Chapter 26: The Experiment
The cold, sterile light of the Egg Dreadnaught's lab flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the room. In the center stood a metallic chair, fitted with restraints, facing a massive, humming machine. The machine was connected to a pedestal that held the Master Emerald, its green light pulsing faintly as if it were alive. Scanners moved around the emerald, making whirring noises as they repeatedly scanned and analyzed its energy.
The lab was cluttered with strange devices, cables snaking across the floor like tendrils. Dark stains marred the walls, and shelves were filled with half-finished robots, their lifeless eyes staring blankly into the room. It was a place where things were made—and broken—without a second thought.
Dr. Robotnik stood at a nearby control panel, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the metal. He watched the Master Emerald with a mix of frustration and fascination, his mind churning with ideas and calculations. "You've been quite the stubborn one," he muttered to the emerald, as if it could hear him. "But don't worry, we'll find a way to make you talk."
The lab doors slid open, and Quick Man entered, shoving Tails into the room. The young fox stumbled, his hands bound, but he kept his eyes forward, trying to show no fear. Robotnik turned, a broad grin spreading across his face.
"Ah, Tails! So glad you could join us!" he said, his voice dripping with mock cheerfulness. "I was just telling our emerald friend here how stubborn it's been. Perhaps you'll help us... loosen it up a bit."
Quick Man pushed Tails toward the chair, and before he could resist, the robot master clamped him down with metal restraints. Tails struggled briefly, but it was no use. He was trapped.
Robotnik sauntered over, his coat trailing behind him, and stood beside the Master Emerald. "I'm sure you're wondering why I've brought you here, my dear Tails," he said, his tone jovial but menacing. "You see, my research on the Master Emerald has been... slow. It's a fascinating object, truly, but it's also quite uncooperative. I've tried using it to locate the Chaos Emeralds, but all I've managed to do is create a few... disruptions across other worlds. Perhaps you've heard of those mysterious purple lights appearing in the sky? That's my handiwork. Unfortunately the results are unpredictable, sometimes moving the emeralds to new placed" He chuckled, the sound echoing ominously around the lab. "An unfortunate side effect, easily corrected."
Tails shot him a glare. "If you're so great, why can't you find the Chaos Emeralds yourself?"
"Oh, Tails, Tails, Tails," Robotnik said, wagging a finger. "You misunderstand. I'm not looking for a consultation; I'm looking for a solution. And that's where you come in." He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You have a keen mind, Tails. You're good at solving problems. I thought you might like to help me solve this one."
Tails clenched his fists, his voice steady. "I'll never help you."
Robotnik's smile widened, as if he found Tails' defiance amusing. "Oh, I'm not asking for your cooperation. I'm merely going to... facilitate it." He gestured to the chair and the various wires and devices around it. "I'm going to connect you to the Master Emerald. Let's see if it helps you open your mind and find the Chaos Emeralds."
Tails' eyes widened, a surge of panic breaking through his calm facade. "You're insane!"
"No, no, my boy," Robotnik said, his tone gleeful. "I'm a scientist. And a good scientist never passes up the chance to experiment." He began attaching wires to Tails' head and arms, his movements precise and efficient. "I have no idea what this will do to you, but that's the fun of science, isn't it? Testing new theories, exploring new frontiers... and besides, I needed a biological subject to make this work, and I wasn't about to risk my own genius."
Tails tried to pull away, but the restraints held firm. As Robotnik moved back to the control panel, his eyes gleamed with anticipation. He let his hand hover over the switch, savoring the moment. "Now, I need you to be very open about the experience, Tails. For scientific purposes, of course. After all, science is all about pushing boundaries. Testing limits. And you, my dear fox, are about to help me break through one of the biggest barriers of all. Isn't that exciting?"
Robotnik's hand hovered over the control panel, his fingers lingering just above the switch. "I wonder," he mused, his eyes gleaming, "what it feels like to be connected to such a powerful force. I suppose we're about to find out." He paused, savoring the moment, before finally pressing the button.
The room fell silent, the tension thick and heavy. The machine hummed louder, and wires and nodes around the Master Emerald began to glow, their lights converging and connecting to the devices attached to Tails. As the power surged, Tails felt a sudden, excruciating pain rip through his body—like his entire being was being torn apart from the inside out. The acrid smell of burning circuits filled the air, mingling with the sharp, metallic tang that clung to the back of his throat. He screamed, the sound raw and primal, echoing off the metal walls.
The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt, as if his nerves were being shredded, his brain being pulled in every direction at once. Through the blinding pain, images flickered in and out of Tails' mind—disjointed, blurry, like pieces of a broken mirror. He saw Sonic, clutching a glowing emerald, his face tense with determination. Beside him stood Amy, and two figures Tails didn't know—one with wings, the other wielding a weapon that looked like a key. The images shifted, twisted, then faded into darkness..
The vision faded, and Tails slumped against the restraints, gasping for breath. The machine powered down, and Robotnik turned toward him, his smile widening with curiosity. "Well, well, well, Tails," he said, his voice smooth. "Do tell—what did you see?"
Tails could barely focus, the pain still throbbing through his body. His vision was blurry, and every breath felt like a struggle. He said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Robotnik sighed, as if disappointed, though a slight twitch in his jaw betrayed a flicker of impatience. 'Oh, come now, Tails. You can't die on me yet. We have so much more to explore, so much more... research to do." He glanced at the Master Emerald, his fingers tapping against the control panel. "I see the experiment didn't quite yield the results I was hoping for. But no matter. A good scientist always tries again. Perhaps we just need a bit more power."
Tails' eyes widened in terror. "No! Stop, it's not going to work—"
But Robotnik wasn't listening. He adjusted a few dials, his movements casual, as if he were fine-tuning a radio. "I do wish you'd be a little more cooperative, Tails. This is for science, after all." He pressed a button, and the machine powered up once more.
Tails clenched his teeth, fighting back a scream as the pain tore through him. He couldn't give Robotnik what he wanted—he had to resist, no matter how much it hurt. Sonic was out there, and Tails had to believe he was coming
And then Tails screamed again, the pain tearing through him all over again, Robotnik's voice was calm, clinical. He spoke into a small recorder, his tone detached. "Experiment one: failure. Subject made a brief connection to the emerald, but is refusing to speak. Moving on to the next test. Increasing power output..."
Tails' screams echoed through the lab, and Robotnik watched, his eyes bright with a twisted curiosity. To him, this was all just another puzzle to solve, another problem to overcome. And he wasn't going to stop until he had his answer.