In the Machine
by Kellie Fay
Disclaimer: Sonic, Shadow, Metal Sonic, and all connected characters belong to Sega, and 4 Kids, and whoever else owns the games and Sonic X.
Thanks to ShinyShiny9 for their review. Reviews make this insecure author very happy
Chapter 2 Fighting
"Thank you so much for putting us up for the night Mister and Misses Hedgehog," Tails said politely between bites of stew.
"Tails, please call me Bernie," Sonic's mother said offering him some rolls.
Tails accepted them, then passed the basket to Hikaru who passed it to Jayce.
"So, what brings you out this far?" Jayce asked taking two rolls for himself.
Tails used the roll to sop up the thick rich gravy from the stew. Taking a bite and savoring the flavor he said, "Princess Katrina needed help with an internal problem. Since even most of the servants don't pay any attention to me, she knew I could find out what she wanted to know."
Jayce frowned at that, but fortunately he just chewed on his own roll and didn't ask any more questions.
"So how did you and Sonic meet up?" Jules, Sonic's father, asked.
Sonic rescued Princess Andrea, and myself from Eggman once." Tails kept the story as simple as possible. "Later Princess Katrina asked Sonic to find her grandmother and he wanted to take me along."
A sudden beeping caught their attention. Tails went to look at his Miles Electric. "I'm sorry," he said a bit embarrassed, "I don't know why it keeps malfunctioning. I'll run a diagnostic on it later."
When Tails and Hikaru bedded down in Jayce's room for the night Jayce said, "I see you've mastered Sonic's trick of telling a four-hour long story into one sentence."
Tails grinned and shrugged. "Most people fill in their own blanks later. It saves me from telling them that I'm not permitted to talk about the kitsune to outsiders."
Jayce sighed. "Why do I get the feeling that there is way more to your story than you or Sonic will ever tell me."
Tails wasn't sure if Jayce was still not a little bit jealous of Sonic, and his adventures, or as Shadow would say 'forewarned is forearmed. He decided to be honest with Jayce, "for the record I didn't tell Sonic, or Shadow anything about me. They figured out most of it on their own, and once they did, they both ended up with a lot of obligations, and had big targets on their backs. Remember Sonic literally can't talk about what he knows about the kitsune. A very powerful Priestess sealed his promise with magic." When he saw Jayce stare at him a little shocked, he added, "I told you knowing too much came with a lot of obligations."
"I'm just surprised Sonic agreed to that. He usually is about what he wants." Jayce explained.
Tails chuckled. "True, but if Sonic thinks you need his help even if you don't want it, he won't stop until he's helped you out. Even when he's hurt or sick, he'll try to help. We practically have to sit on him to stop him from going. As my grandmother used to say, it's the way he is hard wired."
Tails saw a light of connection flash across Jayce's face. Leaning back onto his pillow he said, "that explains so much about Sonic, and why he always argued with Jules. I'll try to drop a few hints to Jules after you guys leave. Thanks for being honest with me."
"Thank you for understanding," Tails said sincerely. The three settled down to sleep, but then suddenly Tails' Miles Electric began beeping again.
"Geez kid, can't you get that thing to stop?" Jayce asked annoyed.
With a sigh, Tails got up and checked his device again. "I don't understand," he said, "I've gone over this thing three times. There is nothing wrong with it."
Not Hikaru looked up from his bedroll and frowned. "Then perhaps it is not the device that is at fault, but our interpretation of it."
Tails thought about that. He began to adjust the dials. "I'm going to set this for finding a trail, maybe we can find out if something is causing it." Quietly he opened the window to the room. Twirling his tails, he rose into the air and out the window.
Before he was able to read the information from his ME Jayce hopped out of the window followed by Hikaru. Frowning Tails said, "you guys don't have to come with me.
Hikaru looked at Tails sternly. "Something tells me that you should not investigate this phenomenon alone."
"Likewise," Jayce added worriedly, "Sonic would have my head if anything happened to you."
Tails rolled his eyes. He knew it was no use to argue with them. Just to punctuate that he didn't need their help with this he remained hovering in the air until his tablet found the exhaust trail.
"Hmmm," Tails muttered to himself, "According to these readings there is definitely some machine using this fuel around."
"Allow me to try something," Hikaru said. He spread his arms wide. "Kakusa reta mono ga akarumi ni deta."
Tails wondered if Jayce could sense Hikaru's spell. He looked around puzzled and worried. Since Tails gave up his magic years ago, he could no longer feel the spell, but suddenly a few footprints began to glow off the path.
Hikaru looked at the prints disappointed. "I was hoping to find more than just footprints."
Jayce however looked at the prints with interest. "Hang on," he said kneeling to examine them better. "Can you make the print brighter, but get rid of the glare?" He asked.
Hikaru complied with a wave of his hand and a few more muttered words. Soon the print's outline could be seen clearly. Tails took in a breath alarmed.
"This is not a normal print," Jayce said worried, "no living creature has a footprint with straight lines like this. Not even if he were wearing shoes."
Feeling his hear sinking into his stomach, Tails frantically had his Miles Electric analyze the print hoping he was wrong. However, when he read the data, he knew he would have to lure their adversary away from the still sleeping village and protect them without Sonic's help.
"I've got to get away from here!" He told the others moving higher into the sky. If we're lucky he'll follow me and leave you guys alone!"
"Tails, what's the matter?" Jayce asked.
"Tails shook his head no. "Just go! I'll lure him away from the village!" Then in kitsune he said, our hosts are in great danger! The enemy of their child will hunt them!
Now Hikaru looked about alarmed. Jayce, not understanding cried out, "Wait, what?"
"No time!" Tails insisted. He began to move off into the nearby hills when a laser blast blocked his way.
Jayce spit out a curse. Tails still trying to keep Metal Sonic's attention on him, and not Jayce and Hikaru called out, "I'm the one you want, not them!" He flew further away from the pair but for some reason Metal Sonic did not pursue him. Instead, he turned back to Jayce and Hikaru and began to fire on them.
"What the hell?" Jayce exclaimed. Hikaru put up a shield, but every time a laser blast hit it, Hikaru winced.
Tails flew back towards Metal Sonic. "No! Stop, you don't want them, you want me!" He cried out.
Metal Sonic looked at Tails and pointed to the ground. He wanted him to surrender.
Tails lowered himself just above the robot's head, but still out of reach. "If you promise to leave the village in peace I'll surrender."
"No Miles!" Hikaru insisted.
Jayce echoed that thought, "you know that he will just come back to wipe us all out!"
"Leave them alone you big bully!" A third voice said. Metal Sonic dodged a large boulder thrown by Benny, Amy's younger brother.
"Benny No!" Tails called to him. "Protect the village, I'm not important!"
Metal Sonic tried to fire on Benny, but the laser sparked, and did not activate. Tails watched Metal Sonic reset his weapon and fire again.
"No!" Tails shouted. He wished he had some weapon to fight Metal Sonic with.
"CHAOS SPEAR!"
Suddenly like a dark avenging angel Shadow appeared above them firing his Chaos Spears at Metal Sonic.
Encouraged by the sudden appearance of Shadow Hikaru created an electrostatic fog. Benny continued to pelt Metal Sonic with rocks until the robot disoriented retreated.
Landing around the others Tails said, "he is not going to give up that easily. You should just let him take me. That way everyone would be safe.
Shadow looked down crossly at Tails. "If you expect Sonic to rescue you, he can't. While you were away Sonic, and Doctor Eggman fought near the Hilltop zone and disturbed a nest of Fever Beatles. Amy told me that they were not life threatening, but the only cure is time."
….
Hidden from the organics, Metal Sonic checked his laser and firing mechanism. He didn't know why they shorted out just then. He had undergone a thorough diagnostic just before he left Egg Base. Carefully, so he would not be detected again, Metal Sonic crept closer so he could hear Unit Shadow describe Unit Sonic's condition to the others.
He saw the unknown kitsune place his hand on Shadow's shoulder. Unit Shadow flinched at first but allowed the contact locking eyes with the kitsune. Metal Sonic suspected that they had some form of unspoken communication. Unit Shadow nodded then pointed to the gold amulet around the brown hedgehog's neck. "I need to talk to Eli," he said flatly.
With a sigh the strange hedgehog said, "he's here, and he's already told me what you need me and Benny to know. Believe me I totally agree with you guys. Benny, Eli also told me how you found out, but don't say anything. We don't want to give that thing any info that he can use against us later."
The rust-colored hedgehog with well-defined muscles looked puzzled, but he nodded.
Metal Sonic wondered what information they had that they did not want him to have.
Tails looked at the others crestfallen. "He must have seen Hikaru and me flying past in the Tornado. He probably followed us here. Hikaru, can you do anything to confuse him, or wipe out his memory banks?"
Metal Sonic heard the unknown kitsune answer. "I do not know. I have never used my magic against an automaton before."
[Input: targets contain data they do not wish to reveal to this unit.
Input: Standing orders concerning Inferior Organic Unit Shadow the Hedgehog, do not deactivate.]
Input: Inferior Organic Unit Sonic the Hedgehog also malfunctioning due to Fever Beetle bites. Holding inferior unit Tails hostage unnecessary.
Input: Inferior Unit Shadow the Hedgehog contains direct knowledge on Chaos Chalice of Healing.
Conclusion: negotiations with Inferior Unit Shadow the hedgehog may give favorable results as opposed to combat.]
Meanwhile the organics continued to discuss his presence.
We have to get Metal Sonic to leave this area," Tails said firmly, "he'll follow me."
"You are insane if you think I'm going to let you bait him." Shadow snapped.
The strange kitsune exclaimed something in his native tongue, but his tone told Metal Sonic that he agreed with Unit Shadow.
Metal Sonic sent out an open data stream to the fox kit's electronic device. Instantly the tablet began to beep.
"Now what," the light brown hedgehog asked.
The fox kit picked up the device and read. "It's from Metal Sonic. He wants to talk to you, Shadow."
Shadow and the strange kitsune locked eyes for a few moments. Then Shadow turned back to Tails. "Can that thing send a message to?"
"If I send a signal along the same ultra-frequency Metal used, he should be able to receive it," Tails explained.
"Tell him to meet me at the top of that hill there," Shadow pointed at the tallest peak on the hills surrounding the valley.
"All right," Tails said. Moments later Metal Sonic received the message with the coordinates. Metal Sonic sent back an acknowledgment and flew up to the coordinates indicated. Not long after Units Shadow and Tails appeared. Analysis of their expressions told Metal Sonic that the pair might have had some form of a disagreement before arriving here, but they now stood before him united.
Metal Sonic sent forth his query on The Chaos Chalice of Life and waited while the fox kit translated his transmission word for word.
"He says he needs all the information you have on The Chaos Chalice of Life. Doctor Eggman is really sick, and since he couldn't find anything like a cure, he thought the Chalice would help. He was inspecting the Temple of the Seven when he saw me and Hikaru flying overhead, and he thought I might know something."
Unit Shadow frowned. "The Chalice can cure life threatening injuries. I saw it do so once." He turned to Tails. "Do you think the Chalice could cure the Doctor?"
Now it was the kit's turn to frown. "You know it's history as well as I do. It should cure his fever. It has done so before, but you know Shadow, the Chalice isn't ours to just give."
Unit Shadow glared at Metal Sonic. "Who told you I knew anything about the Chalice of Life?"
Considering what Orbot told him Metal Sonic answered.
Unit Tails sighed, "he said Bokun told him. He said he heard you telling Orbot about it, and he wants to know where it is so he can get it."
Metal Sonic watched Unit Shadow tense up. His quills stiffened, and his eyes narrowed. "There is no way I will tell you it's location just to allow you to lay waste to those who protect it," he said sternly.
Metal considered this. He just wanted the Chalice. He briefly calculated the chances of taking Unit Tails prisoner, but another unexpected short circuit caused him to decide to use a minimum of force. He didn't know why his systems kept experiencing short outs. Instead, the sent another query.
A little puzzled Inferior Organic Unit Tails said, "he's asking if you will get it for him then."
Inferior Unit Shadow eyes widened in mild surprise, but Metal waited patiently while Unit Shadow considered his offer. There was only a 12.34 percent chance that he would reject the offer.
"Shadow you're not actually considering this are you?" The voice of one of the two locals sounded. The two hedgehogs who protected Unit Tails were climbing up the steep path along with the three tailed kitsune who traveled with Inferior Organic Unit Tails.
Inferior Organic Unit Shadow glare at the trio. "I thought I told you to stay in the village," he said crossly.
The taller hedgehog answered, "you told us to tell my dad, and we did, and you know, Shadow, that I have an invested interest in that Chalice."
Metal Sonic saw several emotions cross Inferior Unit Shadow's face. He gave the unknown kitsune a significant look. The kitsune nodded once then with a series of complicated hand gestures formed a glowing porthole in midair.
Shadow then walked to the porthole and gesturing to the two other hedgehogs entered. The pair looked at each other apprehensively but followed behind Shadow. Inside the porthole Metal could still see the inferior organic hedgehogs, but he could not hear the conversation. Given the hostile body language of the two local hedgehogs, Metal wondered if taking hostages would be more effective. He tried to calculate the possibilities; however, he felt another short circuit disrupt his calculations. Metal Sonic encoded a reminder to undergo a thorough diagnostic as soon as he returned to the Egg Fortress. He kept himself busy by organizing all the data he collected thus far. He was going over the recent dialogue between the organics when he realized that one of the local organics said that he had an invested interest in the chalice.
[The Chalice is here,] he sent to Tails. The little fox read the message, his ears instantly flattened to his head, and said something in his own tongue to the three tailed kitsune.
The three tailed turned to Metal Sonic and said, "If you seek the Chalice on your own you will never find it. I am fluent in Chaos magic as well as the magics of my own people. I shall bathe this area in enough Chaos energy that your sensors will be useless."
Metal Sonic bristled at the kitsune's defiance, but he did pose a credible threat. Instead, he sent to Inferior Organic Unit Tails [I only seek the Chalice. If negotiations achieve the chalice I will leave in peace. If force achieves the Chalice, I will use it.]
Inferior organic unit Tails read the sending aloud, then added a few words in kitsune to his companion. The three tailed glared at Metal Sonic but his answer to Tails seemed resigned.
Just then Inferior Organic unit Shadow and the other two hedgehogs came back through the porthole. The rust-colored hedgehog held in his hands a silver goblet that contained seven small gems in the seven chaos colors.
Inferior Organic Unit Shadow had his eyes on Metal Sonic and stood between him and the others. "Once you have used the chalice on The Doctor, you will return it to me." Shadow said sternly.
Shadow's tone told Metal Sonic that this was non-negotiable, but Metal Sonic expected this condition. [Agreed,] he sent back with a nod.
Inferior organic Unit Tails nodded as well. "He's agreed," he said.
Shadow copied the gestured then added, "In addition you will never divulge how or where you acquired the chalice."
Again, Metal's time analyzing the date he did have game him an idea of why Shadow added this condition. [This village contains associates of Inferior Organic Unit Sonic the Hedgehog.]
Inferior Organic Unit Tails dutifully translated, but this voice caught at the word inferior. Instead of finishing he said, "you said you just wanted the chalice. Who lives in this village is none of your concern."
Metal Sonic saw Inferior Unit Shadow bristle and sensed him gathering chaos energy. [Agreed,] he sent. Again, his standing order not to kill Inferior Unit Shadow the Hedgehog reminded him not to attack. After all he succeeded. The hedgehogs had the chalice, and Inferior Unit Shadow managed to convince them to hand it over.
Shadow then gestured to the hedgehog who reluctantly stepped forward with the chalice. Before Metal could lay his hands on the cup it began to radiate Chaos energy. Suddenly it transformed into a shining orb of green and sliver light. It shot away from them for a moment, then turned around and struck the rust-colored hedgehog who staggered a moment then floated above them glaring with glowing green and sliver eyes. So, you think to hand over my gift to a death bringer? A lifeless hunk of metal? The hedgehog said.
Unit Shadow looked alarmed. Still, he recovered quickly and addressed the possessed hedgehog. "He means to use it to save a life. The grandson of the man who gave me life."
His eyes still glowing the hedgehog's expression softened slightly. And had you chosen to use the chalice to save him you would have no challenge from me, Child of Fire, however, this creature is no one's child. He is a machine, a toy. If he wishes to lay hands upon my chalice, he must prove his worth. Seek my chalice in my shrine where your quest began. Overcome my challenges and you may have what you seek. This will aid you.
For one moment the possessed hedgehog glowed a brilliant green then all the energy condensed and left him glowing above them all. A small portion of the energy separated and formed a small emerald disk which clattered to the ground. The remaining energy flew back towards the location of the Temple.
The formally possessed hedgehog's eyes rolled back into his head and he passed out. Shadow caught him before he hit the ground. The other hedgehog with odd purple markings moved forward. "Shadow what- "he began, but Shadow cut him off.
"Ask questions later just take him back to his parents and tell them what happened." Shadow ordered him.
The hedgehog looked a bit torn, but he nodded picking up his friend. Before he could leave though Unit Tails said to his companion, "Hikaru, go with him." Before he could protest, the fox kit said something in his own language and the kitsune with a sigh agreed.
"You should go to," Unit Shadow told Tails.
Unit Tails tapped his device and faced Shadow squarely. "Unless you have learned to read binary in the last twenty minutes you still need me."
Unit Shadow frowned and grunted. He reached down and picked up the small green disk that came from the glowing orb of energy. He stared at the disk for a few seconds frowning then with a shrug handed it to Metal Sonic. "I believe this is for you," he said.
Metal Sonic accepted and scanned the device. It was circular, but the scan revealed it was more of a data drive than a disk. While it did not have the power of a Chaos Emerald, the drive did have a tiny amount of Chaos energy. He also concluded that he could use his data port to utilize the device. He opened his access panel and installed the drive into his systems. Instantly Metal Sonic noticed an enhancement of his senses. His sensors would tell him the temperature was 18.5 Celsius, but now he knew what eighteen degrees felt like. It was all together a new sensation.
"Are you all right?" Unit Tails asked.
Metal Sonic, a little confused as to why Unit Tails would ask, sent an affirmative. Then he added [This unit no longer requires your assistance.]
Without bothering to translate Unit Tails said, "Yes you do. The Temple of the Seven does have booby traps, and dimensional portholes. If you trigger a trap or a porthole you might not come out again. Besides Shadow is going with you anyway and I want to make sure he comes back."
Metal Sonic processed the input then calculated that their ability to assist or hinder his mission was marginal. [Acknowledged] he sent back, then felt compelled to add, [This unit will not decrease his effectiveness for organics.]
Unit Tails chuckled. "He's telling us not to slow him down," he told Unit Shadow.
Unit Shadow just smiled and glanced at the little organic kitsune. "That won't be an issue."
Metal Sonic had to admit for inferior organic beings, Unit Shadow and Unit Tails could effectively keep up with him. For the kitsune kit simple mechanics, flying in the slipstream created by Inferior Organic Unit Shadow. Unit Shadow surprised Metal Sonic by pacing him on the ground while he flew above them. Mindful on what Inferior Organic Unit Tails said, Metal Sonic landed next to the pair by the doorway the two chose.
"This entrance should lead directly to the orchard of the Spirit of Life, but I have the feeling that she is going to put challenges in your way, so we have to be careful." Inferior Unit Tails told him.
Before Metal Sonic could acknowledge the warning, he detected an unusual energy spike. Instantly he warned the two organics.
"I feel it," Inferior Organic Unit Shadow said. His eyes narrowed and he frowned in thought. "This is kitsune magic."
"Are you sure?" Inferior Organic Unit Tails asked.
"I just spent several days with Pie," Shadow said flatly, "I think I know now what kitsune magic feels like."
Inferior organic Unit Tails still looked worried until the energy consolidated and formed a kitsune transport portal. Unit Tails watched visibly annoyed as the other kitsune, and the local hedgehog came through.
With his two tails twitching angrily, Inferior Organic Unit Tails approached his fellow and addressed him sharply in his own tongue. Who argued back in the same tongue, until Organic Unit Tails just sighed defeated.
Inferior Organic Unit Shadow equally annoyed said to the other hedgehog, "At least Hikaru has his magic. We are going into an unknown challenge. You are putting yourself in danger unnecessarily. You are not Sonic!"
With a shake of his head the unknown hedgehog said, "I'll tell you what I told Carl. I know I'm not Sonic, but to make up for what I did is at least emulate him, and I may not have powers I do have Eli. He wants to be where he can help to, and Carl did give me this." The hedgehog held up a small laser pistol. "We do have defenses against invaders, but we don't show them off."
Metal Sonic watched as several emotions flash across Organic Unit Shadow's eyes. He did glance briefly at the three tailed kitsune, but after 2.3 seconds the black hedgehog sighed and relaxed. "If you are both willing to fling yourselves headlong into danger, I would be a fool to refuse you." Organic Unit Shadow glanced over at Metal Sonic who decided that the proper response was to shrug. As long as the organics stayed out of his way, he did not care.
Together the five entered the dark polished basalt lava tube. Metal Sonic allowed Organic Unit Shadow to take the point. He knew that Organic Unit Shadow could handle most obstacles.
The first obstacle came when the group entered a wider chamber covered in moss, phosphorus lichens, and vines hanging from the ceiling. The local hedgehog glared at the vines. "There is something about this that isn't right," he said.
"I feel it as well," Organic Unit Shadow said.
[My sensors do not detect anything out of the ordinary,] Metal Sonic sent to them.
Organic Unit Tails translated for the others then added. "I don't like this cave either. It may be something only living creatures can feel."
Organic Unit Shadow turned to the three tailed kitsune. "Hikaru, can your magic tell you anything."
"We are being observed," the three tailed said worriedly. "I am hesitant to use my magic. It might trigger a trap."
Organic Unit Shadow nodded. "I can't argue with that assessment. This area looks like the perfect place for- "
At that moment, the vines on the ceiling parted revealing dozens of black and red giant spiders attacking them. They creeped closer venom dripping from their fangs.
"-an ambush!" Shadow finished. He went instantly into attack position. Metal Sonic activated his laser.
"Don't kill them!" Organic Unit Tails warned. "We're dealing with the Spirit of Life! If we hurt anything alive, she will get angry."
Considering that the Spirit had called him a death bringer before Metal Sonic understood the assessment, but he was uncertain how to defeat the spiders without harming them.
The local hedgehog who seemed determined to protect Organic Unit Tails chose to fire his weapon in front of the creatures Making them retreat temporarily, but they always returned.
"I hate spiders," the local hedgehog said, "And these things are acting weird. You'd think they would have backed off by now."
The local organic unit is correct, Metal Sonic realized, these units are behaving more like they were programmed rather like a living thing.
Metal moved forward and snatched up a spider. Once he had the creature in his hands, he knew his assessment was correct. He ripped the creature in half exposing the metal under skin and wires.
Organic Unit Shadow saw instantly. "They are machines!" Together Metal Sonic and Organic Unit Shadow eliminated the robots. Once the threat was over Organic Unit Shadow picked up one robot to examine it. "How did you know the spiders were machines?" He asked.
Organic Unit Tails read the data stream message. "He said that something Jayce said clicked with him. He realized that the spiders were acting more like programmed machines and not like a living thing, so he took a chance."
The local hedgehog designation Jayce barked out a short laugh. "Well, what do you know, the one with a computer brain played a hunch."
Metal Sonic considered shooting the hedgehog for his impudence but found his weapons systems shorting out again. He began to initiate a spot repair when he saw the young fox kit looking at him oddly. He was about to ask why when he turned around and said "Guzen no mahõ?" Then more puzzled looked around and called, "Hikaru? Hikaru!"
Now Units Shadow and Jayce looked about. The three tailed kitsune that accompanied them could not be found.
"Metal Sonic, could you please scan for Hikaru?" Unit Tails asked. Deciding to cooperate, Metal complied and sent the results.
The fox kit looked sadly at his pad. "He says that we three are the only life signs he's detecting."
"Did anyone see what happened to him?" Unit Shadow asked.
"Sorry no," Unit Jayce said.
Unit Tails frowned for a moment then closed his eyes and heaved a huge sigh. "I'm going to trust that the Spirit of Life isn't going to hurt him. She's testing you, Metal. Maybe she thought that having a magic user around is too much of an advantage."
Unit Shadow frowned. "We'd better find him at the end of this," he announced flatly into the air. Then to the others he said, "let's move."