"Okay, I've confirmed the damage from our fight. Loss of the Master Emerald reverted Metal Sonic to his basic abilities." Tails said. "I've finished the last of the necessary repairs. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm sure. Wake up Metal Sonic." Sonic said.
"He's not going to be happy about this."
"Probably. But I think the odds are on our side." she said so he woke up Metal Sonic. "Morning, Sunshine! Take it easy, you-" she said and he tried to attack her but she stopped him. "As I was saying: take it easy. Tails fixed up the worst of the damage, but you're in no shape to fight." she said. "We're compassionate, not stupid." she said. "It's over, man. Eggman is done, and you don't owe him anything. You have a chance to live your own life now. Be your own person." she said. "Robot. Whatever." she said. "I'm not asking for us to be best buds. Heck. You can live on the other side of the planet for all I care. But can we at least call a truce? Give peace a chance?" she said and reached for his hand but he smacked it away. "Yow!" she said and rubbed her hand while Metal flew away. "Jerk."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Shouldn't we go after him?"
"Nah." she said. "We have him the choice to live how he wants to. We've got to honor his decision."
"I guess. At the very least. He doesn't have Eggman to repair or weaponize him anymore!"
Suddenly she felt her stomach flip, grabbed his trash can and threw up.
When it stopped she took deep breaths and looked at him.
"Are you OK?" he asked worried.
"I need you to do a pregnancy test on me." she said and he froze but nodded.
A few minutes later he had the results and were shocked.
"It's positive." Tails said. "You're pregnant."
"No." Sonic said and sat down. "We just broke up and now I'm pregnant."
"It's gonna be OK. You have me and Knuckles with you. We're Team Sonic and we stay together." he said said gently and she nodded.
"We should probably tell Knux." she said and he nodded. "Sonic to Knuckles."
"Knuckles here." Knuckles said. "Please tell me you didn't get into more trouble yet." he said and they snickered.
"No, not that kind of trouble."
"Then what's up?"
"I, um, I just found out I'm pregnant."
"Oh. Are you gonna tell him?"
"I, I don't know."
"Well, you have us the whole way man. Team Sonic to the end."
"Thanks Knux. Talk you ya later."
"Later guys."
Meanwhile.
"I don't understand. Three sessions later and he hasn't regained his memories." Starline said. "He's begun gravitating towards his old machines..." he said. "But not his old personality."
"This has gotten old, Doc!" Rough said. "When you sprung us out of jail, the deal was we'd get you Eggman and then he'd make us weapons!"
"We're gonna need some serious firepower if we're gonna get our revenge on Sonic." Tumble said.
"N-not that we need it. We're tough enough as it is."
"Right. It's just for.. uh, overkill!"
"Yeah! Insult to injury! Lots and lots of injury!"
"Gentlemen." Starline said. "And I use the term loosely." he said. "I will restore Eggman's personality, you will get your weaponry and your revenge." he said. "Perhaps he just needs some kind of emotional or mental trigger to hump-start his old self?"
"Ooh! Ooh! I know! how 'bout you threaten us, boss?" Orbot said. "Nothing cheered you up like saying you'd dismantle us!"
"Or perhaps you'd like to review a list of elorich creatures you'd like to resurrect and then lose control of?" Cubot said.
"What kind of monster would program you with emotions and then prey upon them?! No, I'll take good care of you!" Eggman said.
"I'm confused. Is that a threat? It didn't sound menacing this time." Orbot said.
"Are we sure we want the old boss back?" Cubot said.
Then Metal Sonic came in.
"Oh, you poor thing! Hold still! I'll have you repaired in no-" Eggman said and started to remember.
"Field tested and battle hardened! You are my finest creation, Metal Sonic!" Eggman said.
"How dare that Sonic damage you! She wouldn't recognize a work of art if it punched her in the face! You did punch her in the face, right?" he asked and Metal gave him a thumbs up. "Attaboy!"
"When did I get here? Who are all of you? And who dressed me like this?!" Eggman asked.
"Finally!" Starline said.
"Ah, well it was nice while it lasted." Orbot and Cubot said together.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, Sir." Starline said. "I am Dr. Starline, a kindred spirit and a deep admirer of your work."
"Hmph. Well you at least know your place." Eggman said with his arms crossed. "You- keep talking. Metal! Get on the table to so I can fix you!" he said. "Orbot! Cubot! Get me some real clothes!"
"About that, sir. You lost your memory- your whole personality- after your last battle with Sonic and The Resistance."
"Uh-huh. Pass me the penta-module recombulator."
"Right away!" Starline said. "You wound up in a remote Mountain Village." he said. "Using my own unique methods, I located you and had my associates here rescue you."
"What associates?"
"That's our cue!" Rough said.
"You better be humble." Tumble said.
"You're in the presence of Rough and Tumble!" they said together.
"Do they always do that?" Eggman asked.
"Unfortunately. But they're violent, stupid and hate Sonic. Perfect minion fodder for you, Sir." Starline said.
"Oh-ho-ho! Hate that hedgehog, do you?" Eggman said. "What do you say I hook you up with some delightfully destructive devices and send you after that rodent?"
"Now you're talkin'!" Rough said.
"Just give us the hardware, Doc! We'll handle the rest!" Tumble said.
"You better not disappoint!" Eggman said. "The last group I hired didn't last long against Sonic and Shadow!"
"One last question and I should be up to speed. How did you get me back to my glorious, ingenious self?"
"I administered neuro-stimulants and aggressive hypnotherapy to get you back to your senses." Starline said. "As for getting you here, I used the power of the Warp Topaz."
"With the what-was-it?"
"Warp Topaz. A unique gemstone I've spent my career researching." Starline said. "It's not like the Chaos Emeralds their power is Chaotic, and can change given the situation or their usage." he said. "No, the Warp Topaz can warp space to create gateways to other places, provided it has a power source."
"Mmm... Hard pass. I've had my fill of strange new magic stones." Eggman said and Starline chuckled.
"I thought you might say that." Starline said. "That's why I took the time to secure something you're more familiar with." he said and showed Eggman the Emeralds. "Consider These my apprenticeship application."
"Oh-ho-ho! Welcome aboard, Starline! You're my best lackey yet!"
Later Sonic was at Angel Island.
"Yo, Knux! I just did a couple of laps around the island." Sonic said. "Everything looks intact!" she said. "Tails says he can get the battleship he crashed into Master Overlord to fly again, so we're all heading back to Resistance HQ. You coming?"
"Nah. It's my duty to guard the Master Emerald. I'm staying right here." Knuckles said.
"I figured you'd say that. Still, the offer stands."
"Thanks." he said and stretched his arms.
"If you ever get too lonely up here, let us know."
"Pfft. You'll cause some problem and bring it to my doorstep in no Time."
"Ha! True enough." she said. "What about the Resistance? You plan on leading them remotely, Commander?" she asked and he sat up.
"Oh yeah. I did take Command didn't I?" he said. "Well… The war's over and Metal Sonic is trashed. There doesn't really need to be a Resistance anymore, does there?" he said. "Eh, consider it disbanded."
"Whatever you say, Knux." she said and turned to leave. "Catch ya later! I'm outta here!"
"Whatever. Get off my island but send me a picture of the ultrasounds and call me if you need me." he said and she nodded and ran.
A few seconds later she was on the battleship.
"Amy! What'cha doin?" Sonic asked.
"Taking inventory of what's left on the ship." Amy said.
"Thrilling. Find anything good?"
"Yeah! There's tons of raw materials here! It's just what the Resistance needs to help with the reconstruction efforts!"
"Cool!"
"I know this sort of thing bores Knuckles to tears, so I guess I'll handle it-Haha!"
"Haha yeeeeeah… and everything else, too. Knux says he's disbanding the Resistance." Sonic said. "Surpriiise..."
"Are you serious?"
"Mm-hmmm!"
"Unbelievable."
Then The Chaotix came in.
"Just the lady we were looking for!" Vector said.
"Payday! Payday! Weeee!" Charmy said.
""Payday"? What?" Amy asked.
"The case of the missing Eggman is over!" Vector said. "We found out what happened to the doctor, who was impersonating him, and helped bring down the perp! Case closed!"
"Our reward should be substantial." Espio said.
"We're gonna get fancy Take-Out!" Charmy said.
"I… buh... whuh..." Amy said.
"I'll leave this to you, madam executive of the Resistance." Sonic said.
"Doesn't being part of the Resistance count as anything?!" Amy asked while Sonic ran.
"Hey ladies! About ready to head home?" Sonic asked.
"Yeah! No! Maybe!" Tangle said. "I mean, sure, I miss home. But I'm on a flying tropical paradise! I fought a robot dragon! And survived!" she said. "The past few days have been so crazy and cool! I don't think I can go back to my old life!"
"What about you, Whisper? Feel like you've made some friends on this trip?"
"Oh, she's a riot! She just told me the funniest joke! Go on! Tell her! Y'know, the one about the toaster?" Tangle said but Whisper didn't say anything. "What'd I say?"
"Just give her some space. Sorry, Whisper! I'll see you guys later!" Sonic said and ran to find Silver and Blaze.
"Are you sure?" Silver asked.
"Yes. It's for the best." Blaze said.
"Hey guys! We should be shoving off soon." Sonic said. "Then again, I guess you can use the Sol Emeralds to go home from anywhere, Blaze." she said. "And Silver can return to however he does it."
"You're right. My work here is done, and the Sol Emeralds must be returned. I'll see everyone else home first, though." Blaze said.
"I'm staying. I've got a nagging feeling the future I escaped from might still happen." Silver said. "I don't think the real threat has passed yet."
"Oh man- don't make it sound so dire! We get to hang out more! That's awesome!" Sonic said wrapping her arms around each other.
"Well… I guess if you have to put a positive spin on it…" Silver said.
"And no one does it better!" she said. "I'm going to check up on more folks. So see ya later!" she said and left.
Soon Sonic was with Rouge.
"Where did you find that chair?" Sonic asked.
"Eggman's private stash. I thought, "Why let it go to waste?"" Rouge said.
"Yeah, but... when does Eggman ever go outside?"
"Don't let the paunch fool you." Rouge said. "He actually used to have a meticulous cardio regimen."
"Huh. You think you know a guy..."
"Are you back to spying once we're home?"
"I'm a girl of many talents. I keep my options open. Right now, I'm enjoying this tropical getaway..." Rouge said. "And having full view of the Master Emerald."
"How you harass Knuckles on your own time is your thing. I guess Shadow's already gone?" Sonic said with her arms crossed.
"He's even worse about it than you. But yes, he's gone, never to look back again."
"Well, tell him "Thanks" betting you'll see him before I do." Sonic said. "And he can have therein back to." She said, handed Rouge the ring and started running.
"Ha! Like he listens to me. But I'll pass it along if I get the chance."
A few seconds later Sonic was with Tails.
"Are we ready to lift off, Captain?" Sonic asked.
"You're right on time! Here we go!" Tails said.
Then they started to leave and Knuckles stood there watching smiling.
"Way to go, man! You fixed this thing up in record time!" Sonic said.
"Don't thank me yet. Eggman Tech is notoriously weird." Tails said. "I'm just glad we launched! You can thank me if we land safely."
"Pssht! If we crash, we crash. We've handled worse and come out on top."
"You keep saying that."
"'Cause we keep proving it true, here's to another adventure done in style, buddy!"
"Yeah!"
Elsewhere…
"So the Bio data Metal Sonic copied off of Sonic and Shadow was corrupted? How unfortunate. Perhaps you could reconstruct...?" Starline said.
"No, the moment's passed. Neo did well, considering the lack of my brilliant leadership, but it's over." Eggman said.
"But... it looks like he came so close. Why not?"
"Ah-ah-ah! It's time for a change of pace."
"Does this mean you have a new plan in mind?"
"Of course! I always do. But it will need time to test and prepare." Eggman said. "Which is why I'm putting you in charge of keeping Sonic distracted until I'm ready!"
"O-of course, Sir! It will be my honor! I know exactly how to lure her into an ambush!"
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Tumble asked.
"How are we supposed to use weapons like these?" Rough asked and Eggman flipped the designs the right way.
"Oh! This makes a lot more sense!" Tumble said.
"I can't wait to use this!" Rough said.
"I called up the schematics on file as you requested, boss." Orbot said.
"Are you sure you really want to unleash that on the world?" Cubot said.
"Oh, yes! Yes indeed!" Eggman said. "I've suffered quite the indignity during my last setback. Now the world will be made to suffer in return!"