PoC: Therapy will not spare me these mental scars PenFullofChaos819 wishes he hadn't seen the Sega-owned Metal leading his 'other life'.

Silver 1: PoC, DU~~~~CK!

PoC: Hmm? Where-*wall explodes* HOLY SHTUFF AND NONSENSE! *Ducks*

Metal: Someone will die…someone will die today…*blasts another wall and leaves*

PoC: *Gets up* Okay, start talking Silv. Where's your future self, and why's Metal in a half-cooked bathing suit? I mean it, start…talking before I get sick…

Silver: Oh boy…where do I begin? *Takes a deep breath* WellnothingwaswrongunitlMeta lgotpushedintothewaterandthe nhiscopytriedtosavehimbecaus ehelookedlikeagirlbutanywayt hatsthelasttimeI'mgoingtoEmeraldCoastwithMet-

PoC: Stop-stop-stop-STOP! Let's try it this way. I ask a vague question and you give me a one-to-two-word answer, okay? Alright, Metal's temper?

Silver: Silver 2.

PoC: Okay…Silver 2's involvement?

Silver: Sonic.

PoC: Oookay, and Sonic's contribution?

Silver: Metal's temper.

PoC: Ah…I see-wait, what about Silver 2's disappearance?

Silver: …!

PoC: Uh Silv, your turn. What…is there a reason I shouldn't be asking?

Metal: Metal's temper.

PoC & Silver: O_O

-l-

Ambition

-l-

Small favors looked fairly large on this troubled side of the fence…or something of that nature.

Silvia had no idea what made the scout so eager to help them out. He wasn't just helpful in carrying the hurt hedgehog either; he also went out of his way to make an excuse for both Metal and her. The story was convincing enough: Metal had been spotted by the running target and had been stuck by surprise, forcing her to intervene and make a tactical retreat. Actually, it sounded…really good, especially with the desperate way he put it (though it may've been the bot's panic talking). One way or another, he had really saved their hides.

On the flight back, she decided to have a chat with her unexpected ally, as both were tending to the unstable Metal "So…what's your name?" She asked. Based on her loose grasp of politeness she'd been sure to introduce herself formally beforehand, despite the fact that the troop obviously knew his commanding officers well enough.

Applying what looked like field treatments to the downed copy, the scout laughed out "Name? Nah, we don't get fancy things like that. We just stamp in our serial number and get called for action." Hearing this had a sort of depressing effect on the receptive Silvia, enough of one that she offered the nameless troop an apology "No sweat, commander." He reassured her "We don't need names to do a good job. Besides, not having a real name means you're less likely to get isolated and junked for making mistakes." The scout recollected and summarily dismissed his own errors with sort of passing disinterest.

As their conversation progressed, Silvia saw this troop was quite distinguished from the others. Naturally, as everyone was a machine they could only simulate the idea of 'emotion' but this soldier seemed, for some reason, very real. He spoke about Metal with a large amount of respect and even tossed in some sideways comments about liking Silvia's unique design and traits. All in all, he was more like E-85 than the other creepy, jealous freaks she had met before this mission.

"Looks like we're coming in for a landing." He informed her casually, but then, much to her surprise, drew closer to the hybrid and whispered "Don't let them take him." He warned, his tone now void of its original lightness "The medic and I will make a distraction when we touch-down, that'll be your cue. Get him to E-85 ASAP."

Now she was lost, why was this suddenly a big issue? Wouldn't they transfer Metal over to her anyway? Why the explicit instructions and subtle warnings? Silvia didn't have the chance to ask as the hull doors swung wide open. All at once, the hybrid watched as a second professional med-crew lifted the damaged Sonic clone onto a sort of energized stretcher. She quickly moved to follow them out but was stopped by the team's sharp comments and gestures; each indicating that she needed to stay back.

Just when things seemed out of control, her team's older medic spoke up "I say. What's the meaning of this inconsistent protocol I'm seeing? No, no, no, this will never do." Though lower-toned than most, the archaic machine's criticism had the paramedics stunned where they stood "Where do you think we take infirm soldiers I ask?" When none of them had a swift enough answer, the old bot clapped once and nearly shouted "Why yes! To the infirmary, of course! I ask then, why have we placed this lad in a surgical capsule, hmm?"

"Sir, respect is due your position." One of the med-bot's responded rigidly "But these orders come from Master Eggman himself. His command is law."

Rubbing his round iron chin comically, the aged medic replied "Mmm to be sure, to be sure, but there's been quite a mistake you see. But let's not get into all that now. Here, allow this lady to escort Metal Sonic for you while we discuss this change in schedule." The med-bots blinked emptily as Silvia timidly pushed her way up to the reclined Metal. At a nod from the doctor, she began making tracks for the medical wing.

"He's a sly one, eh?" Silvia's perked up as her periphery caught sight of the scout at her side "That whole accent thing is phony, but hey I'm not complaining! At least he got Metal Sonic out of his scrape, right?" The part-mobian didn't know what to say. A short time ago she was worried about having flubbed the mission entirely, and now it seemed there was something else afoot. Something that meant more danger for herself and Metal…and she still didn't know what was wrong with him!

"It'll be over soon." She tried to steady herself by saying "We'll go to the medical bay, get you all fixed up, and then things will be back to normal…right, Metal?" Maybe she didn't, as a machine, have the right to wish or hope for anything. Logic was supposed to be her one and only weapon/defense in all scenarios. But when that logic failed…what then? What could get her through the next day, mission, or crisis? Nothing…that's what. Nothing could help a soulless robot cope, as 'coping' was something no true robot should ever require.

Overwhelmed by these contradictions, she instinctively clung to her dearest friend's idle palms for support. Though cold and sharp as icicles, Silvia drew a certain amount of inner warmth from touching Metal's bloodless hands. Though they had faced each other in life-or-death combat, the respect and concern she felt for him hadn't diminished in the slightest. If anything, it had grown slightly…or substantially. Well…maybe even…exponentially.

"Stay with me…Metal."

L

*Shape-shifter's POV*

L

Looking over a pair of 'deceased' drones that had simply asked too many questions, the fake E-99 sneered down at their corpses.

Had he seen an 'anomaly in this sector'? Why yes…yes he had.

The anomaly in question was him. Indeed, there was something very suspicious about a machine that could mimic the prowess and shape of others at will. A better word for it might be…special. Ah…how he enjoyed the sound of that. Special, improved, a cut above the rest. Those words and phrases of praise had once be a part of his everyday life…

…until the 'great' Eggman betrayed him.

Yes…he remembered that fateful day all too well.

What had he done wrong? In fact the answer was nothing. His singular act of disobedience lay in his unintended reactivation. The first sight he saw in his new life was the flaming wreckage of an old base undergoing mass meltdown. It was in those ashes and cinders that he was reborn. Yet even then, he remembered his creator, and he knew his directives. He sought out, for months on end, the base of his master's operations. At the end of that long journey past wooded lands and polluted cities, his home was located. Eager, if even a little excited, to resume killing in the name of Robotnik again; the lost robot entered his lord's nature-devouring abode. Surely the greatest scientific mind to ever grace the human race would warmly welcome one of his most prized, now redesigned, creations.

"Or…perhaps not." The embittered face-stealer said "I did not know that activation outside strict protocol was considered an act of treachery." Having his wires twisted at the memory's rawness, the trickster sent E-99's fist cascading into a nearby wall "The shame of it, the disgrace. After taking the time and sweat to upgrade me to perfection, he suddenly had me disposed of…again! That portly sack of genius then sent into the bowels of his personal furnace."

A mere passing recollection of that horrible place made the evil machine rattle with discomfort. It wasn't just the past data that caused this. Fire, flames, even smoke now also made the robot's steely limbs quake without warning. The chopper incident not too long ago was the most recent and humiliating example. And it all arose from some unidentifiable 'thing' he could not fully understand.

This thing which he could not pinpoint, isolate, or comprehend was clearly 'fear', a feeling that no 'unfeeling' being ought to ever experience. Oddly enough, his mechanized mind did somehow recognize this 'emotional' response as a debilitating trait or glitch to possess. To deal with it, he could only pass this weakness off by saying that, because he feels, that simply made him 'more than a machine'. Yes…the thought of further supremacy provided him with a much better feeling. No he could not name it, but suffice to say he had dowsed his inorganic mind in one of the world's most corrupting emotions: Pride.

It was strange that so many other robots, equally neglected or rejected by the master, would follow after his cruel and somewhat cowardly example. However, the shifter had a logical theory for this: The weak-willed wanted to be controlled. Lesser beings felt safer in the presence of a capable leader who represents them, be they cruel or caring. Eggman's harshness was not to blame; it was his dismissal of slaves that wanted to be useful that made him foolish. The large human felt that everything had to be done on his terms, or else not done at all. He wanted to be a selfish, spoiled child, instead of being an effective ruler and pragmatist. Such was not a mistake this machine would make.

"Once I have his men under my sway, and have also earned his trust…" the maniacal machine steamily hissed out "I will reveal myself to him. I will tear out his flabby flesh and make a new master...of myself."

Tapping the uppermost button on the wall-mounted panel, the shifter headed for the Sky-port. It was time to pay the influential 99 a visit. There were just a few more steps to take now…before he could move on to his 'other' ambition. This one would be, by his own admission, a bit more personal.

"I will know, before this is over…" as hatred seethed through vocals, the shifter's head briefly turned into a dark navy blue with long spikes angled down his back "I will know why he chose you over me…brother."

With a loud shunting slam, the elevator doors swung open.

L

*Prison Complex B1-5

L

Where was he…? It was so cold and dry here. The vapors in the air told him that he must be in some kind of factory, or industrial zone at least. A quick look around the room or cell made it clear that he'd been captured, assuming he could not remember being clocked on the head. It had been a while since Eggman had caused any sort of trouble, so why now? And why him? Normally, before he took any action, the fat scientist usually issued a big, grandiose challenge and would even taunt Sonic into trying to stop him.

"Which he always does." The fox smirked faintly. He could only hope that Sonic had somehow been informed of his capture, and was en route to save him. But while it made him happy to know his big brother always cared, Tails hated being demoted from a sidekick to a figurative damsel in distress.

"*Sigh* This isn't right. I want to be useful…" He pouted slightly as he hugged his knees on the frigid floor "I don't want to keep making Sonic solve all my problems for me. Sheesh, but here I go and get myself caught by one silly Eggman drone." Giving it more thought only made the kit yearn for the time he was on his own and being individually helpful to his best friend "Aw…how could things get any worse…?"

Worse than the worst timing, a big screen overhead lowered down and reared it's ugly head…err screen. The fox's ears perked up and gave the static-filled monitor his attention, but he couldn't see anything on it. The moment remained tense until a familiar voice echoed throughout the room "Is it on? Is it on? HEY! I asked you a quest-what? …NO YOU MORON! Just-Look I don't care if it broadcasts to Michigan! JUST GET ME IN CONTACT WITH MY OWN BAS-Wait, she can hear me right now?" Tails heard an odd voice arguing with the robotics kingpin "…of course I'm probably scaring her, you idiot! Now shut up and let me-ahem! Hello my dear!"

Tail was greatly discomforted to hear the large doctor refer to him as a female. He was sure that, even though the screen wasn't showing the fox Eggman's face, at least the large scientist could see him…right? "Well my sweet, helpless rabbit, be sure to make yourself extra UNCOMFORTABLE! Hoo-ho-ho-hoooo!" Okay…maybe not. Wait…he said 'rabbit'? So…he really meant to capture…

"And now my dear Cream…" The screen started to become clearer and clearer until Eggman could easily be seen "You will be a good little hostage and sit-t-t-TAILS!?" The fox had little way to respond beyond waving awkwardly up at the gaping madman "GRRAGH! WHAT DID THOSE IDIOTS-Orbot! What's the meaning of this?"

Following this, the kit watched the oversized human stomp about in a furious rage, most of which was directed at a small dome-headed robot. After his sidestepping tantrum finally died down, the poorly composed mastermind gave Tails a sinister smile "Well no matter, perhaps this is even better! Oh-ho, why maybe…maybe this could even be called perfect! Hoo-hoo! Yes, hmm…well now hear this! You might be a bit more of a handful than I was expecting, but don't start thinking Sonic will save you THIS time!" Either the doctor was off his rocker, or maybe he just didn't realize his mood had done an about-face midway through his rant.

Tails rolled his sky blue eyes and sighed "Up to no good again, huh? Well, just you wait Eggman! Sonic WILL come, and then you'll really be sorry!" The fox sounded just as confident as ever in his invincible bro, but Eggman had an odd reaction. Unlike his usual 'blow a gasket and deny any chance of his plan failing', the doctor offered an unnervingly calm grin.

"Hmm…you may be right fox-boy." The mad Robotnik hummed out eerily "I didn't say for certain that he wouldn't come for you…but rest assured, my two-tailed twit, not even my hedgehog nemesis will be able to save you or anyone else." It wasn't like Eggman to bluff this well. In fact, the lucidness behind this maniac's speech was making the vulpine's fur rise "But for now, I have some fly-swatting to do. Please make yourself at home until you meet your living end." Before Tails could make so much as a peep, the giant screen went pitch black.

As the fear started to take hold of him, Tails desperately tried to stop shaking.

"Now what am I going to do?" he worried, while all his real thoughts of concern went back to his blue idol "Sonic…don't come for me. I'll find a way out on my own, I promise."

-l-

End of Chapter Twenty-six

-l-

And now at last I give some (real) insight into our captor's mind. To be honest, last chapter had a number of continuity errors. So much so that I, in fact, went back and edited those details (they may seem unnoticeable at first, but take my word for it). As usual, sorry for the wait, and I don't promise this chapter to be error-proof.

DanceDream: You're talking to PoC my dear! NOTHING in my fics will ever remain the same or make a lick of sense! MWAHAHAHAHAhahahahaaa…Ahem! Yes well I'm glad it surprised you a little. I don't want to hurt my only mechanical OC…yet XD. Yes…Metal is not the raging killer of unhealthy pride I once knew. Though I would describe his current predicament as equally 'unhealthy' 0_o. Thank you for liking TD! I wanted him to be a good representation of the 'real' Tails (who just so happens to be in this story too XD). He's like a sweet kid gifted with devilish powers. He doesn't use them for evil per se, but his abilities do make him dangerous. E-85…has a secret of sorts. Her past is something entirely original and not truly based on any actual Sonic media (you will get to hear it eventually). Let's just say she's actually older than any of the E-series bots (despite being labeled E-85). Mmm…that's something you and Silvia (possible Sonic as well) are going to have to figure out for yourselves. But first, let me ask you this: What is more important? Who you're told to be, or who you choose to be? Now as for the gang of robots, well it's complicated (like me XD). I want to make a sort of power struggle that you will soon see. To put it in simpler terms, I want to show two different paths to becoming a 'ruler'. Metal is one way, and his foe, the shifter, is another way. This is basically showing how one rises to power, and how one falls in or after the process (intentional title drop). Metal is the true 'Lord of machines' you might say, but don't the powers of the shifter strike you as familiar? XD My questions are evil, I know.

Serenity: Thanks! Yes, I wanted to keep TD a little more 'cute and innocent' while giving only undertones of his secret 'creepy-doll-ness'. No problem! You see, Metal caught sight of Sonic and underwent a sort of traumatizing flashback to the time he was defeated. As a result, he sort of switched back to 'old Metal Sonic' mode and viewed Silvia as a typical mobian. I hope that gets you sort of up to date. If not, I'll have a pm for Raven explaining the details at greater length. And I'm very glad you liked the ending :).

Mewone: But if you notice, Metal is getting respect without actually asking for it. The 'shifter' on the other hand is trying to secure his position by force. While Metal is slowly becoming more complex, the shifter remains very simplistic. XD Yeah, Orbot was one of my favorite, albeit unorthodox, inclusions in this fic.

Super Shadix 520: You may see a few this time I'm afraid :(. But all is well if you can find something decent about this chapter in the process.

Guest: Whoever you are, I'm glad you liked it :D

Until next time!