Dr. Robotnick hadn't heard just any old noises either. He had heard full on explosion noises...
"Shadow? Come in, there's been some explosions in sector... X4, go and check it."
Shadow's voice came back a few moments later, "On the way." No issue. Not even an argument in light of what had happened. Just a straight forward, on the way.
Dr Ivo Robotnick liked this side of Shadow, when he didn't question any orders and just did them. Showed just how much loyalty he had in him...
Or so he thought.
Shadow went to the side of the base on Eggman's order and his eyes sharpened. It looked like an ordinary explosion on the production line - Maybe a machine got it wrong?
Shadow walked up to the production line and saw Metal Tails tearing the place up. He almost froze but managed not to. "What. Are you doing here?"
MT glanced at Shadow and Shadow almost thought better then to ask that - He was in chaos in his head and there was nothing that could help him now.
Well, that's what Shadow presumed anyway.
MT opened his mouth and instead of beeps, a scared metallic voice came out. "Shadow...P-Please...Help me..."
Shadow stood uneasy himself. He knew what the doctor wanted if this was going to happen, in fact the doctor probably knew full well that this would happen, but he couldn't just mention that Tails was tearing the place up - Could he?
"I'm scared..."
Shadow took in an uneasy breath. "You tried to kill Sonic before, and now your saying you're scared-"
"Please...Help-"
Shadow growled. "Let me finish before I destroy whatever is left of you."
Metal Tails stood in his chaotic way with his half metal feet standing on the production line and his hands open. He nodded, allowing Shadow to continue.
"As I was saying, you are acting so strange recently. It's no wonder the Doctor was able to capture you and turn you basically inside out. You are EXTREMELY lucky that he did keep your fox like tendancies in one piece. I heard about him wanting to cut one of your tails off for instance."
Metal Tails grimaced. "Am I...That...Ugly?"
Shadow sighed with a melancholy look in his eyes. "Take a look for yourself." He pointed to a mirror that as soon as MT saw it, Tails, in his machine-like form, wanted to cry. What had the doctor done to him!?
Metal armoured plating all over like some kind of caged animal, red/blue mixed coloured eyes. Not much in the way of blood and his yellow fur was now purbelesant gold. He hated it.
"What...What did I do to deserve this..." Metal Tails sniffed and all he could smell was what the machine-like receptors were telling him - Not much else. Not even air - It was filtered.
Shadow looked to a nearby security camera that, judging from the red light above it, was about to look in their direction - Presumably to find out what was going on. "Listen to me. Leave this facility. Find somewhere to hide and stay there. When you hear, or most likely see, my colours or Sonic's colours running together - Follow us. I have a fairly good idea of where we can get you back to normal. But you'll have to never, ever, get involved with Sonic and/or near this base again. Do you understand?"
Metal Tails looked at his hands.
Shadow nodded. "I know what you're probably thinking, or at least I have a general idea; you want to hang out with Faker. And I get it, but you will have to learn Tails, that you cannot always do what he does. He risks his life now. Not just a capture thought, he is risking his LIFE because you got captured. He shouldn't ever be in this situation, but to be quite honest, neither should you."
Shadow threw his Chaos Spear in the form of electrizity at the camera just before it could get to them so it looked like it short circuited.
"We don't have long. Oh, fuck this. Do you want to see Sonic?"
MT instantly looked at Shadow. "If I see him, that command will override my controls... I can't guarantee his safety."
Shadow nodded. "I understand that Tails, but, do you really want to be known as the creature that killed Sonic The Hedgehog? Or do you want to give me a chance at saving what's left of you?"
Metal Tails nodded his head slowly, using his animal mind to think and trying to block out the orders. "I'll do...Whatever it takes. Just please...Help me."
Shadow smirked. "Now that's more like it. C'mon-" He raced forwards and grabbed ahold of Tails' shoulder. "-And hold on."
MT nodded his head yet again and clasped his left hand onto Shadow's. Within moments they had disappeared.
Heading for Sonic's place no doubt...
Sonic and Cosmo had been talking for awhile before Sonic nodded. "So, how are we going to get Tails back to normal? I can't stand him being that way."
Cosmo nodded. "I think it'll need you at your Super form first...That should shine something into his eyes, remember? He used to feel so happy when you were flying in that form."
Sonic sighed. "I don't have the other Emeralds-"
"Knuckles has the others."
Sonic nodded a few times. "I thought you'd say that." He chuckled sadly.
Cosmo blinked. "Sonic, what's wrong? Why are you sad?"
Sonic looked at Cosmo. "My Super form has a mind of his own, if he sees that Tails is now Metal, he'll only try to destroy him...And the entire base along with it."
Cosmo nodded. "It's Eggman's fault. Right?"
Sonic growled which Cosmo nervously nodded at. "Is it?"
Sonic looked at her. "That's not only the first part!" He waved his hand in the air, "First, its all the chaos in the Mystic Ruins, THEN its in Station Square, Then Westopolis...Then at his base, I can't just-"
It was at that moment the pair heard a massive ka-thunk and pounding on the front door.
"Faker! FAKER! OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR, open it...BEFORE I PUT MY FOOT THROUGH IT!"
Sonic nodded at Cosmo. "If we see him, be ready."
"I think its you who need to be ready to be honest, Sonic."
Sonic raced to the door and opened it and what he saw next had him (almost) in tears.
Shadow was standing near the door and when Shadow pushed past him, Metal Tails was revealed to be standing there.
"Sonic..."
Sonic took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Were you followed?"
Metal Tails had a feeling this would happen. Sonic didn't trust him much anymore. He may have been his little bro but...Now? He was a machine and machine's break. At least, that's the feeling he got from Sonic this time.
To Be Continued in chapter 5...
