PoC: PenFullofChaos819 owns naa and nil, except for the basic words typed on the page.

Metal: "Naa" is not a word, so how the ** do you manage to own it?

PoC: *Sly smirk* Should I answer that?

Metal: Ugh… Forget I asked.

PoC: I thought as much, so without further-

Silver: We really enjoyed having you all on, and we hope you liked the story right up until the end! This is Silver signing off.

PoC: ?

Metal: What the hell?

Silver: Aw come on guys, aren't you going to say something? This IS the last chapter after all!

PoC: It…is? *Turns to Metal*

Metal: Why are you looking at me? I don't know what that fool's rambling about!

Silver: Come on guys! Let's give this thing an awesome send-off!

PoC: Uh… Right…

Metal: Does this mean I'm free to go?

PoC: I have no idea…but no.

Metal: …**.

-l-

Insight

-l-

Now THIS was something brand new! Who'd of thought any environment could be too clean for one's tastes? Compared to the grimy ground a polluted air of the Sky-port, this place was nearly sparkling from the spotlessness. Small factors, like wondering how white walls could be kept so tidy, were among the few thoughts that even slightly tugged at her mind. More crucial was the success of her well-played ploy, which had fooled each and every kettle head right up to the end.

Brushing a few loose strands of hair out of her vision, the prototype bent her body into an upright position. It now had come to her attention that she must be in some sort of medical zone. She could see a nearby computer, no doubt used for looking up a patient's medical records, as well as an ominous container that hung on the wall. Using her enhanced vision she was able to confirm that this case contained metal-piercing syringes, all of which were bent and or stained with unidentifiable fluids. Those factors did detract from the once good comfort Silvia had found with this place. To complicate her paranoia further, her gaze set upon a tray of tools, each capable of separating flesh from steel. The wicked shape they came in only served to increase her growing apprehension.

Weighing out the gravity of her current predicament; Silvia arrived at the conclusion that she would rather not over stay her doctor visit. Swooping out of her chair landing lightly on the slick tile, the hybrid snuck her way up to the looming chalk-colored door, still struggling to make a new plan. If she left now, who knows what she'd be up against? For all she knew, getting up and walking away now would confirm her 'dire health' to be little more than a sham. Contrary, staying put meant she would have to risk falling 'under the knife' as a result of her self-proclaimed 'condition'. Calculating her odds carefully, and thereby taking more time than she actually had, Silvia reached a 'guessimate' that her risk of failure/danger on either route was fifty-fifty. As if to add ironic complications to already strenuous matters, the booming echo of footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer, until they ceased at her doorstep.

Though the prototype was momentarily muddled by serious doubts, she knew that a fast action was in order. Calling upon the little stealth she could muster in the present situation, Silvia had swung herself back into the adjustable chair without so much as a single noise. None too soon either, as the small handle turned and clicked followed by the squeaky whine of the door opening. Secretly she wondered if her acting would be enough to trick the experts, despite her efforts to remain in a near-comatose state. Only a frigid metallic hand could snap her out this worrisome mindset, by sadly adding a more immediate concern. After a few audible 'Hmm''s out of who she assumed to be the doctor, not Eggman thankfully, the unseen medic stepped away for a moment. Tense seconds passed as Silvia was left to guess whether it was worth stealing a glance at the specialist or not. Realizing that move would, at very best, merely serve to satiate a bit of untamed curiosity the prototype banished the notion, instead allowing herself to sit for several minutes without a single motion.

Much to her relief, the doctor seemed to be leaving at last, as she could sense the footsteps heading close to the door. Upon hearing that same whine and creak, Silvia was sure she'd finally accomplished her mission of deception. This stayed in her head up until an arguably female-sounding voice rang out for the first time.

"Oh, hello again Metal!" the voice greeted, causing the prototype to shift in discomfort "Hmm? Your friend? Well… Yes she is here, but I think you'd better go. I fear she may've fallen into a coma." the doctor's explanation dragged on, which was now starting to make Silvia to sweat lightly under the pressure of wonder. Was Metal really back? And had he come all this way just to check on her? She couldn't pinpoint a reason, but something about the idea was affecting her heart-rate and blood-pressure. It was becoming increasingly difficult to not shout out for some inexplicable reason. Containing herself the best she could, Silvia only hoped the moment would pass too quickly for her to decide what to do.

"No no, that's perfectly fine Metal dear." though of perfectly innocent intent, that last word had somehow caused a voluntary shudder in the hybrid's now not-so-clam frame "I'm sure she misses you too. I'll let you know the minute she wakes up." well that was relief, at least she knew she could see him anytime, and that he was safe "Oh dear, what's that? Eggman has assigned you to yet another mission? Well that's a shame… I guess you won't be able to say goodbye to her then." now those words perked her ears up. He couldn't be leaving again! He'd just come back! Tuning her ears up the max, she desperately listened for more "No, no, I understand. I'll be sure to tell her that when she wakes up. I'm sure she feels the same way too."

Tell her? Tell her what? WHAT DID METAL WANT TO SAY? No longer able to hold back her innermost compulsions, Silvia leapt up out of bed and opened her mouth "Metal WAIT! I'm here! I'm awake!" she cried out, but all she saw was the large medic standing near in doorway.

Gulping down her final thought of caution, the girl ran up to the E-bot to get her answers "Please oh please! Tell where Metal is! I have to talk to him!" Silvia begged her heart out, but for her trouble she was merely graced with simple, yet mischievous, grin out of the female doctor.

"Well well! Looks like someone isn't as sick as they were pretending to be!" the doctor chuckled, completely unfazed by the prototype's 'evil eye' "Oh dear I'm sorry, but Metal is just now en route back to the base. There's no way I could've spoken to him."

That revelation hit her square in the face. Was it possible that she'd been beaten at her own game? How stupid, of course she had! Not to mention in the most embarrassing way! How could she have been so easily baited by that act? Well, it was too late now. Whoever this was would probably report her to Eggman and get her sent back to the cleaning docks for a month, if she was lucky. Hanging her head in shame, tears began to form in the girl's now deep-blue eyes. What sick joke, being fooled into believing Metal had come back.

Seeing her saddened reaction, the doctor robot clamped two firm but gentle hands on the hybird's shoulders. Any attempt to wriggle out was thwarted by the much larger E-bot's grasp "Oh now don't cry dear… I'm sorry I upset you so much. If I hadn't gotten the truth out of you, Eggman might've sent that ball-shaped fiend down here to check instead." she explained. Comfortingly pulling the girl into a strong embrace, the doctor went on to say "My name is E-85 sweetie, what's your name?"

Sniffling audibly, Silvia couldn't find it in her to be mad at this E-85. Submitting at last to her emotions, the prototype weakly returned the hug and replied "S-Silvia…"

Pulling back from the embrace, E-85's face lit up in happiness "That's a beautiful name! I knew that crotchety old Metal Sonic had it in him!" upon mentioning his name, 85 was quick to add "I really am sorry for fooling you. I know how hard it must be for you to wait for him."

Silvia wiped away some stray tears, giving a smile for the first time in a while "I can't believe I fell for that! How did you know I was freaking out about Metal?" she asked, genuinely wanting to know the E-medic's secret.

"Oh it wasn't quantum physics dear." she grinned back "You don't have to live through much to understand a girl's heart." E-85 said this as if there was nothing shocking about it. Had she just suggested that a machine can have a 'heart'? It struck the prototype as a silly notion, as no idiot would think that a conglomerate of lights and clockwork could have real emotions. Yet from the way she said it, she made sound like the most common of knowledge.

Stepping away from the girl for moment, E-85 shut the door and sat at her computer desk "Give me a moment while I pull up your diagnosis." she laughed at the that last word, almost as though she'd already made a plan "Now that you are indeed 'awake', I can start treating you without any need to tell the doctor." turning back to Silvia she asked "He is the actual infection you want away from, yes?" after some brief thought, the prototype nodded eagerly.

"Well then, we'd better make sure he doesn't send anyone near you until you 'recover', right?" her tone was laced with more spunk and cunning than eighty percent of all the dumb-bots Silvia had encountered thus far. Deep down, something told her she was going to like this E-85.

L

*With Eggman*

L

Seeing this place brought back memories, of which most were negative. regardless of how peaceful the location was. The master never did feel at home with nature anyway, so he planned make this visit as short as possible.

"Doctor, we've been expecting you." an automated voice welcomed, and so much the better, he needed a dose of corrupted machinery to curb his 'green pains'. Anyone unaware would've thought they were staring into boringly average rocks and grasslands, but in typical Eggman fashion, they only acted as excellent agents for concealment. His approach alone was enough to trigger a drastic change in the scenery. The falsified greenery gave way instantly, revealing a gaping factory passage alongside a waft of befouled air. These lovely things alone were a perfect gateway to his home away from home.

Eggman pulled forth a bag almost as heavy as he was wide, effectively rocking the Egg Mobile off balance. Several of his peons rushed in to steady the craft, but the master wasn't worried. He had a large amount of work to preoccupying his stressed mind. Even so, he didn't mind in the least. If all went according to plan he would soon have the wretched Sonic in the palm of his hand.

"And this time…" he promised with resolution "I won't hesitate to grind him up into a gooey hedgehog pie! Hooo! Ho! Ho!" just as was enjoying his reprieve from reality, a small alarm went off to indicate he had an incoming message "What is it?" some incoherent mumbling later and the doctor slapping a hand against his chubby cheek "Orbot I asked you to get her for me, I don't recall requesting grocery list of excuses!" another garbled reply had him red in the face "Grocery, laundry, WHATEVER! Just get her on the line at once! What do you mean you can't?" Orbot's reluctant sigh poured out of the speaker, presumably followed closely by his answer.

Whatever he had said, it had provoked the doctor's rage. Smashing one of the helpless slaves busy servicing his ship, Eggman seemed to be in a fairly normal mood. He knew he couldn't stay mad long, not with such a fantastic plot to execute, so he 'forgave' the spherical dunce and spoke "Well, I suppose I'll let her stay in E-85's care for now. I have a good idea to get that hedgehog's attention, but I'm going to need you to choose a capable servant, preferably one adept at stealth." the response sounded nervous, causing the master to say "He's not back eh? Well no matter, I was more than prepared for this. Orbot, I want you to send me E-38 on the double. Why you ask? Well…" reclining back in his chair, the Eggman propped his feet up in relaxation.

"I'm going to need a hostage. Orbot, bring me one of the hedgehog's friends."

-l-

End of Chapter Fifteen

-l-

Short chapter for a long day! Nearly reached midnight with his update! So Eggman has left for another base, and yet another member of the E-series is here! I don't know what the next chap will bring, so I may or may not have the 'hostage' appear. You all are free to guess who the target will be.

Serenity: 72 was a lot of fun to write while he lasted. That may not be the way Shadow was found in the main game, but I've got to have a tie-in somewhere. I hope you had/have as good a Christmas as I did (we celebrated today)!

DanceDream: Yep that's Metal, always a bad-arse! I wanted to make him more like his 'real' counterpart. I mean those ears and everything aren't just for show. 72 was awesome in his own right. He gave Metal the first really big jarring of his life, even thought there are many to come. Don't expect a major explanation for Shadow. His appearance is purely of my own crafting, and not necessarily canon (though I do plan on having a reason for his appearance). You're welcome for the support, and yes prayer is a powerful thing indeed. I can only hope your Christmas was as cheerful as mine (as I said to Serenity, we did it a bit early XD). Thank you, if I ever have a need, I'll be sure to let you know :).

Super Shadix 520: Welp, so much the better! I always open to questions as they arise (or fall as the case may be XD). Thanks again!

Until next time!