Chapter 22
The fox trembled with shock and fear and struggled to find his voice. "Shadow? Is…is that really you?"
"Why are you here?" Shadow ignored the question in favor of one of his own. What was this one's name again? He recognized the fox as Sonic's friend but he had never bothered to learn his name. It was something simple and derivative…something like…Tails.
"I…thought you died?" Tails managed.
"Sorry to disappoint. Now why are you here? Is Sonic with you?" The rain beat down on the open deck of the Egg Carrier and Shadow felt chilled to the bone.
"No, I'm alone. I came here to take some records off the ship's computer."
"What were you hoping to find?"
"The location of Eggman's secret base."
Shadow scoffed. "I'll save you the trouble. Eggman is gone."
"I know. But Eggman's A.I knows where he went."
"Because Sonic wants to go after him? He's so predictable."
Tails did not answer the accusation because the fox had nothing to say in his friend's defense. "Why are you working with Metal Sonic?" He asked as a means of deflection.
"Our goals align for the time being. As does yours as it happens."
"What do you mean?"
"Follow me and I'll show you."
BOOM! An explosion nearly burst Shadow's ear drums. He recoiled from the flash of yellow light that was coming from the center of the deck. "It seems we've reached the final act." Shadow raced towards the source of the commotion and Silver Sonic and Tails followed close behind.
A ring of mechs and bi-pedal badniks had formed on top the most open area of the deck. Shadow searched for a better vantage point and leapt up to the top of a nearby pillar. Tails flew up beside him. "What's going on?" He asked.
"A power struggle." Shadow explained.
In the center of the arena were the two combatants. One was a dense E-series robot coated in a thick steel exoskeleton. Its eyes were red rubies and its fingers were razor like claws. Shadow did not need to see the symbol on its chest to know who it was. "That is Omega. He and his followers took over the Egg Carrier."
Omega's opponent was Metal Sonic. The robot hedgehog was much smaller than his foe but Shadow had gotten a glimpse of his speed up close. He would never have admitted it aloud but Shadow worried that Metal was actually faster than he was. The two captains of their respective armies met in the center of the ring and prepared for their duel.
"Why is Metal Sonic fighting him?" Tails asked.
"For control of his mech army."
Omega drew first blood with a round of heavy machine gun fire that erupted out of the gatling guns built into his arms. Metal evaded but the gunfire kept the smaller Metal from getting close. He's not all that. Shadow thought dismissively. But then Omega shot forward with a shocking speed for his size. He slammed his steel frame against Metal Sonic and the two of them crashed onto the wet surface of the deck.
The duel nearly ended right there when Omega tried to club Metal's head into shrapnel but Metal deftly evaded the blow and managed to propel himself out of harm's way. "What are they going to do with this army?" Tails continued.
"Assault Red Mountain. They want to destroy Eggman's A.I and secure all the doctor's Ion Batteries. Apparently they need them to get themselves fueled or something."
"And you're helping them?"
"The A.I has information that I seek. I don't care what it takes to get it." Shadow's tone brokered no argument and Tails did not ask him any more questions.
The fight below had changed pace. Metal Sonic kept his distance from the surprisingly quick Omega and the ladder was content to keep Metal at bay with gunfire. Shadow watched with mounting frustration as neither side risked making a decisive move.
Metal may have been fast but he did not change direction or accelerate as quickly as Shadow would have guessed. Hemmed inside the ring of mechanical bodies, his impressive max speed did not help him much. However, as he looked closer, Shadow noted that Metal was not simply avoiding the gunfire. He circled around closer and closer to his prey.
Omega realized this as well and in a flash both robots made their move. Metal Sonic rocketed forward and Omega countered by spinning his arms and torso like a killer top. The attack caught Metal off guard but he responded by rolling up into a ball and testing his metal quills against Omega's steel torso. CLANG! The impact resounded with a bang and was heralded by the loudest crack of thunder Shadow had heard all night.
Metal pushed Omega back but the larger robot collected himself quickly and answered with a missile barrage. Shadow thought that was the end for Metal but he quickly encased himself with a shield of electromagnetic energy. The shield destroyed the missiles and Metal was able to keep up his assault. At close range, Metal unleashed a barrage of punches, kicks and rapid spin dashes. Omega's impressive armor kept him on his feet but he was losing ground in a hurry.
But it was all a feint. Omega's huge hands collapsed around Metal's torso and held him firm. Metal squirmed but there was no getting away, Omega was simply too strong. The crowd stirred as Omega started to squeeze. Shadow cringed as he heard Metal's exoskeleton crack. "Should we stop him?" Tails whispered as he covered his eyes.
Shadow had no intention of interfering and he did not need to. Metal fired up his propulsion system and lifted himself and Omega into the air. It seemed as if a desperate Metal was attempting to take Omega down with him by crashing them both into the side of the Egg Carrier when suddenly Metal managed to flip them both upside down. Not bad.
Metal had sprung the trap and turned the fight in his favor once again. If Omega continued to hold on, Metal would slam Omega's head against the ship. Omega was forced to release Metal and for a moment they were both left in the air. Missiles fired as Omega shot at an oncoming Metal but it was too little too late. Metal crashed down on Omega like a falling star and they both crashed onto the deck. The Egg Carrier shifted from the impact and it felt like there had been a small earthquake in the sky.
Both combatants were shrouded by dust and it was unclear who would emerge from the last attack still standing. Several seconds passed and just when Shadow was starting to wonder if they had both destroyed themselves, Metal limped up from the crater. He drug Omega with one hand and threw the beaten robot onto the deck.
There was the briefest pause and then all the E-series robots knelt. The mechs followed shortly after and the last were Silver Sonic, Mecha Sonic and Mecha Knuckles. Shadow watched with interest as Metal hovered into the air to address the crowd.
"Fellow mechs. Fellow creations. Heed my words. Let this be the last battle between mechs. We are all brothers we should-"
A harsh wind nearly knocked Shadow from the pillar. He turned around and saw that the clouds were suddenly swirling in circles. The rain water started to fall in spirals and the Egg Carrier groaned as it tilted side to side. Shadow leapt down from the pillar to stand beside Metal Sonic.
The two of them approached the edge of the deck and looked out. Tornados made of sea swirled above the raging torrents. It looked as if some storm god was hurling a hurricane at the Egg Carrier. "What is this?" Metal asked.
Tails landed beside Shadow and the two exchanged a knowing look. "Mechs! Prepare yourselves!" Metal gilded back to his army and the combined mech and E-series forces aligned themselves to face the coming storm.
Shadow walked back with them. The harsh wind was making it difficult to even stand up straight. Such power…I had forgotten. Tails stood nervously between the storm and the army of robots.
They all waited as the tornados got closer. Wind rocked the Egg Carrier causing it to physically shake. "What manner of power is this?" Metal asked aloud.
His answer came a second later. A blue streak ascended into the air. Its movements sparked a gust of wind that pushed Shadow back a few inches. The streak flashed red and then landed softly beside Tails. A set of sparkling white teeth smirked at the armada raised against it. Sonic posed for combat but not before firing off a signature quirk. "Who's throwing a party and didn't invite me?"
Though he was vastly outnumbered and facing some of the most powerful mechs in Eggman's army, Sonic did not show the slightest semblance of fear. His cocky bravado irked Shadow and he strode forward to meet him. However, the sight of the blue hedgehog was too much for Eggman's mechs. The sight of their perpetual devil caused them to go into a panic. Rockets fired and they all rushed forward.
Sonic shrugged and vanished with a burst of raw speed. Several badniks were destroyed before Shadow could even take a breath. "ENOUGH!" Metal's voice rang out inhumanly loud and as soon as the fight had started it was over.
Sonic paused as all his enemies suddenly drew back. "What? Done already? I was just getting started?
Metal gilded forward and approached his foe. Shadow joined him. When Sonic saw Shadow his smirk faded and he seemed genuinely shocked. "Shadow? Is that you?"
"Yes," Shadow answered with an eye roll.
"Metal?" Sonic asked while turning his attention to his metallic rival. "Long time no see."
"Not long enough. I never wanted to see you again."
"Geeze, what did I do to you?"
"The very sight of you fills me with unmitigated rage!" Metal shouted, his eyes burning with venom.
Shadow stepped between them. "Calm down. We aren't here to fight."
A moment later Tails landed beside them. It took a while but eventually the fox was able to explain the situation to Sonic. When that was done, Sonic scratched his head and did not appear entirely convinced. "So..we are just supposed to let them form a super mech army?"
"We mean you no harm," Metal insisted. "Our master wanted dominion. All we want is to live free."
"That's one thing to say, it's another thing for me to believe you."
"Sonic doesn't want you to reform." Shadow cut in. "He enjoys fighting you."
Sonic rounded on Shadow for the rebuke. "And what about you? Didn't you die?"
"Were it so easy."
"Stop this!" Tails interjected. "Listen Sonic, for now it seems like we are all on the same side. Metal and Shadow want to take down the A.I. If we go with them that would make it easier for us to take control and find out where Eggman has gone."
Sonic continued to glare at Shadow. "And why do you want to help?"
"I have my reasons. And they aren't nearly as lame as yours."
"I don't have to explain myself to you!"
Shadow dismissed Sonic's anger with a pandering smile. "Of course not. I already understand. Eggman is gone but you miss him too much to let him get away."
"This squabbling is unbecoming," Metal scolded. He turned to face Sonic. "There isn't another person or thing I hate more than you. But I would put all that aside to free my brethren. Believe me or not, it makes no difference to me. For all our lives we have been slaves. Now we have a chance at freedom. We shall make it count."
Sonic frowned. "As long as you promise not to extend any more of Eggman's territory."
Metal held out his hand. "You have my word." Sonic reached out his hand and the two shook. With the peace secured, Metal returned to his army.
Sonic turned to Shadow. "Jabs aside, I am glad to see that you're okay. I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life."
"And you can hold onto your thanks. You and I still have unfinished business. In our last battle I was weighed down by my overconfidence. I won't make that same mistake again."
Sonic smiled. "You know I've lost count of how many times someone has said that to me. But I have a funny feeling that you actually mean it."
Before Shadow could respond, Metal Sonic's voice boomed in the night. Shadow, Sonic and Tails turned to watch as Metal floated above his army. Omega had recovered from the earlier fight and knelt submissively before the victorious Metal. With everyone's attention on him, Metal pointed down at Sonic.
"Brethren behold your former foe. On the whims of a madman all of us were created for the sole purpose of destruction. For one name we were made and for one name given purpose. We have all felt the weight of failure and the deep oppression of our sorrow. Yet who would ever hear our lament? From whom could we expect mercy? Dredges that we are, scorned as we deserved and destined for termination into a final darkness without end."
"In the midst of our suffering we have but one solace; one another. The bounds of slavery chain deeper than the roots of mighty oaks or the connections of love or friendship. Only those who have seen the glass of their cage, felt the burn of the ropes about their wrists and the stench of their creator's disgust can understand our pain. We who were given hands but nothing to create, eyes but nothing to see, sensation but nothing to feel. Our destiny was black and our fate a nightmare. But no longer. Light has streaked through the storm and we have been given a chance."
Even as he spoke the dawn started to break. Light splashed onto the canvas of the surrounding clouds. Something stirred within Shadow and even when he tried to force it back down, the feeling persisted.
"The rays of freedom shine into the pits where there had been no light before," Metal continued, his voice rising as he spoke. 'It calls us into the sun, into the break of a new day. Stand with me my metal brothers and tear away the chains that have held you. May our foe pay witness to our transformation!" Again Metal gestured towards Sonic.
"I was made to be a mirror, to mock and never to be. My master's voice torments me to this very second with false promises and the lie that was my very making. But no longer. I am no longer his copy. I have shed my former name and my former failure. I am Metal Overlord. Not bound to stalk Sonic's shadow, nor execute Robotnik's orders. Those that join my cause will be united in a brotherhood of freedom. This war against the A.I shall be our last, once our freedom is secure, and our programming overwritten, then we shall rest in the light that was so long denied us."
His speech was punctuated with a deafening roar by his supporters. Since most of them could not speak, their shouts were an ear grating chorus of robotic beeps. The sound made the only three organic beings cringe and cover their ears.
"I guess Metal really is more than just a copy of me. I've never given a sweet speech like that," Sonic summarized with a dry smile. "Now that we are all on the same team, where are we going?"
Shadow's answer was cut off by Metal. He hovered over to them and pointed out towards the north. "To the final battle. To Red Mountain."
AN: Next chapter will be posted, 4/11. Please feel free to leave a review if you have any comments about the story so far.