can get that metal off of Tails." Sonic's brow rose as the teen glanced at him. "But I used up all of my supply on your Tails, so I need you to grab some more while I keep Eggman busy."
Sonic's eyes narrowed. "Why can't you—"
"Because Eggman won't be interested in you unless you happen to have a chaos emerald."
Sonic frowned, and went to speak when a voice shouted, "Hold on!"
The hero looked up see Tails diving at his falling counterpart, who Sonic suddenly realized was more silver than amber. The kit caught Alt-Tails in his arms, fear saturating his face while he looked upon the unmoving fox.
Sonic's eyes narrowed and he turned determinedly to his other self. "Where?"
Alt-Sonic glanced up, and he followed his gaze to the Egg Carrier.
"I'm on it." Sonic regarded the fox gliding down. "Just take care of Tails, both of them."
He stared intently at Alt-Sonic, and his counterpart looked surprised. However, soon Alt-Sonic's expression eased into a rueful smile. "People change, you know."
Sonic grinned tightly. "I'm counting on it."
He didn't wait for a reply before speeding down the branch and leaping off of the tree. His feet touched the forest floor for only a second before he was running, leaves and twigs thrown into the air as he passed. Yet Sonic hardly noticed while he jetted out onto the grassy hills with his eyes locking on the Egg Carrier.
He put on another burst of speed and his legs became a red and blue blur while he raced up the tallest hill until he finally touched the summit.
Sonic shot into the sky, quickly throwing himself into a ball with an excited whoop and spinning towards the aircraft. He neared the ship's underside and sprung out of his curl the moment he could, touching down on the metal walkway beneath it.
The hedgehog immediately raised his fists, eyes darting to the laser cannons hanging from the ship. Yet the cannons didn't turn his way and no badniks came out to attack him.
The hedgehog lowered his fists and scratched his head. Huh, maybe Eggman didn't have the same security measures in this reality.
A loud clanking erupted behind him. Sonic spun back as the airship's belly pulled apart like elevator doors, and out of the darkness emerged massive robotic feet.
Sonic's mouth dropped, watching what looked like a Death Egg Robot fall from the ship. Was that thing heading towards Tails—
He shook his head. No, his counterpart would take care of the foxes. He just needed to focus and find that cleanser.
Sonic looked to the giant doors while they slid close. He smirked, moved into a running position, and threw himself into a rapid roll across the walkway, racing up a slanted ladder before launching off of the rungs towards the opening.
He passed through the metal doors right as they sealed themselves with a resounding clank. Sonic uncurled and touched down on the gray floor, swiftly straightening from his crouch.
A dimly lit hangar greeted him. Bright white lights shone down on a series of deadly-looking robots set against the dark blue walls with short control panels beside each of them. Sonic grimaced at seeing some of them bared Tails' insignia, but shook it off. He needed to find that cleanser stuff, which sounded like a chemical, so he should check the storage rooms—
Wind struck his back. Sonic swiveled around to see metallic blue before a claw locked around his throat. He gagged as he was shoved back at super speed and slammed against the wall.
He grunted, one eye shutting in pain and hands moving to pry the claw off his throat. However, shock seized his face at seeing his attacker. Though in a flash, his mouth curved into a cocky grin.
"Oh, Metal?" Sonic said casually, though his voice was strangled. "And here I thought you'd turn out to be a toaster in this reality—"
Metal's hand squeezed and Sonic choked while the robot hissed, "It doesn't matter what reality you're from."
The hedgehog's eyes widened at hearing the robot speak.
"You will always be inferior to me."
He ripped Sonic off the wall and tossed him at the ceiling. The hedgehog inhaled, coughing, but couldn't move before Metal jetted under him with his foot swinging at his face.
Sonic dodged, catching the robot's ankle. Metal paused in shock while Sonic glared, though he was grinning. "As much as I'd enjoy beating you for the hundredth time." He flung the robot down and Metal tumbled towards the floor. "My best friend is counting on me to get that cleanser."
Metal's rockets flared and he righted himself, hovering above the ground while Sonic landed across from him.
"And I never let my friends down." Sonic's stood tall, hands curling into fists.
Metal scoffed, then rushed at him. Sonic matched his motion and they clashed, Sonic's foot pushing back against Metal's claws with a clang.
The bot's red gaze seared into Sonic's. "You think being a robot is bad."
Electricity sparked around his claws and Sonic quickly flipped back, yet the robot lunged.
"But I consider it an improvement."
Metal swiped at his face, but Sonic threw himself down in a ball, and bounced up at the robot. However, Metal caught the spinning hedgehog, armor screeching under his razor sharp quills.
Only for Sonic to pop out of his roll, and the stunned robot just glimpsed Sonic's smirk before he kicked the robot's chin.
Metal was thrown back while Sonic ran to the door, pushing the button on the wall. "Sorry, but like I said," the door slid open and he gave a two-finger salute, "I don't have time to play."
The hedgehog raced out into the hall, grinning when an enraged yell followed him. He couldn't stamp out the thrill coursing into his heart as Metal gave chase. However, he really couldn't mess around right now.
Mouth drawing to a line, Sonic put on an extra burst of speed and just missed Metal's claws reaching for his head as he blasted down the hall. He rushed around a corner, but screeched to a stop at the first door he saw. His hand slapped the button and he ducked in the room the moment it opened.
The door shut right as Metal blazed past its window, and Sonic smirked. He'd bet all his rings Metal was heading to where Eggman stored the cleanser, having assumed Sonic was going there.
The hero hurried out of the room and chased after the robot, slowing when Metal came into sight and keeping a careful distance behind him.
His mechanical copy stopped in front of a wide door labeled STORAGE BAY, and Sonic stopped behind a corner. The door slid open with a hiss and the robot jetted into the room with Sonic running after him.
Metal hovered in the room's center, glancing around, and Sonic crossed his arms with a smug grin. "Wow, 'Mr. Superior.'"
The robot whirled around as Sonic looked over the lab before his gaze settled on a tall metal shelf against the back wall, bottles of silver liquid sitting upon it. "I gotta thank you for helping me find the cleanser."
He zipped over to the shelf, snagging a couple of the bottles. "Now I'll just be leaving—"
"You fool," Metal hissed, and Sonic tensed, quills rising.
"I am superior to you in every way."
Sonic went to retort when there was a click above him. His head whipped up as a laser dropped out of the ceiling and shot a yellow beam at him. He threw himself out of its way, but Metal dashed in front of him, his foot smashing into Sonic's side.
The hero cried out while he crashed back on the floor under the beam, and lightning rained down on him. He choked on a yell as sparks scalded his skin, searing his bones. His limbs writhed with agony, but he gritted his teeth and rolled onto his elbows and knees.
"Though I suppose you'll understand," Metal's voice became coolly mocking, the robot just barely visible between the yellow sparks around him, "Once the doctor roboticizes you."
Sonic gritted his teeth and reached out to the fallen cleansers with a trembling hand. "No…Tails…"
Lightning speared his heart. His eyes went blank as his thoughts shattered and darkness swept him away.
Sonic didn't watch his other self leave as Nice-Tails flew down, his counterpart cradled in his arms. The hedgehog quickly sped off of the tree and burned up the hillside, stopping on the grassy hill right as the fox landed.
"Tails," Sonic gasped, peering down at the injured kit. "Is he—"
His words died on his tongue because Tails definitely wasn't okay. A sleek silver covered the fox from his neck down, his face and left ear all that remained organic. Though Sonic could swear an unnatural red light was already shining in Tails' eyes, which gazed sightlessly through him.
"Tails?" Sonic called, terror clutching his heart. "Tails!?" he called louder, dropping the Miles Electric to reach out.
Nice-Tails screamed. Sonic's head whipped up as the kit squeezed his eyes close and dropped to his knees.
"Hey, what's—"
Sonic stopped, his breath stuttering at the metal spreading over Nice-Tails' arms.
Nice-Tails stared at his roboticized hands in horror. "It's…a virus." His expression turned grim. "I've been infected."
Eggman cackled behind them and Sonic's eyes glinted dangerously while he turned to the doctor. "How could you?" he growled.
The man stopped laughing to send him a smirk, and rage warped Sonic's voice as he demanded, "How could you do this to him!?" He gestured violently at the unmoving fox. "Tails is the bravest, smartest, most-hardworking and big-hearted guy I know!"
Tails twitched in his counterpart's arms, eyes clearing for a moment while Sonic raised his fist. "He's never said one bad word about you since you two teamed up, he's even taken hits for you—how could you do this to him!?"
"Easily," Eggman sneered, and Sonic bared his sharp canines. "But I'd save the lecture for later, rodent." He raised his finger over his wristband. "Tails only has thirteen seconds before he's fully roboticized."
Sonic tensed while Eggman smirked. "And his alternate self is going to be next unless you hand over the last chaos emerald."
Nice-Tails stifled a cry behind him. Sonic glanced back to see metal had crawled up the nicer fox's shoulders, his counterpart no better as he'd lost his other ear to the metal virus and the metal was starting to stretch over his muzzle.
Fear and rage warred inside Sonic's chest as Eggman said, "Nine seconds now…eight…seven…"
Sonic glared at the ground, but there was really only one choice.
"Six—"
Sonic spun back and rushed towards the forest. He burst past the tree line, zigzagged up to a stump between two shrubs, and paused for less than a second to reach inside its hollow. He pulled out the green emerald, hand clutching it tightly, and ran back to the hills.
"Four…three…"
Sonic stopped on the hilltop and held up the chaos emerald.
"Two—"
"Stop!" Sonic's chest rose and fell quickly, his eyes desperate though he was scowling. "You can have the emerald."
Eggman smirked. "You really make this too easy."
He clicked his wristband right as someone gasped.
Sonic spun around, fearful, but Nice-Tails was staring at the forest while it shimmered, the cloaking shield falling apart. The illusion of trees flickered rapidly to a gray building before suddenly the cloak vanished like a curtain being pulled away.
A gray building with steel lookout towers on its four corners stood where the forest had been. Sonic mentally groaned. Knuckles was going to kill him.
"What's this? A Resistance base this far in my territory?"
Sonic frowned because they had so few bases this deep in Eggman-controlled land, and now this one was a lost cause.
"But no matter, I'll tear it down once I'm finished with you."
The earth trembled and a deafening crash made Sonic's ears twitch. The hedgehog turned back just as a metal pincer snapped around his torso. He yelped, dropping the chaos emerald so it hit the grass while the pincer tightened around him.
"Sonic!" Nice-Tails surged to his feet, reaching out with his metal arms as he took to the air.
"No," Sonic said. "Get the emerald, it's the last—"
The kit cried out, eyes snapping close and teeth clenching while the metal spread down his back and across his chest.
Sonic whirled to Eggman, glaring. "What are you doing? I brought you the emerald!"
"Yes, you did." The doctor grinned predatorily while behind him the towering Eggcavator emerged, its every step quaking the earth.
Sonic gaped at the machine as the eggmobile flew up and landed on top of the robot's head.
"And once I destroy it, your little resistance will have nothing left protecting it from my Eggcavator or the metal virus I'm going to unleash on the world." Eggman raised his arched hands. "And they won't stand a chance of fighting back once I have two lab assistants and a couple of speedy hedgehogs under my control."
Sonic's eyes narrowed. "What did you do to my alternate self?"
"Me?" Eggman splayed his hand on his chest in feigned innocence. "I've done nothing." He smirked. "But Metal Sonic should have captured him by now."
Sonic glowered. "You can't—"
The pincers reeled him up and Sonic realized it was attached to the Eggcavator's hand right as it jerked to a stop, suspending him in front of Eggman.
"Can't what, Sonic?" the doctor mocked. "Win?" The hedgehog tried to speak, but the pincers squeezed him and he choked.
Eggman smirked. "But I already have!"
The teen's eyes widened when the Eggcavator's chest started to glow. He jerked back right before the violet beam blasted out its center and slammed into him.
His vision went white, memories fleeing his head, but he could do nothing as his mind cracked and his thoughts were swept away.
Sonic woke up to the world twisting. His heartbeat drummed in his ears louder than the white noice piercing his head. Yet he fought against the darkness bleeding into his vision and stretched out his fingers towards the cleanser bottles outside of the electrical field. His muscles spasmed, lightning sizzling his fur, but if he could just grab one bottle, break out a window and get back to—
Lightning struck his spine. Sonic released a short yell and crumpled, his arms laying out in front of him.
"No…" he whispered.
"It's useless to resist."
Sonic lifted his head weakly and glared at Metal. "I…won't give up…Alt-Tails…"
Fire razed his chest and Sonic choked, curling up instinctively and grabbing at the fur over his heart. His vision swam, sight going dark fast.
"Alt-Tails?"
Sonic shakily looked up. His forehead creased because though Metal had no expression, something in his gaze seemed less hostile.
"You mean," the robot began, "The Tails of this reality is infected with the metal virus?"
"Yes…" Sonic said breathily, feeling like a whole building was sitting on top of him. "He'll be…roboticized…"
Sonic's eyes closed against his will, chin hitting the floor. He couldn't give up…Tails…needed…
A hand latched onto his arm. Sonic's eyes popped open as he was yanked out of the beam and roughly deposited on the floor.
"The metal virus was created with the Master Emerald."
Metal glared at Sonic who rolled onto shaky hands and knees. "Which means a chaos emerald is the only thing that can break it down. However, the doctor will shatter the emerald the first chance he gets, so we must leave now if we're—"
"Woah, woah, woah." Sonic got up, though his legs protested, and held up his hands. "Are—" He shook his head in disbelief. "Are you saying you want to help me?"
"No." Sonic reeled back while Metal said, "I want you to aid me in freeing Tails."
Sonic's jaw hit the ground as the robot flew to the back of the room and clicked a button on the wall. A whirring started up beneath Sonic's shoes and he stumbled back while the ground split apart and wind lashed across his face.
Metal hovered over the opening, staring down at the ground far below where Sonic could just see that giant robot. "I will need you to distract the doctor while I get the chaos emerald. Otherwise, he will incapacitate me before I can help Tails."
Sonic blinked, still slack-jawed. However, his brow wrinkled and mouth closed as he recalled everything Alt-Tails had told him about the robot.
Slowly realization dawned on Sonic's face. "You…" Metal looked to him. "You actually care about Alt-Tails, don't you?"
The robot glared, but a smirk curved Sonic's mouth. "He grew on you, huh?"
Metal turned to stare intently at the ground below. "I do not have to explain myself to you, hedgehog," he said, though there was little bite in his tone.
Sonic huffed. "Whatever you say." He went to the edge, throwing up his hands in a shrug while he smiled knowingly. "But I get it." His smile gentled. "It's hard saying no to those big blue eyes."
Metal scoffed. "This isn't the time for talk." His boosters fired up. "Just get the emerald away from Robotnik and keep him busy once I obtain it."
He turned and blasted down the opening. Sonic grinned and jumped after him, his arms spreading to greet the sky.
The wind rushed through his and Sonic squinted against it, but his brow rose at seeing something shiny and large just past the hills. A silver building stood where the forest had been, but he couldn't question where it had came from as he spotted the Eggcavator and—
Tails was fighting the robot.
Sonic gasped because Tails was in front of the Eggcavator's hand, pulling with all his might to free the green chaos emerald pinched between its fingers.
Tails' arms gleamed silver, and Sonic's heart clenched at the sign of roboticization. Why hadn't Alt-Sonic protected…him…
He caught sight of the violet beam firing out of the Eggcavator's chest—a blue figure motionless within its ray. Oh.
Eggman laughed from atop of the Eggcavator's head, grinning cruelly at the fox. "As adorable as your attempt to fight me is, why not save your strength for when you become my assistant?"
Tails glared while still pulling on the robotic hand. "You won't get away with this! Sonic—"
"Is going to beat me?" Eggman scoffed, and Tails recoiled. "I don't know about your reality, but in this one, Sonic hasn't beaten me in ages." His tone became mocking. "In fact, he and his little Resistance have lost most of the chaos emeralds to my army, and I've shattered all but one."
Tails gaped. "You destroyed the chaos emeralds? Why—"
"Because they were the only thing protecting the Resistance from the Master Emerald." Eggman smirked. "Now the Resistance won't have any chance—"
"Hey, Egghead!"
The doctor swiveled around as Sonic threw himself into a ball and barreled into the robot's fingers.
The giant hand shuddered under his quills, ruby plating falling off while the fingers pulled apart just enough for the emerald to slip out.
"No!" Eggman shouted, quickly grabbing the controls.
The Eggcavator reached for the falling emerald. Yet Sonic hurtled into its wrist, knocking it back. Then he bounced up and uncurled to land on the eggmobile's window.
He winked down at the doctor, and Eggman slammed his fists on the dashboard. "You—!"
"Sonic!" Tails' face lit with hope and the hedgehog turned to him.
However, his smile fell as the Eggcavator raised its hand and wires shot out of its fingertips, their pincers reaching for the gem.
"Tails," Sonic said quickly. "Keep Eggman away from the emerald!"
The kit nodded and dove at the chaos emerald. Yet the wires zipped past him and Tails' face flashed with surprise.
However, his eyes slanted in determination and he pushed his tails to spin faster. But one of his tails was weighed down by the metal that had covered it, so the wires continued rushing ahead of him and closing in on the emerald.
Tails gritted his teeth. He couldn't fly at his top speed like this, yet his weapons and Miles Electric were gone so all he had was his brains and his own two hands—
Tails jerked to a stop. The pincers snapped around the emerald and began retracting back to the Eggcavator, but the fox glanced down to his metal hands and their razor sharp tips. He smirked.
The kit flew to the wires and raised his hand, lunging at them and swiping down. His claws shredded through the lines and the wires went slack, falling with the chaos emerald still in their grasp.
Eggman shouted behind him while Sonic cheered, and pride welled in Tails' chest.
"I got it!" Tails said, and swooped down to catch the emerald.
Yet a cry tore out of his throat as metal slid up his chest and locked around his neck, the emerald continuing to fall underneath him.
"Tails!" Sonic called worriedly.
Laughter rose behind him and the teen's face hardened while he turned.
Eggman sneered at him. "You think you can save everyone, hero?"
He clicked a button and the Eggcavator's violet beam flickered before shutting down. Alt-Sonic, unmoving with his eyes closed, hung suspended in the air for a second.
Then he started to fall.
Sonic went to jump after him when an electronic hiss made him look down. Missiles popped out of the Eggcavator's arms and rushed into the sky until the blue was hardly visible between them.
They all swarmed down and Sonic thought they were after his counterpart until he noticed Tails diving after the emerald again, unaware of the missiles over his head.
Sonic's eyes widened while Eggman asked, "So, will you save your counterpart or your friend?"
Sonic glowered, but didn't spare him a response as he threw himself into a homing attack and flew at the nearest missile.
It exploded in a shower of flames and Tails whipped around at hearing the explosion. The kit's eyes widened while Sonic blazed through six more missiles and they burned up in the sky.
However, two dozen projectiles continued towards the fox and Sonic uncurled midair, shouting, "Look out!"
Tails let the emerald fall and shot up over an incoming missile. He glided between two other missiles and they swung back for the fox, only to collide as Tails sped away.
Sonic beamed proudly as the fox threw himself into a ball, launching a homing attack on one projectile so it exploded. However, nine missiles turned to fly at Tails while the kit was still rolling out of his curl.
Blue streaked in front of Tails, tearing through the missiles. The fox grinned and zipped over to Sonic as the hedgehog popped out of his roll. He caught Sonic, careful to only touch his gloves.
"So you let your counterpart fall?" Eggman raised a brow, and the duo glared at him. "I have to admit I didn't think you had the gall."
Tails glanced worriedly at Sonic. "Is he…"
The hedgehog looked up and grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine."
At least he was hoping that metallic blue he'd glimpsed in the sky hadn't just let his counterpart fall to his death, and that he caught the chaos emerald.
"Regardless, I was hoping you'd save the fox." Eggman grinned and Sonic shot him a wary glance as he clicked his wristband.
Tails screamed. The air froze in Sonic's lungs.
"Tails!?" Sonic looked up.
A claw raked at his face. Sonic jerked back and just missed losing his eyes. However, the hand around his wrist tightened painfully and he grunted.
"S-Sonic!" Tails' wide eyes met his right before the kit's foot swung at Sonic's head.
Sonic ducked while Tails cried, "I can't stop!"
"That's right, rodent!" Eggman grinned while Sonic caught the claw swiping at his head. "You want to get to me, you'll have to go through your friend first!"
Sonic glowered. "You're—"
Tails twisted into a spin and Sonic gave a startled yell before he was flung across the sky.
"Sonic!" Tails called as the teen quickly summersaulted through the sky and landed on the Eggcavator's arm.
Yet heat rose under his shoes and Sonic dashed up the arm as red lasers shot out where he'd been. He raced towards the eggmobile, but suddenly yellow darted in front of him and he skidded to a stop before he could crash into Tails.
"Sonic..." Tails' face was screwed up in pain, metal coating him from the chin down.
Sonic's expression fell, seeing the kit fighting to pull himself away. "It's alright," he said gently. "I know it's not you," he said gently.
The fox went to respond when thick wires fired out of the Eggcavator and stabbed into his metal back.
Tails gasped as Eggman smirked. "I think it's time for your first upgrade!"
"No!" Sonic sped around to grab the wires, but green lightning sparked around the fox and Sonic was forced back.
"Tails—"
A blur of yellow jetted past Sonic. The hedgehog swiveled around just as claws raked across his chest.
Sonic cried out, stumbling back while fire burned his torso.
"No," Tails whispered in horror as Sonic righted himself and looked down to see four red scratches over his heart.
"I didn't—"
The fox suddenly flew forward at a speed to rival Sonic's. The hedgehog jumped back from another swipe of claws, but Tails jetted behind him.
He twisted around when a wire shot out of Tails' palm and lassoed around his body, biting into Sonic's already bruised skin.
The hedgehog dropped to his knees, struggling against the binding, but froze as heat pressed against his forehead.
"Wait!" Tails begged desperately, eyes shimmering and Sonic looked up to see Tails' hand glowing bright green over his head.
The heat was growing, burning the fur over Sonic's brow as Tails tried turning to Eggman. "Please, stop!"
Eggman smiled, yet his tone was patronizing while he said, "Well, another Sonic could be useful after a little mind-altering, but honestly," his expression went cold, "I think one Sonic is enough for this world."
"No!" Tails cried and Sonic's eyes widened as the laser grew blindingly bright—
The Eggcavator shook. Tails and Sonic wobbled as a boom rocketed through the air and the metal groaned around them.
"What!?" Eggman shouted as the laser flickered out in Tails' palm, the metal peeling back from his hands to reveal golden-amber fur.
Tails' eyes glittered in awe while the metal fell from his arms and legs until he was free of robotic casing.
"It's about time!" Sonic grinned right before golden light flared around him and Tails, a familiar power wrapping around their bodies.
They both rose into the sky and the hedgehog looked up. "And I thought last-second saves was my thing."
Metal Sonic didn't acknowledge him as he levitated in front of the Eggcavator, blue plating a shimmering gold and head spiked with five gold and silver prongs that branched out against the rainbow halo cast by the chaos emeralds' power.
Eggman gawked. "Metal!?" He glowered. "What are you doing!?"
Super Metal glared. "You used the metal virus on Tails." His red eyes burned like fire. "He gave me a voice, I won't let you take his away."
Eggman shook his fist. "You traitorous bot! I'll dismantle you!"
Sonic's expression grew serious. "Alt-Tails, and my counterpart, are they okay?"
The robot's optics bored into him. Fear edged into Sonic's face, but then blue floated up beside him. He turned to see Alt-Sonic and Alt-Tails hovering in golden light, both unconscious.
Sonic frowned worriedly at seeing his counterpart still knocked out. Yet Alt-Tails was again covered in amber fur, save for his metal foot, so he sighed in relief.
However, a humming made Sonic's quills shoot up. He turned to find a violet glow building around the Eggcavator's chest.
"You think you can beat me?" Eggman seethed. "With only one chaos emerald and mere fragments of the others?"
"No." Metal raised his hand.
Sonic gaped as steel pieces tore off of the building past the hills and rose in the sky, bending and twisting behind the Eggcavator.
The pieces joined together, arching across the sky until they formed a gigantic ring.
"I can't beat you," Metal admitted, his voice hardening. "But I can send you someplace where you won't be able to hurt anyone anymore."
The Miles Electric floated into Metal's hands, and he clicked a rapid sequence of buttons into the device. Tails glanced at the screen, and gasped, but Sonic couldn't ask what he saw before a strong gust rushed over them.
A purple and red portal flickered into existence behind the Eggcavator, strong wind pulling on their fur while Tails reeled back.
Metal threw his hand backwards and the hedgehogs and foxes were pushed away from the portal as Eggman shouted, "What is this!?"
The doctor swiftly gripped his controls, but shock flashed on his face as the Eggcavator started to stumble back towards the portal. "You…you can't do this! I have unlimited power!"
The violet beam flared out of the Eggcavator's chest. Sonic threw out his arms to shield the foxes, gritting his teeth to brace for the pain.
Gold blazed in front of Sonic. The teen's eyes widened as Metal soared straight through the violet beam and into the Eggcavator's chest.
For a second, nothing happened. Then cracks spread across the robot's chassis, golden light burning through the fractures, and Sonic only just felt the chaos emeralds' energy drop from him when the world exploded in purple and gold.
Everything vanished in a blink. Sonic gasped, his eyes blowing open. He started at the pure white void surrounding him, but quickly calmed as confusion washed away his shock.
"I hate you."
The hedgehog flinched. He spun back to the voice.
"I hate you."
Sonic's eyes widened at the fox a distance away. His twin tails lashed behind him, cold blue eyes locked on Sonic's unconscious counterpart who was sprawled out across the ground.
"I hate you—and I don't care what that jerk says!"
Alt-Tails' eyes narrowed, fisted hands shaking. "I want you dead," he growled. "I want you dead—do you hear me, Sonic!?"
Sonic winced, though the hateful words weren't directed at himself while the kit's chest heaved, his breathing fast and echoing in the emptiness.
"I want you dead." Alt-Tails' eyes squeezed shut. "I want you dead, I want you dead, I want you dead, IwantyoudeadIwantyoudeadIwantyoudeadIwantyoudead!"
"Tails?" Sonic called, alarm taking over his expression as he hurried over to him.
The fox jolted, eyes popping open while he swung around to Sonic. His breathing was ragged, his fur puffed out and fists raised defensively.
"Hey," Sonic said gently, expression growing worried while he took a single step forward. "Are you—"
"No, I'm not okay!" Alt-Tails threw out his hands, and Sonic froze as the kit grasped his head. "Nothing about this is okay!"
Sonic's eyes drew down in sympathy. The poor fox had been betrayed, and though Eggman's betrayal hadn't surprised him, Alt-Tails had truly seemed to trust the man. Now he must feel so hurt…so alone…
The hedgehog reached out. "I'm still here, Tails."
"But you'll be gone soon." Alt-Tails let go of his head and dodged Sonic's touch.
He glared. "And I'll be alone." Bitterness stained his voice as he turned aside.
Sonic's face fell, gaze dropping. "I…" He trailed off, seeing Alt-Sonic before him.
For a second, he wanted to tell Alt-Tails that he wasn't actually alone, he'd seen for himself how Alt-Sonic still cared for the fox. Yet the kit was raw and hurting right now, it wasn't the time to address his issue with his alternate self.
So Sonic sighed, and glanced around the white nothingness. His brow furrowed. "Is this…my counterpart's mind?" he asked more to himself.
Alt-Tails glowered, but looked up. "Probably." His glare fell on the unconscious hedgehog. "Metal Sonic used the chaos emeralds and clashed with the Master Emerald. Considering all the emeralds warp time and space…" His teeth clenched. "And how this fool got his mind completely erased by the Eggcavator…"
Sonic nodded in comprehension, and rubbed his chin. That explained why it was so empty here.
"It's what he deserves."
Sonic straightened up, expression growing serious. "But then why are we here…" Tentatively, he offered, "Unless we're supposed to help him."
"Help him?" Alt-Tails asked sharply, gaze cutting into Sonic's. "Why would I help him?" he demanded, hysteria tinging his voice. "I hate him!"
The teen's mouth thinned to a line, and slowly he reached out. Alt-Tails tensed, but allowed Sonic to lay his hands on his shoulders.
"Because," Sonic said softly, and some of the kit's anger fell away. "You're the only one who can."
Alt-Tails' face hardened and he jerked out of Sonic's hold. "Then I guess he's going to be brain dead forever!" His muzzle pulled back in a snarl and he glared at Alt-Sonic. "I hate you."
He looked back up at Sonic. "And why do you care about him anyway? Didn't you just punch him?"
Sonic grinned, though his eyes remained grave. "Yeah, well, he deserved a good punch." His smile dropped. "But being brain dead, I'm not so sure about that."
Betrayal flashed across Alt-Tails' face. "So you want me to save him?" he scoffed. "Even knowing what he did to me?"
Suddenly his face fell, anger fading to despair and hurt. However, Sonic shook his head and leaned down with an earnest expression. "No, Tails, I'm not telling you not to be angry. I'm not even asking you to forgive him."
Alt-Tails cocked his head. "Then…why?"
Sonic smiled sadly. "Because I think your world needs a hero—a Sonic to keep it together." Alt-Tails' eyes widened. "If there's ever a threat even larger than Eggman, you'll need him to protect this world. Otherwise," he gently tapped on the kit's chest, "You could get hurt."
Alt-Tails' ears drooped and he turned aside with a grimace. Sonic pulled back and waited patiently until the fox looked up.
The hedgehog gasped at the heartbroken expression on the kit's face. "I lied."
The teen's eyes widened.
"I want to stay with you in your world." Alt-Tails' ears pulled back, voice quivering. "I want to stay with you but—"
He bowed his head and sighed. "I'm not a hero, and I don't…" He shook his head. "I have a feeling I wouldn't belong…I don't really belong with anyone."
Sonic's face grew pained. "Yes, you do, you belong with m—"
"Sonic." Alt-Tails smiled, but it was a bitter grin, and the teen quieted.
Resignation weighed down the fox's face. "I…" His eyes turned tender. "I love you, big brother."
Sonic's breath hitched. "Tails…"
The world shook violently and Sonic was thrown to his knees. A deafening rumbling erupted around him and he quickly pushed himself up, but froze. Alt-Sonic's eyes were fluttering, fingers twitching along the floor. Wait…had he heard Tails? Had his words woken him up?
"Tails," Sonic scrambled to say, looking desperately at the kit as he realized their time together was ending. "I—"
"I know, Sonic," Alt-Tails closed his eyes while the world shattered around them, fractures splitting the air. "I know."
Sonic couldn't get another word out before the ground splintered into glass and he fell among its fractures.
You guys read for the finale? Probably not, but it's coming next week.
Anyway, thanks so much for reading and commenting, your words and support are always appreciated!
Take care, everyone!