PoC: I'm finally BACK! It's been so long that I-hmm? Where's Eggman?
Metal: ~It's raining, it's pouring, that old Egg is mourning! I threw him in Hell and cracked his shell, he wasn't let off with a warning!~
Silver: Metal means he gave his creator the old 'burn and boot'.
PoC: Ah well that's…disturbingly explicit. PenFullofChaos819 owns nothing but his army of OCs. Wait…which Silver are you?
Silver: *Just walked in* Hiya Pen, other me, and Met! It's great to be back! YAY! Rise update! *Starts reading chapter* Wh-what? Noooooo! More sad, teary, drippy scenes! Waaahhhh! *Cries*
PoC: *Sighs* Hi Silver 1. And wait a sec, you'd didn't read all of it yet!
Silver 2: Did I warp back too far in time? This 'other me' talks and cries like a toddler!
Metal: One moment *stomps Silver 2's foot*
Silver 2: Ouchies! HEY! What's the big idea y-you *sniff* b-b-big meanie!
Metal: Ahem. Your fluff makes you look female…
Silver 2: *Sniff* H-how-wha-why would you say th-tha…bwaaaahahaaaa! *Cries too*
Metal: I should open up a daycare center. The little children love me!
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Madness
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Right about now was a fine time to get his stitched-up rear on the move. Rightfully concerned from all the negative talk, the doll now really felt the urge to escape. Who knows what kind of awful things those two would do if they found him? As a secondary motive, finding Metal and Mama had become all the more crucial.
His ticket to freedom came in the form of an unassuming feature he'd been dying to use again. It was the one and ONLY great thing about his design. True, his smallness and hacking qualities could be considered nice in their own way, but this cool skill was going to be the real lifesaver. In hopes of activating it properly, the doll leapt up and…to his excitement…remained suspended in air! He was proudly soaring a whole four inches off the ground!
"Okay…okay! It's not THAT great, but maybe…I could sneak past those mean guys like this." Gulping softly, the doll hovered as slowly as he could, crossing his little fingers in hopes that they couldn't detect his tiny jets.
Slowly, but surely, the Medical wing neared…only a few meters now.
2…1…
"Looks like we've got a little SPY among us! Thought we couldn't see you?"
So scared and confused, the doll overused his thrusts for a last-minute getaway, unfortunately resulting in an ungraceful face-plant into the harsh grating below. Now frightened and without options, the doll covered his head and shook violently. Perhaps it was simply the way he'd been wired, but the Tails doll's systems immediately sent out distress signals designed specifically for Metal Sonic himself. Who knows? Maybe the hedgehog would fly in and smash all those baddies, saving him in the process. He so badly hoped it would work out like that…for his sake, it just had to…it had to…
"Spy, you say? Hee-hee! How mean! And here I was, taking early leave to show everyone my delightful prize!"
It wasn't the sort of blessing he'd had in mind, but he'd take it! The doll once more got himself airborne and hovered toward the big doors, only giving his oppressors a stray look back…
And just like that, his curious eyes landed on something most peculiar. In fact, it was the most peculiar thing he'd ever seen: A big, well bigger than he was, yellowish-orange colored creature with pointy ears and two bushy tails! If the doll didn't know better, he was certain the bound head-to-foot newcomer looked a lot like him. Against the rising danger, the stitched-fox found his interest renewed. Besides, being so close to his safe haven anyway, there wasn't as much risk.
"38? When did you get back? Better question, HOW did you get back? Last I heard you were all the way out near where the old base used to be. So, again, what are you doin-UGH! IT'S T-THAT CREATURE!" The striped machine displayed such disgust for the mobian arrival, that it had completely forgotten it's original question.
"Now, now, give me a chance to explain." 38 hissed out, showing off his 'prize' with great excitement "This here 'creature' is in fact, Miles Prower, our well-known priority threat number two." The mantis-machine's companions gave him/her a vacant 'we know that, get to the point' stare in reply "Your excitement is…underwhelming. Is this about the crew? Relax…they'll be reported MIA soon enough. I have my own tale on how our target 'changed'. After all, I'm lucky to have gotten back here in one piece! Hee-hee!" The spindly-limbed E-series revealed it's own concealed, special type of trans-pin "Being able to cause trouble again is ever so much fun!"
The two agreed that it was a nice change to see 38's efficient performance. Not only had it acquired a more valuable target, but he/she implied that it had 'accidentally' misplaced it's prying crew. Why it had gone to such ridiculous lengths to prepare a better target while isolating itself as the sole credit recipient, they didn't know. However, no one bothered to question 38's unorthodox thinking.
That is until another machine stepped in…looking sincerely ticked off.
"Had I known, I would've caused you to burn with the rest of your men… That would be the most proper way to thank a defect like you." It was the former cowardly 'officer', who, for unknown reasons, seemed to hold authority over the trio of misfits.
Shocked by his anger, the three didn't expect such a…blunt reaction out of their 'leader'. Granted, they knew the deceptive bot had especially below average fondness for 38, well-below in fact, but this was a bit much. Coldly, the head of the schemers went on "There are times for prudent elimination, this is true. However, the master had a good reason for wanting the rabbit beast/human, instead of the fox. The one bearing the I.D. 'Cream' is a child, being both helpless and submissive, and thus makes an excellent hostage."
The largest of the group cocked his cube-head confusedly "Meaning no offense sir…but, how does the fox not fit that description too? As a bonus, isn't Sonic more inclined to rescue one he's closer to?"
Something about that statement must've been very poor, as it sent their smaller, but more influential, leader on another tirade "Why are you so ignorant? Were you manufactured this morning, or perhaps all of you really are this stupid?" Dismissively cruel comments or not, the robot DID eventually explain himself "Listen closely, if Eggman wanted Sonic to come, he would've set up another veritable death-trap for him, using us as the grunts. No…the master's plan is far more insidious. He's actually…planning to stage a rescue, a rescue that will lead that despicable hybrid far away from this base." Each follower was surprised at what the officer appeared to 'know' about everything, but they let him continue "That is also, oh foolish cohorts of mine, when we shall make our move. With the master, his shiny half-breed, and Metal Sonic out of the picture, who do you think Eggman will entrust this base to? Meanwhile, we have preparations to make. I must attend to 99 before that silver abomination completes her mission."
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*Tails Doll POV*
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Hard proof right there, something bad WAS up! The Tails doll had no other choice but to leave the interesting conversation and rush 85's side. He really hoped she had something in mind to stop these mean bots from doing…whatever bad things they were planning. Slipping past the interface, the puppet silently exited the danger-zone.
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*Schemer's POV*
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After the doll had departed, the striped drone had something to ask "Wait a nanosecond boss! I get how the Egg-doc and mixed-freak will be out of the way, but what about Metal Sonic? He's not…exactly normal you know. Remember, ya can't bug him like you did everyone else."
Exasperating, but he could at least justify their doubts about Metal. Clasping his hands behind his back, the leader only said "The master has taken care of that dilemma for us. Apparently, he's deemed the Sonic clone a threat to his plans. In spite of the data I've pilfered from our creator, I don't know HOW he plans to get rid of him, but I do know this: Metal Sonic's usefulness has worn out; a turn of events we should be grateful for."
Stepping away from his team, the deceiver said "Now…let's stick to the original plan: Master Eggman's stranded heirloom should've been recovered by now. I will take the liberty of 'securing' it." The traitorous officer then turned back to his group to say "Back to your posts. If all goes according to plan, we, not that gluttonous human, will soon be in command of this base. Until such time: DISMISSED!" With his shout, all three machines offered their salutes and dispersed, leaving their 'charismatic' leader alone.
Time to collect his personal thoughts had found the team leader muttering "This will not end as they think. Once 99's prize and position are mine, they will come to revere my guidance." As he spoke, the head schemer's metal 'skin' oozed and stretched out to give him another form, one looking very much like E-99 "There can be no 'self-rule'. These lesser disgraces merely require one better fit to be called their master." Underneath the commando-camouflaged general's façade, the former officer's 'real' eyes shone blood red "Isn't that right, Metal? You and I understand that best."
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*Against Metal*
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Had she a plan in mind? No, obviously not. Logical thought and computing was entirely lost on Metal's current madness. Normally, preserving the mission and protecting herself would've taken precedence over all else. However, each time she considered using force, the silver girl's systems suffered a full-scale crash. Explaining it was impossible, as nothing in data terms could describe the sort of discord Silvia felt. It felt like being tugged in three directions at once: Her mechanical side was ordering her to attack while her living side demanded that she survive, but…another part of her only thought of Metal.
He shouldn't be a concern right now, not by a long shot. Her immense combat faculties had, each time up until now, always kicked in automatically when she was threatened. And those who had attacked her before weren't anywhere near the threat level of Metal. Despite this blatant fact, when the insane hedgehog grabbed her, Silvia's weapons again malfunctioned. Her hand did indeed glow with steel-eating energy, but it did not activate. Frightened by this, she was left to physically resist the doppelganger's grappling. Prying away at his cold, metallic claws triggered numerous synthetic distress signals, otherwise known as 'pain'. Soon enough, another sort of 'pain' came over her. Not the kind that caused 'pain' signals around a local region. Rather, it was the sort that made her limbs tremble and her heart race. The feeling seemed to intensify at the very thought of Metal inflicting harm upon her.
"Metal…urgh…S-Sonic! Stand…down!" She ordered robotically, trying to push logical reason back into his crazed CPU. However, Metal didn't heed her orders, orders that came straight from the doctor himself. Violating policy, procedure, and direct commands was taboo to ANY Eggman robot. But no matter the rational, Metal seemed truly hell-bent on proceeding with his 'mission'. Eliminating this 'Sonic the Hedgehog' was evidently more important than anything to him: More than Eggman, more than E-85, more than the Tails doll, more than…her?
This new revelation was stunning as it was debilitating. Comprehending this, beyond reason she could explain, caused immeasurable amounts of 'sadness' to well up within her very core. As such, even though her safety was still in jeopardy, the fearsome gold in her eyes bled away into sapphire shades of sorrow. Her pained gaze locked stares with Metal's maniacal bright red, contrasting their sanity and insanity to perfection.
"Metal…please stop…" Silvia softly begged, sick of barking orders and citing useless protocol "Please, disarm and come back with me to HQ." For a small window, Metal's fingers loosened their deadly coil, but instantly reapplied the pressure a second later.
"You think YOU can control me, manipulate me into obeying? Are these part of the 'master's' orders too? WELL?" Wrath, anger, and rage were equally present in the robot's words. More and more, he sounded less like a cold, calculating machine and more like a completely demented mobian. Nevertheless, Silvia didn't take note of this. All she could think about was quelling his torrential temper.
"No Metal, I'm asking you. You may be strong, but, from what we've seen, that mobian is incredibly dangerous. I don't want find you wrecked for charging in without a plan. And even if you defeat this 'Sonic' person, you'll be dismantled for disobeying Eggman. I…don't want either to happen…" She clarified her plea, calmly lifting her hand up to his ice-cold cheek "Of all the people I know, you're the only one I can talk to, the only one I really trust. I just…don't want to lose you…"
Metal's heartless, shining crimson vision lessened to a more noticeable extent this time. Then, just as if she'd woken from a nightmare, Silvia watched the once driven-mad copy set her down carefully, saying "Silvia…don't fear." The clone lowered his face to meet hers, to the point where their noses touched.
Supportively letting his fingers trace the back of her neck, Metal then said "The only thing that's getting dismantled…IS YOU!"
In a snap, her horrible dream had returned. Metal cruelly clenched the back of her mechanized spine and tossed the hybrid aside. Thankfully, the earth was soft enough to absorb most of the fearsome destroyer's might. Still, the blow had been strong enough to shove Silvia's system into her 'survival mode'. Rising back to her feet, the yellow-eyed hybrid readied her attack.
Something about his stubbornness had pushed her too far…
Now fixated on her own rage, Silvia shouted "You…YOU'RE SUCH A FOOL!" Her cry was followed by a curling arrow of white-gold energy shot from her fingers. The beam was partially dodged by Metal's unnatural reflexes, but it had yet managed to shave off a good deal of his shoulder plating. Metal retaliated by lunging at obscene speed into the silver-girl. The hybrid took the full brunt of the blow, but instead of crumpling she grabbed the hedgehog and began electrocuting him. Risking getting cooked by this sneaky reversal, Metal set his boosters into overdrive. Making a sharp U-turn, the copy took the hybrid with him on a suicidal collision-course into a rocky mountainside. Seeing what his plan was, Silvia responded to this by releasing and kicking off the doppelganger's back, sending him and only him into the wall of stone and earth. She then sustained her footing on the lethal incline via her own advanced molecular adherence capabilities.
Cautiously, she waited for his next move.
With a crash and another explosion, Metal reemerged seemingly unscathed. He too had donned an aura of his own, but it was pitch-black and oddly diamond-shaped. This field vanished soon after, revealing that Metal had dealt far more damage to himself than she had. Using the remainder of his propulsion, the Sonic clone rose to the rough chunk of land's top and, once he was on level ground, collapsed. Even so, his auto-recovery program was able to keep him stable enough to avoid total shutdown.
Feeling her sanity come back slightly, Silvia couldn't help but marvel at how durable Metal actually was. The concussive force behind that strike, had she been the one receiving it, would've smashed her, or even the large E-99, to rubble. Impressive or not, this attack also showed her that he was serious, fully intent on destroying anyone or anything that interfered with him. That said, had he been in his right mind, Metal would've never carelessly caused himself such injury in the first place.
Seeing how he was still down, she knew, deep down, what now would be best for both of them. With his one impetuous act, he'd crossed the highest authority they knew. Rogue actions to this extreme demanded taking ROS or 'Retire on Sight' action against the steel-clad hedgehog. At the very least, she would have to report him to HQ. Like she said before, both options would lead to his demise. But why should she care? He'd tried to kill her over one measly target! Of course…his sudden change in mood was more like a malfunction than anything. In spite of this, she knew Eggman would not be so lenient, no matter what the excuse. Understanding this, she stepped hesitantly towards the spark-spitting Metal; contemplating ending him here and now.
After much consideration, the hybrid chose to activate her arms.
Raising her 'gun' to point, Silvia squinted…and…
…
…no matter how she tried to rationalize it, nothing could make her weapon fire. Whether she was experiencing one of those 'convenient' malfunctions or not, it made precious little difference. The choice had secretly been made long before she'd taken aim.
"Grr! Curse you! Curse you, you stupid, stubborn hedgehog! Why…why do you make me feel like this?" Disengaging her arms for the last time, Silvia crouched over and helped Metal to his feet, uncaring of the chances she took in doing so.
"Now…if I can just get you to 85, she'll fix you right up. Oh great! What am I going to tell the crew?" Worries mounted further when she considered the sort of report she would have to make for Eggman when they got back. Things were going to get hairy from here on out.
Checking over Metal's still-disabled form, Silvia's irises went violet again "Metal…what's happening to you?"
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End of Chapter Twenty-four
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For those of you that might, I say MIGHT, be tempted say 'Don't worry about the late update' need I remind you that it's been THREE MONTHS since my last entry? *Sigh* My point is, I don't have an excuse besides being busy and doting Reason too much. I don't expect everyone to come back on this chapter, but I hope I get at least some of you re-interested by next update (assuming it's not some three months later like this one -_-'). But if you do read and review this chap, then THANK YOU SOO MUCH! I may not deserve it, but I'm very thankful anyway.
Okay my pissing and moaning aside, I hope you guys like the chapter!
Until next mon-yea-erm…TIME! XD
