PoC: *Logs on to class computer* let's see… PenFullofChaos819…

Metal: Is a sick-minded bomb-dropping clown that defaces great villains with his stories.

PoC: Keep…your…damn…mouth…SHUT! You're going to get my instructor thinking I've lost my mind.

Metal: Considering you're talking to a character that exists only in the minds of developers, I'd say you're a certified loon.

PoC: Wow ace, you just basically called yourself a fake that only crazies ever talk to. Does that go for all of this "great villain's" fans?

Metal: Huh? Wha- Uh… That's not what I said… W-Well at least that's not what I meant!

Silver: Haha! Burn!

PoC and Metal: You stay out of this!

Silver: *Offended* Hmph! Well, that's the last time I ever check your scripts for bombs like the nice guy I am! *sits in a corner*

PoC: Bombs? Scripts? What's he talking about? O.o

Metal: You don't want to know…

-l-

Identity

-l-

"That's all I can say. She and I didn't get to talk much." Metal had just finished given the longest report he'd ever dreamed of. E-85 had, throughout the conversation, tried to dig out any small tidbit she could get out of the chrome-like hedgehog. Metal didn't know that this was what most teens would refer to as prying, snooping, or maybe meddling. What he did know was that his intended purpose for coming was getting swept aside.

Seeing no further need to describe the prototype further, Metal started to say "Now I have a question for you." he reached into his spare storage for the odd paper "Can you tell me what this-"

"Hold your boosters, you haven't told me her name yet!" E-85 interrupted once again.

Annoyed as he was, Metal did take that as a valid question. So far, he'd been calling her 'prototype' and 'girl'. There were sure to be other prototype's soon in the coming, so he knew she couldn't stay title-less for long.

"You know…I don't think she's been given one." Metal said truthfully "Probably too new or something."

"Oh dear that won't do!" E-85 spoke with some kind of motherly concern, not that Metal understood this "Let's see now… Hmm… Well… Say! Why don't YOU give her a name?"

Metal's systems must've been made pretty error proof, for if they hadn't he would've certainly had a crash right then and there "Wha…? Why would I…? Uh… No way."

Crossing her arms, E-85 gave him a hard look "And why not? You can't leave the poor girl nameless while you and the rest of us have titles to work with."

"Yes I can." Metal replied bluntly "Besides, I'm in enough trouble with the doctor as it is. I don't think he'd be too thrilled at the idea of me naming one of his own."

"Well, this may be just an old steam-bot's thinking, but I bet the prototype would be happy if you were the one that named her." this and her elbow nudging didn't get Metal to understand. Shrugging at Metal's cluelessness, she changed her tune "If you're really worried about it, why don't you ask the master beforehand? In worst case scenario; he gets mad and says no. No big deal, right?"

That was quite true; however Metal felt the need to add "There's one problem, I don't even want to name her! It's not my job, and it does nothing to benefit me."

E-85 shook her head and slapped her own face "It's no wonder they call you 'Metal'. Don't you care about anyone but yourself?"

Like the harsh mound of steel and titanium he was, Metal answered with a curt "Not really."

Suddenly, E-85 breached the doppelganger's 'personal bubble' to stare right into his glowing red eyes "You should be more honest with your feelings, Metal Sonic." she said in a voice that froze him solid. Somehow her saying his full name was even scarier than the 'too close for comfort' situation itself.

Once the long stare-down had ended, E-85 rose to her feet and said "Well, it's time I got back to work! Can't run a medical unit without the boss you know!"

As the 'shell-shock' wore off, Metal was left very satisfied with how the little talk had ended "Wait a sec! I didn't get a chance to show you-" but his words were cleverly sabotaged by the sound of an intercom addressing E-85.

"Sorry Metal, it'll have to wait!" before she was totally out of sight, she called back one more time "You think about what I said! Promise, alright?"

The shiny hedgehog remained seated. He hadn't understood why E-85 was so interested in the girl. Recalling his own words, Metal didn't remember saying anything in particular to justify so much time on one subject.

"A meaningless subject at that." his feet hit the floor with a clank and he set off for his quarters "What could she want from a head-to-toe report on a test robot that hasn't been active long? And why is it so imperative that she gets named by me?"

Metal's careless musings didn't do much to keep his eyes forward. Preoccupied thoughts to blame, he collided with someone much larger than himself. Despite the target's width, it couldn't have been very well balanced as it toppled over into about two other passerbies'. Metal rubbed his scuffed nose as his eye caught a remarkable heap of metal in front of him.

"Private Metal!" the large one shouted whilst flailing like a tipped-turtle "I would advise to you pay better attention to your marching path in the future!"

"Why? Can't you watch where I'm going?" Metal sniped with pure sarcasm. Being a third of the general's size hadn't been enough to keep the hedgehog's figurative 'tongue' in check. All the same, Metal didn't keep his attitude long as a white-gloved red-sleeved arm reach out of the pile.

"I must be cursed." a lumbering ire-filled voice choked out "Or hexed or jinxed to be CONSTANTLY PLAUGED BY TROUBLEMAKING HEDGEHOGS!" with a feral scream, the speaker heaved the heavy E-99 off him with a single shove. Ready to erupt at any second, Eggman demanded "Which one of you did this? And don't bother pointing at each other or I'll be scrapping you both!"

Metal and E-99 knew their best plan had been foiled by that statement. However, in a rare moment of cooperation, the two set their sights on the third victim present.

"He did it." the pair raised their fingers at a somewhat dazed and helpless…helper bot.

Eggman was caught off guard by the sudden unanimous accusation "Orbot did? How?"

Metal attempted to look as indignant as possible as he lied "That clumsy ball tripped the good general here, and that caused him to tumble into you and me."

The excuse made Metal out to be a tad too innocent for E-99's liking, but for his sake he played along "I apologize, Master Eggman sir." E-99 saluted and went on "I couldn't avoid stumbling into Private Metal when Orbot crossed unexpectedly underfoot."

Had it been one word against the other Eggman would've wondered. In light of how rare it was to see Metal to agree with anyone, however, he was content to hovering over his oblivious assistant.

"You see doctor, if you would just go on that diet you've been putting off, you'd be able to recover faster from freak accidents like this." the well-meaning helper's incriminating words were all Eggman needed to hear. In a single snatch, the innocent helper's neck was secured in the doctor's palm.

Ignoring Orbot's flailing and pleading, the master turned to his remaining crew "I have some work and beating I must attend to. Now if you, E-99, could report back to me about the status of the Egg Fleet, I will be glad to relieve you early today." Eggman saw the large one nod so turned, reluctantly, to face the troublemaker "I know I'm going to regret this, but I'm too busy and I need someone to act as an escort."

Staring up at the hefty oaf next to him, the Sonic copy asked "Not for him right?"

"No he knows his way around, I meant for this one." stepping out of the way, Eggman displayed a down-facing prototype with some burn marks on her fur.

Cursing the irony of it all, Metal rubbed his immovable quills. He likely didn't have a concept of religion, or most things for that matter. If he had though, he would've thought God was playing some divine prank on him. How else could he explain these constant run-ins with trouble? Better still, why did they always involve the prototype?

"Why do I get the feeling this girl's going to be a handful?" Metal mused, unaware that he was listening to his intuition for a change.

Eggman didn't wait for an answer. He and E-99 stomped off to take care of their individual agendas, leaving Metal alone with prototype. It was awkward at first, since the two had hardly spoken beforehand and were now lumped in together on short notice.

Unwilling to prolong his new 'mission', Metal set his new sights on the rest quarters. He stopped briefly, having forgotten to tell her to follow him. As he made his move, the cold hedgehog came face to face with the girl.

That was twice now that Metal had had his personal bubble 'popped' today. Unlike the minor fear he had felt from E-85, this uncomfortable encounter caused the proud war machine to stumble backwards. How he succeeded in tripping on a perfectly smooth floor was…pitiful to say the least. A stifled giggle did nothing to help matters either. True to his haughty nature, Metal hastily pulled himself up and dusted the invisible dirt off his armor.

"Ahem… Let's get going." Metal halted again, but didn't turn around for fear of repeating his mistake, to say "Um… You follow me, understood?" she nodded three times while remaining otherwise hushed.

Finding their way with no further mishaps was good enough for him. He gladly showed her how to operate and manage all her chamber's features. Secretly, Metal was wishing she would decide to rest, and thus prevent him from having any more unnecessary fumbles. Much to his relief, she did seem tired enough after his explanation was done. She opened her cell as he had showed her, and entered. Satisfied that all was well, Metal prepared to take his leave.

"Metal…" he heard her speak at last "Will I see you when I wake up?"

Silly question, considering the practical answer was plain. Unless he hung around her cell all night, of course he wouldn't be right there when she woke. Trying to keep her happy, and quiet, Metal reluctantly replied "Yes, you will. Now go to sleep."

Leaving the prototype to her rest, Metal snuck his way out the sliding doors. While on his way, the hedgehog, against his prideful judgment, headed for the bottom floor.

"I suppose I can give her idea a shot…" he mumbled sulkily.

Meanwhile, the capsule had sealed up with the prototype inside.

Unknown to Metal, the girl now wore a content smile as she drifted into a peaceful slumber.

L

*Research Center 1-1*

L

Though they called it a research center, it was much more of a library. Whatever the name, E-robots were so badly neglected that they hardly bothered to organize the mounds of neglected books and reports.

"This place is an absolute disgrace!" a robotic voice proclaimed while mistreating a few misplaced pieces of virtual literature "These electronic volumes should've been alphabetized months ago!" his bossy demeanor didn't outlive his clichéd speech "Looks like we've got some more demolition to do tonight!" some cheers and grunts echoed around the abandoned center "Seriously, who reads this stuff?"

"It's kind of silly." a staff member commented "The master made us for the sole purpose of keeping all these dumb indexes in place, yet all they do is collect dust!"

"Wouldn't it be great to have a real bookworm come in just once to see our hard work?" another bot sighed.

"You know that's never happened and nor will it ever." the head librarian shut his metal eyelids as he said "Unless Eggman makes some loose-geared defective fool that has the audacity to grace us with a visit."

"Hello." a foreign voice startled the whole room, but none more than the head himself "I'd like to see if you have an index I'm looking for."

The head felt his whole network overload with such joy that his systems…suffered a heat-induced meltdown, deactivating him almost immediately. His staff gathered around to inspect him and found him to be dead where he stood.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Metal was stunned. He knew he was powerful, but he'd never expected to kill a target with words alone.

Hauling their late boss away, one particular staff member approached the hedgehog "Not at all! You said you were looking for an index?"

Metal was quizzical of their eccentric reaction to his inadvertent murder, but still explained "Yes, I'm here too… Um…" he was wishing now that he hadn't taken E-85's advice. Putting on a strictly-business air, Metal made his request "I need to see an index of names."

"Sure, sure we have everything you need." the robot pulled up a screen listing all the books they…had in stock, or rather intact "So looking for big military names? Probably a target the master wants you to bump off eh?"

"Uh…no nothing like that." Metal was hoping he wouldn't have to say it "I need a list of…birth names."

The staff-machine wasn't sure what a strong killer like Metal needed with something like that, so he didn't argue "Right then, we have an index of all the masculine names you can shake a supercomputer at."

If embarrassment was fatal, Metal would've suffered the head librarian's fate by now. Robbed of the freedom of a painless death, Metal had no choice but to say "Actually, I need a list of f-feminine names."

Feeling on the spot wasn't severe enough to accurately depict the doppelganger's grief. Sadly the staff member really made things harder when he said "Are you serious?"

"Did I stutter?"

"In fact, you did."

"JUST GET ME THAT BOOK!"

"OKAY OKAY! Sheesh!"

He calmed his itchy killing finger long enough to allow the nuisance to fulfill his request. The wait didn't last long luckily, since his outburst had drawn a lot of unwanted suspicion. Returning with the virtual 'book of shame' in hand, the staff member handed it over.

"I'm sure you have a good reason for needing this, so I'd be glad to help you find a specific name if you wish." that seemed to be this robot's version of an apology.

This time, Metal didn't feel so bad asking for some assistance. Taking the index, he searched his word bank to present an appropriate response "I would…appreciate that."

Following their exchange, the two sat at a cleared off desk to browse through a number of names. The sheer amount of them plus meanings were making Metal's brain ache. How was he supposed to pick from all the entries he saw?

"It's none of my business, but are you trying to find a name for someone?" the staffing robot queried the dangerous Metal.

"You're right that is none of your business." Metal spoke caustically, then defeated he admitted "And yes, it's a name for someone."

Doing his own search, the librarian came up with a suggestion "Can you perhaps, describe this person? You know like physical traits and whatnot."

Self-destruct. That's the one feature Metal was in dire need of. Was he really going through this again? Life was better when it was kept simply to blowing things up. Still, it did strike Metal as funny that another male robot requested physical traits first.

Knowing that the prototype was no longer a secret, he freely gave the short and sweet version of what he'd told E-85 earlier that day. The librarian seemed primarily interested in her mobian-like traits.

"Well since she's like a creature from the woods, I have a starting point." he announced "Start by searching animal names."

Metal did this, but came up with a number of house-pet names "Lassie, Honey, and…Spike?" he was confused by that entry "For a female?"

"Hey don't look at me!" the robot closed that page and thought harder "Hey! What about something based on her color?"

"Okay just a second." Metal keyed in the search "Let's see: Fidda, Simin, Sooleawa-Wh-what the hell?"

"Oops! Uh… No go huh? Well then why don't we try-hey what did you do?" the robot noticed Metal had started his own search.

"I typed in 'from the woods'" Metal confessed "What's the worst that could happen?"

"Hoo boy, I can't wait to see these crazy entries!" the machine looked over Metal's shoulder, prepped to laugh at the humorous ideas he'd dug up. This was until Metal smacked him away for getting too close.

"Well that was uncalled for-Oh hey it's up!" he said eagerly.

The first entry stood out, but not in a bad way. Metal had nothing funny or antagonizing to say about the name.

"Well looks like another dead-end eh Metal? I'll just clear this search and…" Metal grabbed his wrist and tossed it back to its owner "I guess you found something you like?"

The librarian checked the screen while rubbing his semi-crushed part "You know that technically means 'from the forest' and isn't even remotely related to the word 'silver'." seeing the copy's face told him his opinion wasn't relevant.

Metal was decided the minute he saw it. The name just fit too perfectly "Silvia…" he said "That's her name."

-l-

End of Chapter Nine

-l-

Well there you have it! I know the name isn't grand, but it does seem to fit her. Besides that, I have very little to add. Give this is more late-night work, I pray it's mostly typo-free!

Serenity: She certainly can be scary! Her mixture is about exactly what you described. P.'s not that I dislike the name you gave; I've had this one in mind for a while that's all. I know it's not fantastic, but I hope it's at least somewhat likable :).

DanceDream: The prototype is one scary girl (power-wise). Ah but that just makes her more perfect for Metal! You know Eggy, if it's strong he has a use for it. Next chapter she gets more scene-time! P.S. The name may seem strange, but I hope you like it!

Infamousplot: I'll be waiting to hear from you this chapter!

Metal Sonic fan: Don't know if I've got your consistent support or not, but it's good to have your comments!

Until next time!