a/n: From the source. #herewego

Revolutionary Operation, Type Zero

Kinetic Sky

14. Focal Point, Act 3

The group came to a stop inside the lobby of the G.U.N building.

"It's peaceful here...everything's undisturbed," Amy said.

"Wonder why that is?" Rouge asked as she looked around.

"There has to be something in here that Metal Sonic needs intact. At least for the time being," Tails concluded. "What's the layout of this place like?"

"There is an extensive testing facility on one of the lower levels. That is our primary destination," Shadow said.

"Since this looks like a safe zone, might as well get things squared away. This is where we'll split for now," Sonic said. He looked to Amy and she nodded once. "Knuckles, you and Rouge need to head up and track the Emerald pieces. They're in different locations...split yourselves up and get one each."

"Got it," Rouge said as she walked away. Knuckles watched her go before shaking his head, going in the other direction.

"Mercy me," Sonic muttered under his breath. "Shadow, you've got access to the relevant areas. Take Tails with you."

"And yourselves?"

"I'm gonna back Ames up while she does some investigating."

"Fine. Prower, let's go."

"Roger that. See you in a few, Sonic."

"Yup. Omega, Kiriko. You two stick around and keep watch."

"Understood, sir."

"Affirmative. Switching to patrol mode."

"Let's go, Amy."

"Yeah."

Omega stood silently in front of the glass doors. Kiriko went down to her knees beside him and placed a hand on her katana grip. She closed her golden eyes and went still.

"This place should be fine."

Amy closed her eyes as she entered the conference room, Sonic following behind her.

"Stay close. And don't touch anything, okay?"

"Yeah."

She nodded and held her right hand out as she circled the long wooden table in the centre of the room. It gently brushed against the tall leather chairs, causing an echo inside of her spirit with each touch. She turned her head and Sonic followed. He saw nothing, but she could feel the room slowly filling up with memories, transmitted by the objects that remained.

Amy ran her fingers over a pen lying on the table. The shade of a woman appeared, scribbling quick notes. She touched a piece of paper and heard a voice reciting the speech that was on it. Another contained situational facts and figures.

She made her way to the front of the room and brushed her hands along the large television screen. Remnants of a video played.

She felt a squeeze on her shoulder and smiled.

"I'm fine, my love. Thank you."

He nodded and fell back behind her as she walked. She focused as she made her rounds, gently touching everything in the room that she felt was relevant.

"Okay. I'm done," she said, opening her eyes. "Now, I put everything together."

A dull glow covered her fingertips, and she pressed her thumb and index finger together. She paused, took a deep breath, and waited for a minute.

Then she snapped her fingers.

A faint ripple spread through the room, making it wave slightly.

"Looks like it's ready," Sonic said.

"Yes." She took his hand in hers, and he could see the waves start to settle. People were now visible in the leather chairs, and in spots all around the room. There was the scratching of pens on paper. There were sips of coffee from mugs long gone, quick bits of chatter.

"Alright, so...what does any of this mean?" one of the uniformed women asked. Judging from their attire, they seemed to be commissioned officers of high rank.

"That data is inconclusive."

"Is that what was said?"

"No, but-"

"Calm down. All the data says is that the chip is reacting to stimuli."

"Specific stimuli," another voice added. "And rather violently at that. It was a complete accident, but we can see that something about Sonic the Hedgehog sets his memories off."

"Isn't the data from that ROM chip corrupt?"

"We checked. It was perfectly intact...but none of the data on it related to this."

"It's the closest thing we have to the actual data on Metal Sonic."

"Pardon me for being paranoid, but...this seems like an ill-advised venture."

"I agree."

"We can't just abandon this opportunity."

"You don't get it. We accidentally introduced visuals of Sonic into the testing, and...the body overloaded itself with power. It melted in front of us!"

"He can't have any recollection of the incident. According to the blueprints, the original blueprints, all of his memory centres were lost after his fight with Sonic. This ROM chip that E-123 Omega retrieved has nothing to do with what happened. It was just a freak accident..."

"We're running out of time. Resume the tests...we'll connect him to the mock grid in order to see how he handles. After that, we start on the real thing. We need to find out what makes that machine tick."

The voices faded, and so did the people attached to them. Soon, the room was normal again and silent.

"That's all I could get from the psychometrics..."

"Nothing to apologize for, Amy. That was all kinds of cool," Sonic said with a smile. "So we know what was going on now."

"Yeah. Central City seemed to be one of the hubs for the prototype testing...gosh. I still can't believe they went and did this."

"He freaked out when he saw a picture of me. I guess that must have been his soul reacting."

"Sonic...I'm getting a bit worried. If he comes back completely, he might be stronger than ever."

"No kiddin'. I think I can handle him, but..."

"We shouldn't take chances."

"Well, you're right about that. But we're an unbeatable team, remember?"

"I remember."

"Right. So don't worry your pretty lil' head, Rosie-o. Like I said...I'll be there for you."

"Right. I don't really mean to be a mood-killer."

"I know, I know. That's what I like about you. You worry."

"Do you really like that about me?" she teased, wrapping her arms around him.

"The worrying is fine. The nagging, not so much."

"I do not nag you!" she pouted playfully.

"You do. For that...one thing."

"Aw, sheesh." She smiled and traced a finger on his chest. "A girl has needs too, doesn't she?"

"Well...you ain't wrong."

"If we weren't on a vital mission..."

"Buuuut we are."

"Yeah," she said with a sigh. "We are. C'mon, let's head back and wait for the others."

"Well...this is kind of a ghost table and all. I mean, I'm always open to whatever new kinks you-oof."

"Stupid," she said as she elbowed him gently, smiling. "Let's go."

"Hey, I meant it. I'll let you use the chocolate syrup on me this time."

"Sonic!"

"What?"

A loud croaking rang out through the forest.

"Hmmm? What's that?"

More croaking.

"Froggy? Is someone coming to visit us?"

The large purple cat grunted and stood up, leaving his fishing pole securely in place.

"Yo! Long time no see, Big!"

"Sonic? Oh, hey! How come you're out here all alone? The weather's pretty bad, you know..." Big raised a gloved finger up to the blackened skies.

"Yeah, I just wanted to check on you guys! Hope everything's okay," he said, poking the frog once with a finger. "Anyways, I gotta go. I'll see you two later. Stay safe!"

"You too! Wow..." Big watched as Sonic jogged away. Froggy croaked repeatedly. "I know you're sad to see him go too, Froggy. Sonic's such a nice guy! Too bad, I wanted to cook lunch for him. Oh well."

Big lumbered back to his fishing hole.

"Water looks great, doesn't it?"

Indeed, it was crystal clear with fish swimming about.

Sonic's image bled away as soon as he felt he had gained enough distance through the dense forest. The sleek, black skeletal shell of Metal Sonic appeared underneath it. He clenched his right hand into a fist, watching as it crackled with electricity.

"I've reacquired the Chaos data...soon. Soon I will be free of this wretched body."

His red eyes glowed brightly.

"Soon."

His body melted, disappearing into the black earth.

Lightning flashed in the skies above.