-Chapter 187-

How to Train Your Robot


Robotropolis

The Phis stood in a straight line before Robotnik and Eggatha.

"Emerald Radars are installed," Eggatha reported. "All systems are a go."

"These Phis will be some of our greatest creations yet," Grimer mused.

"Excellent," Robotnik cleared his throat. "Phis!"

The robots stood at attention.

"You know what your mission is, what you were created for. Now go! Gather the Chaos Emeralds! Destroy Sonic and the Freedom Fighters!"

One by one, the Phis launched into the air, flying off into the sky. Robotnik smiled.

"It's a good day to be a villain."


Knothole

Cream and Cheese were playing with Emerl, the rabbit in the process of showing him how to make flower crowns. His eyes were glowing as he began to replicate the process. Kat was keeping an eye on the pair as the others discussed what to do. Shadow was particularly vocal about his displeasure of the entire ordeal.

"We still need to-"

"We've been over this already, Shadow," Sonic let out, sighing in annoyance.

"Do you not understand what's at stake here?"

"It'll be fine. We're not talking about this!"

Shadow jumped from his seat, flaring red briefly as he slammed his palms on the table.

"YES, WE DAMN WELL ARE!"

Everyone turned to Shadow, startled by his outburst as he calmed himself.

"Look. Professor Gerald sealed Emerl away for a reason. He tore up half the ARK, and they theorized he went rogue and single-handedly wiped out the Fourth Great Civilization. He has the power to wipe out all life on Mobius, and if we believe there's even a one percent chance that he is our enemy, we have to take it as an absolute certainty... and we have to destroy him."

"Shadow, look at him," Sonic insisted as he pointed to Emerl, whose head was lowered as Cream placed a crown on his head. "He's not our enemy. Far from it."

"Not yet, he isn't," Shadow argued. "'Yet' is the operative word. We've seen the consequences and effects of having too much power, Sonic. Neo Metal Sonic. Enerjak. Even Knuckles almost went mad once he unlocked his full potential."

"I have to agree with Shadow on this one," Knuckles spoke up. "I mean, right now, his Link to Cream is all that's keeping him here, and who knows when it will be broken."

"Well, the Mystic Melody is a very rare power," Tails pointed out, "and it apparently trumps a gun collection, and even Omega's plasma cannon. It'll take one hell of a display to break that Link."

"Knowing us, it's only a matter of time," Shadow insisted.

"Don't I get a say in this?"

They turned to see Cream approach, Emerl trailing behind her.

"Shadow, Emerl's my friend," Cream went on. "And you want to kill him?"

Shadow sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Cream, you know I adore you," he began. "And I don't want to do anything to hurt you. But I've sworn to protect this sorry world, and sometimes that means saying and doing what other people can't. What they shouldn't have to."

"But what if it was your friend that you had to destroy?" Cream questioned. "What if to save the entire world, you had to kill Hope? Would you do it? Or would you find another way?"

Shadow sputtered for a moment, before sighing.

"No," he conceded. "I'd kill myself before killing Hope."

"Exactly," Cream nodded. "So we'll find another way. I'll teach Emerl to be good."

She looked at both Knuckles and Shadow. "Gizoids learn from other people, right? They're taught by observation? So he can observe us. Learn how to be a good robot, like Gamma, Omega, and Shard."

They took that in. After a minute, Rouge spoke up.

"It's amazing that the seven year old kid is the one making sense." she remarked.

Cream smiled. "Well, sometimes the younger generation can provide a fresher perspective."

"I say let her try," Kat decided. "I mean, how many times has she broken through our toughest members?"

Murmurs of consent sounded before Shadow nodded.

"Alright, Cream," he sighed. "We'll try it your way."

Cream smiled, then rushed forward and hugged him.

"Thank you!" she cheered.

Shadow stiffened for a minute before patting her head. "You're welcome."

The moment ended when Omochao began ringing and vibrating (1).

"Incoming transmission from Commander Tower." he reported.

"Nice ringtone," Sonic complimented.

"Thank you."

His eyes projected a hologram of the Commander.

"Team Dark," he began, "We have an update on the Gizoid situation."

"The Gizoid is here in Knothole," Rouge told him. "It formed a Link with Cream the Rabbit. It seems Robotnik couldn't get it to work and threw it out."

"Well, we have a pretty good idea as to why he did."

The hologram switched, showing the Phis flying above Mobotropolis.

"He made more?!" Sally demanded.

"Inferior designs," Emerl said simply.

"Emerl, that's not nice," Cream admonished.

"The point is these Gizoid knockoffs have been going around robbing any jewelry store or bank they come across," Tower cut in. "It's safe to assume they're on the hunt for Chaos Emeralds."

"Well then, guess we know what we have to do," Sonic decided. "Smash these bots and get the latest batch of Emeralds before they do."

Omochao ended the transmission.

"Well, you heard the commander," Sonic said. "Let's move!"


Mobotropolis

The Phis were on the warpath, breaking into any local stores and ransacking cash registers and safes for any sign of Chaos Emeralds.

"No Chaos Emerald detected," one Phi said.

"Keep searching," another ordered.

Before they could, a loud whistle sounded. They turned to see Sonic and the Freedom Fighters standing there, ready for a fight.

"Freedom Fighters detected." a Phi remarked. "Hedgehog, Priority One."

"Oh good, you know me," Sonic said. "Then maybe you know this!"

He immediately went on the run, tucking into a Spin Attack. One Phi scanned him, its eyes flashing.

"Spin Attack copied. Engaging."

It tucked into a ball itself, colliding with him. Sonic fell over, rubbing his head.

"Ow," he let out. "Just… ow."

He and the Phi ran around, clashing here and there as the others fought with the others. Much to their surprise, several were mimicking their weapons as well, several manifesting Sally's Ring-Blades, Bunnie's arm cannon, Antoine's sword, the Piko Piko Hammer, the Nitro Blasters, and even Kat's baseball bat.

"Oh come on!" Kat griped.

"Most inferior," Emerl remarked.

His eyes began to glow as he copied his inferior clones. He darted around, targeting each one with weapons and attacks that the Phis weren't already copying. A Spin Attack took care of one with Ring Blades, and Omega's plasma cannon took down a few more.

"Whoa…" Sonic let out. "That is one powerful bot."

"Good job, Emerl," Cream complimented with a smile.

"Thank you, Cream," Emerl replied.

Tails examined some of the remains before perking, realizing what had happened.

"Of course…" he said. "That's what Emerl meant by inferior. These knockoffs can only copy one person's abilities at a time."

"We should scrap these things," Knuckles insisted. "Now."

Cream ran over to Emerl, hugging him and smiling. As this went on, Tails brought up the Miles Electric, scanning for any Chaos Emeralds in the area.

"I'm getting two signals right here," he reported. "Shadow has one as usual. The second…"

He raised the Miles Electric to Emerl. Emerl's eyes scanned the Miles Electric.

"He's got one," he said.

"Eggman must've given it to him before tossing him out," Hope theorized.

"Well, I won't toss you out," Cream assured. "I promise."

She hugged Emerl again. He looked down at her before slowly patting her back.

"We should split up," Sonic said. "It'll make our hunts easier."

Tails pressed a few buttons.

"Okay, I've got some other signals." he reported. "Station Square. Green Hill. Central City. Mystic Ruins. And Robotropolis."

"I'll take my team to investigate Robotropolis," Shadow decided. "We can find the Emerald and find out exactly what the doctor is planning."

"Plus, I do owe Aggie a visit," Hope decided.

"Johnny, you, Porker, Rotor, Shorty and Sticks go to the Mystic Ruins," Sally instructed. "Antoine, Bunnie, and Mina will handle Central City. And Kat, you and the boys have Station Square."

"We got it," Kat assured.

"You can count on us," Mina said.

"Come on, Emerl," said Cream. "We've got work to do!"


Robotropolis

At Citadel Robotnik, the doctor looked over satellite footage and the like of the Freedom Fighters fighting the Phis in Mobotropolis. What really got his attention was Emerl being active and helping them. His jaw dropped at the sight of Cream hugging him, and the Gizoid returning it.

"Is this real?" he questioned. "The rabbit girl got the Gizoid to activate when I couldn't?"

Eggatha let out a laugh. "Okay... I didn't see that coming."

"How did a mere child manage to form a link with the Gizoid that surpassed Gerald's?" Grimer questioned.

"Who cares?" Robotnik demanded. "It's preposterous! The ultimate weapon of its age, and it's been roped into playing den mother to a little girl!"

He turned to them. "Well, we're gonna have to fix that."

"What's the plan?" Grimer questioned.

"The Gizoid breaks a Link and forms a new one once it sees a display of great power, right?" Robotnik asked. "I'd say it's time to launch it."

"Wait, what?!" Eggatha asked. "Uncle, are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Robotnik nodded.

"I mean…" Eggatha began, "just to get a robot's loyalty... isn't that overkill?"

"On the contrary, Agatha, it's just enough kill," Robotnik corrected. "The display of power will be such that the Gizoid will be my loyal servant forever. In the meantime, keep sending the Phis after the Freedom Fighters. The longer the Gizoid stays with them and fights by their side, the more its true potential will be unlocked."

"Oh," Eggatha nodded. "I see. They keep fighting, he keeps copying."

"And by the time the bot is mine, he'll know every trick that the Freedom Fighters do," Robotnik confirmed. "The ultimate robot under my command. Mobius will be ours!"

He began laughing maniacally, growing more and more so as he threw a large switch...


Author's Note:

(1): The ringtone is Classic Sonic's invincibility theme from Generations.

What could Robotnik be doing? Can they stop him this time?

Please R&R. Until next time!