-Chapter 186-
Links
Area 99
Team Dark was called in by Commander Tower, the man looking particularly nervous as everyone filed in.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," he greeted.
"What's the sitch this time?" Rouge asked.
Tower turned to Shadow. "Shadow... did Gerald ever tell you about a being known as a Gizoid?"
Shadow's coffee cup fell from his hand, shattering on the ground.
"Where… did you hear that word?" he asked, in shock.
"We set up surveillance around the ARK, and caught sight of Dr. Robotnik venturing there with Dr. Nigel Amino three days ago. He accessed a secret area of Dr. Gerald's lab, and removed this."
He passed a grainy, surveillance photo of Robotnik holding the Gizoid. Shadow's jaw practically hit the floor.
"He actually let Amino out of solitary?" Hope questioned before shaking her head to get back on topic. "Not important. Shadow, what is the Gizoid?"
"It was an experiment from before I was brought to life. I only know about it because of Maria. She told me about it, and how Gerald had been terrified of it. So terrified that he sealed it away and forbade anyone from touching it. If someone did, he swore he'd send them out the airlock."
"Holy shit…" Rouge let out. "Just what can this thing do that made the old man so scared?"
"I don't know," Shadow admitted. "All I do know is it forms a link with someone after a display of power, something no other can produce, and it will maintain that link until someone stronger comes around."
"And... how did Great Grandpa Gerald do it?" Hope asked.
"Showed off his gun collection…" Shadow recalled.
"I possess an arsenal superior to any collection," Omega declared. "Forming a link will be a simple task."
"Whatever this robot can do, if Dr. Robotnik is interested in it, we need to take action." Tower insisted.
"We'll swing by Knothole and grab Omochao," Hope decided. "I'll use him to hack the Eggnet and figure out everything we can."
"Excellent." Tower nodded. "Good luck."
Robotropolis
Over the past few days, Robotnik had conducted extensive research into the Gizoid, feeding it a Chaos Emerald and scanning its data for mass production. Despite all of this, however, the Gizoid remained still and unresponsive to anyone's commands. In the lab, it was laying back on a table, Eggatha and Metal looking it over as Robotnik fumed in frustration over his inability to get any reaction.
"Maybe it's broken?" Eggatha mused.
"Perhaps for the best," Metal remarked. "This bot reminds me too much of my Neo-self."
"Don't you have a floor to be scrubbing, Metal?" Robotnik asked.
"Doctor, none of us want a repeat of the Neo Metal incident," Metal insisted. "If this robot is as powerful as Amino claims, enough that Professor Gerald was terrified of it, perhaps we should just leave it be."
"Agatha, control that bot of yours before I have its voice chip removed and its IQ dumbed down to Cubot levels," Robotnik snapped.
"Uncle, he has a point," Eggatha pointed out. "Think for a second. If we activate the Gizoid, then what? It went berserk on Great-Grandpa. Nothing says it won't do the same to us."
"Which is why I'm reverse engineering truly loyal copies based on its schematics," Robotnik told her. "After all, this thing is clearly busted. Watch."
He went over to it, pounding on its head like one would do to a TV set to fix the reception.
"For the last time, get up! Give me back the Chaos Emerald you took, you piece of junk!"
He got no reaction.
"Maybe it's still linked to Great Grandpa Gerald?" Eggatha suggested. "And that's why it's not listening?"
Robotnik pulled away, sighing.
"No matter. We have what we need from it," he turned to Metal. "Metal, be so kind as to toss this hump of garbage into the ocean for me, will you?"
"Just like that?" Metal asked.
"Just like that," Robotnik nodded. "We've already used the Gizoid's data to create a robot that does what I say. So we don't need it anymore, especially if it's just going to lay here like a lump on a log."
Metal scooped up the Gizoid, doing as he was told as Robotnik adjusted his shades.
"Well, at least Amino's intel was good for something."
"Where is he, anyway?" Eggatha questioned.
"I sent him to the Misery Zone. He's working on something that should keep him occupied for a while."
"Alright," Eggatha nodded. "So… what will we call our Gizoids?"
Robotnik thought for a minute before nodding. "E-121. Codename: Phi."
Eggatha grinned at the name.
Station Square
At Emerald Coast, Cream and Helen's families had gone out for a day at the beach. The two girls were in the middle of building sandcastles.
"I can't remember the last time we were able to come down to the beach," Mr. Birnbaum remarked.
"You both work so hard for Helen, we figured you'd enjoy a nice change of scenery for your day off," Coco said.
"And both Cream and Helen love playing here," Vanilla added.
"Still, we can't thank you enough for everything you do for Helen when we can't," said Mrs. Birnbaum.
"Oh, it's our pleasure," Coco assured. "Helen's such a sweet girl."
As the girls played, Cream got up to get some more water. As she did, she spotted something downshore.
"Mama! Daddy!" she called. "I see something!"
She got up, going to look as the others followed, Mr. Birnbaum picking up Helen. They gathered around to see what Cream had discovered: the Gizoid Robotnik had discarded.
"A robot?" Helen asked.
Cream went over to it.
"Be careful, sweetie," Vanilla cautioned.
Cream rolled it over, waving a hand in front of it.
"I think it's broken," she mused.
"Creampuff, let's not mess with it," Coco cautioned. "No telling what might happen."
Cream nodded, stepping back. "I'll call Sonic. He'll know what to do."
-X-
About an hour later, Sonic arrived at the beach with Tails and Sally.
"Sorry for taking so long," Sonic said. "Had to drag Tails out of his lab."
"You said you found a robot washed up on the beach?" Tails asked.
"Yeah," Cream nodded. "Judging by all the sand on it, it's been here a while."
Tails went over, using his tails to blow the sand off of him. Sonic rolled his eyes.
"Let me do that," he said.
He ran circles around the Gizoid, completely funneling the sand out of the bot. As he did, the Gizoid's eyes lit up. They stopped, seeing the robot beginning to move and get up. Sally stood before the rabbits and Birnbaums, Ring Blades at the ready just in case.
"Uh... hello?" Sonic asked. "Can you understand me?"
The Gizoid slowly turned to him and began to speak, his voice stilted.
"Show... ... power... OR I sh...all ob...ey... Sha...ll conqu...ra...ll…"
Sally raised an eyebrow. "Show it your power?"
Confused, Sonic shrugged and summoned his Chaos Lightning. "Like this?"
The Gizoid's eyes lit up again. "I sha...ll not ...represent ...and become... of all…"
"Yeah, this thing isn't doing so hot," said Sonic. "Let's get him to Knothole."
He scooped up the Gizoid as Tails readied a Warp Ring.
"Can I come?" Cream asked. "I want to make sure Mr. Robot's okay."
"Go on, Creampuff," Coco nodded. "Just be careful, alright?"
Knothole
At Freedom HQ, the Brain Trust conducted extensive research on the Gizoid, looking it up and down and examining its build. An hour or so passed before the others were called in.
"This thing has some amazing tech," Keith noted. "I haven't seen anything like it... besides the Guardian Robots on Angel Island."
"They are pretty similar," Kat remarked. "But this guy… I dunno, he seems... more advanced somehow."
"Are we sure we should be messing with this thing?" Knuckles questioned. "I mean, what if it's one of Eggman's?"
"No way," Sonic shook his head. "This thing is way too advanced to be a Badnik. And after Metal, he's not one for overly advanced bots… or at least I hope he's not."
"Speaking of its advancements, here's what we learned so far," Rotor chimed in. "It seems to be powered by Chaos energy. If it gains more Chaos Emeralds, it'll regain its power and even be able to speak properly."
"And that's not all," Tekno added. "According to Omochao's scans, the robot contains a chip similar to Neo Metal Sonic's Copycat circuit. It's capable of adopting attack techniques either by observation, or by being attacked by them."
"So…" Sonic tried to understand, "what you mean is, if I kick him, he will learn my move, and kick just like I did. Am I following you right?"
"Not only that, but if our research is right, it can develop new moves based on the captured data," Porker added.
"So, because it saw Sonic run and his chaos lightning, theoretically, it could perform similar moves, and adapt its own?" Tails pondered.
"Exactly," Tekno nodded.
"Does it have a name?" Cream questioned.
They turned to her at that.
"Well…" Chris began, "no, I don't think so."
Cream walked over to the bot, seeing three letters on its lapel.
"MRL," she mused. "Emerl… His name is Emerl."
"Emerl?" Bunnie asked.
"Yeah," Cream nodded. "He's powered by Chaos Emeralds. It's fitting."
"D-d-designation a-a-a-accepted," Emerl stammered.
At that moment, the door opened. Everyone turned to see Team Dark walking in.
"GUN business, guys," Hope informed them. "I need to borrow Omochao for…"
She trained off as they entered the lab, seeing Emerl on the table.
"Shadow…" she began, "I found it…"
Shadow practically materialized by her side, his quills standing on end at the sight of Emerl. Omega was right behind him, readying his plasma cannon and taking aim.
"No no, stupid!" Rouge ran in, grabbing Omega's arm. "No plasma cannon! Not in here!"
Emerl's eyes lit up at the plasma cannon.
"Sonic, do you have any idea what that thing is?" Shadow asked.
"No, I don't," Sonic replied. "So why do you?"
"One of Professor Gerald's old projects, which Dr. Robotnik found in a secret room in his ARK lab," Shadow said. "The Gizoid."
Knuckles perked at that. "Gizoid?"
"Okay, that name does sound familiar," Kat admitted.
"It should," Knuckles told her, "and if this thing is a Gizoid, it's bad news. At least now we know why it can copy techniques, and has such advanced tech…"
"Mind filling the rest of us in?" Amy requested.
"The Gizoids are mass-produced combat androids created by the Nocturnus Clan, mortal enemies of the Knuckles Clan before Chaos wiped them out."
Kat perked, going slightly pale. "That's right... Pachacamac mentioned them in one of our Tikal visions. But... how did this one end up on Emerald Coast?"
While the others were talking among themselves, Cream went over to Emerl.
"It's nice to meet you, Emerl," she greeted. "I'm Cream. You wanna meet the Chao?"
She held out a hand. Emerl sat there, as if uncertain what to do.
"It's alright," she assured. "Come on."
She took his hand and pulled him off the table. She led him out of the room, leaving Shadow to explain what was going on as Hope had Omochao hack the Eggnet.
"So…" Mina began, "Professor Gerald found Emerl while he was creating you, and conducted research into him?"
"I only know what Maria told me," Shadow said. "The professor was so terrified of the Gizoid that he sealed it away in a secret compartment in his lab, warning that anyone who touched it would be thrown out the airlock."
"Damn…" Amy let out.
"Hold on," Shorty cut in. "If Eggman found him in the lab and took him out, what was he doing on Emerald Coast when Cream and Helen found him?"
"Maybe Eggman got rid of him?" Chris pondered. "I mean, Emerl was pretty banged up."
"Doesn't sound like Eggman," Shard said. "If Emerl's as powerful as Shadow and the data claim, he wouldn't just dump him in the ocean."
"Connection established," Omochao informed them.
"Alright, tell us what we wanna know, Omochao," Hope ordered.
"Three days ago, Dr. Robotnik and Dr. Amino returned to the ARK and retrieved the Gizoid," Omochao told them. "He has spent the intervening time conducting extensive research and scans, but could not get a response."
"Makes sense," Knuckles remarked. "Eggman must not have a Link."
"Link?" Sonic asked.
"The Gizoid forms Links with other beings after a display of power," Shadow explained. "Something no other being can produce. It maintains that Link until someone stronger comes around."
"Of course…" Sally realized. "'Show me your power.' That's why Emerl reacted to Sonic."
"Wait…" Shadow facepalmed. "Don't tell me Sonic actually formed a Link with this thing."
"Uh… maybe?" Sonic asked. "We were just trying to clean it up and get it to Knothole."
"What exactly did you show it?" Shadow asked.
"Well, first I used a Blue Tornado to get the sand out of its gears. And then I... gave him a little light show."
Shadow gaped before scowling.
"You idiot…" he spat. "Of all the moves you could've shown it, you picked your Chaos lightning?"
"I didn't know what it was, okay?" Sonic snapped.
"Okay, calm down," Sally cut in. "We didn't know, and now we do."
Shadow took a deep breath, composing himself.
"Alright," he sighed. "Look, the Gizoid is dangerous. Knuckles can vouch for me on that."
"It's true," Knuckles confirmed. "Each individual model was equivalent to a one-man army. They're what pushed Pachacamac to try to steal the Chaos Emeralds in the first place."
"Right then," Sonic nodded. "Guess we better do something about Emerl-"
That was when they noticed he was gone.
"It's escaped!" Omega shouted.
"Shit!" Shadow cursed. "Find it! We need to find it-!"
Soft music reached their ears. It sounded like a flute, and the melody was oddly soothing.
"Hang on…" Kat said. "That's the Mystic Melody."
They all exchanged looks.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
They headed out to see Cream and Emerl sitting by the lake. She was playing on the mystic flute as Rosetta, Chuckles, Chails, Chronic, Chocola, and Cheese all danced around them. Umbra even pulled himself from Shadow's quills and joined them. Cosmo sat off to the side, closing her eyes and bobbing her head to the music, while Emerl's eyes were lighting up as he watched.
"...Oh, boy." Hope sighed.
The music ended and all the Chao clapped and chirped, Cream smiling.
"L-l-link estab-blished," Emerl said.
Team Dark all exchanged looks.
"We're not heartless enough to try to break her Link, are we?" Rouge asked.
"Honestly... I think having Emerl Linked with Cream is probably our best solution," Hope decided. "I mean, the worst she'll have him do is babysit her or something."
Shadow nodded. "Yes, I suppose you're right."
Robotropolis
At Citadel Robotnik, Robotnik, Grimer, and Eggatha looked over an assembly line of multiple greyscale copies of Emerl with brown eyes. Mechanical arms placed spheres of red, blue, and/or yellow energy in each one before closing their access panels.
"Our research is paying off," Robotnik mused. "The Power Cores work like a charm."
"Indeed," Grimer agreed. "These robots will be some of the most advanced models yet."
"And with plenty of security features to prevent hacking or overloads." Eggatha added.
"Between the Phis and our little side project, Mobius will finally be ours for the taking," Robotnik glanced to a robot in the shadows, green eyes gleaming slightly before grinning. "Get ready to face my wrath, Sonic the Hedgehog!"
He began laughing evilly, throwing his head back. After a few minutes, Grimer and Eggatha shrugged before joining in.
Author's Note:
And thus, the Emerl arc begins in earnest.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Emerl - Nicolas Cantu (Gumball Watterson from The Amazing World of Gumball, B.O.Y.D. from DuckTales 2017)
Please R&R. Until next time!