Tails was exhausted. He crawled into his bed and fell asleep just as the rain started to fall.

Outside, the storm picked up. Dirt turned to mud, and puddles collected in dips in the stone pathways. A tiny stream of water flowed toward a piece of crushed metal. It seeped into the gaps between dented panels, once seamlessly flush. This machine was made to last. Made to survive. It would take a lot more than rain to slow it down. But the machinery inside was delicate. It had to be to be so complex and precise.

An urgent warning flashed within the robot's mind. "Danger! Vital components risk damage! Take action to prevent damage or destruction!" This urgent message stirred the robot from its comatose state. What good was power saving mode if the entire machine risked total destruction?

Damage Warning! Standby Mode Override!

Booting…

Error: Critical Components Damaged

Searching for Solution…

Solution Identified:

Boot in Simplified Mode

Booting Base Functions…

Initializing…

Activating…

Power Up Complete.

Metal Sonic Active

Restrictions: Simplified Mode

Alert: Danger Detected! Take Protective Action!

Metal Sonic was barely functioning. He knew only a few details. First, Sonic, that loathsome organic creature, had thoroughly damaged him. Second, he was still in danger. Third, and the most troubling, his options were limited and saving himself wouldn't be easy.

He knew that his Master always retrieved him eventually. But in the event that help was late and no targets were available, he was programmed to minimize harm to himself. If there are no enemies to take down with him, what was the point of wrecking useful and expensive equipment?

Metal Sonic examined his surroundings. It was raining. His chassis was damaged. His circuits were vulnerable to water damage. He was near shelter. Both legs and one arm were missing. His visor was cracked. His sensors and scanners were offline. Ideal plan: Take shelter. Wait for assistance.

Metal Sonic rolled over onto his front. The mud seeping into his engine clouded his mind with more warnings. He reached out with his remaining limb. He dug his claws deep into the mud and pulled himself forward. That was some progress, but he was moving parallel to his destination. He squirmed and tried to gain some traction with everything left of his limbs. By the time he faced the little house, he felt as if he were covered in mud. But that was of little importance to him at the moment. He continued to drag himself through the mire. It felt like he was filling his engine with muck, as every movement shoveled more mud into his engine intake. He stopped for a moment and looked up, the house looked a bit closer. Somewhat more hopeful, he continued on.

After much grueling effort, he flung his hand out and felt his claws dig into something more solid. Wood planks! He had reached the porch! He summoned as much strength as he could manage and heaved himself up. The porch was slippery with rain and the mud covering his body certainly did not help. He scrabbled and dug his claws in deep. He pressed his head to the porch and pushed with his former legs. Most of his body lay on the porch and he managed to half-drag half-roll the rest of himself up. Finally. He stopped for only a moment to celebrate his success. Then he maneuvered himself against the house, as far from the rain as he could get.

Inside, Tails slept, completely unaware of the dramatic fight for survival occurring on his front porch. Thunder shook the house and he stirred. Although a brave hero, he still had a fear of storms. He opened his eyes and looked around, a bit shaken. A milder thunderclap sounded, and Tails sat up.

He curled his tails around himself and began whispering to himself. "I am brave. I am strong. I am Sonic's best friend. I helped defeat Eggman a bunch of times. I helped destroy his strongest robots. I saved the world. It's just a storm. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm- "

SLAM!

Tails jumped, almost falling from his bed. His ears flattened and his tails puffed up with fright. Shaking, he forced himself to look for the source of the noise. He thought he saw something through the window, but it was too dark to be sure.

He shook his head and sighed, trying to convince himself that he wasn't scared, "It's probably just my reflection. I shouldn't let myself get so skittish. It only makes me more afraid."

A sudden flash of lightning made him glance back at the window. He really wished he hadn't. The following thunderclap seemed to punctuate his horror. There really was a monster. And it was staring right at him!

Tails yelped and flinched, sending him tumbling backward and out of his bed. His terror and confusion intensified as he found himself sprawled on the floor. He glanced at the window. He took a breath, steeled himself, and began searching for a flashlight. Finding one in a drawer, he switched it on and pointed it toward the window.

Formerly shiny, sleek metal reflected the beam, creating an eerie glare. Most of the figure was coated in mud. The most unnerving sight was the single, twitching, glowing red eye staring him down. The expression was unreadable. It wasn't hatred. It wasn't fear. It wasn't curiosity. It wasn't a twisted, predatory satisfaction. But the robot refused to break eye-contact. Tails stared back. He had no idea what to do.

He slowly stood and left his room. He walked to the front door and reached to open it. He stopped. What was he going to do? Tell this…thing to go away? Tell it to leave and find someone else to bother? Maybe he could call Sonic for help. No. Sonic was probably tired from fighting Metal Sonic for so long. Tails could handle this by himself. He didn't earn Sonic's respect and a place as his sidekick for nothing.

Tails shoved the door open before he could change his mind. A look at the entire machine confirmed his suspicion that this was Metal Sonic. For a moment, he was scared again. He expected Metal Sonic to pounce. To attack. To do something! But the robot only laid motionless on his porch. The only sign that it was even slightly functional was the way it's shivering pupil settled on him. It stared blankly. No malice. Just that unreadable look. Tails could only describe it as a sort of broken-spirited uncertainty.

Tails knelt down next to Metal Sonic, unconvincingly pretending that he wasn't afraid. The robot shuffled slightly, as if trying to move away. With no ideas and no plan, Tails just started talking.

"Uh. H-hey…M-metal Sonic. Are you o-okay? Oh, um, of-of course you're not. So, well. Eggman hasn't picked you up yet. Um, thankfully. Heh. Last thing I need is another fight."

Metal Sonic seemed to wilt at that comment, Tails noticed.

"Oh. Sorry. You're probably waiting for him. You're probably feeling alone. And scared. No offense. I'm kinda scared too. I'm really sorry, but I-I don't think I can let him get you. You're too dangerous. And valuable."

Tails began to ramble, following his train of thought, "You're his greatest weapon. If I keep you, he'll have to build another, or use an older model. Or fight us to get you back. Not good. O-or we could use you as a bargaining chip. Hold you hostage until he agrees to back off! Maybe."

A slight groan made Tails look back at Metal Sonic. "Sorry. You probably didn't want to hear that. You probably shouldn't have heard that. But don't take it negatively. You're useful! To me, too! I want to know how you work. It's amazing!"

A slight twinge of pride flickered across Metal Sonic's face, interrupting his sullen demeanor. Tails saw his opportunity.

"I know you're in rough shape. I want to make a deal with you. You let me study you and I'll repair you. Good as new!" What he didn't mention was his fear that Eggman would reclaim his greatest creation. Instead, Tails looked at Metal Sonic and asked earnestly, "Will you let me help you? Please?"

Tails' argument wasn't the most convincing, but it was clear that Eggman wasn't going to get Metal Sonic back without a fight. Metal Sonic considered his options, a plan of his own taking shape in his mind. He could accept Tail's offer, then take what he learned back to Eggman. Or he could use the opportunity to strike from within. Thoughts of betrayal brimming in his mind, Metal Sonic eagerly agreed.

Tails was admittedly shocked that Metal Sonic would take his offer, but he was certainly happy. He scooped up the battered robot, surprised by how light it was, and began carrying it toward his workshop. Metal Sonic was a bit taken aback, but he wasn't about to complain. Secretly, he enjoyed the kind gesture.

Notes: Figured I'd go ahead and post the first chapter since the prologue was so short. Weekly updates planned.