SONIC HEROES: THE SERIES
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Hunt of the Machines
The scene opens up to the middle of the Indian Ocean. High above the ocean floated the massive base known as the Egg-Carrier III. At the control room, Eggman was sleeping in his chair with legs propped on the controls. To add humor to the sight, Bokkun was sleeping with his teddy bear on Eggman's large nose. But the two were waken from their sleep when they heard a loud racket coming from outside their door.
"Get away from me!" Metal screamed.
"But Metal, we are destined for each other!" Metal Amy replied.
"Get off!" Metal yelled.
"Aw, it's them again. "Bokkun whined. "Don't they know it's rude to wake people?"
Bokkun jumped to his feet and stomped on the floor. The floor being Eggman's nose. Eggman raised his hand and flicked the little pest to the wall. Metal suddenly barged in with Metal Amy grasping his arm. Metal grasped Metal Amy's head and threw her out before slamming the door shut.
"I've created a monster." Metal stated. He noticed Eggman's smirk. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Every minute." Eggman chuckled. The computer started beeping. "Ooh, looks like the tracker has picked up another emerald."
"Tracker?" Metal questioned.
"I stole the designs from Tails tracker and added it to the Egg-Carrier." Eggman explained. "It's not portable like Tails, but it has a longer range." Eggman was performing several procedures before another screen came up. On the screen it showed a motionless green blip and moving red blip. "There's two of them, but it appears one of them is moving."
"That doesn't surprise me." Metal said. Eggman looked at him with a confused look. "Yesterday, while I was listening on the heroes, I heard Sonic tell Omega that he found a chaos emerald."
"But how did Sonic know that?" Eggman asked.
"I don't know, but that's really not the problem." Metal said. "The main priority is retrieving that emerald."
"I'll have Violet prepare you a squadron of black clones." Eggman said.
"Make sure their prepared." Metal said. suddenly a loud banging sound could be heard from the door. The pair turned to the door as it was broke off its hinges. There stood Metal Amy with a metallic version of Amy's hammer. "And hurry!"
"Metal! Get back here right now!" Metal Amy yelled as she chased him out of the room.
"That never gets old!" Eggman laughed wildly.
Somewhere in the northern jungle, Omega was trudging through the thick layers of plant life. Omega refrained from using conventional weapons so as not to burn the whole jungle area down. Omega resorted to using his claws only. As Omega cut down a clear path, he looked to his right arm and opened a hidden panel to reveal a miniature computer.
"Target 2.3 kilometers north!" Omega stated. "Continuing primary route."
Omega waved his claws to remove a large bush in his way. Meanwhile, not far from Omega's position, Metal and a squad of six black chaos clones were jumping across the branches towards their target.
"Our target is over twenty yards ahead. Once target is in sight, begin formation Alpha-Z!" Metal ordered.
"What?" The clones questioned.
"You didn't read the pamphlet, did you?" Metal asked. The black clones shook their heads no. "(Sigh) Once you see the target, just surround him." The black clones shook their heads in understanding. "I doubt even Blue or Violet are this idiotic."
Still depressed at his stupid team, Metal flew past the tree tops with the clones following. But unknown to them, a sinister figure was lurking in the shadows, chuckling wickedly.
"So that's Metal Sonic, eh?" The figure questioned in an Australian accent. "The rusty blighter doesn't look that tough."
"Don't be fooled so easily." The shadowed figure looked over to see Nazo floating behind him. Nazo powerful aura showed a bit of the creature, but not enough to identify it. "Metal was powerful enough to take something very important from me."
"Maybe it's because you weren't strong enough." The figure chuckled. Nazo gripped the unknown creature's neck and began to strangle him. "Uncle! Uncle!!!"
"Never insult someone who can destroy you without hesitation." Nazo advised as he released the creature. "I trust you know what you're supposed to do."
"Grab the rust bucket and bring him to you." the creature said.
"Don't fail or their will be a consequence." Nazo said.
The creature nodded as Nazo disappeared in a wave of darkness. The creature sniggered with glee as he reached behind his back. Back with Omega, the large robot stopped for a moment and opened a secret compartment in its chest. Omega reached it to pull out the red chaos emerald. Omega watched as the chaos emerald started glowing on and off repeatedly. Omega replaced the chaos emerald into his chest and closed it shut.
"Chaos emerald is within the vicinity!" Omega stated. "Beginning free search."
Omega resumed his search, but now without the help of the tracker or the emerald. Unknown to him, Metal and the black clones were not that far behind. with only a few yards separating them, Metal decided to put his plan into action.
"Ok. Began formation Alpha-Z!" Metal ordered
"???" The clones questioned.
"Just surround him, you idiots!" Metal yelled.
The clone nodded and jumped from their hiding spot. The six black clones dropped to the ground and blocked Omega off in everyway possible. Omega was tempted to use his weapons when he realized that it would destroy the entire jungle. One of the black clones charged forward and swiped its claws. Omega counted with his own claws. Since Omega was the stronger one, his claws went straight through the clone and reduced him to a puddle. Two more attacked from both sides, but Omega twirled his upped body around and shredded them to pieces. Unfortunately, Omega did not see the last three clones coming up from behind. The three clones kicked Omega in the back and forced him to the ground. Omega tried to stand up when he felt someone's foot pushing him down. Omega turned his head to find Metal Sonic.
"So this is the pride of the E-Series robots. How pathetic." Metal taunted.
"Metal Sonic! What is it that you want?" Omega questioned.
"First off, I'll start by taking that chaos emerald." Metal said. Metal flipped Omega over and stabbed his claw through the robots chest. Metal pulled back to hold a chaos emerald in his claw. "Perfect. Now all I need is the other emerald and my mission shall be complete." Metal turned to walk away, his cape swatting at Omega's face to taunt him. "I leave you to them. Black clones, eliminate him!"
The black clones chuckled sinisterly as the moved in closer for the kill. Metal would smirk if he had a mouth as he held the emerald between his claws. Suddenly, a loud bang suddenly filled the air. The black clones looked back to their leader as he suddenly dropped to his knees. Metal was holding his chest as oil began to seep from his armor like blood. The black clones left Omega, which gave him a chance to get back up, and gathered around the injured robot.
"What was that?" Metal questioned.
"That would be me."
The unknown warriors looked forward to stare into the face of Metals attacker. The creature was an orange dingo with three red scars over his left eye. He wore metal pads over his legs, shoulders, and chest, a grey mask over his muzzle, and two steel wrist bands with a small gun connected to his left.
"Who are you?" Metal questioned.
"I call myself Predingo" Predingo introduced.
"How original." Omega said sarcastically.
"Ok, so I didn't have time to come up with a good name! Sue me!" Predingo exclaimed. Just then, a stampede of lawyers walked up to him. "I didn't mean it literally!" The lawyer ran away scared. "Stupid lawyers. Hey, where did everyone go?"
As Predingo looked around, he saw that the enemies were no longer with him. Somewhere in the jungle, Two of the lack clones were carrying the injured Metal while the other led the way. Omega was flying behind them with his jetpack, but they didn't pay any attention to him.
"No normal weapons can pierce my armor." Metal stated. "Nazo must have created him specifically for capturing me."
"Thermal patterns show that the enemy is approaching at an above normal speed!" Omega stated.
"When do you think he will get here?" Metal asked.
Just then, an orange blur whizzed by them. Standing on one of the tall branches was Predingo, who jumped down to kick the leading clone in the face. The leading clone fell back to his brothers and knocked Metal to the ground. Lucky enough, Omega was there to catch him.
"Now." Omega answered.
"That was pretty sneaky of you to try an escape." Predingo chuckled. Predingo pointed his wrist gun towards Metal. "I'll just make this quick and painless. Ok, maybe more on the quick, but not as much on the painless."
As Predingo took aim at his target, the black clones suddenly jumped to Metal's defense. The trio of clones jumped forward and swiped their claws at him. Predingo fell backwards, but not before nailing a shot at one of the black clones chest, instantly destroying it. Predingo flipped to his feet and jumped back away as another black clone crushed its claw against the ground. Predingo took in precise aim and nailed the black clone in the head with his gun.
"Only one left to go." Predingo chuckled. Predingo looked around for the last clone, but it was nowhere to be found. "Great, he's gone too. Why does this keep happening to me?"
As Predingo scoured the area, Metal seemed to hold a devious look in his glowing eyes. Just then, the last black clone snuck up behind Predingo and raised is claw to him. Predingo finally noticed the black clone's presences and knew he wouldn't be able to shoot him. Acting fast, Predingo flicked his right arm and released two jagged blades from his right wristband. Predingo moved swiftly around and sliced the clone in half. With all of the clones dead, Predingo returned his sights back to Metal. Predingo fired multiple shots that would surely kill Metal. Thinking fast, Metal grasped his wrist and released a surge of electricity. The electricity formed a barrier around him that protected him from Predingo's shots.
"Crafty little devil, aren't ya?" Predingo said excitingly.
"That was close. I have enough to perform at least one Metal Surge." Metal thought. "But if I use it now, there's no guarantee that I will land a hit. It looks as if I'm done for."
"Say bye-bye!" Predingo cackled.
Predingo aimed his gun again until a repeated sound suddenly sounded. Predingo looked to the ground to see bullet marks head straight for him. Predingo reacted by redrawing his wrist blade. Predingo's fast maneuvers allowed him not only to block every single bullet, but also cut the bullets in half. Predingo retracted his blade and glared at the only one who could have shot him: Omega.
"Omega!" Metal exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing? Why would you protect me?"
"Because you have something meaningful to me." Omega stated.
"So, you're only saving to protect your precious chaos emerald." Metal looked down in despair.
"No! That is not my reason!" Omega stated. Metal looked at him in confusion. "You and I are more alike then you think."
"What do you mean?" Metal asked. "What could I posses that would make us alike."
Omega retracted his guns and replaced them with his claws. Omega moved into an attack position and raised his claws towards Predingo. But before he attacked, Omega looked to Metal one last time and said.
"A heart."
Metal looked at him in shock. Omega returned his attention to Predingo and charged forward. Predingo fired multiple shots from his gun, but Omega's thick armor was too strong to feel them. Omega swiped his claws at the hunters head, but Predingo flipped into the air and landed on a tree. Omega, no longer concerned about the jungle, opened the sides of his arms to reveal his hidden missile packs. Predingo saw this and quickly jumped into the air. Big mistake. Omega launched two of his missiles and made Predingo the direct target. Predingo swiftly recalled his wrist blade and sliced the two missiles in half, causing them to explode behind him. The hunter jumped down and landed a direct blow at Omega's head, cause him to fall on his back. Omega tried to stand back up, but found Predingo's blade between his eyes.
"So this is where it ends." Predingo chuckled.
Meanwhile, Metal was still contemplating on Omega's words. It was true that Eggman Nega made him from Sonic's DNA, but he never suspected him of having a heart. And more so, Omega was 100 machine. How could he have a heart? Unless...
"Unless that heart is freewill." Metal muttered. "We are alike because only we can choose how to exist. No one else."
Metal looked up and saw Omega's position. Predingo raised his blade and swung it to the robots head. But then Metal came out of nowhere and kicked the mad dingo in the face. Predingo was thrown to the trunk of a tree while Metal helped Omega back to his feet.
"So you figured it out." Omega said.
"Only we can choose to live. And no one can tell us how." Metal said. Predingo jumped back to his feet with an angry expression "I choose to live fighting!"
Predingo yelled angrily and charged forward while his wrist blade. Omega retracted his claws, but did not replace them. Metal flipped the red emerald in his hand before grasping it tightly and placed his other claw on Omega. The chaos emerald's power started passing through Metal's body and transferred into Omega's arms. Predingo saw this and skidded to a halt.
"Aw, crikey." Predingo said disappointingly.
"CHAOS SHOT!!!" Metal and Omega yelled together.
Omega released a devastating red blast from his arms. The blast nailed Predingo and reduced him to dust along with everything it its path. When the smoke cleared, Predingo and everything within a three mile radius were completely gone. And as luck would have it, something was sticking out of the newly destroyed ground. Omega reached for it and pulled out what he had been looking for: the white chaos emerald.
"Target located." Omega stated. "Mission successful." Omega turned to Metal Sonic. "It's thanks to you. Because of you, I was able to overcome this difficulty."
Metal Turned from Omega with a downcast look. He stared down at the red emerald in his hand and knew what had to be done. Suddenly, Metal disappeared into thin air. Using his electrical scanner, Omega found out that Metal was standing behind him with his signature technique already prepared.
"Forgive me." Metal requested. "METAL SURGE!"
Metal plunged this electrified claw through Omega's chest. The sudden attack forced Omega to shut down instantly. Metal moved to the side and allowed Omega to fall backwards. There he was with the white emerald in his claw. This was the perfect opportunity to take it. Metal glanced at Omega once more before crouching to his side.
Back at the Egg-Carrier, Violet was listening to some music she stole from Vector during their last fight, Mecha was teaching the Metal Squadron their battle tactics, Bokkun was cuddling his teddy bear in the corner, and Eggman was impatiently waiting for Metal.
"Grr...what's taking him so long?!" Eggman exclaimed as he banged the controls.
"Patience is a virtue." Metal Espio said calmly. "To receive, one must be accepting."
"Deep, man, deep." Metal Jet said.
"I don't get it." Metal Knuckles said.
"They're more like their other halves than Metal planned." Mecha sweat dropped.
Just then, Metal Sonic appeared into the room using chaos control. Violet fell back at the sudden entrance.
"Warn a girl next time!" Violet yelled.
"I thought you were a guy." Metal Knuckles said, earning him a hit over the head.
"So how was your trip?" Eggman asked.
"The mission was somewhat successful." Metal said, holding the red emerald. "The red emerald was there, but the other one was a false alarm."
"Hmm. That is unfortunate." Eggman said as he took the emerald. "But one should be enough. Good work, Metal. Oh, and clean yourself up. You're getting oil on the floor.
"Don't worry, I'll help him." Metal Amy said as she grasped Metal's arm. "And I promise I won't leave your side ever."
"All of a sudden, dying sounds pretty good about right now." Metal muttered.
Back at the battle ground, Omega was lying on the ground where Metal left him with the white emerald in his claw. Omega clutched the emerald as he began to reactivate. But something was different about Omega. While one of his eyes was red, the other was blue. At with that, his entire personality changed too.
"Memory restoration in progress." Omega stated. "E-123 or SCR-HD? SCR-HD selected. Beginning systems reboot!"
all of a sudden, Omega's body was enveloped by waves of electricity all headed for his core. Omega's twitching body seemed to give him the impression of pain. The hole in Omega's chest started to come to life and sew itself together. The electric waves disappeared and Omega remained motionless. Omega then suddenly jumped up back to his feet. Omega was actually floating in midair, as if Gravity no longer applied to him. Omega landed back on the ground and began laughing evilly.
"I'm alive!" Omega cackled. "It would seem that I have been restored. I guess I owe Eggman after all." Omega looked down at the emerald that was still in his hands. "It may not be an Ark, but it's just as powerful. No longer will I be this feeble Omega. I return as ABIS: master of the universe. My sole purpose: destroy Jet the Hawk!
Meanwhile, word had spread of Predingo's defeat at the Dark Ruler's castle. Black Doom, Mephiles, and Erazor were gathered around Nazo's chessboard with concerned looks on their faces. Just then, Nazo entered the room, muttering unintelligently in anger.
"I knew I shouldn't have sent him!" Nazo muttered. "I mean his name was Predingo for Zeenint's sake." Nazo stopped his ranting when he noticed the looks of his servants. "What's wrong?"
"You might want to look at this." Erazor said.
Mephiles and Erazor moved out of the way to make room for Nazo. Upon seeing the chessboard, Nazo grinded his teeth in frustration. On Metal and Eggman's side was the newly made Metal Squadron. It appears that Nazo had not predicted this outcome.
"Your little bounty has gathered new friends." Mephiles said.
"With this new addition, both sides outnumber and overpower us." Black Doom contemplated. "What do you have planned now?"
"This was not part of the plan. There is no way Metal should have the technology to create such machines like him." Nazo growled.
"There was that time he travel with Silver though time." Mephiles explained. "Maybe he found what he needed."
"Then this changes everything." Nazo said while leaning against the board. "Then we have no choice. It's time to gather more followers."
ABIS is back and out for revenge. Will Abis succeed in killing Jet? Will the heroes bring Omega back? And what new evil will join the Drak Rulers? Find out on the next Sonic Heroes.