Chapter 34: A Dark Experiment
Tails was slumped in the metallic chair, his arms bound and his head hanging low. The restraints dug into his skin, leaving red marks. His breathing was shallow, labored, each breath a reminder of how weak he had become. His entire body felt heavy, as though he were sinking deeper into the chair, but a small flicker of defiance still burned within him. He wasn't going to give Robotnik the satisfaction of watching him break.
Robotnik stood a few feet away, his back to Tails, recording his research notes. The lab was filled with the hum of machinery, and the Master Emerald glowed ominously, suspended in a containment field beside the chair. The light cast eerie shadows across the cold, metallic surfaces, creating an atmosphere that was sterile, yet threatening. Various dark, jagged machines loomed around the lab, their purposes unclear but none of them inviting. Robotnik's eyes flicked momentarily to a blueprint showing on a separate screen—a tangle of dark lines, mysterious devices, and a rough outline of a colossal, menacing machine.
Robotnik's voice was calm, methodical, even cheerful, as he spoke into the recorder. "The recent tests have proven fruitful. With the manipulation of the Master Emerald's energy, I've successfully created rifts, allowing me to transport objects from one world to another. It appears that even vast distances and varying dimensions are no longer an obstacle. Imagine the possibilities..."
He paused, glancing at Tails with a smirk. "I must admit, the subject has proven more resilient than expected. Even after multiple experiments, he remains alive... though I doubt that will last much longer." Robotnik's voice lingered on the last words, a hint of sadistic pleasure seeping through.
The grin returned to his face as he continued, "It's quite an achievement, really. Thanks to these rifts, I've managed to bring rather... interesting elements to where I need them. Like that charming mansion that showed up in a faraway land, or those delightful Robot Masters appearing at just the right moment."
Tails weakly lifted his head, his eyes struggling to focus but narrowing with determination. "You... won't... win..." he managed to mutter, though his voice was barely more than a whisper. Each word took a monumental effort, but he refused to let them die in his throat. He thought of Knuckles, Amy,... and especially Sonic, knowing that Sonic was doing everything possible to rescue him.
"Oh, I admire your spirit, little fox!" Robotnik replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "You're so defiant, even on the brink of death. It's almost... inspiring." He strolled over to the chair, looming over Tails with a smug grin. "But I'm not here for inspiration. I'm here for results."
Robotnik reached into his coat and pulled out a shining gold ring, the surface gleaming under the harsh lights of the lab. He held it up, twirling it between his fingers, allowing the golden metal to catch the light. "Recognize this, Tails?" he said, his voice silky smooth. "There aren't many of these left. Precious, precious rings. The key to portals, to freedom, to escape. And you..." he leaned in closer, his grin widening, "you'll never have one again."
Tails' eyes fixed on the ring, a brief spark of defiance lighting them up. He couldn't let Robotnik have the last word. With a sudden movement, he strained against the restraints, swinging his tails up. The effort made his entire body ache, but the tips of his tails managed to knock the ring out of Robotnik's hand, sending it clattering across the floor.
Robotnik's grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of annoyance as he watched the ring roll to a stop against a wall. "You impudent little pest!" he snapped, his voice rising. He marched over, quickly retrieving the ring, his movements sharp and angry. For a moment, Tails thought he might actually lose his composure, but Robotnik's demeanor shifted almost immediately. He straightened, dusted off his coat, and looked down at Tails with a smile that was both amused and menacing.
"Well, well, well..." Robotnik said, his tone softening, yet still carrying that cruel edge. "Still some fight left in you, I see. I have to admit, those two tails of yours... they used to be quite a source of ridicule, didn't they? Something you hid, something that made you... different."
Tails' breathing hitched, his eyes flickering with a mix of anger and fear. Even now, feeling his strength drain away, he wouldn't let Robotnik see how much he was struggling. But the way Robotnik's eyes lingered on his tails sent a chill through him, as if something terrible was just out of sight, waiting.
"But look at you now," Robotnik continued, his eyes gleaming with a kind of twisted admiration. "Those tails became your strength, your pride. You embraced what made you different and turned it into power. It's... impressive." He took a step closer, leaning down until he was face-to-face with Tails. "Maybe it's time you embraced something new."
Tails' stomach twisted, and for a moment, his vision blurred. Was this how it ended? Strapped to a chair, with nothing but Robotnik's taunts to keep him company? His mind drifted to Sonic, wondering if his friend knew where he was, if there was still hope. He clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms, forcing himself to stay conscious, to stay defiant. He couldn't give up. Not yet.
Robotnik's grin widened, his eyes glinting with a dark, sinister light. "Don't you worry, Tails. We're just getting started. And by the time I'm done... well, let's just say you'll see things my way."
Tails felt a chill run down his spine as Robotnik's words sank in. He could feel the malicious intent behind them, the unspoken promise of what was to come. Despite the terror creeping up inside him, he clenched his fists tighter, determined not to show weakness. He wouldn't let Robotnik break him.
The scene ended with Robotnik's laughter echoing through the lab, a sound that seemed to reverberate off the cold, metal walls, leaving a chilling silence in its wake.