-Chapter 73-

Metamorphia


Knothole

The moment the escape pods landed, the Freedom Fighters made a beeline for Knothole. Without Warp Rings, it took them a few days, but they eventually made it, barely stopping to rest.

"Tails, hit the labs," Sonic ordered. "Find any Warp Rings you have on standby. Knuckles, get everyone armed and ready to fight. We leave immediately."

They got to work at that, while Antoine began ripping his jester's outfit off.

"Ant, what are you doing?!" Sonic demanded. "We don't have time for a wardrobe change!"

"I refuse to wear this ridiculous costume one second longer!" Antoine snapped.

Sonic sighed, running into his room before returning and tossing him a pair of dark blue sweatpants.

"Put these on, and let's get going." he told him.

Antoine obediently pulled the pants on as Bunnie whistled.

"Thanks for the show." she flirted.

Antoine turned red at that before shaking his head. A bit later, Tails came out.

"I only have two rings on standby," he told him. "I'll need to make more when we get back."

"They'll have to do," Sonic said. "One to get there, one to get back. C'mon. Sally's waited long enough."

"Sonic, are you sure Sally's in Robotropolis?" Knuckles asked. "If we screw this up, we'll have to wait before we can try again."

"She's there." Sonic said firmly. "Trust me, she is."


Robotropolis

Eggatha was going through her stuff, reorganizing her lab.

"Hey, Uncle Ivo?" she called, sticking her head out of her lab. "Have you seen my info sphere? High tech golden ball with Ancient runes? I can't find it anywhere."

"Sorry, can't say I have." Robotnik replied.

"It's alright. I'll ask Snively. He helped me pack. Hey, Snively! Have you seen my info sphere?!"

"I don't think so!" Snively called back.

"You promised you'd get it!" Eggatha shouted.

"Well sorry, Agatha!" Snively snapped. "But I was a bit rushed, trying to get off the Death Egg before it blew up!"

"Well, you better hope I find it!" Eggatha snapped back. "It contained Tempo, and all of the schematics I had saved!"

That got Robotnik's attention. "What?"

"I downloaded all of the schematics I had on file into the sphere, figuring it would be easier to protect and harder to hack," Eggatha explained. "I really hope Snively didn't leave it behind. Sonic may have grabbed it."

"Hey, don't saddle me with the blame!" Snively objected. "It's your info sphere! If it's not there, it's your problem, not mine!"

"Snively…" Robotnik cut in, his voice cold and bordering on angry. "You will find Agatha's info sphere. Or else…"

Snively gulped. "Yessir, right away."

He bolted into Agatha's lab to begin searching, just as perimeter alarms began going off.

"It's Sonic!" Grimer cried.

"Well, he took his sweet time," Robotnik mused. "I was beginning to think he didn't care for the princess. Send out the Badniks. I need to make some preparations."

-X-

Outside, the Freedom Fighters stormed Robotropolis, heading right for Citadel Robotnik. Hordes of Badniks came rushing out, swarming the group.

"We got this, Sonic!" Amy told him. "Go get Sally!"

Sonic nodded before running for the Citadel, bashing through the door.

"At last," Robotnik said over a loudspeaker. "I must say I'm disappointed in your progress, Sonic. I imagined you'd be here sooner."

"Took a while for all of us to get back to base on foot," Sonic shot back. "But enough about that. Tell me where Sally is, Eggman! The longer it takes me to find her, the worse it's gonna be for you!"

"Now where's the fun in that?" Robotnik shot back. "You want her? Come find her."

"Fine!" Sonic snapped. "That's the way you want it? I'll bring the citadel down on your head if I have to!"

He began storming through the citadel, kicking in every door he passed. Eventually, he reached a large, metal door that was heavily bolted. He smashed it down, and inside, suspended from the ceiling in her capsule, was Sally.

"SONIC!" she cried.

Sonic sighed in relief, his expression softening. "Sal… sorry for being so late."

"You came, that's all that matters," Sally assured. "There's a lever on the wall. It'll lower the capsule."

Sonic darted over to the wall, throwing the switch. The capsule dropped, bouncing slightly.

"Hit the button on top," Sally instructed. "It'll open it up."

Sonic hopped up and onto the button. The sides popped open, allowing Sally to step out. The two immediately embraced, Sonic looking like he lost a massive weight on his shoulders. He then scooped her up, grinning.

"C'mon, let's blow this place."

With that, he darted out of the room, Sally in his arms.

-X-

Outside, the Badniks kept on coming, but none of the fighters backed down. They continued smashing them, searching the horizon for Sonic.

"Any sign of him?!" Shortfuse demanded. "Even I'm starting to get worn down!"

Soon enough, a blue blur of movement appeared. Sonic jumped up, Sally in his arms as he hopped off every Badnik in his way to get to them.

"I've got her!" Sonic shouted. "Tails, start up the Warp Ring!"

Tails tossed the Warp Ting, Knuckles and Kat instantly acting as guards to keep the Badniks back.

"Move, move, move!" the fox yelled.

Knuckles and Kat were the last ones in, the Warp Ring closing up behind them.

-X-

Inside the citadel, Eggman watched them escape on his monitors. Surprisingly, he didn't seem angry or upset. Instead, he seemed… happy. He stood up, heading for the dungeons of the citadel. Once he reached the rearmost cell, he opened it with his palm, revealing what appeared to be Sally. She was chained to the wall, and looked a little worse for wear. She looked up, her eyes tired, but with a spark of defiance still flickering faintly.

"What… do you want?" she demanded.

Robotnik grinned. "Oh, just to tell you Sonic and the rest of your friends just came and went... with my new metamorphic Badnik."

"You won't get away with it," Sally insisted. "Sonic's too smart to be fooled by a robot, even a good one."

"Oh, he was fooled." Robotnik assured. "You should have seen him hug her. Here, let me show you."

He pulled a tablet out from under his arm, playing footage from the cell. Seeing Sonic holding the fake Sally made her cringe. Robotnik grinned at her expression.

"The new Badnik will find out the location of Knothole for me. And once she has Sonic alone…" he bore his throat, drawing his thumb slowly across it. "KRRRCH!"

"You're a monster, Eggman!" Sally snapped. "You won't get away with this!"

Robotnik just cackled. He then stalked out of the cell, slamming the door shut behind him. Sally slumped against the wall, curling up and hugging her legs.

"Sonic…" she let out, barely audible. "Please help me…"


Knothole

Everyone was gathered in a group, Sonic doing a headcount. Once he was certain everyone was there, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"It's over," he sighed. "It's finally over."

With that, he made a beeline for the fridge, pulling out a mess of food items, including a pound of ground beef, chopped onions, peppers and mushrooms, a can of crushed tomatoes, a bottle of barbecue sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, a can of red kidney beans, and a block of cheddar cheese.

"Knowing how lousy Eggman's prison food is, this calls for some serious comfort food," he declared. "Who's up for Chili Dogs a la Sonic?"

Almost everyone cheered, save for Chris, Keith, and Hope.

"Thanks, but we should get home," Chris replied. "We've been away long enough."

"Oh yeah," Keith agreed. "Think we'll be grounded?"

"Less grounded, more protectively confined," Chris clarified.

"Grandma's probably worried sick about me, too," Hope mused.

"Hey, don't let me stop you," Sonic assured.

"Thanks again for saving us," Keith said gratefully.

"C'mon," Hope said. "Hopefully we can take a train to Station Square."

The three headed out, leaving the other alone.

"I call dibs on the shower!" Amy called out, taking off for the communal shower.

"Hey!" Kat shouted, in hot pursuit of the pink hedgehog. "Don't you dare use all the hot water! You're not the only one who needs a shower!"

Everyone else began splitting up to get cleaned up, changed, and generally unwind. Sonic then slapped on a chef's hat, tying on an apron as he took to the kitchen.

"It'll take a while to get the dogs out just right," he announced. "You guys do whatever, make yourselves comfy."

With that, he turned to the stove, missing the evil grin that crossed Sally's face for a brief moment.


Station Square

At the Thorndyke mansion, Nelson and Lindsey had fallen asleep in his office, only to be snapped awake by the ringing phone. Nelson grabbed it before the second ring.

"Hello?" His eyes went wide and he jumped to his feet. "You what?! Where?!"

"Nelson?" Lindsey asked. "What is it?"

"They found Chris and Keith!" Nelson exclaimed. "And Hope is with them!"

Everyone else was immediately gathered in the office.

"Hope's alright?" Agnes demanded. "Who found them?"

"A train conductor near the Kingdom of Acorn," Nelson replied. "They showed up in Mobotropolis asking for a ride."

"Sonic pulled through…" Laura put a hand over her mouth, happy tears in her eyes. "Thank Aurora…"

"Can we talk to them?" Sam asked.

"Hang on." Nelson put the phone on speaker.

"Hey, everyone," Chris greeted. "Miss us?"

"Chris!" Lindsey exclaimed.

"Mom. Dad." Keith added.

"Grandma." Hope included.

"Hope!" Agnes cried. "When did you-?!"

"A few days ago, actually," Hope replied. "We ran out of Warp Rings, so we... kinda had to go back to Knothole on foot."

"We're all okay though," Keith assured. "Exhausted, starving, and we smell like machine shops, but we're okay."

Nelson turned to the others. "Have Ella and Tanaka prepare dinner immediately."

"The train's taking us straight to Station Square," Chris told them. "With luck, we'll be home in a few hours."

"We'll see you then." Lindsey told him.

"Love you all!" the kids intoned in unison.

The call ended, all of the adults looking beyond relieved.

"What a relief…" Sam sighed.

"They're coming home…" Lindsey managed, crying happily. "They're all coming home…"


Knothole

The others had finished changing out of their jumpsuits as Sonic was putting the finishing touches on the chili dogs.

"Wow, that smells great." Amy remarked.

"My Uncle Chuck's old recipe," Sonic explained. "He used it all the time at the diner he used to run."

"Pass 'em here," Porker ordered. "After nine days of eating nothing but that nasty brown paste, these things smell like heaven."

"With or without cheese?" Sonic questioned.

"Doesn't matter," Porker said simply.

"One of each, got it," Sonic nodded. "Hey, Sally! Come get them while they're hot! Trust me, they'll run out fast!"

He passed them out as Sally entered. The others took a bite, and were on cloud nine immediately.

"Never has a chili dog tasted so good…" Tails sighed.

"Shorty, when we get you outta that thing, you're definitely trying one of these," Bunnie declared.

Shortfuse nodded. "I'll add it to the list."

Kat slumped back in her chair as she finished hers off, a smile on her face.

"You like it?" Sonic asked, chuckling.

"Heaven on a plate…" Kat replied. "Can I have another?"

Sonic gave her two. "I always fall back to Uncle Chuck's recipe when I need some good comfort food. And you guys definitely need some after eating Eggman's slop."

"Yeah, you and Mina weren't kidding when you said it tasted like butt." Rotor mused.

"Oh, yeah," Mina agreed. "Major butt."

"Sal?" Sonic asked, turning to her. "You haven't touched your chili dog. You good?"

"Sorry, weak stomach at the moment," Sally replied.

At their odd looks, she finally picked hers up, taking a bite.

"Oh!" Bunnie perked. "Rotor, Porker, Tekno, I pulled this from Eggatha's lab."

She fished the info sphere out of her shirt. "Think you three can figure out what it is?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Tekno remarked.

"I'd love to work on a project that's not a robot," Rotor mused.

"Ditto," Porker agreed.

"I'm gonna work on schematics for a new Tornado." Tails decided.

Once they were done eating, everyone dispersed, leaving Sonic and Sally alone. Seeing her chance, Sally slid over to Sonic's side.

"Sonic, thank you for saving me back there," she said gratefully.

"I wasn't gonna leave you," Sonic assured.

"Still, I was scared," Sally admitted. "And I'm-"

Suddenly, loud barking reached their ears. Muttski came barreling in, tackling Sonic to the ground.

"Muttski!" Sonic laughed. "Hey, boy! Long time no see!"

Muttski began licking the hedgehog happily, barking and wagging his tail. He then turned to Sally, and his playful demeanor instantly vanished. He growled, raising his hackles and baring his teeth.

"What the…?" Sonic let out.

"Muttski?" Sally asked. "What's-?"

He actually snapped at her, forcing her to recoil.

"Muttski!" Sonic said reproachfully, getting up. "Bad dog! What's gotten into you? That's Sally!"

Muttski continued barking at Sally, forcing Sonic to grab him.

"Okay, clearly you need a time out," he mused. "Be right back, Sal."

With that, Sonic dragged Muttski by the collar to his personal shack, outside of which sat a simple doghouse. Grabbing the yard leash, he snapped it to his collar.

"I hate to do this, boy," he noted. "But you need to chill."

Muttski started pulling on the leash, barking his head off and jumping in the air. Sonic shook his head before going back to Freedom HQ. Muttski pulled a bit more, then he stopped. He then walked back so the leash was no longer taut, grabbed it in his mouth, and began chewing…


Station Square

The door of the Thorndyke Mansion was thrown open, and Chris, Keith, and Hope ran in. All of the adults immediately rush to greet their respective children, holding them tightly.

"Oh, Chris…" Lindsey wept. "You're finally home…"

"My little boy…" Laura managed.

"Welcome home, son…" Sam added.

Agnes said nothing, just holding Hope and crying.

"Grandma, I'm okay," Hope assured.

"I know, I know," Agnes replied. "I just... I lost my Angela. The thought of losing you too…"

She just tightened her grip. After a few minutes, everyone parted.

"Well, now that we've had our big reunion, how about some food?" Keith requested.

"Dinner's on the table," Nelson assured.

"We made all your favorites, and it's just for you three," Lindsey added. "Eat as much as you want."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Chris noted. "There's a word for the stuff we were fed on the Death Egg, and it definitely isn't 'food.'"

With that, they all scrambled for the dining room. The adults watched the children stuff their faces, each of them smiling.

"By the way, the five of us discussed it, and we agreed that we won't keep you from rejoining the Freedom Fighters," Nelson informed them. "However, you're taking a two week vacation to recuperate from what happened."

"This is non-negotiable," Sam added.

Chris shrugged. "Fine with me."

"No argument here," Hope agreed.

"Can I call Kat and ask her to bring some stuff from our Knothole lab?" Keith asked. "We have some projects we'd like to continue."

"That much you can do," Laura allowed.

The kids nodded and resumed eating.


Knothole

Sonic returned from tethering Muttski, shaking his head.

"Sorry about that, Sal," Sonic told her. "No idea what got into him."

"Well, I've been on the Death Egg and in Robotropolis for almost two weeks," Sally mused. "I probably smell like Robotnik."

"Even after a shower?" Sonic asked. "Man, Eggman must be really smelly."

"Well, it doesn't matter now." Sally hugged him. "It's over. We're home."

"Yeah." Sonic returned the hug. "You're right."

Sally grinned and raised a hand. Suddenly, Tekno came running in.

"Sonic!" she screamed.

Sally quickly lowered that arm as Sonic turned.

"What is it?" he asked.

"We took a look at that sphere Bunnie found," Tekno explained. "You have got to see this!"

"Alright, I'm coming."

Sonic headed off and Sally growled in annoyance, kicking a rock before following.


In the labs, Rotor and Porker were gathered around another figure.

"Greetings, Sonic," the figure greeted. "It has been some time."

"Tempo?!" Sonic exclaimed before thinking. "That adds up. Metal got the Fregosi Sapphire somehow. And Eggatha wouldn't pass up a chance to study Ancient technology."

"Eggatha?" Tempo asked before perking. "Oh, you mean the rather hyperactive child who took my core processor. Indeed, she did take me. And I have been instructed to provide you and the Freedom Fighters with these."

He held out a hand, and several blueprints began appearing in a display above his palm. Sonic's jaw hit the ground as he recognized every single blueprint as schematics for the Badniks.

"These…" he managed, "these are the schematics Dr. Bennett was asking for!"

At that moment, a particular set of blueprints popped up, these ones of Metal Sonic.

"Holy…" Porker let out.

"Agatha Kintobor, I am so sending you a massive basket of robot parts for Christmas," Sonic declared. "Tempo, can you transfer this data to a hard drive for us, please?"

"Yes, of course."

The sphere began to shift, opening up and ejecting a small flash drive.

"I'll fly this over to GUN." Tekno decided.

Sonic nodded. "Be my guest."

She took it, heading out and passing Sally just as the latter entered the lab.

"What's going on?" Sally asked.

"Only a massive advantage for us," Sonic answered with a massive grin plastered on his face. "but more on that later. Right now, we need to celebrate!"

"Ooh! Ooh!" Tails shouted, waving an arm around before Sonic nodded in his general direction. "Let's burn all our jumpsuits in a bonfire and make s'mores!"

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Everyone quickly piled out of the room, Porker even snagging Tempo so he could be present. Sally was left alone in the lab, where she made her anger apparent.

"Damn it…" she grumbled. "I'll never kill Sonic with his pesky friends popping in and out like this."

-X-

Sometime later, a massive bonfire had been set up in the center of the Knothole plaza. Everyone was tossing their prison jumpsuits into the flames, Antoine taking particular joy in burning the remains of his jester suit. The group cheered before holding out marshmallows over the blaze. Sally stood off to the side, watching the festivities.

"Hey, come join us," Sonic told her. "I figured you'd be the most eager to celebrate."

"Oh, I am," Sally assured. "But I was hoping the two of us could get some time to hang out together. Alone."

"Oh!" Sonic perked. "I'm sorry, it never even dawned on me. Come on, let's head over to the lake. It'll be quiet over there."

Sally smiled at that, taking his hand as he led her to the Lake of Rings. When they got there, the two sat down on the edge, looking out at the water.

"Sorry about that," Sonic said. "I figure after two weeks of nothing but Eggman harassing you, you'd probably just want some fresh air."

"Pretty much, yeah," Sally agreed.

"I wish I'd noticed sooner," Sonic said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Though it does explain why you've been acting weird."

"Yeah…" Sally turned to him. "Well, like I was saying before, thanks for coming back for me."

"Of course," Sonic took her hand. "I will always be there for you. I will always be there to take care of you. I promise you that. I will always be your friend."

Sally pulled Sonic into a hug. He returned it in kind, not seeing the malicious grin as Sally's hand transformed into a twisted, sharp dagger. She gently pressed the tip into his back, preparing to plunge it in when furious barking reached their ears. They both turned, seeing a very mad Muttski running in, trailing the gnawed leash behind him. He launched himself at Sally, sinking his teeth into her leg. Sally howled in pain, and for a brief second, her face morphed, her teeth becoming jagged and her eyes turning yellow. Sonic saw this and recoiled as Sally tried to shake off the pissed dog.

"Sonic, call him off!" she screamed before managing to dislodge him. Sonic narrowed his eyes at her.

"No wonder he's been so angry. You're not Sally!" he grabbed her by the collar in a rage. "Who are you?!"

"What?" Sally tried to claim. "Sonic, it's me. It's Sally. Why would you think I-"

"Don't lie to me!" Sonic roared before throwing her into the midst of the others. Everyone saw Sally fall, looking shocked.

"What the hell?!" Knuckles exclaimed.

They turned to Sonic, seeing him storming over.

"Sonic, what are you doing to Sally?" Tails demanded.

"That's not Sally!" Sonic shouted. "It's some kinda Badnik! She would've killed me just now if it weren't for Muttski!"

Muttski was by his side, growling as he continued to glare at Sally.

"He's lying!" Sally insisted. "Knuckles, please, you have to believe me! He just went crazy!"

Knuckles looked between him and Sally, thinking.

"I mistrusted Sonic once before. It ended badly," he said at last. "I know he would never hurt the real Sally."

Sally looked distraught, which then turned to anger. Both of her hands shifted into daggers and she let out a scream before launching herself at Knuckles. Sonic darted in at that, grabbing her by the throat.

"I don't think so!" he shouted before slamming her into a wall. "Show us who you really are! NOW!"

Sally growled. "Fine. No point keeping up this charade anyway."

Her entire body began to glow as it expanded slightly. When the glow faded, she was a good foot or so taller with pinkish-purple body armor and a cat-like face. Her eyes were solid yellow and surrounded by black, and her teeth were jagged and sharp.

"I am Metamorphia," she introduced. "The latest in Badnik espionage and infiltration. And now…" Her fingers extended into long sharp claws. "I'm going to destroy you, Sonic the-"

Sonic didn't let her finish. He punched her in the face, plowing her into the wall.

"Where's the real Sally?!" he demanded. "Spill it!"

"Hmm…" Metamorphia tapped her chin in thought. "I could kill you, or I could explain everything and then kill you… I think I'll just kill you!"

By now, the rest of the Freedom Fighters looked out for blood. However, before any of them could step forward, Sonic held up a hand.

"No." His quills began to darken slightly as his eyes and voice hardened. "She's mine."

Everyone recoiled as Sonic charged at Metamorphia, decking her and knocking her back again.

"Where is Eggman keeping Sally?!" he screamed.

"I'll never tell!" Metamorphia shot back defiantly.

"Oh, you're gonna! How much pain you endure before then is up to you!"

The two continued fighting, and as the fight progressed, a change began to overtake Sonic. His quills began to turn black, the shadows drawing themselves towards him as the temperature dropped. Both Knuckles and Kat could feel the wrongness of the situation, and even those not attuned to the Chaos Force were creeped out by this shift.

"What in the name of-?!" Rotor managed.

Sonic chokeslammed Metamorphia to the ground, looking her right in the eye.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" he roared.

Metamorphia spat in his face at that. "Go to Hell!"

Sonic punched her hard, the shadows beginning to swallow him as his canines extended and his eyes began to turn red.

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

"I… I won't…" Metamorphia stammered out.

Sonic threw her across Knothole at that. She barely had time to get to her feet before he was right on top of her, gripping the front of her body armor. Everyone looked in horror as black cracks began forming on the chest place, beginning right where Sonic's hand touched.

"What's going on?!" Mina demanded. "What's wrong with him?!"

"Dark Chaos energy…" Knuckles realized. "Sonic's been consumed by it and his rage has become truly corrosive."

"How is he doing this without the Emeralds?!" Tails questioned.

"He still has them!" Knuckles deduced. "They must not have scattered after he used them last time! They're still in his pocket!"

Sonic kicked Metamorphia, sending her skidding across the grass before stalking toward her. By this point, she was scrambling back, in fear for her life.

"No!" she cried. "S-stay away from me, you monster!"

He just got up in her face again, grabbing her by her throat before slamming her into a tree and whaling on her.

"WHERE! IS! SALLY?!" he screamed with each blow.

By now, cracks were all over Metamorphia's face and neck. Her fear for her life overruling her loyalties to Robotnik, the shapeshifter caved.

"She-... she's still in Robotropolis… She's in the isolation cell of the dungeon... Please, don't kill me..."

"Sonic, let her go!" Knuckles ordered, looking terrified at this point. "She told us!"

"Please, you know now…" Metamorphia whimpered. "So you don't have to kill me… please…"

"Now, when did we make that arrangement?" Sonic growled, summoning a ball of pure, sparking dark energy in his hand. "You know where Knothole is!"

Everyone gasped, Metamorphia bracing herself for death... and that was when Kat ran in, grabbing him in a full-nelson and yanking him away. She cried out in pain as black marks instantly began eating at her arms, the girl backpedaling and dragging Sonic away from the Badnik. Metamorphia remained exactly where she was dropped, too scared to move.

"KAT!" Knuckles screamed.

"Get… back…" Kat managed, wincing.

Looking around, she saw the Lake of Rings and began dragging Sonic toward it, the corrupted hedgehog kicking and clawing at her arms and stomach as he tried to free himself from her grip. Kat grunted and groaned, but kept it up, eventually reaching the lake. She stumbled into one of the shallower parts and forced Sonic bodily under the water. Splashing and bubbling emanated for several seconds before Kat yanked him back up. He coughed and sputtered, still the raging shadow monster, upon which Kat shoved him right back in.

By this point the others were all gathered around the lake, watching with bated breath. She pulled him back up again, the shadows receding enough that his clothes were visible. She grabbed the pocket of his hoodie, ripping it free and spilling the Chaos Emeralds. With one hand, she dunked Sonic one last time as she gathered up the seven blackened emeralds in the other, tossing them onto the shore. When he emerged, Sonic was back to normal, spitting out a mouthful of water. Kat staggered back on shore before collapsing, black cracks all over her arms and face.

As he composed himself, Sonic gasped, seeing her state. Fortunately, a Power Ring was emerging from the lake at that very moment. He snatched it up, dashing over to her and holding the ring over her inert form.

"Heal!" he screamed. "HEAL!"

The power rained down on Kat, clearing up the corruption. As soon as it was done, Knuckles tackled Sonic to the ground in a rage, pinning him.

"You idiot!" he shouted. "We told you you weren't right in the head! That you needed help! Now look what you've done!"

Sonic looked at Kat, who was still on the ground, her arms and stomach covered in bleeding gashes. He went pale with horror before looking down at himself. His gloves were torn, and there was blood under his nails. Yanking himself free of Knuckles, he staggered over to the lake before doubling over and puking into it. Before he could properly recover, Knuckles punched him hard in the face, then grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him off. Tails and Amy quickly followed, seeing him take Sonic to the small prison Knothole had. He bodily threw Sonic into one of the cells, slamming the door shut and locking it.

"Why'd you do that?!" Amy demanded.

"Because if I didn't, I would've killed him," Knuckles said bluntly. "Get the Badnik to the medical bay and guard her. Take Kat to my room and get her patched up. And Tails, we need Warp Rings yesterday."

They all left, leaving Sonic alone in the cell. He just laid there, still in shock at his actions.


Author's Note:

Oh, damn. Dark Sonic came back. Well, this was a long time coming.

Metamorphia is from the British Sonic the Comic, just FYI.

Next chapter, we deal with the aftermath of Sonic's rampage.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Metamorphia - Wendy Powell (Envy from Fullmetal Alchemist, Mukuro from Yu Yu Hakusho)

Please R&R. Until next time!