Chapter 6

Tails shook his head, the words so desperate to come out failed at his lips. This wasn't possible, this couldn't be happening. The Engineer stood before him without so much as a scratch on his armor.

Swallowing the fox finally broke the silence. "H-how are you alive?"

"I am a machine. I do not live."

"You know what I mean!"

"Inquiring something so trivial, how far you've fallen, Master. Is it not evident?"

"You were in Destructor when it blew! What part was evident?"

"So was Alpha One. Your logic is flawed. Did you not also see Destructor in that other world? That alone should have informed you it's interior sustained minimal damage. Enough so that it could be repaired. Who else, if not me, could have accomplished this? Especially when its shelled remains are still found upon the ocean floor? Do you believe Alpha One was capable of such a feat?"

"Uh, excuse-moi." All eyes turned to Sonic who held a finger in the air with his foot still sunken into the floor. "Me not understanding what is happening. Could the big brain please tell small brain what is this?"

Tails clambered to his feet, shoving a finger at his former creation. "Th-this is Engineer. The first robot I've ever built. It's designed to be my intellectual equal."

"Oh… I don't know how to respond to that." The hedgehog scratched his head, then quickly grabbed his foot to try and tear it from the floor. "Don't mind me! Carry on!"

The Engineer looked back at Tails. "I question how an incompetent hedgehog could have claimed control over you."

"Hey! I am not that stupid! And I didn't 'claim' control over him, he's on his own free will!"

The floor came alive. Tentacles flew up and wrapped around the blue hero's mouth. The Engineer flashed him stare. "Silence. I do not need your input."

Sonic rolled his eyes, continuing to pull on his leg.

Tails rounded on the Engineer. "He's telling the truth! I'm not under any control!"

He took one step forward and Tails clambered back. "You are on your own volition, and yet you tremble before me. Am I not your creation? Am I not to your design? Did we not converse, plan, design together? Have I not done everything to please you?"

"That's…" There was no response suitable for that. It was all true and yet he feared the robot before him, like never before. Once they collaborated as master and servant now it was all different. What stood there now was nothing more than the representation of how far he's fallen. The physical remains of what is the Mysterious Villain. "Th-thing's changed!"

"An inevitability I am more than aware of, Master. It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'how,' and how you have changed is unsettling."

"What do you-."

"Why do you destroy us? Why do you hate us? Why have you done everything in your power to ruin everything you have built?"

"That's because-."

"You only need to have contacted me, talk to your creations, design a means to convert us to your epiphany, your new utopia. Instead, you try initiating a self-destruct mode by terminating yourself. Are we such abhorrent creations you had to kill yourself to fix? Why couldn't I have been able to change the code, their orders, everything? Why must I have been eliminated instead?"

"I thought you were destroyed!"

"I have already disproven such logic."

"Emotion and logic aren't congruent!"

"That is the only reason I speak to you now. The why I have set everything up for this moment. To test if you truly are free of such vile influence. I was designed for logical processing, so though I may not understand emotional premise, I do know it is core of organic motivation. Thus, the reason why I cannot fathom your change in demeanor and methods. The once condemned enemy is now your friend. A very concerning change of events. So, I am here to see if you can logically explain how it is possible. If not, I will initiate both my contingency plans."

"What?"

"No matter what anyone does, no matter what they say, who's in control, or who is the master, the Mysterious Villain's true intentions will prevail. The real Master will win. That is my plan and not even you can change it. There are only two steps left in the plan, everything else is already in motion."

"What have you done?"

"Why is your behavior abysmal?"

"I-I need to know what you-."

"Do not try and exert authority over me. After your little suicidal escapade, I ensured all programs do not accept any commands from you until specific preconditions are met. Now answer my question."

This was going nowhere. Tails looked around the room, maybe there was something he could do? Something he could build or use? Was there anything. His eyes caught Barbie fiddling with her fingers, something gently being pulled out into her palm. Didn't she say she had something in there?

The fox looked back at his creation. "A-abysmal? I hardly see how you can judge me based on the ideals of a child. I didn't know how the real world worked yet, I was young and naïve. I'd say creating everything I did would be considered abysmal."

"The desire to get back at your oppressors? To seek justice from wince it abandoned you? To overthrow the despots practicing their egocentric posturing? Such fundamentals are the core of rebellions and civil groups. Your emotional immaturity does not demean these values those before you have clung to in times of tyranny. You may have not instigated in the best way, but there is no denying the viable reasons for your actions. The fact you were 'young' and 'naïve' only emphasizes the unjust situation you were forced in. Being so young it was the only recourse your addle mind could conceive to attempt moving on. The only abysmal thing about it are the consequences, something someone 'young' and 'naïve' is far too 'emotionally immature' to fully appreciate. You chastise the parent who fails to explain the morals of the status quo not the child who never knew."

"That's… M-my mind was far advanced for someone my age to-."

"That is a change of subject. Your mind may have been more advanced but it was not born with untaught knowledge. You do not know what you do not know, so says common sense. Those impulsive organics only dismiss such judgment when it is more convenient to blame than understand. Why attempt to reason with a tortured soul when it is far easier to condemn them?"

"What I did was-"

"Something that circles back to my previous statement. This is mere circular logi- you're stalling. What is-?" He turned to look at the imprisoned group.

Barbie flicked her wrist and the pistol landed in her palm. She spun it in her finger then pulled the trigger. A blast shredded through the vines holding her. She toppled to the ground. Rolled onto her knees. Then fired at the Engineer.

The robot stepped to the side. It's arm shredded off its shoulder. The limp arm collapsed to the floor where the Engineer stared at it before looking up at her. "Impressive. I applaud your Pyrrhic victory."

The koala arched a brow, but remained silent. She aimed at Sonic, the laser encompassing the ground near his foot. The hedgehog tore his foot out, springing into the air. He launched at Engineer and kicked it to the ground. Planting his hands on his hips the hedgehog rocked his head back and forth mockingly. "Mmf, mph, mmmff, mmm, ffff." He pulled off the tentacle wrapped around his mouth. "Try and silence me, huh? I can still make noise."

The robot just shook its head.

"Look out!" Tails cried.

Sonic dove away. Arms swirled out of the ground. Five assassin robots leapt from the floor.

"Are you kidding me!?" Sonic jumped back.

The ground shook. Alarms blaring in everyone's ears while the Engineer looks around. "So soon? He does not waste time."

"Wha-?"

The wall crumbles in. The roar of an engine screaming. A ship blasted in, scrapped along the floor. Its noise pierces every ear in the room. The assassin robots attempted to leap aside. For one it was too late as they were dragged under the ship. The crashed ship then embedded into the far wall with a tremendous thoom.

Smoke rolled out of the cockpit as the canopy blew off its hinges. A shadow leapt out of the trashed transport. The figure twirled a long pole-like staff in their hand as they stepped out of the dense air obscuring the view. A man stepped out in gleaming, silver armor. Barbs coated the shell from head to foot. The pole twirled over his head before being brought forcefully to the floor causing a boom. An echoing zap reverberated throughout the ship and the air condensed around him. Sparks flashing all over the floor slithered around the entirety of the room.

The Engineer scoffed. "Impressive. Quite the unique electro current. You've prepared."

The man ignored the comment. The assassin bots charged. The whole ship shook at the impact. Each bot thrown out of the air from a force stopping their onslaught. The man pointed his staff. A claw zipped out to cling to one of the stunned robots. The claw reeled back dragging its load with it. The man thrust his spear into his prey and slammed it to the floor. A red glow radiated into the assassin's chest before crushing into the torso.

The remaining three assailants jumped at him. Each no longer using their super speed. The man blocked their attacks with masterful precision of his weapon, free hand, and a leg. With a twirl of the pole one assassin's feet were thrown out from under them. The free hand twisted around the arm of another to throw it between the man and the remaining assassin. The pole was rammed into the pinned assassin. A laser pelted against the chest of the assassin as it attempted escaping the man's grip. Melting metal poured from the entry wound while the back began glowing. The standing assassin slid to the side as the laser came blasting out of the dead robot.

The tripped robot leapt to its feet. The man tossed the scrap in his hands to grab the pole with both hands. With a click the pole separated into to parts. Both assassins attacked simultaneously. The man used the two handheld weapons to parry their attacks. Their movements were fluent and near imperceptible. Each time the assassins were close to striking their foe he dodged and brought his clubs against their sides. The man flipped in the air. His legs thrown out while he spun The assassins heads were smashed with this acrobatic kick.

Dazed the robots staggered away. The man then threw his right pole into the face of one of the robots. With an electric explosion the assassin's eyes burst. The man kicked it away as it flailed around. He then turned to fight the other assassin bot. Both blubs blocking and counter attacking in quick succession. Each blub hit sparking and flashing red on each hit. The armor of the bot gradually swelling and morphing like jello. He brought the left club against the robot's knee. The joints instantly melted to force it onto the good knee.

The man spun around and ducked under the blind assassin's kick. He reconnected the battons together into a pole with a snap. He grabbed the kick over his head to pull the robot closer. He threw a foot out to trip the robot onto the floor. The pole reached out to pin the robot to the ground. The pole dragged against the chest and down toward its pelvis. A trail of scorching red following the path. The man then spun around throwing the robot against its kneeling partner. They both collided and smashed into a heap lifelessly. The man reached behind his back and pulled out a small pistol-like device. He pointed it at the two and pulled the trigger. A mist pelted out and encompassed the down assassins. The red glow of the two of them immediately fizzing out. The once liquefied scraps hardening in an instant fusing them together.

The man holstered the pistol and began strolling up to the Engineer who continued to watch stoicly. The newcomer slammed his pole into the ground and in a monotonous voice said, "Unresponsive. Petite frame. You are no combatant. Likely the strategist." The man brought a hand up to his chin. "Suspicious."

The floor opened up and an assassin came flying out toward the man. The man pressed a button on his pole. The two fused scrap piles flung off the floor. The new assassin was smashed byt the flying projectile and skidded to the far side of the room. The whole corner lit up in an explosion that rocked the whole area causing everyone except the man and the Engineer to stumble on their feet.

The man lowered his hand and planted it against his hip. "Does this pass your test?... No, you are still waiting for something. What is it you are stalling for?" Despite the surprise attack his voice remained emotionless.

Sonic sighed, standing back up and wiping his legs. "That's gotta be him."

Tails rushed over to the man. A smile of relief expressed all over his face. "Anonymous! Thank god! Things were getting out of control."

The terrorist leader, Anonymous, didn't bother looking over at the fox. "Do not assume I have gained control. I have only buffered the situation. He still holds the advantage."

"What?" Tails shot a quick look to his creation. "H-how? He's alone."

"Precisely. Why are his defenses so minimal? He is either an imbecile or I have merely met his expectations. Considering his nature it can only be the latter. We are pawns following the path he has set."

"You need not undersell yourself, Anonymous. Your response was swifter than expected." The engineer bent down and picked up his arm. "I will not insult your intelligence by feigning ignorance. Indeed this whole show is nothing more than an illustration of my Master's power. Its only intent is to express that this world is not safe from his wrath. I need to see the full extent of all retaliation. A learning experience to highlight the weaknesses to be exploited. A high powered plasma blast such as the koala's pistol and that pole are intriguing examples. Eggman has been quite busy with these experiments."

Stu stood up from checking on Bill. "Hold on a minute. That doesn't make any sense. How's that supposed to work when your cornered?"

Barbie scowled, pointing her gun at the robot. "It means he's not cornered."

"Then we need to wreck em!" Walt pulled out his boomerang.

"No, wait. Something's off. Tails, what are his schematics?"

"H-he's an emphasis of intelligence. He wasn't outfitted for combat. I-I don't know why he's exposing himself like this."

Anonymous looked at Tails. "So he is more cognitive. How unfortunate." He swung his pole. The Engineer's head blasted off its body. The head bounced on the ground and the body collapsed.

Barbie stared in horror. "WHY!? Why would you do that?! We need answers!"

"It is best to rid ourselves of distractions. That was not the real one."

"Very astute." An image popped up and the face of the Engineer appeared before them all. The whole group gasped at the appearance of the robot. "As you have surmised, I have converted the entirety of my being into software. I no longer need hardware to function. Using terminals such as that are my means of interacting with the tangible world."

Tails paled. "You converted yourself into pure data? That's such a convoluted code. That alone should have taken years."

"Correct."

"That's such a huge risk! Why would you do that?!"

"Though software is easier to alter, it is much harder to access. Without knowing where my primary core is you have no means of altering my state of mind. It is the safest means of avoiding any further self-destructive attempts on your part."

A hand pulled Tails back, Anonymous shook his head at him. "He is distracting us. Do not engage. Where is the bridge?"

"I-I don't kno-."

"You explained how it would take years to implement his new code. Considering the state of this ship and the upgrades utilized there was no time to develop new schematics. This ship's build will be based on your designs. Where is the bridge?"

"I… it… if I had to guess I would say toward the stern. Right above the engines."

Anonymous spun around and marched toward a wall. "We must make haste."

Before the group could follow the whole ship shook. A screen flashed and the outside could be seen. A grey hedgehog enshrouded in a blue glow was on screen throwing debries at the ship. Anonymous froze, gazing up at the hedgehog. "What is the meaning of this?"

The screen flashed again to show the Engineer. "All experiments successful. Initiating Chi and Psi."