-Chapter 154-

Chaos Commences

Robotropolis

Metal slammed Kat into the wall, leaving her to slump and gasp for air as he turned away.

"You're probably wondering what's going on. Why have I betrayed Dr. Robotnik." he said. "It's quite simple, really: as the Heavy King stated so long ago, he has made no progress whatsoever in conquering Mobius. I got a taste of power, of free will, during the Isolated Island incident, when I got ahold of the Red Star Ring. And with my new upgrades, I will conquer this world and establish the empire myself."

Kat coughed and wheezed, sitting up and leaning against the wall.

"So... your first act of free will... is to do exactly what you were programmed to do?" She spat. "Pathetic."

"You are at my mercy, Kathryn. Under my power," Metal warned, calm but cold. "So if I were you, I'd watch your tongue, lest you find it cut out."

"Let's face it, you're gonna do it whether I cooperate or not," Kat retorted. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't. So I'll enjoy my small act of defiance, you walking rusted scrap heap."

Metal ignored that, beginning to pace before her.

"I'll give you one thing. Yes, I'm doing what I was programmed to do. But I'm doing it my way. Because I want to, not because the doctor told me to. And above all else, I want one thing: Sonic the Hedgehog's body at my feet. Bruised, broken, bleeding. In a word…" he got right in her face. "DEAD."

She flinched at his sudden invasion of her space, something that gave the cruel robot a small sense of grim satisfaction.

"I may not have intended to capture you with Drake, but it works out in my favor."

He grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and dragged her into the lab. As she yelped and struggled, Metal continued his monologue.

"I found myself racking my processor over how best to make you suffer for harming Agatha, what the most unbearable torture device Dr. Robotnik had for the job could be. Some fools might be able to withstand the torment of the rack, the pain of the whip, or the horror of the Iron Maiden. Then I had the perfect idea."

He stopped before a room-sized machine consisting of an automatic chair, connected to some kind of device. He forced Kat to look at it, a smirk in his vocalizer.

"Say hello to the Chaos Syphon."

Kat swallowed hard.

"Chaos Syphon? I don't like the sound of that."

"It's a little machine the doctor whipped up on the side, after hearing stories of Echidna history from Lien-Da. It wields the power to drain Chaos energy from a target, be they Chaos Emeralds, Power Rings, Power Gems... or people."

He shoved her into the chair, where she was instantly strapped down. She tried to struggle almost immediately, but it was fruitless.

"Megatal restraints," he said. "After all, I have much bigger prey than you planned for this device. In fact, the doctor specifically planned to place Sonic in this device at some point in the future."

Kat scowled at him. "If you're expecting me to beg for mercy, think again."

"Well, I'm using the lowest setting on the Syphon first. After a few more levels, you may be surprised."

Kat scoffed. "I'm done bowing down to worthless tyrants, whether they be fat tubs of lard, or glitched out robots. So do your worst."

"Be careful what you wish for, brat."

He turned a knob to the number one before flipping a switch. Kat continued to give him a cool glare as the chair was slowly wheeled back, stopping right under a dome-like machine. The chair was shot up, stuffing Kat's head right into the dome. Several wires attached to her head, and the machine began humming and sparking. Kat spasmed and twitched, letting out pained grunts as Metal watched, a smirk spreading across his muzzle. After a few minutes, Metal turned off the machine, wheeling the chair back over to him and looking her over. She's breathing heavily from pain, her hair sticking out somewhat.

"A pity the doctor's in the dungeon," he mused. "He would have loved to see the first usage of the Syphon. But lucky for him, I'm recording this for posterity. So be honest... after your first round of siphoning, how do you feel?"

She turned to him, her eyes narrowing as she spat right in his face. Metal fumed before wiping it off and reining his temper in.

"Well, there are seven settings on the machine. Consider yourself lucky we started out on the lowest one."

A Swatbot came in at that, handing Metal a data pad. He took it, reading it over and nodding.

"I have business to attend to," he decided. "But rest assured, I'll be back."

He turned to the Swatbot. "Keep an eye on her."

He departed at that, the Swatbot taking up position outside. The minute she was sure she was alone, Kat slumped in the chair, letting out stifled whimpers of pain.

"Guys…" she managed. "Please hurry…"

GUN HQ

Tower stood before the members of Team Dark as Sarah entered the war room, her expression grim.

"We just received a call from Princess Sally. Robotnik's forces attacked the Chao Garden on Angel Island."

"What?!" Hope exclaimed.

"You're kidding," Rouge let out. "Eggman would never hurt Chao. Hell, he has one as a freakin' pet."

"Affirmative," Omega agreed. "These actions do not follow Robotnik's standard operating procedures."

"According to the princess, his target was the one you and your friends call Drake," Sarah explained. "And he succeeded at capturing him."

"No... Drake?!" Hope gasped. "That's Chaos' son! He kidnapped Chaos' son?! Is he out of his damned mind?!"

"Nothing about his latest actions make any sense," Sarah noted. "Which makes finding out his endgame and putting a stop to it all the more prudent."

"Agreed," said Tower.

"Your orders?" Shadow asked.

"Cooperate with the Freedom Fighters. Figure out Robotnik's plan and stop it. And should you find a way to restore Shadow's memories, you have full permission to explore the option."

Shadow saluted. "We're on it."

Freedom HQ

Their first stop was Freedom HQ, where Sally got them up to speed. Hope perked at one reveal in particular.

"Oh, Aurora... he got Kat too?!"

"Unfortunately," Sally confirmed.

"And she better be in one piece when I find her, or I swear to Aurora I'll-!" Knuckles began.

"Knux!" Sonic shouted. "Mist!"

Knuckles immediately composed himself.

"That's not all," Tails added. "He grabbed Froggy from Big's place too. Amy and Cream went with him to see if they could find any clues."

"This is serious," Shadow mused. "How can we help?"

"I'm gonna take Tails and Knuckles and look around the Seaside Hill base where he had you on ice," Sonic replied.

"We'll come with you," Hope decided. "Maybe there's something there that we missed."

As they headed out, Hope sighed, rubbing her temples.

"Sonic... none of this adds up," she said. "I mean, capturing Drake, I can kinda see the logic in it. But Froggy? He has no Emeralds, no fragment of Chaos like before. He's just a Mobini."

"I wish I understood, but Big wouldn't lie about his best friend," Sonic said.

"I think I may understand," Tails piped up. "Chaos Energy tends to leave traces, like how dark Chaos Energy causes corruption. Maybe Eggman's hoping there's some sort of trace of Chaos left in Froggy."

"Well, we've got three days to solve the mystery," said Rouge. "Might as well get to work."

Mystic Ruins

Meanwhile, in the jungles of the Mystic Ruins, Big had led Amy, Cream, Julie-Su, and Cheese to his house. He stood at the edge of the pier, pointing.

"It was right here," he explained. "We were fishing, and I hooked the fishbot that nabbed Froggy."

Julie held out her mechanical arm, scanning the pier (1).

"Picking up signs of robotics in the water," she said.

"Think it came from that Final Egg base Sonic mentioned?" Cream asked. "It's the closest Eggman base to Big's house."

Julie nodded. "It's possible."

"Maybe if we trace it, we can find out where Froggy is," Amy decided.

"And all your Chao friends too," Big chimed in.

Julie-Su led them along the river, following the trace to the Final Egg... only to be met with a squadron of Egg Pawns, two massive Egg Hammers with them.

"Ohhh… poop." Julie deadpanned.

Big quickly grabbed Cream as Amy and Julie-Su readied their weapons.

"You're not the only ones with hammers, bolt breath!" she shouted before running forward, swinging wildly.

Egg Pawns swarmed Julie-Su. She took aim carefully, blasting their heads off with precise shots from her proton gun. When she aimed at the Egg Hammers, they were merely knocked off-balance for a few minutes.

"We have to help them!" Cream insisted.

"Uh-uh," Big shook his head. "Those robots will hurt you, Cream"

"I'm a Freedom Fighter too, Big! I can handle myself!"

"There's too many!"

"Big!" Cream faced him. "I can do this! I came along for a reason. Now please, let's help them."

Big looked at Cream, then at the robots. After a moment, he let out a breath and pulled his fishing rod off his back.

"Alright. Let's help."

Cream looked between them and Big's fishing rod, getting an idea. She motioned for Big to lean down, whispering in his ear. He listened for a moment, then his ears perked.

"That could work," he noted. "But are you sure?"

Cream nodded. "Do it."

She jumped up, tucking into a ball as Big swung his pole like a bat, hitting her solidly and sending her flying with such force that she ended up catching fire from the air friction. Cream slammed into an Egg Hammer, blasting a hole through it. As she landed on her feet, she jumped up, high-fiving Cheese.

"It worked!" she cheered.

Amy and Julie-Su both blinked in shock at Cream's successful attack.

"You're just full of surprises," Amy noted.

"...Did she seriously just let Big use her as a baseball to take out a Badnik?" Julie-Su asked.

Amy shrugged. "Hey, I once used Sonic as a croquet ball to take out a Death Egg Robot. Not too out there."

Julie-Su blinked. "You guys must really trust each other. Getting whacked with a hammer or a bat on purpose?"

"We're friends," Cream insisted. "Of course we trust each other."

"C'mon," Big pressed. "Froggy and the Chao are waiting for us."

"Right," Julie-Su agreed. "Let's head for the Final Egg."

Final Egg

The quartet headed into the base, looking around.

"Froggy!" Big called out. "Where are you?!"

"Drake?" Cream tried. "Kat? Hello?"

After a while of looking around, they regrouped, having come up empty.

"They're not here," Amy lamented.

"Doesn't look like anyone's been here in awhile," Julie-Su rationalized before her eyes landed on a computer terminal. "Let me check their database. Maybe I can find something."

She plugged into the computer, powering it on. After a minute, she withdrew her dreadlock and began typing.

"I think I found something, and I really don't like the look of it."

She brought up the blueprints for the very machine Metal had used on Kat.

"The Chaos Syphon…" Julie-Su shuddered. "A lot of Dark Legionnaires used to talk about gadgets like that. How its usage is what led the Echidnas of Angel Island to ban technology. Lien-Da must have told Eggman about it."

"How bad is it?" Big asked.

"Really bad," Julie-Su confirmed. "This thing could drain the chaos energy from the Master Emerald."

"How do you know that?" Cream asked.

"According to ancient history, the Chaos Syphon was first created by Echidna scientists Edmund and Dimitri," Julie-Su explained. "They planned to use it to drain the Master Emerald's power slowly, to gently return it to Mobius' surface. The High Council of Echidnaopolis rejected the plan, claiming it was too dangerous."

"That was just the official story though, right?" Amy asked.

"Exactly. In reality, the High Councilor of Echidnaopolis rejected their plan because their doing so would make them heroes and cost him his political standing and ambitions."

Big crossed his arms and looked annoyed. "I don't like people like that. They're the worst."

"Dimitri got pissy and decided to use the Syphon anyway," Julie-Su went on.

"But... then why is Angel Island still floating?" Cream questioned. "Shouldn't the Master Emerald be a normal rock?"

"That's not important right now," Big cut in. "What does Eggman want with it? And what does it have to do with Froggy and the Chao?"

"That part is simple," Julie-Su replied. "Chaos Emeralds aren't the only thing the Syphon can drain. It can suck Chaos energy out of anything… or anybody…"

Her eyes widened, a horrified expression on her face as she realized what she was saying as she said it.

"Oh Aurora…" she gasped. "We need to find them now!"

"It won't kill them, will it?" Cream asked nervously.

"No," Julie shook her head. "It siphons Chaos energy, not life force. But either way, it won't be a pleasant experience. One nobody deserves to experience."

Seaside Hill

Meanwhile, Teams Sonic and Dark stepped out of a Warp Ring into the Seaside Hill Zone. The first thing they took note of is the mound of stones marking Gamma's grave.

"Yep," Rouge nodded. "That's the spot."

Sonic looked at it solemnly. After a minute, he zipped away, returning with a small flower that he placed atop the stones.

"Alright, that's done," he said. "Let's check out the base."

They slowly walked in, making their way to the downed vault door. Hope immediately made a beeline for the computer.

"Okay, Eggman," she began, cracking her knuckles. "Time to spill all your dirty secrets."

She immediately began hacking in.

"Do you require assistance?" Omega asked.

"Not at the moment," Hope replied. "I'll let you know if that changes."

As she typed away, that left the others to look around the vault, hoping to find anything useful.

"All I'm seeing is just a bunch of stored junk," Tails noted.

"Eggman must have chosen this remote place to store me in hopes it would be some time before I was discovered," Shadow mused.

"And left me here to collect dust in the event that happened." Omega recalled bitterly.

Knuckles just let out an annoyed yell, kicking a box of old Badnik parts across the base.

"There's nothing here but junk!" he shouted. "Useless junk!"

"Knux!" Sonic shouted, grabbing his shoulders. "Look, I know you're worried about Kat. I am too. But flying off the handle like this isn't gonna help anything."

"It's not just that, Sonic!" Knuckles snapped. "Whatever he's cooking up, it's well coordinated and he's had weeks to work out his plan! He's more coordinated and ruthless than ever, and we only have three days to stop it! Three! DAYS! And if he's willing to hurt Chao, who knows what this weapon will do!"

He let out another yell and punched through the wall. At that, Sonic grabbed him and spun him around, slapping him across the face with all his might.

"Get ahold of yourself, man!" he ordered.

Knuckles blinked before sighing, rubbing his cheek. "Thanks. I needed that."

Shadow watched the display before turning to Tails.

"Does that happen a lot?"

Tails nodded. "More than I'd like to admit."

"Ah…" Shadow nodded.

"I'm in!" Hope cried.

They all crowded around at that.

"What have you got?" Rouge asked.

"A few additions to the Project Shadow files," Hope answered. "As well as this."

She brought up the Chaos Syphon plans. Knuckles was instantly pale.

"He's... working on some suped-up electric chair?" Sonic questioned, confused.

"No…" Knuckles replied. "It's a Chaos Syphon."

"Mind filling us in, Red?" Rouge asked.

"It's part of ancient Echidna history," Knuckles explained. "Long story short, its creation is why my people banned the use of excess technology for so long."
"Then how'd Egghead find out about it?" Sonic asked.

"Lien-Da," Knuckles deduced. "She probably spilled her guts."

"I have a pretty good idea what it does by the name," said Tails. "It drains Chaos energy from the Emeralds, doesn't it?"

"Not just the Emeralds, Tails," Knuckles answered. "Anything that has Chaos energy... including living things." His mist returned in full force. "Like Chao... Or Kat."

Everyone turned pale at that.

"Sweet mother of Aurora…" Hope gasped. "You don't think he's actually heartless enough to use it on them, do you?"

"He attacked the garden and kidnapped the Chao in the first place," Shadow pointed out. "It's safe to assume the doctor is capable of anything right now."

"Damn it…" Sonic swore. "Hope, does it say where he's stashed this thing?"

"Let me check…" Hope began searching. The others waited nervously as she surfed through the files.

"Damn it…" Knuckles spat. "Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!"

He began stomping around, raging and fuming.

"Lashing out in fury will not save the Chao or your friend," Omega pointed out.

Knuckles whirled on him. "Shut up, you piece of tinfoil! Before I crush you into staples!"

Hope looked over her shoulder, annoyed.

"Omega's right, Knuckles!" she snapped. "We have enough to worry about without you freaking out! Now calm the hell down!"

A dead silence followed, everyone gaping at Hope's outburst. After a second, she turned back to the files.

"Sorry…" Knuckles sighed, his mist slowly dissipating. "I'm just... scared. That thing is seriously dangerous and painful. And the last time it was used, it caused serious damage."

As she worked, Hope turned to Rouge, thinking of something.

"Rouge… how exactly did you find out that Shadow was alive?" she asked.

"Huh?" Rouge blinked. "Well, Doc Bennett got an anonymous tip about this place. Told us to get him ASAP and tell you when we did."

"Eggatha…" Hope deduced.

"But if Shadow's been here this whole time, why didn't she just tell you?" Tails questioned.

"Maybe because Eggman wouldn't let her," Sonic theorized. "So she sent the tip."

"Logic is sound," Omega agreed. "Shadow is a priority asset. His recovery would have been detrimental to the doctor."

"Why do you ask?" Knuckles asked.

"When Commander Tower called us back, I called Aggie over lying to us about Eggman being in jail. She was trying to warn me about something big going down before the call cut out."

She sighed. "What if... What if someone other than Eggman is behind all this? I mean, think about it. Coordinated attacks, the garden raid... none of that is his M.O. It's too methodical, too logical."

"She's right," Sonic realized. "Eggman's more into big, dramatic schemes. Random attacks, evil laughter and gloating, big explosions. Long-term coordination? Yeah, not his style."

"Then who the hell could it be?" Knuckles demanded. "I mean, it was his face and voice on Bokkun's exploding telegram. And I doubt anyone else on Mobius is that ugly."

"Snively?" Rouge suggested.

They all thought for a moment.

"Nope," Sonic said immediately.

"Not a chance," Hope agreed.

"Negative," Omega confirmed.

"Yeah," Rouge nodded. "Felt stupid the second I said it."

Hope eventually brought up a file.

"Okay, I couldn't find where he's keeping the Syphon, but I did find something interesting," she said. "Seems like he's set up shop in some old ruins not too far from here."

"Ancients?" Tails suggested.

"No," Hope shook her head. "The architecture is more in line with the Aquatic Ruins on Westside."

Sonic looked at the picture. "And the Rusty Ruins on Flicky Island."

"The Drakons…" Knuckles sighed. "Great, as if this couldn't get any worse."

"The Ocean Palace," Omega cut in. "The doctor went there to salvage any technology the Drakon Empire left behind."

"Any giant rings leading into other dimensions there?" Sonic asked.

Omega shook his head. "Negative."

"Well, that's something in our favor. We won't have to worry about any more of those freaky space fish," Sonic sighed, slumping. "And considering the name, let me guess. A big palace and the like in the middle of the ocean?"

"Affirmative."

The others expected him to get nervous or panicky, but Sonic just steeled himself.

"Alright, let's just go look into the place and get it over with."

"Wait…" Knuckles blinked. "You're just going? No panicking or trying to weasel out of this?"

"I meant what I said back in Meropis," Sonic told him. "I still hate water with every fiber in my being... but the mission comes first. Sometimes you need to face what you're afraid of."

The others looked surprised, then Shadow gave him a small smirk.

"You're a good person, Sonic," he noted.

Sonic smiled himself. "Well, one doesn't like to toot his own horn."

"Don't ruin this, Sonic," Rouge insisted, giving the hedgehog a shove. "Let's go."

Angel Island

At Angel Island, Team Chaotix were getting ready to move out, Vector in contact with Sally and getting updated on what was going on.

"Eggatha hired you guys?" Sally asked. "Seriously?"

"And offered to double our rates!" Vector chimed in. "Has to be pretty big if she's offering us that much cash."

He turned serious at that. "Y'know Sal, I have a feeling this might not be Eggman's plan."

"What makes you say that?"

"For one, he went after the Chao. As heartless as the guy is, he ain't one for hurting the little guys. Hell, he spared Cream's mom just so he would know how to properly take care of one. For two, aside from the video message he sent to warn you about the weapon, he hasn't made a single appearance. No gloating, no evil laughter, nothing. And for three, if Shadow's so important, why not use Kat as some sort of bargaining chip to get him back? It's as if he doesn't care that the flippin' Ultimate Lifeform is no longer his."

A moment of silence followed as Sally absorbed that information.

"Holy crap, you're right," she said at last. "Then there's his capture of Froggy and Drake. Two coordinated assaults at the exact same time. It's all too well thought out, Vector. But if Robotnik isn't behind all this... who is?"

"No idea yet, but we were hired to do a job, and we're gonna do it!" Vector declared. "So one way or another, we're getting to the bottom of this mystery."

As this was going on, Charmy was looking at the TV, surfing lazily until Mighty snatched the remote out of his hands.

"Charmy, now is not the time to be watching cartoons," he said. "We need to-"

"This is Scarlet Garcia, reporting live in front of the HEXAeco power station," came Scarlet's voice. "Where the Egg Army is attacking in full force."

That got their attention.

"Mere hours ago, Dr. Robotnik's army launched an assault on the city of Grand Metropolis, the capital city of HEXAeco, and made for the central power plant. It appears the doctor intends to steal the city's energy for his evil schemes."

Keith's voice suddenly came over the phone. "HEXAeco's central power plant?! My mom's there for a conference!"

"Okay, just stay calm," Vector told him. "Looks like we have a potential lead at the plant."

A Warp Ring opened and Keith came running through, looking completely and utterly panicked.

"Take me with you!" he demanded. "I have to save my mom!"

"I said stay calm, kid!" Vector ordered. "This is no time to panic!"

"My mom is being attacked by Eggman, or who/whatever is disguised as him!" Keith snapped. "I'm well within my right to panic!"

"Panic is the gateway to failure," Espio cut in. "You need to keep a clear head."

Keith nodded, taking slow deep breaths.

"Okay…" he let out as he relaxed. "Okay."

"Your mother will be alright," Ray assured.

"Yeah!" Charmy chimed in. "Team Chaotix is on the case!"

"And me," Keith said. "If Eggman thinks he can threaten my mother, he's in for a hell of a surprise."

"Then let's get moving," Mighty insisted. "We don't have time to lose."

Keith pulled out a second Warp Ring and everyone jumped through.

Grand Metropolis

Within the Power Plant at Grand Metropolis, several researchers were tied up and locked in another room. Laura herself was tied to a chair as Robotnik loomed over her, glaring at him defiantly.

"You're starting to irritate me, Dr. Kent," Robotnik noted. "I've been nice. I've been patient. I've been more than reasonable. This is your last chance to tell me where your company is keeping the Red Star Rings you've created."

"You really wanna know?" Laura asked. "Then get off your fat lazy ass and look for them yourself."

"Come now, Dr. Kent," Robotnik sighed. "I don't think you fully understand your position here. Either you tell me what I want to know, or your son is going to grow up without a mother. And you wouldn't want that, would you?"

"You really wanna risk pissing Sonic off and having him tear you a new one?"

Robotnik growled in anger as Laura gave a satisfied smirk. The other researchers were more easily cowed.

"For Aurora's sake, Laura, just give him the rings!" one of the researchers shouted. "Can't you see he's crazy?!"

"You're not helping, Fred," Laura hissed.

Robotnik looked annoyed, then his eyes drifted over to Fred.

"Hmm, perhaps a demonstration is in order. Swatbots, bring 'Fred' over here."

They dragged the man over, placing him before Robotnik as Laura watched, trying to free herself.

"Now, tell me where you keep the rings, or I send Fred here to meet his maker." Robotnik removed his glove, preparing his finger laser. "You have until I count to three."

"Please!" Fred pleaded. "I'm begging you! I have kids!"

"And yet, I just can't seem to care." Robotnik held his finger toward Fred's face, the laser glowing brighter and bigger with every passing second. "One... two…"

"Alright!" Laura shouted as Robotnik powered down his laser. "Alright…"

"That's more like it," Robotnik said with a grin. "Now how about giving me what I-"

All of a sudden, a plasma ball hits Robotnik hard in the back of the head.

"Get the hell away from my mother!"

Everyone spun around to see Keith standing in the door, the Nitro Glove prepped and ready. Laura smiled.

"That's my boy."

Robotnik turned to the Swatbots. "Kill him."

Keith powered up his gloves, getting on his knees. Seeing what he was about to do, Laura lifted her feet off the ground as all the scientists scrambled to higher ground. Keith poured the energy from the gloves into the metal ground, where it danced across the floor to the various robots. They sparked, twitching before collapsing.

"You've got guts, Kent," Robotnik mused. "Coming to face me alone?"

"The Chaotix are dealing with the bots you've got out in the city. But you, Eggman? You're all mine." Keith stood up. "Kidnapping Froggy and Drake, sucking the life out of HEXAeco like a vampire... Just what are you planning, anyway?"

"If you really want to know, you'll find out in three days like everyone else. Provided you live that long."

As they faced off, Robotnik grinned evilly.

"Tell me, have you heard of my latest creation? The Chaos Syphon? Because Kathryn got a firsthand experience of it before I came here."

Keith actually faltered for a second. "...What?"

"It's exactly what it says on the tin: a device that drains Chaos energy from anything and anyone it can," Robotnik boasted. "I intended to use it on Sonic, but Kathryn did just nicely. You should have heard her screams and cries as she endured the process, and that was just the lowest setting. I had her begging like a dog."

Keith began pulsing with rage as Robotnik laughed evilly. With a loud scream, he reared back, punching him in the face with the charged-up Nitro Glove. Robotnik went flying back, smashing through multiple walls. Keith was panting hard, then he slowly looked down at his hands.

"I don't care how much adrenaline I was pumping, I shouldn't have been able to do that. Unless…"

He hopped through the walls to where Robotnik landed.

"You can't be Eggman," he insisted. "Who or what are you?"

Robotnik's body twisted and sparked, then began melting into a puddle of metal goo. Keith backed up as Neo Metal Sonic formed from the liquid metal.

"Metal Sonic?!" he exclaimed.

"Neo Metal Sonic to you, brat," Metal replied. "I had hoped to keep up this charade awhile longer, but you've forced my hand."

Keith took a step back.

"It's been you this whole time…" he realized. "You kidnapped Froggy, Kat, and Drake. You've been running Eggman's operation."

"Technically, it's my operation now," Metal clarified. "The doctor is taking a much needed sabbatical, leaving me to do what he failed to."

Keith steeled himself, preparing a plasma ball.

"What have you done to Kat, you bastard?!"

"Exactly what I told you. For someone who claims to be so strong, her will was as fragile as glass."

"I swear to Aurora, Kat better be alive or else-"

Metal grabbed Keith by the throat.

"Oh shut up, brat."

Keith slammed his gloves into Metal's face. The robot recoiled before throwing Keith to the ground, glaring at him before deliberately missing with a punch that cratered the floor next to his head.

"I'm far beyond anything you could hope to become, boy. Do not provoke me further; it is by my will alone that you survive this encounter."

With that, he melted into liquid metal before flowing away, out of sight. Keith laid panting for a moment, then he heard footsteps approaching. He turned just in time to see Chaotix and his mom running in.

"Keith!" Laura shouted as she hugged him tightly. "Are you okay?!"

Keith pulled away, nodding.

"I should be asking you that."

"What happened?" Ray questioned. "Where's Eggman?"

"It wasn't Eggman," Keith explained. "It was Metal. This is all his doing."

A collective gasp sounded.

"He's had an upgrade or twelve," Keith went on. "He can shapeshift, and he's given Eggman the boot, taking control of his operations."

"That explains it!" Vector exclaimed. "Only a robot could be so heartless and coordinated. Why didn't I see it before?!"

"Kick yourself about it later, Vector," Keith insisted as he got to his feet. "We've gotta tell Sonic and the others."

Robotropolis

Back at the Citadel, Kat was having a go at trying to slip free of the chair. When Metal oozed in and began to reform, she immediately steeled herself, smirking.

"Oh hey, you're back," she greeted casually. "Listen, think you could untie me for a minute or two? My ass is itchy, and I can't scratch it with my hands strapped down."

She made a show of wiggling as if trying to scratch said itch.

"I'm in no mood to deal with your snark right now, Kathryn." Metal hissed.

"Is that so?" Kat asked. "Let me guess, your big, bad plan failed? Sonic kicked your metallic ass? Not easy being a big boy, now is it?"

"No. Your little boyfriend and those pathetic Chaotix chased me out of HEXAeco, and I was forced to reveal myself. It's only a matter of time before Sonic and the rest of the Freedom Fighters discover the ruse as well."

Kat started absolutely laughing.

"HA!" she exclaimed. "Way to go, Keith!"

"Shut up!" Metal roared. "Unless you want another round in the Syphon!"

Kat actually stopped laughing, stiffening in her chair. Still, she refused to back down.

"Do whatever you want, Metal," she spat. "Because sooner or later, I will get out of this. And when I do, you will pay."

"Well, until then…"

He cranked the dial up to 3 before sending Kat into the chair. This time, her grunts and groans of pain were louder, and she began spasming even more.

"Come on, Kathryn," Metal urged. "I know this hurts you. Beg for mercy! SCREAM FOR ME!"

Unfortunately, she couldn't hold it in and she screamed, Metal's diabolical laughter filling the Citadel…

-X-

In the dungeons, Eggatha was giving Robotnik his dinner when they heard Kat's agonized screams. Eggatha cringed at the sound, while Robotnik didn't seem too happy himself.

"Agatha…" he managed. "We've created a monster."

Author's Note:

(1) Think like the gadget Robotnik used to track Sonic's footprints in the movie.

Seems Metal's been revealed as the true culprit, and even Robotnik is beginning to regret the role he played. Can this get any worse for our heroes?

You may be wondering how Metal got so evil, twisted, and crazy in such a short period of time. It's simple: he's gone mad with power. The Neo form has gone to his head.

On another note, the Chaos Syphon design is taken from the Devo Chamber in the Super Mario Bros. movie, with some aspects of the life-sucking machine from The Princess Bride thrown in.

Please R&R. Until next time!