Eggman smiled as the camera came up to his face. "Great, it looks like the Camera Bots are working just fine, my finally victory over those pesky Freedom Fighters will all be on film. Metal Sonic are you guys ready?" Eggman said as he turned to five figures standing behind him. Metal Sonic clenched his fist.
"Units Metal Sonic, Silver Sonic, Mecha Sally, The Shadow Clone, and Mecha Sonic are all prepared for the final assault on Freedom HQ," he said. Mecha Sally stepped forward.
"Doctor, may I suggest Mecha Sonic lead the attack. I think it will be emotionally challenge for them to see their hero attacking them," she said. Eggman stroked his mustang as he thought. He then smiled with delight.
"I don't know if giving you free will made you more devious but or if you've just had a stroke of genius, but I love that idea. Mecha Sonic are you up for the task?" Eggman asked. Mecha Sonic nodded. "Ahh you'd prefer to stay quiet, I think we should work on that. It got very old with Metal Sonic,"
"Let's not delay any longer Doctor, let's finish this today." Metal Sonic said. Eggman put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"I agree Metal Sonic, let's finish this now. Snivley, take us to Freedom HQ. It's time to end this. I want you guys to head to launch room of the Death Egg, once NICOLE brings up the shield I'm going to launch you guy's right through it. Silver Sonic you stay here. Only when Mecha Sonic calls for you then you head down there," Eggman turned to Silver Sonic, who was in a ball in the corner of the room responded to Eggman's command.
"New orders accepted. Will be waiting for Mecha Sonic's request," Eggman laughed and sat down in his chair.
"Today is going to be a glorious day." He said was he patted Snivley on his head. "Snivley I also want you to send the Camera Bots ahead of us. I want them in position before we get there. Also have some follow Metal Sonic and his team,"
"Yes uncle, I'll send them at once," Snivley said. Moments later a few dozen of small bots left the Death Egg and made their way to Freedom HQ. Metal Sonic, Mecha Sally, Mecha Sonic, and Shadow stood in the launch room and waited as they approached their destination. After about ten minutes Eggman's voice come over on a speaker in the launch room.
"Okay, Mecha Sonic get into the launch cannon. We will be arriving at Freedom HQ in a few minutes. When you see flashing red light I want you to spin, do you got that?" Mecha Sonic climbed into the cannon and crouched.
"Understood doctor," he said in a flat tone. Eggman smiled and turned to Snivley.
"Snivley are the bots in place?" he asked. Snivley check a screen then answered.
"They are in place. It seems they have spotted the Death Egg. NICOLE has raised the shield and it seems as they have an army of Metal Sonic copies down there scattered around the city," Eggman waved his hand in boredom.
"So Sonic's Uncle Chuck has finished making the Metal Sonic Troopers. It doesn't matter. They will soon be destroyed," he said as he typed in a command on his chair. In the launch room red lights flashed indicating to Mecha Sonic to spin. As he spun the chamber closed and a moment later shot him out of it. When he was gone the cannon opened the door again, waiting for the next one to enter. "Mecha Sally, since you are unable to perform a spindash your shield will have to do. Once Mecha Sally is through Shadow you go in next followed by Metal Sonic. This is our final attack on Freedom HQ, don't fail me,"
At Freedom HQ Rotor, Tails, Jules, and Silver along with the Metal Sonic Troops stood at the entrance of the Freedom HQ, they all we're looking into the sky as the Death Egg hovered over.
"Okay guys, we're all that remains but if we can take out Mecha Sally and Metal Sonic early, then we can deal with the rest of the badniks," Tails said.
"Are you sure Tails?" Rotor said. "I mean, Sonic was the only one other than Shadow who could hold off Metal Sonic. Do you think we stand a chance?"
"That's why we have Silver, with his telekinetic powers he should be able to make quick work of Metal Sonic," Tails replied. Just then NICOLE appeared before them.
"Guys, there is an object heading straight for us at a very high speed. At that speed it will destroy the shield and we'll be vulnerable. It will hit us in approximately a minute," she said. Tails looked up into the sky.
"NICOLE can you identify what it is?" he asked. NICOLE nodded and closed her eyes. When she opened them again Tails saw despair in her eyes.
"It's in a ball but it's blue, I believe its Metal Sonic." She said. Tails nodded.
"NICOLE, you need to leave. Go into storage back at the hidden base Rotor and Jules made, we can't lose you here! Guys, Metal Sonic is going to pierce the shield. We need to get behind cover before he lands,"
"Wait Tails I can help please let me stay," NICOLE said as Tails turned and ran. He and the others had gotten behind some trees and hid behind them.
"No NICOLE, the truth is. I don't think most of us will be able to make it. But those of us who do survive, we will need you to help us in the future," Tails said as typed in something in his wrist communicator. Meanwhile the Metal Sonic Troopers moved closer to the trees where they we're hiding. NICOLE opened her mouth to argue but knew that this wasn't the time. She hung her head and disappeared, Tails sighed as she went away. He looked up in the sky and saw a small blue object heading toward them. "Here he comes everyone prepare to fight, we cannot let them past us. Or the rest of the city will be captured!"
A few seconds later the object crashed into the shield, breaking it into pieces. Dust and debris flew everywhere as it impacted the ground. Everyone shielded their eyes as the wind whipped the dust and debris everywhere. As it cleared away Tails and the others could see a hedgehog shaped figure standing up.
"Freedom Fighters, this is your one and only warning. We are here to capture you all for Doctor Eggman. If you do not come quietly, we will be forced to take you by against your own will," When tails heard it speak he froze for a moment. He realized that this wasn't the same voice from Metal Sonic he was familiar with. When everything settled down he saw who had said the words. Mecha Sonic saw Tails and walked over to him. He knelt down in front of him. Tails was stricken with fear and couldn't move.
"N-no, not you Sonic, you can't be," Tails said as Sonic aimed a wrist mounted gun at his chest.
"Don't worry Tails. You'll soon be safe upon the Death Egg. You and the rest of our friends and family will be waiting for you. We aren't here to kill you. Eggman just wants you to be safe on the Death Egg, under his watchful eyes," As Sonic prepared to fire Jules came up behind him and punched him to the ground. He then grabbed Tails and ran off to the city.
"Rotor, you and the Metal Sonic Troopers start attacking, I'll get Tails to safety then I'll return," Jules said. Rotor nodded, the Metal Sonic Troops seem to come to life and raced towards Sonic when Rotor took came from behind the trees. Just before they reached him three more objects impacted the ground near Sonic, the Troopers stopped and waited as the three new figures stood up. Rotor let out a heavy sigh as Metal Sonic, Mecha Sally, and Shadow stood up.
"Oh no, we don't stand a chance," he said. Silver ran over to Rotor.
"No we cannot give up, we must attack now!" he said. Rotor looked at Silver and smiled.
"Yeah, if we go down. We go down fighting," he said. "Metal Sonic Troopers attack!"
The Metal Sonic Troops all charged at Mecha Sonic, Mecha Sally, Metal Sonic and Shadow. Shadow took out the first few in his path, and then headed straight for Silver. Mecha Sonic and Metal Sonic began fighting with the Troopers while Sally took to the air and headed for the city. Rotor flew up to her to try to intercept but was knocked out of the sky by a Spindash from Mecha Sonic. Rotor landed a few feet behind Silver who just dodged and attack from Shadow. He grabbed Shadow with his telekinesis and threw him into a nearby tree.
"Why Shadow, why did you betray them?" Silver asked as he approached Shadow.
"I have my reasons, and I'd like to keep them to myself," Shadow stood up to face Silver. "Why do you remain here and fight for the side that is clearly going to lose?"
"I'm fighting for my future. This battle today will determine whether or not I have a future to return to in two hundred years!" Silver said. He picked up and log behind him and launched it at Shadow. When the log impacted the tree, Shadow was already in the air and was coming down to kick Silver. He dodged the kick but was caught by a follow up spindash. Silver got to his feet and managed to grab Shadow with his telekinesis before he was hit with another spindash. Silver snapped his fingers causing the telekinesis energy to explode. Shadow flew away from Silver hitting the ground a few feet away.
"Well, that was new," Shadow said as he slowly got up. Silver smiled.
"I've learned a few new tricks since you last saw me," he said. Shadow smiled as well before disappearing. Silver tried but react but he was too slow. Shadow kicked him once in the back then hit him with a spindash in the stomach. He appeared in front of Silver as he fell.
"Silver you may have your telekinetic powers, but they are no use against an opponent who can move faster than you can. Just give up and return to your pathetic future, you cannot win today," Silver looked up at Shadow. He smiled and walked away from Silver laughing. Silver stood up and prepared to attack but Metal Sonic grabbed Silver and threw him into Rotor who was heading towards Shadow. The two collided into each other and fell to the ground. Shadow glanced over to Metal Sonic and nodded and then left them to him.
Meanwhile Jules had just arrived at Sonic's home and brought Tails into the living room. He sat him down on the couch.
"Tails stay here until you are ready to help us. I know seeing my son roboticized was difficult but remember. You and Uncle Chuck built a working de-roboticizer, you can reverse this. We just need to capture Sonic and Sally. Tails nodded, he was still very shocked to see his best friend roboticized. Jules walked out of the house and flew into the sky, after a moment he encountered Mecha Sally. She flew past him and head towards Sonic's house. Jules turned around and followed her. Sally landed at the front step of the house. She then opened the door and walked in to see Tails sitting on the couch. When he saw her he jumped up and stood ready to fight. She could tell he was nervous but also upset. Before Sally could speak Jules came through the ceiling and landed in between her and Tails.
"I'm sorry princess but I have to take you down, so you can either come peacefully or I'll take you down by force," Jules said. Sally held up both her hands.
"I'm not here for a confrontation, I'm here to speak with Tails," she said.
"My roboticized son is attacking us as we speak, do you expect me to believe that?"
"No, I don't. But I do not have time to explain. Allow me to talk to Tails or I will remove you from my path," Sally said aiming a gun at her. "We have orders to capture all of the Mobians here, and if any robots give us any problems. Destroy them. According to my data on you, you aren't powerful enough to stop me, but would you like to find out?"
"For someone here to simply talk you are very hostile," said Jules preparing to attack.
"Wait Jules, I want to hear what she has to say," Tails said. He walked past Jules and confronted Sally face to face. "What do you want Sally?"
"I am here to help. Eggman recently reprogrammed me with the free will algorithm. With this I was freely able to access my memories,"
"Wait so you're back to your old self?" Tails asked hopefully. Sally shook her head.
"Not exactly, I'm using my past memories and multiple calculations to determine what I should do. Fortunately for you, I have decided to make the best out of this bad situation,"
"What do you mean by making the best of a bad situation?" Jules said.
"Right now there is no way that you guys will be able to survive this attack. With Shadow, Mecha Sonic, and Metal Sonic fighting against you it's a tough enough battle as it is. However if Mecha Sonic feels that the mission is in danger he will call in Silver Sonic,"
"So then it's true, there isn't any way we can win this. With Sonic roboticized and Silver Sonic lying in wait. We have to give up," Tails said. Sally shook her head.
"No you cannot win this battle, doesn't mean the war is over. I am willing to help you guys but we need to act now so we can minimize the damage," she said. Tails nodded and wiped a tear from his eye.
"Okay Sally, I'm with you but how will we do this. We need to remove Mecha Sonic from the picture. Metal Sonic and Shadow can be dealt with but with Mecha Sonic out of the picture Eggman will delay sending out Silver Sonic until it becomes necessary,"
"Well, we've built a de-roboticizer," Tails said. Sally crossed her arms.
"Though it would work I doubt we can take down Sonic long enough to use it," she said.
"I have a solution to that," Jules said.
"And what would that be?" Sally asked.
"Chuck predicted that if Sonic was roboticized, he would be too powerful and too fast to use a stationary de-roboticizer. So he build a portable one, he thought it would be easier to hit a moving target rather than disable him and then use it,"
"Even a moving target as fast as Sonic?" Sally questioned. Jules nodded.
"Yes, the beam fires at a very fast speed. Getting Sonic to stand in one spot for a an eighth of a second will be enough,"
"I see, being a machine Sonic loses his advantage of being able to use his legs to quickly accelerate himself out of harm's way. Similar to Metal Sonic, his speed comes from his jets," Sally said.
"Then this can be the first step in making this a better situation, can you install it on Sally?" Tails said. Jules thought for a moment.
"With a few last minute adjustments we can make that work," he said. Tails turned to Sally.
"We trust you with this Sally. Please make it count," he said. Sally noticed he had started crying. She knelt beside him and gave him a hug.
"Thank you for trusting me Tails, I will not fail," She released Tails and stood up. "Jules take me to Chuck,"
"Hang on. I don't think you simply following me will not arouse suspicions to Eggman. We need to make this seem like a chase. Follow my lead and make the chase as believable as possible," He said. Sally nodded.
"Agreed, I'll follow your lead," She said as she extended her blades.
"Tails, follow us shortly and give the others a hand in fighting," Jules said. He then flew through the roof of the house and towards the battlefield with Sally close behind. Tails stared up at them as they flew off further into the distance. He stood there for a few minutes looking at the sky, he sighed.
"I hope this works, we need Sonic right now. I wish I had his help right now," he said. Tails prepared to fly off when a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"You might not have Sonic right now, but you have the next best thing," Tails turned around to see who it was.
"I-It's you! What are you doing here?" He asked. The figure crossed his arms and smiled.
"The people here may not accept me yet, but this is still my home," Tails smiled and nodded. "Now, let's head to battle,"
"Right, let's do it to it!" Tails said as he spun up his tails. He flew off towards the battle followed by the figure. Meanwhile Sally and Jules flew over the battle field, Sally occasionally firing lasers at Jules. He evaded them and flew over Mecha Sonic and Shadow as they fought off the Metal Sonic Troopers. Jules turned around and threw a punch at Sally. She caught it and then caught the next punch from Jules.
"I'll make you pay for robotizing my son!" he said as he pushed her back. She leaned back and kicked him over her. Jules regains his balance and flew off back into the city with Mecha Sally on his tail.
"Mecha Sally, do you need back up?" Mecha Sonic asked.
"Negative, he's running out of power. He will be destroyed shortly," she said. Mecha Sonic spindashed through a few troopers before Shadow released a Chaos Blast. Mecha Sonic dashed over to Shadow.
"Shadow, Metal Sonic and I can handle the rest. Go back to the Death Egg and get Silver Sonic prepped in case we need him,"
"Understood, heading back to the Death Egg," Shadow used Chaos Control and teleported from the battlefield. Shadow appeared in front of Eggman and Snivley.
"What are you doing back here? What's the current status?" Eggman asked. Shadow bowed before Eggman.
"I was given the order by Mecha Sonic to prep Silver Sonic in case we needed him. Metal Sonic is currently fighting Silver and Rotor, Mecha Sally is fighting Jules. The rest of the Mobian population has been captured,"
"Good, nothing has gone wrong so far. However things have been able to change in a matter of seconds,"
"Doctor Eggman, the Camera Bot that was following Sally has just gone offline," Snivley said. Eggman sighed.
"Speak of the devil. Bring up her head camera," Eggman commanded. Snivley shook his head.
"I've already tried sir, but its offline as well," Eggman grumbled something under his breath and pressed a button on his chair.
"Mecha Sonic, we have lost contact with Mecha Sally. I want you to go check it out,"
"Affirmative Doctor Eggman," Mecha Sonic took to the sky and flew after Sally, but before he could get far and saw Tails rushing past him. He turned for a moment to see where he was going when a black and yellow ball crashed into him. Mecha Sonic slammed into the ground as the ball un-curled and took the shape of the hedgehog. Mecha Sonic got up and growled. "Well, I didn't expect to see you here. I though Metal Sonic destroyed you,"
"Sonic. Dear old Sonic. You should know better than anyone about cheating death, brother,"
"As should you, Shard. This is you're fifth rebuild,"
"No, no, only four. The first was after I melted myself in Stardust Speedway, the second time was after my adventure as Titan Metal Sonic. The third time I saved you and your sidekick Tails' hide from an avalanche of lava, which I never got a thank you from you. Then the fourth time was after the Suppression Squad destroyed Metal Sonic and Metal Scourge. However Metal Sonic merely wounded me. Once I was back at Freedom HQ, NICOLE used her nanites to speed up my auto repair. Sure I was M.I.A. for a few months, probably would have stay M.I.A. for even longer if you hadn't shown up,"
"An interesting story, too bad you won't be around to explain how you got destroyed a fourth time," Mecha Sonic said as he lunged at Shard. Shard transformed his left hand into what looked like Amy's Piko Piko Hammer. Shard smashed Sonic into the ground with the hammer.
"Not only was I repaired but I was also upgraded with tougher metal and a wider variety of weapons," Shard then turned both of his handed into fists similar to Knuckles. He picked up Sonic and punched him into a nearby tree. Shard turned his hands into Piko Piko hammers and came after Sonic with them. He dodged the first hammer and caught the second one. A look of shock came across Shard's face.
"Finally, some who can give me a challenge," Sonic said. He threw Shard into the air and followed him with a spindash. Shard came back at him with a spindash of his own. The two collided and ricocheted to the ground. Mecha Sonic dash towards Shard and punched him in the face, Shard turned his fists into Knuckles fists again and punched Mecha Sonic the stomach, then followed up by punching him to the ground. Mecha Sonic quickly spun into a ball and hit Shard in the stomach. As he bounced off he landed on his feet and crossed his arms. Shard growled and dashed towards Sonic.
"If it's a challenge you want then it's a challenge you will get!" Shard said.
Meanwhile, Silver and Rotor tried to fight off Metal Sonic. Silver tried to trap him in his telekinesis but Metal Sonic avoided it and spun into Silver's back. Silver collapsed to the ground as Rotor flew into Metal Sonic.
"You two should surrender, you don't stand a chance against me,
Metal Sonic said and he elbowed Rotor to the ground. Rotor's suit faded away as Metal Sonic fired a capture laser at him. Rotor was then teleported to the Death Egg. "We have no orders to capture you Silver. I will allow you to travel back to your own time as long as you never return here,"
"No way, you'll just have to capture me. I'm not leaving until you guys are stopped!" Silver said. He stood up and went to punch Metal Sonic. His fist was caught as Metal Sonic aimed the laser at Silver
"Makes no difference to me," he said as his chest began to glow. A moment later Silver was engulfed in a blast from Metal Sonic's chest. He released Silver's hand and let him fall to the ground. He then fired the capture laser at Silver. Tails flew in as Silver disappeared. Metal Sonic turned to Tails. "Doctor, I have defeated Silver. I am now preparing to engage Tails," Tails clenched his fists.
"It's your fault Sonic got roboticized. It's your fault all my friends and family are gone,"
"My data says you aren't strong enough to defeat me. Give up or I will hurt you," Metal Sonic said.
"True, in my current state I don't stand a chance. However NICOLE created an enhancement suit for me out of her nanites," As Tails said this, his fur seemed to turn blue and his eyes turned green.
"What have you done?" Metal Sonic asked.
"This is the enhancement suit, created by a thin layer of nanites that have spread themselves out on my body. I asked NICOLE to have them change colors when they interacted with my fur and eyes. It's my own little tribute to my brother, Sonic," Tails stood ready to fight.
"I think Doctor Eggman is going to have to do with one less prisoner. You are going to be a problem if we capture you," Metal Sonic said as he dashed to Tails. As he went to strike him, he was suddenly thrown into the ground. Metal Sonic quickly stood up and went after Tails again but was deflected back. He bounced across the ground a few times before skidding to a stop. When he got up he saw Tails walking to him. "What is going on? How can you keep up with me?"
"Did you think this was just for show? The suit doubles my speed and increases my reflexes. My eyes are also enhanced to keep up with your speed,"
"It doesn't matter, I'll soon adapt to you and I'll crush you!" He said. Tails laughed.
"Metal Sonic you just don't understand your own programing. Eggman created you to defeat Sonic, you're free will algorithm may aid you in battle. However, you have never used it on someone who wasn't similar to Sonic, let alone someone that wasn't Sonic and had his speed,"
"No, I have defeated countless foes!"
"True, but they we slower or weaker then Sonic, you couldn't defeat anyone who was similar to Sonic in any way. You've battle Scourge, an evil version of Sonic. Shard who was the original Metal Sonic, designed to fight a Sonic type opponent. You've also battled Shadow across dimensions until he and Blaze destroyed you and Shadow is the closest thing to Sonic other than Scourge. You were taken down by Scourge's Suppression Squad in a matter of moments. You're not designed to battle anyone other than a speedy hedgehog. In other words, you don't stand a chance against me!"