Chapter 3

Warning: This Chapter is why this story is rated T! Enjoy!

Eight Years Ago, The Day After Eggman's Defeat

The remains of the Eggman Empire served as a reminder of what had happened just the other day. Plans to clear out the land and restore it to it's natural state were already being discussed. However, no-one knew that one thing did manage to survive the base's destruction.

A metal claw shot out from under the rubble, and pulled up the rest of the machine's body.

Looking around, it found that it's optical receptors were badly damaged in the explosion. It could still identify plant and animal species, as well as colors, but it couldn't tell them apart. On top of that, it seemed that it's voice recognition functions were also damaged. Unfortunately, these did not seem to be things that it could repair on it's own.

Activating it's auto repair systems, it concluded that it would be a very long time before it would be capable of combat again, so it limped off, looking for a place to hide out until it's repairs were complete.

—

"W-Why is Metal Sonic HERE?!" Mina asked, feeling very terrified.

"I think a better question is how! I thought he was destroyed in the explosion!" Tails said. "Regardless though, we need to do something! We can't just let him go around destroying everything!"

"Should we go and get Sonic?" Mina asked.

"NO!" Tails shouted. "We can't interrupt them. If we do, then everything we planned will be ruined!" He explained.

"Then what do we do?" Mina asked.

Looking around, Tails spotted who he was looking for. "NICOLE!"

This earned Nicole's attention. She had just arrived to find out what was going on, and was surprised to see Metal Sonic.

"When Sonic finishes the plan, tell him what is going on! I'll hold off Metal Sonic until then!" Tails shouted out.

"Wait! By yourself?!" Mina asked.

"Yeah. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm a lot stronger than I was all those years ago!" Tails said. "Besides, you heard what he said, he's after me, that means that he won't go after anyone but me! That should give you the opportunity to see if you can find anyone who could help!"

Mina didn't like this. It's true that Tails had gotten a bit stronger over the past eight years, but there was still no way he was able to stand up to Metal Sonic. However, she had to admit that his plan made sense, so she decided to go along with it.

"Ok, you just be careful, ok? I will be back as soon as I can." Mina said.

"You can leave it to me!" Tails said.

And so they went their separate ways. Mina off to get help, and Tails charging at Metal Sonic.

Metal Sonic, however, didn't charge at Tails.

He charged at Mina.

"Prepare to die, Yellow Mongoose."

—

Meanwhile, Sonic and Sally had arrived at their destination, and have settled down to look at the stars. Nicole had arrived shortly after her conversation with Tails, and decided to put up a sound proof barrier around them, just so they didn't hear the sounds of the fight going on in town. She didn't want them to find out what was going on. That being said though, she was keeping an eye on the situation with Tails, and was prepared to get Sonic's help if things got too out of hand.

"Wow, it sure is beautiful out." Sally said, looking up to the sky.

"Yeah, it really is." Sonic said. "You know, it's really hard to believe that it's been eight years since we beat Eggman."

"Wow, I am surprised that you remembered that." Sally said.

"Well, it was a really important day for us, it'll take a lot for me to forget that." Sonic explained.

"Yeah, a lot happened back then." Sally said. "Remember the time that Eggman made that Phoenix Jet?"

And they both continued like this for a while, just talking and reminiscing about their fight with Eggman.

Meanwhile, Tails and Mina were have a fight for their lives.

Tails did not expect Metal Sonic to charge after Mina. When the robot said that it found it's target, he assumed it was himself. After all, why would Metal Sonic be after Mina?

Deciding that an answer would have to come later, Tails went after the robot.

Metal Sonic had just cut Mina off on her escape route, catching her completely off guard, he swiped his claw at her, but she was able to dodge out of the way just in time. At this time, Tails had caught up, and got between the robot and the mongoose.

"So he's after me?! Why in the world is he after me?!" Mina asked frantically. It was clear to Tails that she was terrified. Understandably so, after all, this robot played a huge role in Ash's death all those years ago.

"Yeah, why don't you tell us why, Metal?" Tails asked. While he was genuinely curious, this was mostly to buy some time.

"Yellow mongoose stopped me from preventing the destruction of the computer room, must eliminate mongoose to get revenge." Metal Sonic explained.

"Wait, Mina did that? That's impossible though…" Tails said. But then it hit him. Metal Sonic only said that a yellow mongoose did this, not Mina. That may mean that…

"Ash stopped him." Mina said. "I don't know how, but Ash somehow stopped Metal Sonic that day."

"Yeah, I think so too. Listen Metal Sonic, Mina isn't the mongoose that…" Tails started.

"Your lies won't work on me, I will have my revenge!" Metal Sonic said before swiping at Tails. "And I will eliminate anyone who gets in my way."

Tails recognized that the situation was very bad, it was clear that he wasn't going to let Mina go and get help, and Mina was not much of a fighter. At least, not anymore. Tails needed to both fight off Metal Sonic, an opponent who was much stronger than him, as well as keep Mina safe.

Before he could come up with a plan, Metal Sonic charged.

Tails pushed Mina out of the way and met the robot head on, using his twin tails to block the attack. "Sorry, but I am not letting you hurt her."

"Then I shall complete my original mission first." Metal Sonic responded.

'Wait… what?' Tails thought. Deciding that it should wait for later, he got ready to fight.

And so the battle began. Metal Sonic repeatedly using his claws to swipe at Tails, who tried his best to dodge the attacks. He did get nicked here and there, but no serious damage was done. The problem was that he couldn't get in any counter attacks. Metal Sonic was simply too fast and relentless. Another problem that began to arise was that Tails was starting to get tired. He was starting to slow down, and Metal Sonic was not showing any sign of tiring. Before long, the few nicks turned into solid strikes, and Tails was starting to get into pretty bad shape.

And Mina saw this. She knew she had to do something, but she was too scared to join the fight. She knew she wouldn't be any help, even if she did. So, she decided to try and get help again. Maybe now that Metal Sonic was busy with Tails, she could slip away unnoticed. She made a major mistake though. She wasn't really thinking about it, so she tried to escape in the direction that they were fighting, and Metal Sonic noticed her. He stopped his onslaught on Tails and charged into her, sending her to the ground. He then was poised to drive his claw right into her.

She was prepared for the worse.

"Ash… I guess I'll see you soon…"

She closed her eyes, and waited for the strike to come.

But it never did.

Back with Sonic and Sally

The two had finished talking, and Sonic had finally decided that it was time to go through with the plan. He looked around, and spotted Nicole. He then winked at her to give her a signal, to which she nodded, a little bit frantically at that.

"Hey Sal, you know a lot about those patterns in the stars right? What are they called, consolations?" Sonic asked.

"Constellations Sonic, and yes, yes I do." Sally responded. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I wanted to know if you could teach me about a couple of them. Tails was talking about them earlier, and I was a bit curious." Sonic explained.

"Sure, come here." Sally said, standing up. When Sonic got closer, she looked up into the sky. "Let's see… that one is…" She started, but then she noticed something weird. A constellation that she didn't recognize. "That's weird, I don't think I ever saw that one…"

Sure enough, that constellation was one that she had ever saw before, and the more that she looked at it, the more she began to realize that it looked like a letter.

Then, she noticed that there were others, all looking like letters.

She was so caught up in this, that she didn't notice that Sonic was now kneeling.

Slowly but surely, she began to notice that the letters were spelling something.

"Sally…" She recognized the first word as. "Will… you…" She stopped. Was she seeing this right?

"Sally, will you… marry me?" She read out. Realizing what she said, she looked to the right, she gasped in shock, as a couple of tears began to form in her eyes. Sonic was there, still kneeling, and holding a small box.

"Sal, I have known you for all my life. And during that time, you have shown me that you are the strongest person I have ever met, who will always stick with me no matter what. So, I have to ask… will you marry me?" Sonic asked.

"Oh Sonic… that has to be the cheesiest thing you ever said… but yes, of course I will." She responded, before pulling Sonic in for a kiss.

After a moment, they separated. "I have to ask though, how the heck did you do that?" Sally asked, pointing towards the sky.

"I'll give you a hint, it starts with a 'N'" Sonic said.

"… Nicole?" Sally asked.

"And some nanites, but yeah, that was all me." Nicole said, coming out from her hiding spot.

"I have to admit, I am impressed. How did you come up with this?" Sally asked.

"Well, Amy came up with the idea of the hidden message, but Tails came up with the idea of using nanites." Sonic explained.

"Speaking of Tails… I really hate to interrupt the good mood, but we have big trouble." Nicole said frantically.

"Trouble? Like, bank robbery trouble or…?" Sally asked.

"Metal Sonic trouble." Nicole said.

Mina was absolutely terrified.

Tails had managed to get in the way of Metal Sonic's attack, but he took the blow himself. And right now, Metal Sonic's claw was piercing in his side.

Tails cried out in pain, but he kept it brief, as he grabbed onto Metal Sonic's arm to keep him in place. He then used his tails to get in a few blows. This didn't last long however, as the pain got the better of him, and he lost his grip on Metal Sonic's arm.

The robot then kicked him to the ground, and grabbed onto one of his tails.

Mina did not like the look of this at all, and went to strike the robot, however, he simply swatted her away.

"I will kill you in a moment." Metal Sonic said.

He then put the tail on his leg, pulled it tight with one of his hands, and struck it with the elbow of his other arm.

Tails screeched out in pain, and Mina could only look on in horror. That clearly hurt a lot.

Tails then tried to get up, feeling like he had to do something. Metal Sonic, seeing this as a sign that the boy would continue to fight, grabbed onto his other tail, and repeated his previous action.

He didn't stop there though, he needed to make sure that Tails was completely out of commission. So he put his foot onto Tails' back, held onto his right tail, and began to pull.

Mina continued to watch in horror as the poor fox screamed in pain as the robot seemingly attempted to pull the tail off of her friend's body, or at the very least attempt to cause the boy as much pain as possible.

She did notice one thing though, Metal Sonic had his back to her now, she was completely out of his sights. She couldn't go and get help, if she did, Tails would surely be killed before she got anyone. Looking around, she found a metal pipe on the ground. She didn't know where it had come from, but she didn't want to think about it.

Putting all of her fear aside, she ran over to the pipe at full speed, and picked it up. She then charged straight at Metal Sonic, pushing her super speed to it's absolute limit, and thrust the pipe into the engine in Metal Sonic's stomach.

This seemed to do a lot, as the robot was forced to release Tails from his clutches, and turned around. By the time he had done this though, Mina had already yanked her weapon out of the robot, and begun swinging again, striking the robot in the head, sending him to the ground.

It used a nearby wall to help himself up, and Mina charged at him and began an onslaught on the robot. Swinging the pipe as hard as she could, and as quickly as possible.

Metal Sonic couldn't respond to the onslaught. The damage had begun to take it's toll on the robot.

With a scream, Mina used all of her strength, and with a well aimed swing, caught Metal Sonic in the neck, and knocked his head clean off.

The head fell and rolled on the ground. The body then slumped to the ground, and completely stopped moving.

It was over.

"Mina…" She heard Tails say. She then rushed over and flipped him over onto his back, being careful not to irritate his broken tails. "That was amazing… good job."

"Thanks… but… why did you do that? You should of just let him…" Mina said, eyes starting to tear up.

"Had to save you… couldn't let you…" Tails started, his voice starting to fade.

"Tails, come on, stay with me." Mina said frantically. "Come on, we will get you some help, and everything will be just fine! Just stay with me… please…"

"I… I can't lose you too…"

"Mina… I…" Tails started, his eyes starting to close.

He never got to finish that sentence.

End of Chapter 3

I said this was gonna be a brutal fight, right?

I always seem to use stars or something of the sort for proposals don't I? Eh, maybe the next one will be different…

Anywho, I'll see you all next time! :)