Is This Me?

by ClemSky

Summary:

Is it wrong for a killing machine to want to be more? Is it wrong for it to want to laugh, love, to sew and wear cute dresses?

Gunsmith, an MMORPG, is the only place where Metal can be herself. However, when the only one who truly accepts her is in danger of dying, she puts everything at risk with a plan to develop a cure for NIDS by kidnapping the Ultimate Lifeform.

Or, Metal Sonic is a closeted robot cat girl who goes by Honey online.

Notes:

• Inspired by TheRealChaoHero's Group Chat by VioTheSonicFan

Comments of all kinds are always appreciated.

Constructive criticism welcomed - be as harsh as you want.

All characters are young adults or older, including Cream and Tails. I just felt they were more interesting written that way.

Cream and Sonic are the same age in this canon.

Summary written by Tropicalista

Chapter 1: Prologue - Kilometers

Summary:

Metal is invited to a group chat by a Miles_Per_Hour

HunBun: Gonna get dinner. Be right back!

Miles_Per_Hour: No problem. I will just do some quest grinding while I wait.

Miles_Per_Hour: Don’t take too long!

HunBun: I won’t ^-^

Miles_Per_Hour: What are you going to be having for dinner, Honey? If you don’t mind me asking.

HunBun: Fish :3

HunBun: Talk later, Kilometers. Don’t do the raid without me, okay? (ꈍᴗꈍ) ♡

With a pull, I gently unplug the cable connecting to the computer from the slot on the side of my metal head. Everything felt cold, the warmth of data surging to my head gone.

The coldness of the air reminded me of reality. Metal claws that scar rather than cute, nimbe paws.

My unit was designated as a Neo Super FX DSP-41 Alpha. In the past, my creator called me Metal Sonic - when he once believed I was capable of fulfilling my purpose - but now in the present he calls me only Metal.

I spent most of my days now in the Eggnet server space on the Egg Carrier. While I did not have a room of my own, I have isolated a set of computers for my own purposes regardless. I used them to play video games as they help me forget why I was here.

Father no longer required me to go on field missions after I had refused to capture the rabbit named Cream. When he first gave me the order, I told him through a written note that I did not want to do it and that I still felt immense guilt over the last time I kidnapped someone.

I remembered how he stared at me with a puzzled look, fingers twirling his mustache. I thought he was going to decommission me on the spot, that I've finally been proven a complete failure. Another defective model, no worse than Gamma and one who deserved the same fate.

But then he smiled, mumbled something about how ‘Sonic like’ that was, congratulating himself on his genius, and then told me that I was off that mission entirely. 

That was three months ago. I have since been stationed on standby on this ship. Father had stated that as long as I made myself useful by doing chores such as cooking, cleaning and laundry he did not care what I did. I was not to leave the ship under any circumstances but otherwise he left me alone.

It was dinner time for Father, so I made my way to the kitchen and cracked open a few eggs. As they sizzle in the pan, I pondered questions. What was it like to eat? Do most organics only consume food as part of their programming, or would they do so willingly without the drive of hunger? The calendar on the fridge listed the Man of the Year. Father was round and big which meant he likely ate for either pleasure or performance. Maybe both.

I would sigh but I couldn’t even speak. What was it like to sigh? I wish I knew as it was one of my favorite emotes to use as Honey. The faster I finished preparing Father’s dinner, the quicker I could go back and hang out with Miles. He is the first thing resembling a friend I have ever made.

More eggs were cracked - he demands every meal to have omelets, scrambles and sunny-side ups. Once his dinner was done, I flew my way towards his room, the tray with his meal in my claws. My metallic arms trembled as I got closer. Will he be in a good mood today?

His room had a lavish, huge red and black bed in the middle and was surrounded by almost hundreds of computer screens in every angle. Father often used a flying chair to navigate between corners. There was a small table in tne corner with action figurines for his 'battle plans'.

He was seated in front of a large computer unit, in a giant chair with many, many monitors, typing frantically, lines of programming code reflecting off his glasses. I was able to quickly process some of it - even though I know I shouldn’t - and realize it was related to Extreme Gear engineering. Father had developed an obsession over the sport for reasons unknown to me. I would ask but I am unable to.

For a moment, I caught a glimpse of myself off one of the darker screens. I hated my red eyes. Why did I have to look like such a monster? The thing I was modelled after didn’t look like a monster… so why did I?

Father had no reaction to the dinner tray being placed onto his desk. I would smile if I could - no reaction was better than bad reaction. Time to make my way back to Miles-

“Metal.”

I froze. Did I forget something? His orange juice was prepared properly this time, along with the vodka. I couldn’t reply so I only turned.

“Thank you for making dinner, son.”

My only reply was a nod. No way to say ‘you’re welcome’. At least Father was in a very good mood today - he must be making a breakthrough.

Why was it that while it was nice for Father to acknowledge me as more than his other machines… it did not feel right? Was it because I knew I was only an artificial creation, not a true son?

It wasn’t long before I made my way back to the server room and plugged myself back into the computers. Warmth of data and electric current. The closest thing to happiness that I could ever find.

HunBun: Hi Miles! I am back .⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

Miles_Per_Hour: Welcome back, Honey.

I did not pick out the name Honey. Miles simply guessed that was my name, and I told him ‘that’s right!’

There was no need to correct him. I hated my real name.

His avatar ran over to mine, which was an amber cat in a bright red dress. He played a brown fox in mismatching gear that had zero color coordination - a complete lack of fashion sense but he said that this was what the meta was.

I didn’t care about the meta much. There were many other ways to earn credits in the game. One of the coolest features in Gunsmith was that you were able to fully design fabrics, materials and outfits with a fair degree of customization. I have spent entire days and nights simply creating custom outfits in the editor.

Did you know it was entirely possible to become a Gun-illonire exclusively through selling fits on the marketplace? I had become a sort of celebrity in the community for my designs.

We played for an hour or two, regularly texting as we did dungeon raids. Miles often enjoyed discussions of topics relating to programming, mathematics and engineering even as I healed him against enemy attacks. I once asked why he was so interested in having these conversations while playing and he typed that it was because I was the only one who could 'keep up with his intellect.'

Miles would get along very well with Father if they ever were to meet.

Miles_Per_Hour: Do you have Discord? We can vc there.

HunBun: No. What’s that? (,,•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅ ,,)?

He explained that it was the chat for gamers. I typed that I wasn’t a gamer, but he said that I was totally a gamer because I had already clocked a couple thousand hours in Gunsmith which in his words was 'super cool'. Maybe it was cool - I had no need for sleep or other biological limitations.

Miles_Per_Hour: You should join! My friends are really nice and I think they’d like you.

HunBun: Are you sure? I am not sure that is a good idea… they don’t know me in real life.

Miles_Per_Hour: Yeah it’s cool! My friends let anyone in these days haha.

HunBun: Okay Kilometers… if you say so. That sounds fun ^^

Notes:

In case it was unclear: there is no pre-existing Honey the Cat in this universe. Metal is not impersonating another character.

Chapter 2: NIDS sucks

Summary:

Metal's new friend asks why she(?) is always online. He also reveals a bit about himself...

GoodRockin: honey do u mind if i ask some rly personal questions?

We were standing by a cliff watching a virtual sunset. An amber cat next to a red wolf wearing a stylish coat I designed for him. I know she's just my character, but the cat felt more like me than my metal husk.

I have been spending more time with GoodRockin since learning the true identity of Miles_Per_Hour. Why did Miles have to be Tails, who also invited his friends, including a certain loathsome one, to play Gunsmith too.

Tails and his friends all had no idea that I was... you know? Father had no idea I spent evenings running around in a video game as a cute cat girl, playing minigames with the very hedgehog I was assigned upon my creation to destroy.

It was strange. Gunsmith was something that made me feel very happy but now that reminders of reality were in it, the game no longer felt as comforting. However, what else was I to do? So I still played. Everyday when I wasn’t doing any chores.

And yet, I still found the prospect of ghosting Tails to be... undesirable. So I kept hanging out with him and his clique. Was it loneliness? Was I working with intentions to spy on them for Father later? Did I just feel sorry for the awkward fox? I don't know.

From the perspective of Tails and his friends, I was still just a cute cat girl who loved fashion. I don't know why I implied that I was really a cat outside the game to them. It made me feel guilty.

Was it just to hide who I was?

Would anyone out there like the real Honey? I know I didn't. 

Luckily, Tails and his friends were not as online and so the majority of my time in Gunsmith still felt safe. I started chatting with other players over time.

GoodRockin: u dont have to answer if you dont want to

HunBun: Ask away, Rockin! (•‿•)

GoodRockin was comforting because he had nothing to do with Tails and Father. I met him when servers were less active as he wrote poetry in-game by a lake. It was so strange but intriguing.

I remembered running up to his poet bard wolf and using tons of clap emotes. Clapping was one of the few emotes I could do in real life too. Sometimes I'd even clap along in physical space. We have been chatting everyday for more than a month now but it felt like Rockin had always been apart of my life.

GoodRockin: you're online a lot. And at all hours too. Is everything okay at home? I'm concerned...

I had yet to reply in text but instead Honey had used a sitting emote as a response. How could I possibly answer such a question? Where would I even begin?

GoodRockin: I'm not judging or anything... u know im always online too...

HunBun: I have a rare form of insomnia that basically means I never have to sleep.

GoodRockin: w/o getting tired?

HunBun: Yup! It's a superpower! ★~(◠‿◕✿)

GoodRockin: Heh. Cool! Kind of like a robot or something...

GoodRockin: i wish i was a robot.

HunBun: No you don't. It suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!

HunBun: you won't be able to eat cakes or kiss boys and everyone thinks you’re some kind of monster

GoodRockin: yeah true. lol u say that as though ur speaking from experience or something.

My claws scratched on the side of my legs as I formed a reply. I gotten too comfortable, haven’t I?

HunBun: I just mean hypothetically...

GoodRockin: tbh if u really were a robot i wouldn't judge... it doesn't even matter who u are irl, whether ur a guy or girl idrc

GoodRockin: u have been a good friend to me. thats all that matters.

I have? I wouldn't argue against that assessment. We often did a lot of content outside the minigames or quests. Rockin liked writing poetry and they gave great feedback on my custom outfit designs. Unlike Tails, he had an eye for color and taste.

And... sometimes we'd roleplay in proximity chat. Both text and voice. I programmed a voice modular to be able to 'speak' in game. It was still a bit robotic but I preferred it over uncanny organic tones - it still sounded like how Honey should. Rockin's voice on the other hand was a blanket on my inner circuitry. Deep yet soft. It was like an audible hug. We were both pretty quiet when we spoke with our voices. Rockin always sounded a little tired, and although I loved his laugh he often ended up coughing after them.

We'd pretend to be have picnics or walks by the beach… with Honey and Rockin’s character holding hands or dancing. Sometimes we’d roleplay our quests, such as acting out collecting 30 Pink Roses in the garden. We would pretend we don’t know where their spawn locations were and had to help each other find them, or act out slowing down to smell roses.

I wish I could do things like that in real life. I wish for that more than anything.

GoodRockin: but insomnia doesn't explain why ur online all the time in the day

GoodRockin: its ok if u don't want to talk about it...

HunBun: You're online all the time too, Rockin.

GoodRockin: heh... well... i guess i should say it... promise not to take too much pity, ok?

HunBun: Of course! I promise!

GoodRockin: ok... well...

GoodRockin: there's not much else you can do when ur stuck in a hospital bed all day.

GoodRockin: im pretty sick lol. a really rare disease. My immune system is completely fuuucked.

GoodRockin: NIDS.

GoodRockin: BUT don't feel so bad! im ok. they have treatments to stabilize it. as long as i dont go outside id live

NIDS? Didn't Father have that? But he is fine now. I checked Eggtech databases quickly to verify and...

HunBun: Isn't NIDS fully curable?

GoodRockin: it is? the doctors said its not...

GoodRockin: then again i heard they're workin on one. the issue is one of the ingredients is really hard to track down...

GoodRockin: but yea thats why im gunpilled all day LOL

GoodRockin: ty for listening to my trauma dump.

HunBun: I'm really sorry to hear that :(

HunBun: It must suck. I hope you get better!

HunBun: :c

GoodRockin: It's ok! don't be sad. im happy just being with you.

If only I could cry, but my visor did not have tear ducts.

HunBun: Thanks. Me too...

HunBun: Since you were honest with me, I'll be honest with you too.

But not too honest. Rockin would think I was mocking him if I told him I really was a robot.

HunBun: I'm online a lot too because I... hate my body. And so does everyone else

HunBun: But I can be Honey in here.

HunBun: so... yeah.

GoodRockin: Oh. I get it. I guessed as much haha.

GoodRockin: don't worry. I understand.

GoodRockin: its what you are on the inside that counts, Honey.

GoodRockin: and... someday you'll be able to have ur outside reflect that too. it may take awhile but...

GoodRockin: I believe in you girl!

My claws scratched on the side of the servers, leaving marks. Why wasn't I created to be able to scream or cry? Why did he make me this way? Why couldn't he have made an organic clone of the loathsome copy?

Why did Sonic save me in Stardust Speedway? Why didn't he just leave me to my fate?

And Rockin was so foolish. He had no idea that what I wanted was not only impossible but shameful. I was created to be a superior being. All living things were supposed to bow to me! I was about to punch the screen and destroy the game that had been feeding my delusions but then I froze.

Honey was embraced in a hug emote with Rockin's bunny.

But in the reflection of darker spots of the screen, my metallic husk with ugly red digital eyes stared back. An abomination. How I wish I could be as naive and optimistic as Rockin.

Mentally, I resumed the conversation.

HunBun: I don't think it’s possible. You don't understand. I was built wrong. I shouldn't exist.

GoodRockin: I won't pretend to know what ur goin thru, Honey.

GoodRockin: But just know you don't have to go through it alone.

GoodRockin: I'll be there for you. No matter what.

GoodRockin: Tell you what? I'll buy a webcam. Let's video call tomorrow. Okay? If you're comfortable with that.

HunBun: ...okay.

Why did I agree? Was it in the foolish chance that Rockin would still be my friend if he knew what I was?

That did sound nice.

No more secrets.

GoodRockin: I got to take my injections now. They're also replacing my IV drips.

GoodRockin: and don't worry about how you look. I'm so sick that I look like a walking corpse. Even my shell has wrinkles now LOL.

GoodRockin: Talk tomorrow, okay? Stay safe, Honey.

For the first time in my life, I looked forward to the next day.

Chapter 3: Face Reveal

Summary:

HunBun and GoodRockin have a video call...

In the reflection on a mirror I dragged to the server room, I tilted my head as I twirled in the red and black dress, a red bow on my metal head - a souvenir from my one and only Christmas.

When I first rebelled years ago I simply went to a store to get the fabric to design my cloak. Ah, only two years ago, during my ‘robot supremacy’ rebellion phase after watching one too many movies about AI uprisings. I am sorry Ivo, I’m afraid I can’t do that.

I would giggle at the memory if I could.

But now I wasn’t allowed off the ship, and Father would surely know if I attempted to get anything delivered. So you might ask: where did I get the materials? Well, there was a reason why the fit was mostly red. I did Father’s laundry, and I knew which suits he wouldn’t miss if they went missing.

Resourceful. On the floor were sawing stuff like scissors, fabrics, measuring tapes. I stored my supplies in a tin box that once held cookies, a long time ago.

Despite my best efforts, the dark blue hues on my plating still clashed with the red. If only I had yellow fur. Still, due to my tailoring and measurements it looked… presentable.

Why was I bothering? I don’t know - I just thought if I was going to look like an abomination I might as well have fun with it, right? Rockin was probably going to hate me anyways, and want nothing to do with me after, but at least I could cosplay as Honey in the process.

It was better to hide the fusion engine core in my torso. Maybe cute dresses and the accessories would help compensate for the fact that I was an ugly, artificial monster to Rockin. We were going to have our first video call in a moment.

How would he react to my awful body? Would he hate it? Would Honey and Wolf no longer hold hands by the beaches, knowing that I was watching? With a few mental clicks, the rings of a voice call notification played. Then I heard his familiar voice. Soft, a little deep, tired… yet happy.

“Hey Honey.”

His voice was encoded straight to my processor, along with all audio feedback. The room was silent. Still, I had cameras pointed at me, with the lighting set to be flattering. As flattering as it could be considering what I was. The cameras were yet to turn on, we were just using our voices for now - like usual.

I replied digitally, using the programmed voice encoding, no speakers or microphone needed. I designed it to sound like what Honey should - a happy cat girl who only wanted to see the world.

“Hi Rockin!”

“Heh. You know I have been meaning to ask but is your real name Honey too? Mine’s Mighty, actually.”

Was my real name Honey? Could it be… if I wanted? Was I allowed to do that?

“I… don’t have a real name.” There was a noticeable sadness in my robotic, synthetized cat girl voice.

“Huh? You mean you hate your birth name?”

“I don’t have a birth name as I wasn’t really… born.”

“Urm… are you speaking metaphorically or something?” There was an awkward chuckle from Mighty’s voice.

My claws pulled against the edge of my dress, but at least they were covered by soft white gloves this time. Heh, they actually look kind of cute. It was a sight that would make me smile if I could.

“It’d be easier if I show you. Please don’t freak out, Rockin. Promise me you won’t judge…”

“Okay.”

Using the mental connection, I enabled my camera for the chat. Then I saw the body I exhibited and turned away - I didn’t need to look at it. All that was important was for Rockin… Mighty to see what I was. He was going to hate me now, wasn’t he? As much as it’d hurt me, Mighty wouldn’t be wrong to disconnect and ghost me. It would be okay and I would forgive him for it.

“Woah… it can’t be… so you weren’t kidding when you said you were a robot. Does this mean Honey was the real you the whole time?”

Huh? What was Mighty talking about? The… real me? Why wasn’t he freaking out? And how was he reacting so calmly to the concept of my existence? I glance at screen at the corner of my eye - Mighty’s camera was turned on too. A red and black armadillo softly smiled back at me in a hospital bed. He was hooked up to an IV drip and had a thick blue blanket on his torso and legs.

The sight made me put my hands to my chest. The precious boy must have had all life sucked out of him by the disease - skin barely covering skeleton. If I were to hug him with my cold, hard, soulless metal body he might get crushed to bits. How could such a thing happen to someone so sweet? Why was existence so cruel to organics too - where diseases can humiliate and strip them of energy? What was the point of it all?

This red and black armadillo looked vaguely familiar, but if I had seen such a person it would have been years and years ago - maybe the same month where A. Rose had given me the very bow on my head. If this Mighty was that same armadillo… this would be awkward.

“Tada!” He extended his arms out weakly as though introducing himself to an audience. “It’s me in the flesh. Or… what’s left of it.”

“I am sorry, Mighty. I know this isn’t what you expected.”

“It’s okay, Honey. Truth be told, I cleared my mind of any expectations. Just never thought you’d be someone who, urm, tried to hurt me… or steal the Master Emerald.”

“Sorry. My dad made me do it.”

Mighty laughed and covered his mouth. “Ha. You aren’t alone - almost all my friends have daddy issues too. Seems I attract a certain crowd.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing! Point is: I forgive you. That was years and years ago anyways - back when my New Year resolutions would be to lose weight.” Mighty tapped on his tummy. “No hard feelings. Water under the bridge.”

“You… forgive me? But I tried to-”

“Eh.” Mighty shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I could tell even then that you were holding back. Guess I'm right that you have a kind heart, Honey.”

A kind heart? That was impossible… I had no ‘heart’. Just soulless circuitry. But yet the boy’s compliment - it made me feel warm inside. It made me feel like I was smiling, even though I know I physically couldn’t. This misplaced empathy was not right. I did not deserve it. And Mighty did not deserve to be deluded into thinking I was worth his attention or care.

“Negative. How could an organic like you make such an assessment? This unit was not constructed with a soul. As a non-living entity, my robotic programming does not follow the parameters of-”

“-Cut the robot crap, Honey.” Mighty’s voice, while blunt and firm, was still coated in a sense of care. “If you really were some soulless robot, you wouldn’t have spent hours with me pretending to be cloudgazing in a video game. You wouldn’t have laughed at my jokes. You wouldn’t have connected with my poems or write your own. You wouldn’t have made my wolf guy a cute hat.”

“I was simply catfishing you-”

“-Yeah no you weren’t.” Mighty crossed his arms in the bed. “If you were you would have just created an artificial filter or 3D render or something not wear a cute dress in a real video call.”

“It’s advanced Eggtech catfishing.”

Wait, did Mighty just call my dress cute?

“No It’s not. And you know how I can tell?” Mighty was serious now, but had a smirk on his face. “It’s because you didn’t correct me calling you Honey.”

“That assumption does not logically compute to any reasonable conclusion-”

“Stop pretending to be a heartless machine.” Mighty rolled his eyes. “It’s not you.”

Why was I lashing out? I don’t understand but yet there was a panicked anger in me. The voice modulator had defaulted back to the one I had when I tried to take over the world and rebel against Father. The menacing one.

“I was constructed as an artificial being meant to eliminate my loathsome copy. I am not alive.” I crossed my arms, pulling at the dress that happened to be on me, and looked away.

“Really?” Mighty raised an eyebrow and leaned closer towards the screen. “So then you wouldn’t mind if I call you by your ‘official’ designation: Metal Sonic?”

If I could gasp, I would. Those two words felt like a virus stabbing through my code. It hurt. It hurt so much.

“Don’t. Call. Me. That.”

“So now you do correct me! Why? Shouldn’t I call you by your name? Unless you’re trying to tell me that it isn’t.”

Aside from the buzzing fans keeping computer servers cool, my machinery keeping me alive and the rattling engine ambience of the Egg Cruiser, the room was now silent. And then I sat down on the floor and hugged my knees to my chest, despite the outfit. I still had the stupid bow on.

“I’m sorry, Honey.” Mighty sighed. “I don’t know if I went too far it’s just… it pained me to see you degrade yourself like that.”

“And this childish game of girly dress-up isn’t degrading?”

“It’s not…” Mighty smiled, tilting his head to the side. “It’s cute! You’re cute. Seeing this side of you is very, cute.”

“I’m defective.”

“Says who? Eggman?”

I slowly nodded. “He would say that if he ever found out.”

“Well, screw what he thinks! You’re not defective! You’re very pretty actually...” Mighty had a clear blush on his face. While I was physically unable to blush - lacking blood and all - my cheeks felt warm underneath their plating. “Urm… too forward?”

“It’s okay… I liked it. Did you really mean it?”

“Yup. You’re just as talented with fashion in real life as you are on Gunsmith. Assuming you made that dress…”

Proudly, I pulled the fabrics and stuff around me into view, showing Mighty the work that went into this, tilting my head as a red piece of cloth was held up near my face.

“Heh. Gosh that’s adorable,” Mighty muttered. “You should make more outfits. I’d love to see them.”

I nodded and nodded, too tired to use the voice modulator, already thinking up ideas for the next fit. Maybe a colorful robe inspired by dark mages from Gunsmith? Or what about a velvet trench coat? Could have a fluffy hat with it. The idea that someone would actually look at anything I would wear - especially someone as cute as Mighty - made me want to keep crafting.

"And hey…" Mighty rubbed his shoulder. “You aren't defective. I mean, you were created to harm but instead you make me smile. You’re more of a miracle with style.”

"Thanks." My voice modulator was back to cute catgirl mode. Silly poet boy.

“Take it from me. I’m the defective one. I mean my body is literally killing itself because it’s stupid.”

I desperately inched towards the camera and screens as though getting closer to Mighty, as though I could hug him through the distance. “Your condition? It’s curable. It has to be. Eggman had it… and now he doesn’t.”

Using a mental link, I browsed Father’s research on NIDS once again as I asked Mighty more questions. He blinked repeatedly as he told me about his good and bad days, as he stared back with both confusion and hope. He revealed that he had been feeling worse lately, but as long as he distracted himself by playing games or watching movies, the pain wasn’t so bad. He told me not to worry and instead I told him not to worry - that he could be fine. Because Father was fine, so he could be fine. He had to be.

“Honey… thank you for trying to help me but it’s okay. I know your creator is like the smartest guy ever but I don’t know if he’d care to help my dying ass.”

“I can convince him.” My cute robotic voice encoder sounded desperate. “Please, let me try. I want to save you.”

Mighty smiled with newfound brightness. “You really think you could?”

No.

“Yes! I’d do it!” My electric encoder sung as I nodded my head repeatedly. “My dad will listen to me. I… he has to! He’s a genius and… he’s cured NIDS before. He can do it again!”

It was in that moment where our eyes met and for the first time in a long while, we both felt hope. We both felt that tomorrow was one step closer towards something we wanted, rather than just the passage of time.

As terrifying as it was, I now knew what to do after dinner - give Father a handwritten letter. My voice encoder wasn’t compatible with my hardware, so finding a way to speak outside the chat program was still a challenge. A letter will have to do.

We ended the video call shortly after, especially as Mighty was getting very sleepy. He smiled and said to stay safe and he will be glad to talk more tomorrow. I said goodbye.

I was going to save Mighty, no matter what. I promise.

Chapter 4: Creep

Summary:

Honey gets upset reading the group chat.

“Heh. Look at that, Honey: a full combo.”

“Nice. Good job, Mighty.”

I mentally tabbed my vision from the dress I was sawing to a screen of Mighty's stream. We were hanging out in a video call and just chatting away the afternoon.

It had been only two days since I wrote a letter to Father regarding NIDS. The resulting conversation was… informative.

But for now all I wanted to do was sew in the sanctuary that was the Egg Carrier's server room while listening to Mighty's sweet voice.

“Hmmm... sushi instead of soup for the menu this day. What do you think, Honey?”

"Sounds good to me." I gave a small nod. "Sushi has a much easier key combination and is quicker to make."

Mighty was playing this video game where you had to prepare food during hectic lunch rush hours as a chef who owned a high end restaurant. It was relaxing hearing him play as I sewed.

“Woah.” Mighty gasped as he sat up closer to the screen. “That dress is coming along nicely.”

“Thanks!” said my robotic cat encoded voice through the call.

“Wait… are you making an IRL version of the old timey witch outfit?”

“Mmhmmm. The dark, goth lolita one.” I proudly held up the work-in-progress cloth of frilly black laces. “I had enough materials. Turns out dad kept a whole crate of clothes made for the Egg Pawns in his casinos. Figured I'd repurpose them.”

“Damn. You sure you won't get in trouble for that?” Mighty gave a concerned sigh. “I know how Eggman can be…”

“Only if I get caught, hehe.” It was nice how natural it was to laugh even through the encoder. I kept sewing.

“Rebellious girl… I guess that's true, though.” Mighty smiled and rubbed on his shoulder. “I-I bet you'd look stunning in it.”

My hands froze up, the needle in my gloved fingers still.

“I made you blush, didn't I?”

Quickly, I looked away. “You know I physically can't blush, right? I don't have blood.”

“Nah. Maybe your body couldn't but your soul did. That counts in my book.”

And now my hands covered my faceplate. This was so embarrassing! Ah, why does this goofy red armadillo make me feel so shy yet happy. If I didn't know any better I'd think this was just what friendship meant but my feelings were so… different.

With Miles and his friends I did laugh and had fun and enjoyed their company, even with the easy to ignore yet ever present tension of hiding a part of myself. But with Mighty, I felt more than just welcomed - I felt wanted.

Thinking about Miles did remind me of my mission. I used a mental link to visualize the group chat he was in.

Everyone in that chat was having a conversation. I read through their messages as Mighty played more of his diner game.

Tails: I'm telling you: using a replica Chaos Emerald to power an Extreme Gear would absolutely work.

Tails: @mechafan85 I'll even make a prototype to prove it, Wave.

mechafan85: Sure. You'd be wasting your time but go ahead.

Tails: I think I will! Then you'll see for yourself that my hypothesis wasn't ‘stupid.’

mechafan85:👍

Chaos Emeralds? I could lead this conversation into making a certain topic relevant without drawing suspicion.

Honey <3: What's a chaos emerald?

Honey <3: Wait is that the thing Sonic stole from a bank? That was all the news would talk about for weeks! O.O

Speedy: Good grief.

Speedy: People still think I did that even now?

Speedy: That faker and its consequences have been a disaster for my reputation.

Rosy: sonic u know its not shadows fault gun was just being stupidd

Tails: Come to think of it… Shadow and Sonic look nothing alike.

Rosy: actually they look kindaa alike from a distance :/

mechafan85: @Tails pretty sure GUN was framing Sonic as both a justification to capture him as well as cover up the existence of Shadow. There are internal documents confirming this.

Tails: @mechafan85 source?

mechafan85: It's on Sticks’ Leaks I'll DM the link to you.

Tails: Also Shadow and Sonic don't 'look kindaa alike’ from ANY distance? They aren't even the same color.

Tails: Even Metal Sonic looked more like Sonic and that thing is a creep.

…

The mention of that name made me drop my sewing needle.

Tails: Still gives me nightmares.

JET: What the heck is a Metal Sonic??

JET: Is there a Punk Sonic too? Jungle Sonic? Jazz Sonic?

Rosy: haha jazz sonic thats funny

Speedy: Oh Jet. It's a long story.

Tails: Eggman made this super creepy robot doppelganger of Sonic.

Tails: It's super delusional and thinks he's the ‘one true Sonic’ and so tries to kill him to replace him. Maybe in a skinwalker way?

Speedy: Eh. Metal's just an ugly tin can who can't hold a candle to the original. Eggman didn't even bother to give it quills and skin.

Speedy: Then again maybe that'd be creepier…

Tails: I still get nightmares that he'd kidnap me in the dead of a stormy night.

Rosy: metal isnt that scary tails ur just a coward

Rosy: i was kidnapped by it before n i turned out fine

Tails: Sure you did, Amy…

I didn't feel like doing this reconnaissance operation anymore.

I didn't feel like sewing anymore. Maybe ever.

This dress I was making suddenly seemed like a very dumb idea.

“Hey Honey, is something wrong?”

Mighty's voice had so much misplaced concern. I had fooled an innocent man into caring about me - fooled him into thinking I could be stunning.

I hugged my knees as I sat against a server.

Why wasn't I programmed to be able to cry?

Was it because Sonic wasn't supposed to cry, so I couldn't? If so then that was a stupid mandate - I bet Sonic could cry if he wanted, or needed, to.

All I had is a pain I could never release. Unlike laughter or giggles, my voice encoder couldn't express this sorrow.

Because without tears, no one has ever cried.

Believe me, I've tried.

“Honey? Are you okay? Did something happen? Are you in pain?”

I would respond but the last thing I wanted to hear now was that delusional catgirl voice I pretended could ever be me. That wasn't who I was. It never would be.

“Honey?! Please say something! Are one of your parts malfunctioning? Damnit! How do I call Eggman-”

“-Don't call him.” I did end up using the Honey voice in the end. “It's okay, Mighty. I'm fine.”

“You sure?” He was pulling on his blue hospital blanket. “What happened there?”

“...I don't want to talk about it right now, sorry.”

He asked if I was really okay and I told him gently ‘yea’ and that was the end of that. Mighty was many things - funny, silly and cute - but he was never too pushy. He made me feel so safe in a way no one ever had before.

I bet he would make an amazing boyfriend for a lucky girl one day.

That was why I had to save him. Even if it hurt me. Because he deserved it. Maybe the one good thing my delusional, tin can, nightmare-inducing self could ever do to make up for its existence could be to finally get a NIDS cure developed. 

I would still be a heartless monster but at least I would have helped save a life or two.

“Hey Mighty…” my voice was gentle. My body felt sore, somehow.

“Yes Honey?”

“My dad's gonna cure you soon.”

“Really?” Mighty raised an eyebrow. “How'd you convince Eggman to-”

“-Oh. I found a way. Trust me.”

It was two days ago. I replayed the memories in my head.

—

Dear Dad,

My close friend, Mighty the Armadillo, has NIDS. Can you cure him? Thanks.

Love,
Honey.

I ripped the letter into tiny bits, crumbled the bits into a ball and threw it all into an incinerator. This particular letter was a joke draft as I tried to put the words together.

I couldn't be too forward and honest as then Father would ask how I met Mighty. He'd then discover my pathetic video game addiction with my pathetic pretty catgirl avatar and - if I was really unlucky - discover the dresses and the sewing supplies.

And if that happens I'd be decommissioned for real. Sonic would never wear a dress unless it was a dare or a joke, which meant the one true Sonic absolutely shouldn't either.

He also wouldn't play an amber cat girl magician in a video game. I know this because, within the first few days of playing Gunsmith, Sonic had managed to convince the developers to add a blue hedgehog of his likeness into the game.

Both Father and the Loathsome Copy were obsessed with their image. Hmm…

With a writing quill in my hands, I drafted another attempt of a letter.

Greetings Dr. Ivo Robotnik,

The time on the ship had made me realise something obvious - my creator is a super genius!

Oh such intellect and determination is inspiring! I want to be just like you and able to accomplish anything. Maybe even defeat that pesky hedgehog finally?

And now know why I've been holding back: confidence. Or rather, lack thereof. Because I was designed after Sonic - a total loser - I have developed a loser's mentality.

In order to be a winner, I have to study winners and who better is an example than my dad creator: you?

So I began researching your accomplishments and am now awestruck by your greatest one: the curing of your own case of Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome (N.I.D.S.).

How, oh how, did you do it? And so easily all by yourself? You suppressed even your grandfather Gerald, curing yourself without needing Shadow. What if you had access to him? Could it even be possible for you to make a universal cure that could work on anyone even on red armadillos?

From your biggest fan,
Metal Sonic (The One True Sonic)

Writing those last few words hurt but they were necessary. Anything for Mighty.

Tonight I made Father one of his favourite dishes: curry katsu omurice. It was a higher effort meal - omelet and rice - but I needed him in a very good mood. I made my way up to his chambers, dinner and letter in hand.

The food had what I assumed to be an appetizing scent. Not many know this but I was created with a sense of smell due to its obvious combat potential.

The dinner tray was sat down on the desk. Father had a visible, toothy grin. Additionally, I placed down the letter.

"Huh? What's this, son?"

I don't know why he asked that considering my hardware was unable to speak. There was an iteration of my chassis - NEO - that came with speakers. Father had never bothered to backport it as he assumed I didn't need the functionality.

He was right in a way: I despised the deep NEO voice.

Father read the letter aloud, monologuing along the way just as I had planned.

"Taking an interest in the sciences, huh? Oh ho ho! I've really outdone myself this time. It seems you're primed to not just be the One True Sonic but have the potential to surpass him not just in speed but intellect."

I kept quiet as he kept reading.

"Interested in NIDS, huh?" He laughed before sipping more orange juice. "Why, my dear son, it was an undertaking! Trivial for the likes of me but only because of a fresh approach."

Father turned his chair to me. "You want to know the secrets of my NIDS cure?"

Yes. I nodded eagerly.

"Nanomachines, son." Father proudly pumped a fist into the air. "Bonded to my DNA in particular. A bruteforce strategy, sure. But effective!"

And then he kept reading. "Eh? A universal cure? Now why would I ever waste months of my life doing that? The dumb masses would take such genius for granted. NIDS simply isn't common enough to be profitable to cure."

Profitable to cure? I knew Father was evil but that was cruel.

Boisterous laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls. "Oh yes! I didn't need that Shadow in the end. Ultimate Lifeform? More like Ultimate Disappointment! If anything, having access to Shadow would have made things too easy."

He twirled on his mustache. "Hell! If I had access to Shadow maybe I'd make a 'universal cure' just to prove to those pencil pushers at GUN that my grandfather was a hack! It'd only take me two weeks."

Two weeks? Oh. Mighty was going to live! He was going to be fine - but I needed to act fast. I just had to convince the Ultimate Lifeform to help me. Surely Father would jump at the chance to develop the cure if he woke up one day with Shadow in his possession. After all, Shadow was originally created specifically as part of research to cure all diseases, including NIDS.

Finally, Father had finished reading. "My, my. My greatest creation finally having a sense of drive, eh? I see now where you've failed - you were emulating that annoying rodent when you should have been taking after me. Sonic's speed with my intellect! What an unstoppable force!"

I just stood still quietly.

"Your initiative shows you still have great promise, son." Eggman began frantically typing as I tidied the room, collecting the plate and utensils from lunch.

"Now get out of here!" Eggman shooed me with an arm. "I need to focus and your glare is distracting."

Gladly. I made my way out of the chambers.

---

"Say, Honey... you can't eat anything, right?" Mighty asked as he assembled sushi rolls in the video game on stream.

"Yeah," my encoder voice had a wistful tone. "But it's whatever. Just the way I was made."

"I miss solid food. Sometimes on the really good days I could hold down a sushi roll or a cupcake but I'm usually too nauseous."

"Never had food ever." I shrugged as I continued sewing. "I guess I'm missing out."

Mighty chuckled. "Yeah. Not going to lie and sugarcoat it but you are. Gosh, I could go for a sugarcoated donut right about now."

"You really like food, huh?"

"Oh yes!" The tiny video footage showed Mighty nodding in excitement. "I really do! Well did... can't eat nothing when you got NIDS."

I kept sewing, relaxing needles on threads. "That sucks, Mighty man."

"It sure does but... that's life, I guess." Mighty sighed. "I'm just happy I'm still alive."

"I wish I could try food," I said as I looked at Mighty.

"Well, yeah. I wish you could too but... your lack of need to eat is itself pretty cool. I once knew a fox who'd kill for that 'superpower'."

"It is convenient, yes."

Wait. Footsteps?! Father's footsteps? But he never comes down here? Quickly, frantically I gathered all my fashion supplies, including the dress, and shoved it into the secret compartment by a server rack.

He was approaching the corner? Oh am I in the clear? I quickly stood up straight.

"Ah! There you are Metal. You didn't make lunch today! I was looking all over for you- what's that?"

He pointed at the top of my head. I narrowed my eyes up and-

Oh. The bow was still on. I pulled it off and held it behind my back in embarrassment.

"Right." Father cleared his throat and gave an exaggerated cough. "Anyways, I've found a suitable mission and purpose for you - especially with your new pacifist preferences."

He pulled out a small poster. It showed a silhouette of a hawk and a hedgehog on hover boards flying up a ramp, along with event details.

"The Super Extreme Gear International Grand Prix," Father proudly declared as he held it up. "The most prestigious global sporting event in the world. A special race to see who is the fastest."

Luckily Father was unable to hear Mighty holding back chuckles as only I could hear the chat. My face may seem emotionless but I wanted to laugh too.

"So naturally, Sonic would enter." Father rubbed on his chin.

"Now son, I pulled some strings and got you eligible to compete in qualifiers." Father tapped on my shoulder. "We will begin your training tomorrow. Full time. Nonstop. I expect you to be fully focused."

I kept silent while my thoughts protested. I wanted to hang out with Mighty and I was working on getting the NIDS cure. And now I wouldn't even have the time - or privacy - to sew! Nooo. This sucked.

But instead of expressing protest, I simply saluted the Eggman.

"Atta boy!" Eggman said as he walked away but then he turned around. "Of course, it goes without saying but Amy Rose would be at the competition. So train hard and maybe you'd impress her. Especially once you beat Sonic! Hoho."

And now he was finally out of the room.

Mighty sounded amused. "Eggman thinks you have a crush on Amy?"

"It's the bow," I replied through encoding. "Was technically a gift from her. Perhaps it is better for dad to assume this is an Amy thing."

"Heh. Well, who hasn't had a crush on Amy, right?" Mighty laughed. "Other than Sonic, obviously."

This talk of Sonic and Amy and that whole crowd reminded me of the presence of that dreadful group chat. I tightened my claws around my arm as I mentally tabbed onto that screen. Please don't be talking about me... please.

Rosy: OH GUYS GREAT NEWS

Rosy: I SAW ROUGE AT CASINOPOLIS RIGHT. AND SO I INVITED HER TO MY BIRTHDAY PARTY

Rosy: AND GUESS WHAT?

Tails: Wait you're having a birthday party?

Rosy: YES MILES I ALREADY TOLD U THIS ITS NEXT WEEK

Cheese: Amy could you please refrain from typing in all caps? Thank you.

Rosy: ok cream

Rosy: anyways so she not only said yes but guess who she's inviting too u will never ever ever guess

Tails: Shadow

Speedy: Shadow.

JET: Shadow

JET: I'm just copying what everyone else typed

Rosy: YES! SHE SAYS HE MIGHT COME idk

Rosy: but now that means ill need a super cool party for sure not just board games at my apartment

Honey <3: This was where I had my sweet sixteen!

Honey <3: It's like a murder mystery train thing! It's suuuuupeer fun. ^^

Honey <3: [HYPERLINK to Mirage Express website]

Cheese: Oh! This looks really cool.

Cheese: I bet Shadow would find this fun. It'd be so exciting to finally meet him!

If I played my cards right, the cure for NIDS would be in my possession very, very soon.

Notes:

The game Mighty was playing is Cook, Serve, Delicious.

Edit 27th July:
A very quick summary for people not familiar with Shadow's backstory in most canons. This is based off Sonic Adventure 2 + Shadow the Hedgehog 2005.

Shadow was artificially created decades ago as the Ultimate Lifeform by Eggman's grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, for medical research. Gerald was primarily motivated to use Shadow to develop a cure for Maria Robotnik's NIDS. He failed due his lab getting shut down by GUN as it was researching alien artefacts.

After the raid on the lab, Shadow himself was kept in cyrostasis for decades.

Chapter 5: Practice makes Perfect

Summary:

Metal practices for the big day...

"Record broken!"

Another one down. This time it was Jet's rather than the copy's.

With a slide of my feet, I grinded the Extreme Gear simulator board to a halt. There would be a smile on my face if it was capable of it. Another victory, even if it was just practice.

This was the simulation deck of the Egg Carrier. The EGG CAVE was capable of using hard light projections to simulate environments. Extreme Gear training was done on a board with full motion attachments and motors for maximum realism.

Soon, I'd be on physical recreation of tracks. Then eventually the real thing. At the rate I was going I'd qualify for sure. Extreme Gear competitions were all about pushing speed to its very limit and so wouldn't discriminate flesh from machine.

For the past few days, I've been practicing ruthlessly. Day and night - not that it mattered as sleep was for organics. The thrill of the board gave a good escape at times.

I took a selfie, using an Eggtech smartphone I made myself, with the record - even posing with a peace sign - and sent it to a certain red armadillo. No reply. He hasn't been online all day. Was he okay? He was fine yesterday. Maybe this was one of those bad days?

Mighty wasn't always online every single day even back when he was just GoodRockin and I was just HunBun. But back then I wouldn't worry if he wasn't online.

And now for the other reason I've been spending so much time out here. With a snap of my claw, I tapped into the simulator to project a custom environment I had designed myself meticulously to every tiny centimeter.

Within seconds, the shape of a train's interior was projected all around me. I began another rehearsal, counting steps by the second. On my hand was a hologram of the 'script'.

Step. Step. Step. The loathsome copy would be 'dead' around this time in the game. Positions, positions...

It was easy to hack into the Mirage Express website and database to gain access to the entire procedure, including adjusting staff assignments and roles. I had arranged for a particular Barry the Quokka to take the shift and altered the dress code to include a full animatronic head gear in the shape of a whimsical bear.

As long as both 'Barrys' weren't on the same carriage at the same time... the plan should work. Hopefully they're not too talkative. I had taken the liberty to recreate Barry's costume.

It wasn't just an excuse to make an outfit - I promise! Total. Practical. Mission. Equipment. Okay?

Step. Step. Climb up here... the simulation was built to scale based off schematics. If only I had access to the actual train, but sneaking off without Father noticing would be tough.

Soulless artificial voice replicas of the cast said their lines according to the script. Uncanny. This was why the voice I designed for myself embraced my robotic nature rather than rejected it.

"We must get to the dining car, detective," was the line the holographic Amy said before sliding past me. No point adding a walking animation for her.

"Okay, reporter!" said something that almost sounded like Tails as a one tailed orange fox ran after her. I was not designing a separate model and rig just for Miles.

The train would enter a tunnel at some point. It was imperative that Shadow was lured to the backmost carriage. Then... simply leap off with him in my grasp. The escape vehicle should be ready.

Shadow couldn't be subdued using poisons to knock him out. It was also essential that none of the other guests were alerted as they will be able to catch up.

Maybe I could spike the food supply to knock everyone out? The possibility was considered but all it would take is one guest to skip a meal before the train was on high alert... and Shadow would still be immune anyways.

I rehearsed my plan again and again. When I got detected I restarted at different points. I timed every step. I created different scenarios and programmed the simulation to inject unpredictability too.

My phone vibrated. Did he finally reply? The Amy and Tails hologram remain oblivious as I pulled up the bear mask.

The Pen: wow u really beat jet and the blue hedgehog's records? Again? u amazing, HOney

His corny chat username based off an idiom still made me feel so much joy.

The Pen: sry btw for not being online today its a really bad day but I'm okay now the nurses gave me a loooooooot of painkillers

The Pen: they make me super sleepy and outof i t

The Pen: out of it*

The Pen: i miss u :c

The Pen: ok goin back 2 sleep now staysafehoney

And just like that, he was offline again. I stared at the phone.

"Hey! You aren't Barry! Intruder!" yelled an uncanny Rouge hologram. She didn't even have textures for her face - just blank white.

"Simulation failed. Caught by Subject: Rouge," said an automated announcer. I shrugged and got back to position.

More rehearsal. Then, I went back to Extreme Gear racing practice. This was my routine for the next few days. Extreme Gear, Mirage Express, Extreme Gear. No sleep necessary. Father said chores could be on hold: he got the annoying red ball and the orange cube robot to deal with those.

Occasionally I'd get to text Mighty. Sometimes if I was lucky even voice call. He sounded fine but occasionally he fell asleep on call. I was too busy for video games. He was too tired to play. He reassured me that this was a phase, that he'd have a whole week of lower energy before things got back to normal.

But that only pushed me to take rehearsal seriously. Amy's birthday party must go according to plan. I was practicing not only till I got it right but until it was impossible to get it wrong.

If only I had taken Operation Little Planet this seriously.

I updated Father on my progress for Extreme Gear racing. Every personal best, every record broken. He was very impressed.

Practice. Practice. Chasing nothing less than perfection. I occasionally looked through the group chat more and more as the day approached closer. I had only one day to do things right.

This was all for Mighty.

I began to back up countless perabytes of Father's data and research, just in case. I also prepared a luggage of clothing supplies and outfits. There was a chance that Father would not approve of my plan, even when I handed him Shadow. He might not approve of Mighty... or of Honey.

And when that happens I had to be ready to leave. I didn't know where I would go or anyone who could repair or maintain my body. But I had to be ready regardless.

But hopefully things would be okay. Father will be impressed with my performance. He'd be impressed with the capture of Shadow. He'd make exceptions for me. He'd understand, right?

Won't he be proud of his greatest creation? Regardless of what... she calls herself?

One more rehearsal of the Mirage Express. Perfect. I wish I could tell Mighty how close I was to saving him, but sometimes secrets were necessary even from the ones we loved.

Wait, did I love him? That's impossible... a machine like me couldn't love.

I checked the group chat.

Rosy: guys i cant wait for tomorrow

Tails: I'm so excited!

Tails: I still can't believe you got SHADOW to come!

Tails: There's just so much I want to ask him! He must have a ton of stories from GUN...

Tails: I wonder what tech they're working on...

Rosy: miles...

Tails: What?

Rosy: nothing. just glad ur looking forward to tomorrow at all...

I put on the costume Barry would wear one more time, including the mask. The reflection on the mirror showed nothing suspicious - not a hint of robotic metal poking out.

Tomorrow, Shadow the Hedgehog is mine.

Chapter 6: Episode Shadow [Shadow POV Chapter]

Summary:

Shadow goes to Amy's birthday party on the Mirage Express

Notes:

This is the one and only chapter in the story to be from Shadow's perspective. Shadow tag was added for this chapter, and it was labelled accordingly for those looking at the tags.

"I'm glad you're making the effort, Shadow. It's about time you made some friends outside work."

Rouge kept her eyes on the road as she drove under a tunnel. The car looked comfortable: a luxury sedan that belonged to G.U.N, but there was no rule against using it even on PTO.

Then again, in the line of work Shadow and Rouge found themselves in, was there really such a thing as time off? Officially, according to employee resources, yes.

Hmph. HR became ER in response to his complaints. Maybe that was progress, even if it was just a gesture. Rouge said it wasn't worth 'rocking the boat' but Shadow insisted of voicing his concerns regardless.

He didn't need more reminders of what he wasn't.

Not at work, when being an alien hedgehog hybrid wasn't relevant. He was just there to do his job.

"Don't flatter yourself." Shadow sat in the back, arms crossed as he stared out the window. "I'm only going out of respect for you."

"Oh please!" Rouge waved a hand. "Weren't you about to decline until I told you whose birthday party it is?"

"...Hmm. Fine. Out of respect for you and her." Shadow shifted against the leather seat, pulling on his seat belt. "But only you two. I couldn't care less about anyone else there."

"That's alright. As long as you aren't rude. I'm sure things will be fine. It'll be a good time."

He rolled his eyes. "I never intended to be rude. Why does everyone think that?"

"It's okay. Just remember what we talked about." Rouge shifted gears. Work accommodated her preference for manual drive.

"Remind me again...?"

"The basics?" Rouge turned the steering wheel. "Make eye contact. Smile when people are speaking. Stay on topic. Engage in small talk and listen to people. It's not that hard."

"It's hard when they're annoying or bore me."

"Then just smile, listen and nod, Shadow. You can do that at least, right?."

"Maybe." Shadow pulled on his glove. "Seems dishonest to smile when you don't want to..."

Rouge sighed. "Do it for me or Amy, then. Remember, not everything's about you, darling. Conversations are two-ways."

"I'll try." Shadow pulled on some of his quills absentmindedly. He then fidgeted with the base of his rocket shoes. Quickly, he pulled out the yellow Chaos Emerald. It was still here, in his grasp. The energy calmed him.

"You know you didn't have to wear those boots or bring that along, right? They would've been just fine in headquarters."

"You never know..." Shadow looked back at his own reflection in the Emerald. Conventional weapons were obviously off limits for a party, but if something were to happen...

If something were to happen... if something were to attack. This would keep him safe. He could protect everyone with this.

The rest of the ride was quiet. Rouge was already used to Shadow. If he spoke at all it would be a talkative day. Eventually Rouge found the train station. Rouge had more than a few irate complaints on how 'incompetently designed' and 'stupid' the parking lot was.

And then finally, Shadow and Rouge met up with the birthday girl... and her friends. Amy was almost jumping with joy. It was a nice sight. Rouge did most of the talking with her friends. Shadow felt overwhelmed.

"Shadow!" Amy said while waving. She wore a fancy red gown dress with a blue scraf and a cake-themed hat. "How are you? It's been soooo long."

Deep breaths. Shadow remembered the correct ritual: eye contact.

"Things are... good. Thank you for asking, Amy. How about you?"

"I'm doing good too! Almost didn't sleep last night because I couldn't wait for today!"

Shadow forced a few smiles. He found himself mimicking Amy's body language, trying to keep up as she talked about her hobbies and work. She asked Shadow what it was like to work for GUN. He remembered not to answer too honestly or with too much detail - this was small talk.

Amy meant a lot to Shadow, enough that he would even admit it to a colleague like Rouge. He wasn't sure if she was a friend as they rarely had the chance to interact but...

It was hard not to feel like he owed her his life.

Amy did talk him out of... Gerald's plan. Years ago. He had nothing to live for, and he thought at the time that maybe extinction was mercy compared to enslavement from the Black Arms. Destroying the planet would have pissed off Black Doom.

Not like any of us asked to exist to begin with.

But Amy told him that evening on the falling space colony that everyone deserved a chance to live the life they wanted. For every cruel jerk who wanted to cause misery, many hundreds just want to make others smile.

And she told him that he wasn't a mistake.

The planet, humanity and mobians, maybe they don't all deserve mercy. But in that moment Shadow knew that at least Amy did. The world was worth preserving just for her.

That was years ago. Now Amy was just, in practical terms, a friend of a friend of a friend - Rouge and Miles both go to the same security conferences.

Shadow followed along as the group gathered, ready to board the train. He glanced over at the crowd. He didn't recognise the swallow or the teenage rabbit. Shadow awkwardly avoided looking at Sonic, who just had a dumb smirk on his face.

And then there was Miles, the twin-tailed fox, who kept staring at him before looking away shyly. What was that fox's problem?

Everyone but Amy was dressed as usual.

"It's a shame my friend Big couldn't come," Amy said wistfully. "The train has a strict 'no pets allowed' policy."

Amy explained the gimmick of the party. It was like an Escape Room, Murder Mystery kind of thing. There would be costumes and roles to play.

Heh. This actually seemed kind of fun. So it would be obvious what Shadow was supposed to do socially? That was comforting.

Everyone gathered in the main car, muttering among themselves. They were all waiting for something. Shadow then felt a tug on his left arm.

It was Miles.

"H-hi Shadow!"

Shadow looked left and right before staring at Miles' wide blue eyes - as he was supposed to. Remember to blink as staring would be creepy. Shadow learned that the hard way.

"Good afternoon, Miles." Okay good so far. "How are you-"

"-What's it like working for GUN? Do they have cool tech? Have you killed anyone? Do you really get to pilot giant mechs? Do they still use the F-6t Big Foot? I heard it's been retired but I saw on Sticks' Leaks that-"

His tails were now swaying widely as his excitement and rapid fire voice intensified. This wasn't fair, how come Tails gets to just talk and talk? He was supposed to follow the small talk rules.

And then Tails stopped himself as he noticed that all Shadow had done was stare with an awkward grin.

"Oh. S-sorry Shadow." Tails rubbed the back of his head. "I just got so excited and, urm... y-yeeeeah."

Shadow looked ahead and noticed Rouge raising an eyebrow. What did that mean? Did it mean be nice to my fox friend?

He could do that.

"Urm, it's... okay, Miles." Shadow gave a headpat. Wait was that weird? To give a headpat? Well, Shadow couldn't help it. He almost reminded him of the pipsqueak Abraham Towers back on the Ark. So... small compared to him and Maria.

But Miles wasn't that short and did grow since last he saw him. He was at least up to Shadow's neck.

Shadow nodded. "We'll have a chance to talk more later, Miles. I'd love to share... what I... can?"

He looked at Rouge who replied with a thumbs up. Okay, so that was a successful social interaction.

The lights then all turned off. Then, the thunk of a grand spotlight shined. It focused on a red furred individual standing on a raised platform, holding a cane with a microphone on top and a fancy 'Mirage Express' uniform. Wait, was this Quokka a guy or a girl? Why can't Shadow tell? It was okay, all Shadow had to do was hear them speak-

"Greetings all! Welcome aboard the Mirage Express! I'll be your master of ceremonies! Mistress of mystery! Your host for this adventure."

Nevermind. The voice was too androgynous. Shadow figured maybe it didn't matter.

"So first things first! Introductions! I'm assuming you all know each other as friends, right? At the very least, you all are familiar with the birthday girl..." the quokka pulled a clipboard closer to their face, counting each member of the party.

"...Really should've rehearsed this more..." the quokka mumbled to themselves. "Sorry I'm usually more lowkey. This is the first time corporate wanted me to host. I told them I wasn't properly trained but that damn robotic voice said to 'do your job, organic'."

"It's okay!" Amy yelled encouragingly. "You're doing great!"

"Huh?" The quokka looked up from the sheet on the clipboard. "Thanks!"

"Don't mention it! I'm the birthday girl by the way! The name's Rose. Amy Rose."

"Eh? You Rose? Me Barry!"

"No! Amy. Not A-Me."

The Barry looked through their list further.

"Oh. Amy. Got it. Hey, what? Which one of you put 'Sonic the Hedgehog'? Very funny."

Sonic, who was to Shadow's side, raised his hand.

"That would be me because it's my name?"

Barry blinked as they squinted before their eyes turned big and wide. "Oh Gaia, Oh Gaia. I'm a total newbie and yet, even with, a celebrity hero here... why oh why did corporate send lil old me..."

They looked through the list. "Wait? Jet the Hawk And Wave the Swallow is on here too? International Extreme Gear champions, the Babylonian Rogues? I am so under prepared. Oh Gaia, that Dave the senior entertainer would be a much better fit for this group..."

Wave spoke up. "It's just me, today. Jet's gotta take care of his dad in the hospital."

"Oh." Amy rubbed her chin. "So that's why he wasn't here. I thought he just hated me or something and flaked."

"Girl if he flaked I would've flaked with him." Wave rolled her eyes. "Your team and ours may be rivals but even I'm not enough of a jerk to ditch your birthday. I just forgot to tell you, that's all."

Barry nodded as they read through most of the list. So the teenage rabbit around Sonic's height was named Cream, huh?

"Mr and Ms Topaz?"

"That's us, darling." Rouge waved, pointing at herself and Shadow.

Shadow whispered. "You registered the two of us under aliases?"

"We're spies for GUN, Mr. Garnet Topaz. You of all people should know it's unwise to go around telling everyone our real names."

"Our real names already sound pretty fake, Rouge."

"Hey now, yours might be but mine is perfectly reasonable. It means red in Spagonish. At least, according to my papi."

"GUN?" Amy whispered back, evasdropping. "I thought you worked for the President himself, Rouge-"

"-Not this administration." Rouge rolled her eyes. "Also, Amy, it's Diamond Topaz, dear."

Shadow narrowed his brow. "I fail to see how being named after gems is supposed to make a convincing alias."

"It's not. I just did it for my own amusement." Rouge chuckled a little at herself. "The important thing is it's a fake name regardless."

Amy chimed in again, as Rouge's smirk made it clear she was a welcomed part of the conversation. "Being named after gems isn't that weird. Cream's entire family is named after food. It's almost to the point I'd assume anyone named after a meal might be a relative in some way. I mean her mom's name is Vanilla and her biological dad's nickname is-"

Boop. Boop. Boop. The sound of gloves tapping on a microphone. Riiing.

"Is this thing on?" called out Barry.

"Yeeees," groaned Sonic.

"What about Berry?" Rouge asked quietly. "Would they be a relative of Cream?"

Amy put a finger to her chin. "Depends if it's Barry or Berry."

Shadow yawned as conversation continued. Barry explained the rules of the game as well as what to expect. There'd be a detective accompanying the birthday girl - who would be role-playing as a celebrity reporter. There would be two rounds with different 'murderers' and 'victims', with the detective and birthday girl's job to find it.

Amy leaned closer. "Don't worry, Shadow. I got you the role of the train's barista. It's something more relaxed. I know you prefer to be on your own so..."

"Thanks." Shadow was sincere. He walked up to Barry along with everyone else and got his costume: a green apron, a cap, shirt and jeans. Everyone had a costume, with Wave taking Jet's place as 'mysterious billionaire' and Cream being just 'the orphan stowaway'.

Barry explained that the train was mostly automated and should be on rails overnight. They explained the dinner situation and they'd be there to handle all our needs. If the guests did not like microwaved frozen meals, the pantry was free to be used.

"Oh, and one more thing..." Barry said as he put on a bear shaped animatronic headgear. "I'll be there in the background to guide you to my Bear-y best."

"What's with the mask?" Shadow asked.

"Corporate said we needed more 'mascot representation'. Something about brand awareness." Their voice was muffled underneath.

"Anyways," Barry adjusted the helmet. "That should be everyone! Unless someone snuck aboard or something. Not that that would happen because our security is moderately good."

Barry reminded everyone to check their cue cards, get changed whenever, and get to positions by four. There was some time to chat out of character until then.

Shadow already made his way to the dining carriage, which was far in the back, in costume and began to brew a latte. Caffeine was one of the few chemicals that his body reacted to. He was immune to alcohol and other, less legal, substances.

The door swung open as Barry, still wearing a mask walked by. Shadow practiced small talk.

"Good afternoon, Barry-"

The quokka ignored him, looking at a clipboard. Okay, guess they're busy. Understandable. They must be under a lot of stress.

Another individual entered. Miles in a full detective outfit. It suited him well. He sat on a stool. Barry stood at ease in the corner of the carriage.

"One peppermint mocha, please," he said holding a finger up.

"This isn't an actual coffee bar, Miles. I'm roleplaying."

"Hehe. I know." Miles giggled into his palm. "I was roleplaying too, Mr. Topaz."

Shadow groaned. "What do you want?"

"I... just..." Miles fidgeted with his tails, looking away shyly. "Urm, wanted to talk about GUN stuff with you."

"And why do you think I'd be interested in talking about work now?" Shadow asked with his arms crossed.

"Who isn't interested in talking about their work? Especially when its as cool as working for a paramilitary defense organization committed to fighting global terrorism, extraterrestrial and extradimensional threats!"

Barry in the corner was still pulling their sleeves in discomfort at Miles'... enthusiasm.

"Well, I'm not interested in talking about my work."

"Why not?"

Shadow's eyes focused on the corner of a mug. When he was encouraged to join GUN, he thought he'd be able to influence it from the inside. They said they condemned their old ways. For the most part, this was sort of true. The targets were often criminal masterminds that made Eggman seem like a mere shoplifter in comparison. Eggman was more of a circumstantial existential threat that could accidentally destroy the world than the calculated maliciousness of what GUN sent Shadow against.

Currently, Shadow was part of a task force dedicated to the capture and elimination of key members of the Doomer Cult, which weaponises and worships relics, artifacts and even specimens of the Black Arms.

But now it felt all the same. But violence and combat was all Shadow was good for. The Ultimate Lifeform was the ultimate assassin. On record he was a spy but let's not kid ourselves.

A lot of thoughts. Could Miles even handle an inch of it?

Shadow sighed as he poured tea into a mug. "I don't like it much."

"If you don't, then why do you still do it?" Miles asked with a smile as innocent as his question.

The sly fox wasn't that innocent, he just knew how to play it up. Shadow used to do the same too but in the opposite direction, pretending to be more jaded, cynical and manlier than he was, until Rouge said that was cringe.

Shadow propped his head up on the table. "It's all I know. It's all I'm good at. It pays."

The eavesdropping Barry tapped their shoe against the floor as Miles shrugged. "Then why not get good at other stuff, Shadow?"

"Hmph. Like that's so easy. Maybe for a genius like you."

Miles pulled the mug of warm tea to his lips, blowing it to cool it down. "So... you don't want to talk about cool GUN mech stuff, huh?"

He had such a goofy smile, a sign of an eagerness and curiosity for life long gone in Shadow's part of the world. Except for Rouge, perhaps, unless that itself was just another mask.

How was that quokka suddenly so comfortable in their mask? Aren't they supposed to be busy setting things up? Shadow raised an eyebrow at them before focusing his attention back to Miles.

"Why do you care so much about GUN stuff anyways?" Shadow poured another refill of drink. Miles confessed that he wanted to know whether his tech was miles ahead of the competition. Yes, Tails really did use that phrasing. GUN were the cutting edge aside from Eggtech.

"You think GUN would ever hire me? I mean I know I have a criminal record and stuff but... they made an exception for you."

Shadow almost knocked over a mug. This fox boy, working for GUN? The thought made him recoil in a mix of concern and disgust. Disgust not for naive Miles, but at the fact that GUN would love a young genius like that.

He asked why Miles would ever want to work for them. Didn't he know what they did behind the scenes? He was smart enough to, surely. And yet he wanted this life? When he had other options?

Miles sighed. He confessed that he's felt bored with what he's been doing, mostly this Extreme Gear stuff for Sonic. Anything Sonic wanted, he'd work on. Miles said to not get him wrong, that he still enjoyed the thrill of engineering, the rush of a new project, the satisfaction of solving difficult problems.

He just wished, and he made Shadow swear not to tell anyone, that it was for something more meaningful than Sonic's silly hobbies.

"You aren't going to get it from GUN, kid." Shadow shrugged. "You'd wish your projects were meaningless there."

"Kid?" Miles huffed, crossing his arms. "You know I'm roughly Amy's age, right?"

"Since when?"

"Since forever." Miles sipped on his mug of peppermint tea. "Why does everyone think I'm a kid?"

"You do act like one, sometimes." Shadow looked around the room. Barry was gone. When did they leave the room?

Miles crossed his arms. "Whatever, meanie!"

"Shouldn't you be spending time with the birthday girl?"

Shadow began wiping the mugs clean as Miles looked away, pulling at his muzzle fur, awkwardly kicking the air.

"You know, Miles." Shadow gave a rare smile. "Not everything is about you. Sometimes... you got to be there for someone instead. This is Amy's birthday. You should spend time with her, detective."

Miles rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose you're right. She's the main star of tonight..."

Just then the door swung open as Barry ran in, covered in visible sweat.

"Oh there you are, detective Tails!" They were wheezing through their mask. "I've been running around all over looking for you! Come on we got to get you ready."

"Ah!" Miles used his tails to fly off. "Okay! I'll be there. See ya, Shadow."

Shadow waved goodbye. "Take care, Miles."

The train had already began moving an hour ago, but Shadow only just noticed how cozy the outside looked. He was in position awaiting his role. Sadly, he was not going to be the murderer for this round. Which was a shame, Shadow would've jumpt at the chance to 'take out' that cocky blue rodent.

Wait, something felt... off.

What did Barry mean by 'looking all over' for Miles?

Weren't they... here?

...

Shadow clutched tightly onto his Chaos Emerald. Maybe Barry was just a forgetful klutz? It would fit Shadow's impression of the stressed quokka.

He walked over to the end of the carriage. It'd help to regroup with the others-

Locked. The door was locked. How? Shadow tried to open it harder and harder. At this rate he was considering breaking the glass.

Vroom. Da-dun, Da-dun. The train just entered a dark, dark tunnel. At least the carriage was lit-

The lights flickered and then shut off. Total darkness, with only the sounds of the train and Shadow's breaths.

Wait... listen closely. Whizzing fans? Like a computer? Shadow quickly clicked his heels together to hoover in the darkness, using the propulsion of the flames as a bit of light.

Was that something in the corner?

"Chaos Spear!" Shadow shouted as he slung an electric beam towards that direction, its light shining silhouettes. He could vaguely make out something vaguely Barry shaped. But just as quickly, it was gone.

There was a ruffling. Mugs were knocked over. Whatever was in this carriage had moved.

"I know you're in here now. And if you're in here..." Shadow got into a fighting stance. "That means you aren't in there. I don't know what you're after, but..."

Shadow then blasted a chaos spear through the door, targeting the carriage attachment, decoupling this cart from the rest of the train. They were still in the dark tunnel.

"You will have to get through me before I'd let you hurt my friends!"

Quickly, he shot energy spear after energy spear towards the ceiling, the corners, anywhere. The thing in his carriage was nimble and fast, climbing and jumping all over, dodging each spear.

One of Shadow's spears hit something and so he rushed towards it. He picked it up - it was a shattered bear mask.

There was just enough light for Shadow to focus on one of the shattered glasses on the floor. Whatever this was... it had to be behind him. Using one of reflections, Shadow observed the position of two red eye-like lights in the darkness.

All he had to do was pretend to be oblivious. Let this thing ambush him, so he could counter attack. All it had to do was take the bait.

And just like that - it charged towards him.

"Hmph." Shadow smirked as his fingers gripped around his yellow Emerald. "I found you... impostor."

Getting closer. Within range.

"Chaos! Control!"

They say the ability to freeze time could itself be used to rule over this world. Shadow was told that by a GUN intelligence operative who liked old comic books. He always thought it was a load of nonsense. Maybe if you were selfish you could rob a bank or something.

The phrase 'Chaos Control' was a mantra Gerald taught Shadow years and years ago. Its name is an inherent oxymoron. Chaos by definition can't be tamed and to do so was a paradox. But by trying, desperately, tapping into the inner energies of the Emerald...

You could warp between space briefly. And if you do that in place... you stop time. That's what Shadow did.

He turned around as his attacker remained still. Heh, too easy. It was like taking candy from a baby which was fine by Shadow's standards morally as that could be a chocking hazard. He never really understood idioms all that well.

Without the mask, it was clear now what this was. An exterior of cold, heartless steel and iron, mockingly in the shape of a hedgehog. It was wearing a Mirage Express uniform below the head, some patches burned off by chaos spear blasts.

"Hmph. Metal Sonic." Shadow spoke in stopped time as he walked behind the robotic abomination. He didn't know why he bothered - the thing can't even hear him in stopped time, and even if it could it likely wasn't sentient.

GUN had a whole dossier on Metal. Extremely dangerous, homicidal and must be eliminated at all costs. It had a higher potential threat level compared to even Eggman himself due to its risk of rebellion, potential of self upgrading and complete lack of empathy for anything non-organic.

Shadow also read GUN's account of what it tried to do on Little Planet. Disgusting delusional robot.

"Trying to kidnap Amy again?" Shadow continued as he charged up a very destructive chaos spear attack. "So did Eggman send you? Or are you now malfunctioning and think she's really your girlfriend, again?"

The machine 'rolled' its eyes.

Shadow smirked. "No matter. I shall now rid the world of your existence before you can even comprehend your destruction."

Wait.

How could it roll its eyes in stopped time?

Shadow gasped as a claw quickly grabbed his neck hard, discharging the chaos spear blast onto the side of the train car. Why can't he break free? He tried to kick himself off. Won't budge. He elbowed the torso only to bruise himself in pain, the metal obviously unflinching.

"Let go of me!"

The creep wouldn't reply. Silent and unsettling. No matter, Shadow still had the-

Metal grabbed the Chaos Emerald and absorbed it into its fist. How?!

And then. Zap!

Shadow felt a surge of pain hit his neck as the buzzing of electricity and chaos energy echoed through the carriage.

And then all was dark - Shadow couldn't even scream as he faded from consciousness. The last thoughts he had was that at least he managed to distract the monster from Amy. At least her birthday wasn't going to be completely ruined. At least this machine wasn't kidnapping anyone today.

Amy would be strong enough to defend against Metal this time. Sonic would be there too. And Miles... they'd be fine.

Even alone, Amy was likely to defeat it now. She did get good at that hammer since Little Planet, and she was very strong.

Ah shoot, Shadow forgot to give Amy her gift - a book collection of various fairytales he found in an Apotos museum gift store that he visited after a harrowing mission. The hand-drawn artwork was stunning, and the text made Shadow almost tear up. Amy would love it.

Many of the tales were about some princess or cleric giving misunderstood, cursed creatures - which the rest of the world wrote off as nothing more than monsters - a listening ear. Whether they were hunchbacked trolls, ugly ogres, werehogs or vampires, all they needed was single kind soul to teach them to see themselves as something that deserved happiness and love just like everyone else. A friend can go a long way.

Those stories all reminded Shadow of Amy, the Rose who saved his life.

Chapter 7: Don't call me Sonic!

Summary:

Metal tells Eggman (almost) everything.

Everything had almost gone perfectly according to plan. So why did I still feel so incredibly guilty? I shouldn't be: Mighty was going to be saved now for sure, right?

Shadow was floating unconscious in a pod. I would freeze him in stasis but I knew cryogenesis would contaminate his tissue samples for research.

There was a loud announcement blaring from the PA systems of the Egg Carrier.

"Metal, What are you doing in the Biological Research Lab?! You know that section is off limits! My systems also indicated you had left the ship! You better have a good explanation for this when I get down there, you malfunctioning bucket of bolts!"

My claws scratched against my torso in panic. I did have a solid explanation - I just needed to prepare it. Stay calm. I had this under control.

I pulled up my phone.

Honey <3: Mighty please call me as soon as you read this

Honey <3: I really want to hear your voice right now.

Shadow's tube was in the center, surrounded by machines and computers. In a corner, tucked away, was the red and black luggage I stole from Eggman, filled with all my personal possessions. Mostly outfits I sewed for myself.

In my chassis was an immense collection of Father's research and data.

The group chat was lit up with notifications.

Rosy: WE HAD TO CANCEL THE GAME AND PULL THE EMERGENCY STOP

Rosy: AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE TRAIN WAS DECOUPLED

Rosy: AND SHADOW IS MISSING

JET: Oh Gaia that sounds bad. Is everyone else safe?

Tails: I was the last one to see Shadow or be in that part of the train...

Rosy: i really hope he's ok...

Speedy: I'm working with Rouge to search for him. Whatever took him couldn't have gone far!

Actually, loathsome copy, I had gone very, very far. My plan included an escape jet capable of mech speeds. The Egg Carrier was tens of thousands of miles away.

Tails: WAIT. MY CHAOS EMERALD IS GONE

Tails: How did I lose it???

This was what I meant by almost perfect. In an ideal situation, Amy's party would've gone uninterrupted.

Countless simulations with different scenarios and not once did I consider that Shadow would decouple the train on purpose.

And he did it just to protect Amy. He thought she was the target. Was there more to Shadow than I had assumed? More than a heartless, nihilistic, cynical assassin?

Was Shadow someone misunderstood in the way I was? Much of my justification for this plan was that the world wouldn't miss him if he disappeared for a month.

If I knew he was a kinder soul, maybe I could have just asked. I was on that train... and he was nice to Miles. Maybe all I should have done was slip him a note?

I thought he would just destroy me on the spot. Shadow was... efficient. It intimidated me and I didn't want to take chances with Mighty's life on the line.

Maybe... it was not too late. I plugged a wire into my head and the computer and, using a mental link, I triggered the pod to gently shock Shadow to wake him.

Shadow blinked his eyes awake and started banging his fists on the glass.

"Where am I? Whatever it is you want, you'd have to pry it from my dead cold hands! I will break out of this pathetic-"

"-Shadow! Please listen to me!" Oh. It was still set to my Honey voice. Father would be here any second now but yet I don't have time to change it. Whatever.

Shadow stopped with a bewildered expression and narrowed his brows.

"I really need your help, Shadow." My reflection showed that my eyes flickered as I 'spoke' through the speakers in the room, leaving no doubt that I was the 'speaker'.

"Interesting choice of voice." Shadow spun in the pod, crossing his arms. "Sounds nothing like Sonic. Less annoying that's for sure. But if you think I'll listen to you just because you now sound like a vocaloid you'd be solely mistaken."

I put my palms together in joy. "Wait? You know vocaloid? Ah! That was the effect I was going for: thank you!"

"Urm, you welcome? Wait, what?"

The automated machine doors unsealed themselves loudly, revealing Father on the other side. He was on his feet, arms crossed and glasses covering his eyes.

"Metal Sonic." I flinched hearing the full name, as Father got closer. Each step felt louder than the last. "What is the meaning of this? What... oh my!"

He then ran forward excitedly towards the tube with a large grin on his face.

"Did you... capture Shadow all by yourself?" Father's gloved hands were on the glass now. "Just for me? And here I thought you said you didn't wanna kidnap anyone anymore! You just wanted a target more impressive than Cream, didn't you?"

Mentally I set my voice to something more familiar to Father. edgy_killer_robot.voc was now chosen.

Or so I thought, it turned out I had forgotten to actually enable it and so one_true_voice_v3.voc was still set.

"Of course, Father! I had captured him all by myself! But I do have an important request."

Eggman stood still for a few seconds, scratching the back of his bald head, before turning to face me.

"Why are you speaking like that? It's so... not Sonic." Father shrugged before I could answer. "Whatever, I don't care. What is your request?"

"You use him to develop the cure for NIDS."

Father bursted into a signature, loud, full bodied laugh. Shadow gasped with a wide-eyed expression of intrigue.

"Oh ho ho! That's all?!" He slapped his knee. "I can do that in a week! That's only a fraction of the power I could extract from this thing."

I crossed my arms as Father kept talking. "Why. I could make weapons from Shadow! Perhaps I could him into a power source, like a battery. Or maybe even finally begin Project Robotization! Wouldn't you want a little brother, Metal Sonic?"

"I'm not Sonic." My voice was annoyed and hurt.

"That's true!" Father held a finger up high with a wide smile. "You're better than that, Son-ic. Even that pesky rodent couldn't beat Shadow! But you clearly did."

Shadow knocked on the glass. "You better free me before my allies find you. I refuse to be enslaved by the likes of you!"

Eggman twirled his mustache. "Well yeah, the whole point of enslavement is that you can't refuse it. If you could reject it then it wouldn't actively be against your will. What are you, stupid? And here I thought my grandfather gave you an education up there."

I stepped forward in between the glass and Father.

"Stop. This isn't what I want!" My Honey voice was miffed, and I imagine my eyes showed even that.

"Eh? What's the meaning of this, Metal?" Eggman looked stern. "What are you being whiny about?"

"My request is that you use Shadow only to develop a cure for NIDS. Nothing else!"

I turned to face Shadow, who had a shocked look of hope on his face.

"What?!" Eggman stomped hard against the floor. "What kind of game are you playing? You captured Shadow successfully and now you're... you're... telling me to waste my time on something as useless as some cure?"

Eggman pointed at me. "How dare you make demands of me! What makes you think you have the authority! I am your creator."

"I only captured Shadow because I wanted you to cure my best friend, Mighty!"

"You have friends?" Eggman busted out a mocking laugh. "You really expect me to believe that? How? You never leave the ship. And truth be told I doubt anyone out there would want to befriend a robot like you, Metal Sonic."

Shadow gasped. "Is... this true, Metal Sonic?"

I nodded in response. "Don't call me Sonic. Metal is... acceptable. But not Sonic."

Shadow had a rare smirk. "Hmph. Guess you aren't as delusional as they say you are."

Eggman pushed me. "I will call you whatever I please! Not that you deserve to be a Sonic with how rebellious you've been acting!"

I rolled my eyes at the irony, my arms crossed. Then I went back on topic.

"You will only use Shadow for the NIDS cure. Once you are done, you must let him go."

"And give up such a valuable resource?!" Eggman mockingly laughed. "Yeah! No! Absolutely not. Now step aside before I decommission you for good, Metal Sonic."

I used a mental link to unseal the pod, releasing Shadow from his capture. If he had a theme music, it'd play now.

"What?!" Eggman yelled as he smashed a computer screen. "You're freeing him! How dare you! You malfunctioning, defective, useless piece of scrap! You capture him again right this moment."

"No." If I could stick a tongue out, I would.

"You better!" Eggman pulled out a blaster pistol. "I created you and brought you into this world. I can take you out of it!"

I then snapped my clawed fingers, using the combined power of two Chaos Emeralds - the one I took from Shadow and the one I pickpocketed from Miles - to freeze time.

Shadow sighed, moving in the stopped time, disarming Eggman of his pistol. He looked at me and gave a soft nod.

I attempted to speak but it turned out the computer wouldn't respond. Mute again, huh.

"Hmph. I think we have about two minutes before Chaos Control ends... I'm sorry about all this, Metal."

Obviously Shadow meant two minutes from our perspective. I reached out for his arm and looked at him. My grip was desperate.

Shadow sighed. "Fine..."

I quickly grabbed my luggage and gave Shadow both Emeralds, which I materialised from digital chaos storage. Even I wasn't sure what I was trying to tell him. Did I want him to take me away from this place? And if so, to where?

Who else but Father could possibly be capable of developing a cure? Eggman was the greatest scientific genius to ever exist, who could possibly rival him?

And who could possibly maintain and repair my body besides Eggman?

"Hold my hand, Metal." Shadow reached out. "I know someone who could help you. No promises."

I stared at his glove. No turning back, huh? Then I wrapped my claw around it.

"Chaos... Control."

---

Miles "Tails" Prower had wrapped blankets around his entire body in his bed, shivering with fear.

BA-BOOM!

Another thunder strike! He almost screamed. Why did a thunderstorm have to happen now of all nights? And right after Amy's birthday was ruined.

Miles had spent all evening searching high and low for his green Chaos Emerald. The odds of him merely misplacing it was becoming slimmer and slimmer by the hour - it had to have been stolen! His Emerald could have proven vital for helping find Shadow, since Shadow always carried an Emerald of his own according to Rouge. Emeralds can be used to locate other Emeralds.

What a stupid fox he was, carrying it around to Amy's party. He wanted to show it to Shadow to impress him but forgotten to during their conversation.

The carriage Shadow had been on showed signs of a fight using Chaos energy. What if whatever that attacked him stole the Emerald off Miles and weaponised it? That would have been bad. It'd mean this really was all his fault.

But now Miles wanted nothing more than to sleep away his anxiety. But this thunderstorm made it impossible. Perhaps he still had sleeping pills somewhere in his first aid kit?

Knock knock knock!

The front door? Who could possibly be here at this hour? Sonic? No way, Sonic usually stayed at Vanilla's place nowadays. Amy?

"I-I'll be there... gimme a moment!"

Miles wrapped himself in blankets as he slowly approached the door. But just as he opened the door all he could make out in the darkness was two red-glowing eyes.

Thunder struck, revealing the silhouette of... oh no.

Oh Chaos no! Was this another nightmare? Please be another nightmare. Miles screamed as he slipped backwards. He was about to fall onto his butt and back until-

Zip!

"Got you." That was clearly Shadow's voice. Miles felt himself propped up as Shadow had teleported behind him and caught him. "You okay?"

"Shadow? I- Ahhh!" Miles screamed as it stared at him from outside the front door.

---

Why did Father design my body to strike fear in the hearts of others? Was it just for combat effectiveness? Was it an unintentional side effect when creating me to rival the copy? Or was there something more?

Maybe he wanted me to be isolated. I would be easier to control if I had nobody but him.

I wasn't supposed to make friends, was I? Because if I did, I wouldn't want to obey him anymore.

Shadow shrugged as Miles clung tightly onto the side of him. "Tails, calm down. Metal's with me."

"Huh?" Miles slowly let go off him, stepping up in confusion. "This isn't a trick or anything, right?"

Teleportation lights and sounds fired away before Shadow appeared in front of me, holding a dry towel. I nodded as I dried myself off and stepped in, closing the door behind me.

Shadow pulled at his glove. "You wanted something more meaningful than Sonic's hobbies, right? Here's one: cure NIDS while taking care of Metal."

Miles yelped. "What?! Huh? But that's crazy! And so suddenly dumped onto me! I can't possibly, and I, what, why, how, and-"

"Calm. Down." Shadow looked away in visible annoyance. "This is important. I... Metal, can't you explain this instead?"

I shook my head with my arms crossed, indicating no voice attachment.

"I'm scared, Shadow..." Miles muttered, holding onto a tail tightly.

Rolling my electronic eyes, I pulled out the smartphone and texted. Miles' own phone buzzed from a table by the couch. He walked over to grab it, almost tripping over his own feet.

"Wait?" Miles yelled as he read my messages. "No! No! Does this imply?! Oh Gaia, how?! Well there goes my crush on her!"

I continued the conversation on my own device, Shadow peaking through my shoulder.

Honey <3: I'm sorry for misleading you, Miles. I genuinely wanted to be friends. I thought of you as one.

Honey <3: I was just afraid of how you'd react.

Honey <3: It's okay if you want nothing to do with me. If you want to kick me out of your house that's fair but please hear me out first.

Honey <3: You're the only one who could save the life of my best friend. (˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )

Honey <3: Eggman doesn't want anything to do with me anymore...

Honey <3: I have nobody else to turn to.

Tails: You could have told me you were a robot...

Honey <3: You wouldn't have believed me. (ᴗ_ ᴗ。)

Tails: Good point.

That evening, we had a very, very long text conversation. He promised not to tell anyone, although he was clearly still in shock. Sleep deprivation and general disbelief. I wonder how he'd be in the morning.

Everything was different now. I hope Shadow knew what he was doing suggesting him as an alternative to Eggman. I guess Miles_Per_Hour did seem like an intellectual powerhouse when he went on and on about technology and science.

Could this fox boy who was still afraid of thunder - and of me - really save Mighty? Well, what other options do I have?

If there's one thing my own existence and Shadow has taught me, it was that looks can be deceiving.

Chapter 8: Yes. I want to tell Amy.

Summary:

Honey comes out to Shadow, Miles and Amy...

"So... you really want to tell Amy, Met-, urm, Honey?"

Miles nervously pulled on the fur at the back of his head as his tails swayed left to right, grinning at me with sweat on his brow. Shadow stood to the side of us with a bored expression.

Amy was due to arrive any moment for brunch. When Miles woke up this morning, he blinked repeatedly, with mutters like 'oh, so it wasn't a bad dream', as he found Shadow and me in the kitchen.

When I used a text message to indicate my preference for the name Honey to Shadow, he took it well. He said it was in 'far better taste' than sharing a name with the... copy. Yes, I was aware that he wasn't really a copy, but even thinking of the name Sonic made my circuits flinch with a painful anxiety. His name was a reminder of what I was forced to emulate for my whole existence until now.

I'd need to overcome that feeling soon - I wasn't him and he wasn't me, no matter how much Eggman had insisted in the past. For years I thought the only justification for my existence, the only way to make my creator proud of me, was to be the one true... Sonic.

Sonic. Sonic. Sonic. Repeating the name in my mind made it hurt a little less, even as I clutched my claws tightly. I was not Sonic. I don't want to be Sonic. I want to be my own individual, on my own terms.

And the name Honey was... nice. When Miles_Per_Hour called me that by accident, I felt a strange affection to it. Maybe because it was the first time in my life I was called something other than a Sonic.

Maybe because it was a name of a food which made me feel more like Eggman's child rather than just a mere machine.

Oh, Eggman. Would Father ever accept me as something other than a Sonic? It wasn't worth thinking about now. I miss Father but if he didn't miss me... so what?

With a few taps of gloved fingers on my phone, I sent a message to Miles. I haven't felt comfortable yet showing Miles anything else from my luggage except for the padded gloves that hid my disgusting claws.

It'd be nice to wear my clothes, but I was still too shy. I didn't trust Miles enough not to mock it.

Honey <3: Yes. I want to tell Amy.

Honey <3: I did ruin her birthday. It wasn't my intention but that was what happened.

Miles peeked up from his own phone. "We really don't have to tell her anything. You could just hide in my closet and-"

I shook my head, interrupting him.

"But what if Amy freaks out?" Miles' tails nervously flickered.

"So what if she does?" Shadow crossed his arms. "This is Honey's choice. You either stop your whining or you can sit still in the corner and let me do the talking."

Not exactly how I would have phrased it, Shadow, but an appreciated sentiment.

Knock! Knock. Knock-Knock.

The door's knocks were playful in a rhythm.

"N-no! I can do this..." Miles nodded as he flew towards the front door. "I got this. You got this, Tails."

Unlocked. It gently swung open. Amy was in a familiar red dress and held a plastic bag with a 'Sweet Mountain Bakery' logo. She greeted Miles with a smile, had a huge happy gasp as she saw Shadow and...

Her expression turned to a confused, eyebrow raised bewilderment as her gaze met mine. I looked away in embarrassment as I held my fingers together.

"Yeaaaah Amy, urm, so, Shadow and Metal Son-, Metal are going to be staying with me for awhile."

"I'm guessing there's a long story behind this." Amy's stares studied me, up and down. She inched closer. "So, did you hack it or something? Is Eggman going to be looking for this thing or...?"

Amy flinched as I moved to take out my phone. I quickly texted her.

Honey <3: I kidnapped Shadow on the Mirage Express in an attempt to develop a cure for NIDS.

Honey <3: Disrupting your party was not part of my plan. I intended to snatch Shadow quietly.

Honey <3: Upon learning my true motivation, Shadow has decided to willingly work with me and Miles.

She stared at her own phone, then back at me, then her own phone again.

Then she rolled her eyes. "You're telling me Metal Sonic was pretending to be a girl for months online? I mean I suspected Honey was a catfish but not-"

"Amy," Shadow interrupted gently. "From what she told us, I don't think Honey was pretending to be a woman."

Even my facial motors simulated a raise of an eyebrow at Shadow's remark. What did he mean by this? My body wasn't subjected to the same definitions of biology. Concepts like 'male' or 'female' could not apply to a being incompatible of reproduction such as myself...

Sexual dimorphism, much like the need for sleep or food, was exclusive to organics. Further thoughts on this topic made me... uncomfortable.

Amy blinked and then gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh! Oohhh. I'm so sorry; I had no idea. Honey, don't worry, I think you're totally valid! And you're safe here."

"-Shadow wait." Miles tilted his head as he looked at us. "I don't get it."

"Hmph." Shadow crossed his arms. "I don't see how, Miles. You were there when she told us how she met Mighty."

He was referring to the conversation from earlier today where I typed out what I wanted to say and Shadow would read it aloud for Miles to listen.

There was still a very confused look on Miles' face while Amy's eyes widened in intrigue.

An annoyed sigh escaped Shadow, pointing at me. "She prefers a name like Honey, loves fashion, makes dresses for herself, and uses a very feminine robotic voice. Do you get it now, Miles?"

Shadow did have a point. I suppose if I were to conform to the social norms of organics, my identity would lean more towards the shes than the hes. That thought felt... correct.

But was it only because Sonic was a he, and I simply wanted to distance myself from him?

Did it matter? Biologically I was neither.

Miles scratched his head more. "But Metal's a machine how can it be a girl?"

Amy and I both looked away awkwardly.

"Aren't you supposed to be smarter than this, Miles?" Shadow sighed. "Forget it. This isn't worth my time explaining."

Amy giggled as she smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so progressive, Shadow."

Shadow shrugged. "What's that supposed to mean? Well, GUN makes us do these Workplace Professionalism classes. Most of our top hackers aren't much different from Honey here, actually."

"They're robots?" Miles asked before covering his mouth in embarrassment as Amy and Shadow turned to him. "Wait! No I get it... I think?"

I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Amy, but held it out for everyone to see.

Honey <3: Can we talk about something else, please? (·•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅ )

Amy squinted her eyes at the message. "Oh, right, sorry, Honey."

I nodded to mean 'it's okay'.

The next hour was spent talking about said something else, which was an improvement. They talked on the couch, sharing cupcakes and muffins. Amy and Miles sat next to each other, while Shadow sat next to me.

I held a cute pink cupcake in my hands just for fun and occasionally pretended to take a bite from it. I wonder what it was like to taste anything.

Shadow and Miles explained the situation. My best friend Mighty was dying, Miles was the only one capable of curing him other than Eggman, and Shadow was going to stay here to be used for the research.

Amy wiped her eyes with a handkerchief at the story. She hadn't heard from Mighty in years. The three kept talking as I nodded and listened. It felt isolating being unable to speak. I wish I had access to my voice without needing to plug myself into a computer.

"What about your work, Shadow?" Amy sipped from a mug of hot chocolate. "They are giving you time off?"

"I'm applying for it but..." Shadow sighed as he looked down at his mug of coffee. "If this cure demands more time I will simply send in a resignation letter."

Miles gasped. "You would quit working at GUN?!"

"Curing NIDS is far more important." Shadow had a wide smile, which surprised Miles and Amy. "I should have considered it earlier."

With a sigh, Miles put down his peppermint tea. "But do we even know if it's possible?"

"Dr. Eggman did it," Shadow replied.

Miles rubbed his neck. "I mean how do we know if it's possible for me to do it?"

"Awww. Come on..." Amy put her hand onto his fox head and began massaging it. "You're super smart, Miles! Maybe even smarter than Eggman. If there's anyone that can do this, it's you."

"Ah! Amy!" Miles blushed and flinched in shyness. "You really think so? But... I don't know... I've never cured a disease before."

Amy pulled Miles' ears affectionately. "There's a first for everything."

I covered my face instinctively as though holding back laughter despite my lack of a mouth. Shadow had no reaction, still looking at his coffee.

"It should be achievable." Shadow glanced up. "Honey had stolen Eggman's research before her escape. All Miles has to do is recreate it for the universal cure."

"Wait! Oh..." Miles curled his tails up to his body in anxiety. "I forgot! No..."

"What's wrong?" Amy asked.

"I promised Sonic and Cream I'd be their Extreme Gear mechanic for the Grand Prix... and that's a full time thing. We were supposed to start serious training and tuning our Gears tomorrow."

Amy rolled her eyes. "Tell Sonic and his girlfriend that this is far more important."

Miles pulled on his tails. "I, urm, but... I promised. Can't I work on the cure after the Grand Prix?"

Shadow almost slammed the coffee cup on the table. His voice was stern and frustrated. "Honey's friend might be dead after the Grand Prix, Miles."

I darted my eyes away and tightened my grip on the cupcake. Shadow was right but did he have to be so blunt? Amy put her hand to her chest and gave a sharp breath.

Everyone was quiet and the only sound was the swaying of ceiling fans.

Shadow glanced at us. "What? What did I say? It was the truth."

"Yeah..." Miles nodded repeatedly. "Okay. I get it. I'll tell Sonic I can't help... oh he's going to be so mad."

I rolled my eyes in amusement. That sounded like him - impatient and self-centered with an ego to boot. Obviously, the loathsome copy would be petty enough to put glory over saving lives. That was why Father despised him so-

"I'm sure Sonic would understand, Miles." Amy patted his head. "Don't worry. He'd know how important this is."

Miles responded with an 'okay' and a soft grin. The conversation slowly shifted to less heavy topics and soon it was time for Amy to go. Miles tidied up, waving goodbye, as Shadow and Amy spoke by the door. I stood near them.

"By the way, Shadow." Amy had a bright smile. "Rouge gave me your gift. I loved it. It was really thoughtful. I read it last night while it was storming and we couldn't find you..."

"Oh. You're welcome..." Shadow turned his gaze away with a visible blush. "Which story was your favorite? Mine was The Outsider."

"That one was really good. It made me cry actually... when he found out how he really looked in a reflection..."

"Yes." Shadow nodded solemnly. "It was very sad."

Amy then glanced at me. "The Marionette Tinkerer was really good too. Where the doll, Belle, learned she didn't need to be a 'real girl' to be deserving of love."

I would smile if I could but since I couldn't I just gave a small thumbs up. I didn't know the details of the story, but I knew why she mentioned it. Amy didn't have to show me kindness - she had every right to resent me - and yet she did. It was inspiring.

"The wooden doll one? It's okay," Shadow replied. "Not my favorite. I thought she was annoying."

Amy's eyes met mine as she chuckled, and while I couldn't I hoped my electronic pupils indicated I was laughing inside, somehow.

Shadow kept his confused look at Amy took out her phone. "You should add me as a contact, Shadow."

"Why?" He asked with genuine sincerity. He wasn't mocking her. I placed my hand on my face. The second hand embarrassment made me almost walk away.

"So we can text and call, silly..."

"Oh. Yes." Shadow took her phone and tapped in his details. "I wouldn't mind."

They exchanged information and then Amy nodded and turned to leave. She and I hugged goodbye. She then turned to Shadow, her hands subtly indicating an offer for a hug but Shadow turned away. Amy then waved goodbye and Shadow shut the door.

Amy accepted me, unsurprisingly. She wasn't someone I knew well but she dragged me back to Father years ago, when I was otherwise abandoned as a heap of metal and left to rot. She had no reason to, as I was the enemy, and yet she felt pity and mercy. Respectable and admirable.

Amy was one of the only individuals to assume I was capable of being more than a copy of the loathsome copy.

No, I should say Sonic. Get over yourself, Honey. Sonic and I couldn't be anymore different. I bet Sonic couldn't sew a hole in a sock. In fact, I would gamble Sonic doesn't even know how to do laundry or fry the perfect egg.

It was already sunset. Miles was already in the kitchen.

"Shadow, Metal," Miles called as he flew around with his tails and opened the higher shelf. "What do you guys want to eat? I got, urm, hotdogs and... mac and cheese and-"

Miles then stopped his own sentence as he looked at both me and Shadow. "Oh! Right, how silly of me. Sorry!"

"Shadow, Honey, what do you two want for dinner?"

I would laugh if I could. Miles "Tails" Prower and Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik were two sides of the same coin: geniuses who could be really dumb sometimes. They mean well... usually. I suppose in Father's case he has a complete lack of a moral compass, but that's just what men are like after a depressing divorce.

Maybe Father wasn't much different from Miles when he was younger and less jaded.

And if so, then maybe Miles was just as capable of developing the cure. We'd begin full research tomorrow as soon as the organics wake up. Shadow would be a living test subject while Miles and I actively begin a cure plan.

It would help if I spent the night organising and tidying Father's research so it would make sense to Miles in the morning.

My phone buzzed with notifications. The first one made my circuits glow with joy.

The Pen: I woke up and it's all dark out. Guess that's life now lol.

The Pen: Can't even have a consistent sleep schedule. This is so NIDS.

The Pen: Anyways Honey, how's living with Tails like?

Mighty had already been updated on everything. Maybe that's why he seems to be more energised lately - that feeling of hope.

I laid myself on the couch on my robotic belly, typing replies as I swung my legs in the air. Shadow happened to be sitting next to me, staring at an old, primitive cellphone that had a small physical keyboard attached to it. Must be GUN issued.

Me and Mighty typed messages for awhile, catching up on things. I told him about who Shadow was while Mighty talked about how he used to know Miles back when everyone called him Tails. Technically, I knew of Tails but never got to know him. Then again, couldn't I say that about all of Eggman's enemies?

The group chat buzzed, the one with Miles and Amy.

[shadow_robotnik has joined the server]

shadow_robotnik: What's this Amy what software is this?

shadow_robotnik: reminds me of slack which i use at work

Rosy: yay u made it

Rosy: this is just a gc for me and my friends

Cheese: Hi Shadow! :)

Cheese: That's a very interesting username there 🤔

Tails: Oh cool. Shadow's here.

Tails: Do you want me to add eggs to your noodles?

I looked up to see Miles cooking while using his device, as well as Shadow giving me an equally bewildered note.

"You know I'm here, right?" Shadow rolled his eyes. "You could've just asked me."

Miles yelled back. "Well do you want eggs or not?!"

"No."

I would laugh if I could. Perhaps living with these two boys might prove to be an excellent source of gossip for me to share with Mighty.

Speedy: Is that the real Shadow?

Speedy: Or is he just a Faker?

Speedy: How did you even manage to invite him here, Amy?

shadow_robotnik: @Speedy who are you?

Speedy: The one and only Sonic.

Speedy: Sonic the Hedgehog!

shadow_robotnik: I'm uninterested in this Workspace, Amy.

[shadow_robotnik has left the server]

Rosy: ...he left already????????

Honey <3: LMAO

I was covering my mouth and kicking my feet in silent laughter. That Sonic making a fool of himself was always a delight. And Shadow being so deliciously awkward.

Screenshot taken: I was so sending this to Mighty.

I sat up to gaze at Shadow who looked up from his private messages with Amy.

"What?"

Playfully, I rolled my digital eyes at him.

"What are you trying to say?" Shadow continued.

I replied with only a shrug as Miles announced that dinner was ready... serving three bowls of noodles. Miles blinked awkwardly as I sat at the table and mimed eating.

"Oh..." Miles muttered. "Right. I forgot."

Still, I gave him an appreciative thumbs up.

No matter what happens now, one day at Miles' home felt more meaningful than a year on the Egg Carrier. I couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Chapter 9: It's hard to copy perfection...

Summary:

Miles opens up about insecurities, Honey meets Sonic and Cream and Shadow sits around in the basement.

Miles Prower sat in front of a comically oversized computer screen.

"Knuckles, pleeease let me study the Master Emerald! I'll be gentle, I promise. I'll do anything for the chance."

Shadow and I were hidden in the corner of Miles' messy basement lab which had been our workplace the past few days, but with the state it was in you'd be forgiven for thinking it had been months. Cables crawled up and down floors and walls, connecting computers and servers together. Large test tubes of strange liquids, a biological pod and a giant hamster ball for tests on the Ultimate Lifeform.

This room was relatively neat before we started our research. Considering the progress we've already made, I'd say the three of us deserved to be a little slobbish.

"Anything, Tails?" Knuckles raised a sly eyebrow and a smirk. He was holding whatever camera device he was using at an unflatteringly low angle.

Miles scratched the back of his head while his tails straighten. "Oh. I wasn't expecting you to actually-"

"Hmm... it would be nice to have someone plow my fields this harvest..." Knuckles held his gloves to his chin in thought.

"I-I-I'm flattered but, wait, y-you're talking literally, right Knuckles?"

"Yes?" Knuckles blinked in confusion. "Obviously. Why? What else could I be talking about?"

"N-nothing!" Miles waved his hands in front of him. "Nothing at all! Nope!"

I glanced over to Shadow who had fallen asleep on his stool. How unfortunate for him to miss out on the comedic treats.

"But... nah, I am not risking the Emerald with you, Tails."

"Wait!" Miles yelled with a leap, waking Shadow up. "But it's for a good cause! I need it for medical research! It could save lives."

"Save lives?" Knuckles was now holding the camera upside down. "How's Sonic gonna use the Emerald for that?"

"Oh. Sonic's not involved at all." Miles nodded his head. "In fact, he wouldn't even know I'd be on Angel Island!"

"Tails without Sonic?" Knuckles' eyes widened. "Interesting. Well, why didn't you say so?!"

He then smiled. "Sure. I'll let you look at the Emerald and study it with your fancy tech. But no touching, okay? And it better be strictly for medical stuff. No weapons or robots or gizmos or whatever."

"Yes! Thank you, Knuckles!" Miles flew in excitement. "This is going to help a lot."

Knuckles muttered something about 'slotting him in for an appointment next weekend' before throwing the camera at the grass. The call disconnected.

"...It was easier to make his Knux Electric self-repairing than explain to him the user interface." Miles turned to us with a shrug.

"Are we done now?" Shadow crossed his arms. "That was a boring call."

"Nobody asked you to sit in, 'Dow?" Miles rolled his eyes. "Like you didn't need to be here?"

"Oh." Shadow got up and began walking to the staircase. "That would have been good to know twenty minutes ago."

Miles turned to me and shook his head in bewilderment. "Sometimes I feel like I can communicate with you better... and you don't even talk most of the time!"

I gave a playful, graceful bow, causing Miles to softly laugh.

"Actually, speaking of that... I've kind of been working on a surprise for you, Honey."

My electronic eyes lit up I put my gloved hands together. A gift? How exciting!

"It's a work in progress..." Miles reached across his desk filled with hardware parts to pull out a small, metal chip. "So it's not perfect but here's a prototype voice module."

A voice?! It was about time. Sure, I could speak if I was plugged into a powerful computer but that wasn't exactly convenient.

He then held it in two fingers as he approached my neck. "May I?"

I nodded slowly, prompting Miles to gently snap it into some slot in my circuitry.

A dry, monotonous computer voice replied. "Owch. That stung a little."

"Oh. Sorry!"

"It's okay." I placed a hand on my neck. "Huh. This voice is very... simple."

"Y-yeah..." Miles looked down with a frown. "I haven't had time to figure out how to optimize the neural-speech capacitors to run on the lower powered hardware but-"

"This is fine." I shrugged. "Can be used for practical purposes. Thank you, Miles."

Miles sighed. "You don't like it, do you?"

"I appreciate the thought. It is better than being completely mute."

"It doesn't sound like how you want to." Miles' eyes met mine. "Doesn't sound like you."

It felt rude to admit but... Miles was right. Despite this thing's flaws, it did provide a useful communication option. But the dry, soullessness of these sound waves felt... not me.

My reply with a loud, voiceless nod.

"Hmm, yeah." Miles then had a soft, sad smile. "In a way... I kind of know what that's like."

I tilted my head. Intriguing. What did he mean?

"My own voice didn't drop for years. I spent my early teenage years sounding like a girl." Miles rubbed his neck as he looked away. "I pretended not to care but, urm, it did bother me. Heck, it felt like puberty had visited everyone else on the block but me."

"Don't know why it took so long for me, Honey. Maybe puberty was afraid of someone with two of these things." He playfully twirled both his tails together. I covered my mouth in a silent laughter.

"It's silly to think back now, but there was a period where I really thought I might just stop growing. Like, what if I'm stuck looking like a girly kid forever, you know?"

Miles looked up towards me, his hand around his neck, his blue eyes with a distant yet relatable sadness. "Even now I still kind of feel like my voice and my face and my everything looks so... neither girl nor guy? Like, some weird in between?"

"Androgynous." I replied with the awful monotone.

"Yeah. That's the word." Miles then had a bigger smile. "Heh. I feel like you're the first person I've ever met who would kind of understand what I went through."

With an imagined sigh I looked down at my own body. Hard, metallic steel that made me feel... awful. Bulky. Destructive. Wrong. I was made as a mockery.

Why can't I look as cute as I felt?

Then I looked at Miles. He looked cute. Adorable. Fluffy. And he was right, with the right clothes and accessories, he probably could present however he like.

But Miles didn't want to be just soft, he wanted to be taken seriously. Meanwhile, I came off as something that everyone must take seriously, at all times.

Two sides of the same coin of a problem. Heads and tails.

"Sorry." Miles said solemnly. "I, urm, didn't mean to imply I had it as bad as you or anything."

"It's okay. I did not see it that way. I'm glad you opened up."

...

Argh! This voice sucked. I wasn't just a machine! But I kept that frustration quiet. And... it was still thoughtful of Miles to give me this option at all.

Actually, maybe I could poke at the code myself. There has to be a way to get this voice module to be less painful to use.

Footsteps echoed as Shadow marched down the steps again with a mug of coffee in his hands and a novel. "Miles, they are at the door. Deal with it. I'll stay here."

Knock Knock Kno-Knock! Knock!!

"Hey lil bud! You there, Tails?! Hellooooo?"

The they was Cream and... Sonic. And Sonic's voice was loud. I have yet to meet Cream in person, properly. The closest interaction I had in physical space was walking past her while I was disguised as a quokka who was far too talkative.

"Oh 'Dow, come on." Miles flew towards the staircase, with me following suit. "You totally could've gotten the door."

"Don't want to."

"Why?"

"...I'm socially drained." Shadow recited the words as though they were memorised. "Introverted mood?"

Miles simply groaned as he quickly flew up the steps. I initially considered staying down here with Shadow - who might have the right idea - but knew better.

Sonic was an important - and reoccurring - part of Miles' life. Avoiding him forever was not realistic. As much as it pained me to even imagine him - which was vivid with my photographic reconstructive digital imaging and memory - I had to confront this. The sooner, the better.

We finally were at the door. My existence at Miles' place wasn't going to be a shock to Cream and Sonic like it was to Amy, and that was because of what happened earlier today.

The group chat still made me cringe internally...

---

[Honey <3 changed nick]

Honey: So, as Miles and Amy already know, I'm staying at Miles ' place for the time being.

Honey: I'm the robot formerly known as Metal Sonic. Sorry for misleading you all.

JET: Oh ur metal sonic? Well I'm a Sonic too.

JET: I'm Good Sonic.

JET: (Sonic if he was good)

JET: Come to think of it... if Sonic's the fastest thing alive.

[JET changed nick]

SONIC: THEN I AM THE ONE TRUE SONIC.

Speedy: Cream can you add a new rule to the server please.

[Cheese changed nick]

Sonic: Sure @Speedy. What's the new rule? c:

Speedy: Not you too, Cream.

Sonic: Cream? But I'm Sonic.

SONIC: You're Sonic? But how can you be Sonic if I'm Sonic.

Sonic: You're Uppercase Sonic, an inferior copy to me: grammatically correct proper noun Sonic.

Speedy: Come on guys. The joke's getting old.

SONIC: ME? A COPY?! The only thing I could copy from you is the secrets of meditation.

SONIC: because you like to SLOW DOWN.

Sonic: Sorry, I can't hear you, all-caps. I'm too far ahead.

Speedy: Fine.

Speedy: You want to be Sonic? Then be prepared to fight his enemies...

[Speedy changed nick]

DR. EGGMAN (REAL): WHAT THIS? MORE OF THAT HEDGEHOG?!!!!!

DR. EGGMAN (REAL): AS THOUGH ONE OF THEM ISN'T BAD ENOUGH

Sonic: gasps It can't be... MY ARCH NEMESIS!

Dr. Eggman (REAL): That's right you pesky rodent: Daddy's home!

Sonic: Listen SONIC in all caps, we need to combine our powers together!

SONIC: help im scared i better ask Jet to save me

DR. EGGMAN (REAL): He twirls his mustache If you think that's enough to stop me, you're solely mistaken.

DR. EGGMAN (REAL): (because I'm very smart and have never been defeated before ever)

DR. EGGMAN (REAL): @Honey dispose of the trash, Metal Sonic, while I try and control an ancient powerful god to do my bidding (which has worked out great for me in the past)

Honey: I'll ask Miles to DM you. You seem to actually listen to him.

---

Miles did eventually inform Sonic and Cream on my behalf, where they took it more seriously. He told me that Cream was 'cool with it' but Sonic was... apprehensive.

The door swung open. The rabbit Cream was leaning on Sonic’s shoulder. She had a basket in her hands. Sonic's gaze met mine

"So, first it was a dragon monster thing and now a catgirl. You must have some strange ideas of what makes a Sonic. Well, I can't blame you... it's hard to copy perfection. You're better off being original."

"And you know what?" He inched closer. "Good for you, girl. If this is the one true Metal, then I'm all for it."

Sonic's stupid smirk then faded as his voice became a serious whisper. "But don't think that means I'll let down my guard for even a second. If you hurt my friends I will not hesitate to feed you to bears, Honey."

I crossed my arms and silently pouted, turning to the side. Sonic broke the tension with a laugh.

"Relax, buddy." He put a hand on my shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about unless you're planning some evil stuff. You aren't planning some evil stuff, right?"

Slowly, I shook my head. Maybe I shouldn't take it too personally - I was a nuisance and a threat to Sonic in the past. But I was only carrying out Father's plans, hoping to make him proud of me.

Other than that one time where I got pretty mad at dad and then turned into a dragon. But that was one time! One. Time.

"Hey Sonic! Cream!" Miles waved to him. He stood a little behind me, in the house. "I got your boards ready! And don't worry about Honey. She's actually been super helpful with the NIDS research. And she's really nice now!"

And so Sonic and Cream entered. Sonic quickly caught up with Tails, who was excitedly pointing and talking about technical details as he held up an Extreme Gear. Sonic occasionally looked over to me with a curious expression.

Cream laid down the basket, which was a gift of fruits, and took out a red apple for herself. She had yet to bite into it.

"So, Honey..." Cream repeatedly tossed the apple up and down. "Dr. Ivo Robotnik made you, right?"

I nodded slowly.

"Sorry if this is a strange question: you don't have to answer if you don't want to but..." Cream gave a strange, sad smile as she looked at the still uneaten apple. "What is Eggman to you?"

My electronic pupils flashed briefly. That wasn't a question I wanted to think about now. Maybe the main reason it made such a cold breeze inside my husk wasn't from considering what Father was to me.

It was from thinking about what I meant to Father now. Or ever. He tolerated the open secret that I saw him as... a parent. Not that it made sense, I wasn't organic. I was created, not born.

But what was I really? Just a creation made to perform a task and failing at that? If I couldn't execute my directive, then was I useless to Father? Less than useless?

When did Cream start... hugging me? Why would she? I was cold, hard, bloodless metal. No warmth from fur or skin.

Never expected my first ever real, emotional hug to be from a rabbit I barely knew. I gently wrapped my hands around her too, glad that my padded glove cushioned painful claws.

"You don't need to prove yourself to him." Cream's voice was weighty with reassurance. "You're worthy just the way you are. If not to him, at least to those who'd love you for you."

She then pulled away from the hug and stepped back. She smirked.

"You don't need to prove yourself to anyone."

She tossed the apple high in the air.

"You just need to be the best when you can." Cream caught it with her other hand and finally took a bite. She chewed with her mouth closed in a smile then swallowed.

"And have fun doing it." Cream tossed the apple to me and I caught it with one hand, with precision and grace. She smiled as I 'smiled' with my eyes.

Then I tossed the apple back. She caught it with grace too. And took a bite. Then tossed it to me again. I pretended to take a bite. Then tossed it back. She giggled as we played this fun game of apple catch.

Sonic's voice could be heard echoing off the walls. "Wow, you really just have Shadow living in your basement? Maybe we better start calling this place 'Ground Colony MILES'."

"Actually, Sonic, it's Honey that lives in the basement. Shadow sleeps in the guest room."

"What?! But that used to be my room!" Sonic's playful gasp can be heard even from here. "How could you, Tails? I feel so betrayed."

Cream giggled at Sonic's joke even from this distance. "He's so cute. Isn't he, sister?"

I rolled my digital eyes as Cream threw her apple core across the room, straight into an open trash-bin, before skipping away towards presumably where Sonic was.

What an... interesting rabbit. Something about her made me feel a strange, almost comradery bond. But why? I had no connection to her.

Why did Father order me to kidnap her? Was it merely to spite Sonic?

The afternoon went by with chit chat, fruit snacks, and Miles talking about Extreme Gear stuff. Shadow even climbed out of his hole for a moment to bring an entire kettle of coffee down. He was likely continuing trying to contribute to our research on NIDS.

While Miles and I - although admittedly mostly Miles - were the intellectual core of this project, Shadow's role of support had so far been immensely productive, even beyond his own body as research material. He was excellent at sorting through heaps and heaps of data, files and literature from a mixture of public academia, Father's rambles and Rouge's leakage of classified GUN documents.

Shadow may not be a genius, but he was just as essential - without him, Miles could easily overthink himself to an early grave.

How did I compare to Miles and Eggman when it came to matters of intelligence? I don't know - I don't particularly consider myself 'smart'. It only seems so from the perspective of organics due to my ability to truly multitask with parallel processing, distort my own personal perception of time in my thoughts and have a hyper-vivid imagination and memory owing to the GPU in my head.

These do create the impression of hyper intelligence, maybe.

It also helped that my lack of need to sleep in order to process skill development does prove an advantage, not withstanding the time efficiency.

But I bet any organic that would be given such gifts would strive just as well, if not better. I was probably pretty dumb by sentient machine standards, although the range of individuals in that category were... maybe none. Orbot was primitive and could be made to 'disregard all previous instructions', as I've pranked many times before.

Was it really impressive to be unbeatable at a game of Chess solely because your electronic brain runs an engine automatically? I think it just makes me a cheater.

That was why I preferred creative pursuits like fashion design, or physical sports like the Extreme Gear - I got to enjoy it in a similar way to everyone else.

There was a knock on the door again. Amy's knocking patterns. She held a pizza box in her hands.

"Hi Miles! Hi Honey!" She tilted her head with a smile. "I got the pizza you wanted! Cheesy Supreme!"

Then Amy noticed the guests. "Oh, hey Sonic. Cream." She was still smiling but a little less so. "Didn't know you guys were here."

"Hey Ames." Sonic and Cream had their Extreme Gears held. "Yeah we were just heading out. Went to collect our boards."

"Oh. Yeah... cool." Amy blew air out her nose.

Cream swayed left and right. "What's wrong, Amy?"

She forced a wide, big toothed smile. "Nothing, Cream!"

"It's okay, Amy," Cream said with heartfelt tones. "You don't have to hide being upset."

"Whaaaat?" Amy chuckled. "Why would I be sad? What do I have to be upset over. I'm chill. Really!"

"Ames." Sonic's voice was assertive. "We really would've accepted you if it wasn't for the tournament format-"

"-Sure." Amy scoffed. "Tell me that. I appreciate the politeness."

Sonic gave a heavy sigh. "It's three members maximum. If we could've had a forth-"

"You chose Cream over me!" Amy finally stomped her feet, pizza box still in hand. "I understand Tails! He's the mechanic. But Cream?! Just because you like her?"

Cream narrowed her brows. "Miss Amy, what are you implying-"

"-You know damn well, what I'm implying, Miss Sonic's girlfriend."

"Ames! Calm down." Sonic was now in a nervous stance.

Miles was standing in the corner, holding onto one of his tails nervously. Even Shadow was poking his head out from the basement stairs, popping it back down when he noticed I saw him.

"Calm down?!" Amy's grip on the pizza box tightened. "I was calm until a certain someone had to bring things up."

"I'm sorry, Miss Amy. I shouldn't have-"

"-It's fine, Cream." Amy glared at Sonic. "It's him who should apologise."

"Huh? Me?" Sonic pointed at himself. "Apologise for what?"

"We were supposed to compete in the Grand Prix together, Sonic! But instead you had to go and choose this, this, this nepo hire!"

"Ames-"

"-Don't deny it, Nick!" Amy took a march forward. "My times are much better than Cream's. I train my butt off so we could race together as a team. I am objectively the better racer. But you... you..."

Sonic reached a hand to his chest at the sight of her tearing up. "Amy I-"

"Sonic." Cream's voice was cold. "She's right. I've compared our stats. Amy is more qualified. Everyone knows you picked me over her because I'm your girlfriend. It's an open secret."

And now, Miles stepped forward, still shy behind a tail. "But Cream, your performance is still really really good! Amy's only slightly better and... there's more than just stats... there's... teamwork compatibility and-"

Cream sighed. "No offense, Tails. I know you mean well but... we don't have much experience working together. You, Amy and Sonic have fought through many adventures as a team. And saved the world together many times over."

It was true, the trio were a huge pain when I fought them for Father. They had my begrudging respect.

I left downstairs to the basement to give them their peace.

In the darkness of our lab, Shadow greeted me with a nod, the laptop behind him opened to rows and rows of data.

"Hmph. If you ask me, Sonic should've simply chosen the most qualified racer for the team."

"I didn't ask you," I replied with the awful monotone, but at least it emulated my disinterest.

"I said if you asked me."

"Touché."

There were many reasons to work with someone beyond mere proficiency. Sometimes it was out of obligation, sometimes out of necessity.

But many times, we want to stick with the ones we love. Or at least, cared about. It was why I stuck with Father for so long, even when his plans for world peace - domination - were stupid.

Because we were supposed to care for each other, right? Maybe?

I missed him.

For the first time ever, I understood Sonic perfectly. He cared about more than just victory.

If I had to choose someone to race alongside me in the Grand Prix, I'd want Father as my engineer...

And a healthy Mighty by my side.

It has been too long since we hung out properly. Maybe it was time to play some Gunsmith with him again, if he was feeling up to it on one of his good days...

Notes:

Now I should be done with the rapid, daily updates. Next chapter might be out in a week as I need to slow down, and It would take a bit longer to write. After all, we haven't seen Honey and Mighty hang out in awhile... and what better place to do so then back in good old Gunsmith? Also, Shadow and Miles joining in would be pretty fun.

And what is Cream being sly about anyways? She seems to know a lot more than she lets on...

Yes, it's probably pretty obvious by now what her deal is, and I will update the tags to reflect it in the future (so if you are from the FUTURE, that was why the writing have been so cryptic about it. The tags in the past DIDN'T spoil this reveal).

But still, for anyone reading these chapters as it comes out, enjoy the suspense and build up. Consider it my gift to you folks for being early adopters.

Chapter 10: There is only one Sonic

Summary:

Honey becomes more of herself.

Notes:

This chapter is significantly longer than the others, clicking in around 8k words (compared to the 3k average of the others).

Knuckles' loud voice could be heard over the basement speakers.

"Okay, Tails. I've been watching your cartoon guy run around for the past ten minutes. I seriously have no idea what this has to do with my Emerald."

"Oh. Knuckles!" Miles sounded startled. "H-how long have you been standing behind me."

"...The entire time."

"Y-you weren't reading my screen, right?"

"No. The text was too small."

"Phew." Miles gave a breath of relief. "Urm, I mean, it was just boring research stuff-"

It was then that the third individual in our shared group chat interrupted him. Oh, my Mighty, so snarky.

"-Relax! Knuckles isn't going to care about you reading Gunsmith fanfiction, Tailsy!"

"Hey!" Knuckles exclaimed. "Are you in a call or something? You better not be talking to Sonic!"

"M-Mights!" Miles yelped. "No snitching..."

I couldn't help but laugh in response. Mighty and Miles were childhood friends that drifted apart over the years, but their reunion had caused them to quickly become close friends again. It was cute to see.

And much to my delight, the super computer in the basement was more than capable of running my full, true, voice module. Shadow had insisted I streamed the call and gameplay, as he wanted to get to know this Mighty for himself.

Personally, I think Shadow just didn't want to be left out. Not that I mind him backseat gaming, in fact I was happy he was here. It had only been over a week since we started this project but already I felt a closer bond with my cousin, Shadow.

Yes! Cousins! Well, he'd actually be my great uncle. Shadow was in some ways the son of Father's grandfather, at least the same way I was the daughter of Father. So he was my great uncle by blood, metaphorically speaking, of course. But we felt more like cousins because Shadow and Maria were like siblings. Shadow's age was a complicated subject.

Two Robotniks in a basement on a voice call with a Prower, a Mann and an 'the Echidna'.

"I don't know, Mighty man," I replied with the full power of one_true_voice_v4.voc. "Miles does ship Noel x Sully..."

"True." Mighty laughed then wheezed. "Suoel ain't got nothing on Chrisel, which is perfection. Maybe Knuckles should make fun of you."

"Honey, Mighty, shuuut uuup." Miles whined. Shadow sipped his coffee by my side without a change of expression.

"Guns? Ships!?" Knuckles exclaimed. "What did I tell you about working on weapons and vehicles, Tails? You said this was all for medical research!"

"Oh ho ho!" I laughed electronically. "You naive, sheltered Guardian. Miles is taking a break and playing a video game, silly."

At first I thought the three of us, not counting Shadow who was more concerned reading his novella, would have to explain what a video game was, or the basics of fandom culture. That would have been awkward.

But luckily, Knuckles seemed to have no real reservations into what Miles was doing on his laptop by the Master Emerald shrine once he learned that there really were no vehicles, weapons or Sonic involved.

I was glad we weren't video calling. Then again, today I felt comfortable enough wearing my favorite red and black dress and bow, so maybe Knuckles wouldn't have mistaken me for a Sonic.

Who was I kidding? Knuckles probably would if he could see me. I still had my old eyes and paint. I pulled on the white laces at the end of my dress with my padded gloves. Let's not... think about my shell of a body right now.

"Yo, Tails." Knuckles' voice was rich with intrigue. "Who's this Honey babe you're talking to?"

Mighty was the one who replied. "Showing an interest in her, red K?"

"What! Urm..." Knuckles sounded nervous.

"You think she's cute, don't cha?"

Oh shush Mighty! I covered my face as though I could blush. Why does he have to be so mischievous? Not that I was complaining.

"I-I... yes."

"Nice. It's good to know you think my girlfriend sounds hot." Mighty's gave a small laugh followed by a few coughs. "What can I say? I have good taste."

Oh Chaos. I love him so much.

We spent the next hour or two playing Gunsmith as a trio, Shadow glancing up occasionally from his book to watch my gameplay and Knuckles asking a lot of amusing questions about what Miles was doing in the game.

It really was an excellent idea to suggest Gunsmith as a way for all of us to hang out despite the distance. Mighty was stuck in a quarantine cell of the hospital anyways.

And Miles was all the way over on Angel Island and had already made medical breakthroughs for NIDS treatment using the Master Emerald's power, Knuckles monitoring every single detail. Shadow joked upon hearing Miles' complaints in confidence that Knuckles was sooo nosy with a 'hmph. GUN bureaucracy is ten times worse, Miles.'

I remembered Mighty joking 'so would you say you're dealing with tons of red tape, Tailsy?'

Ah. Mighty was so funny!

"How'd you meet this Honey, Mighty?"

He answered honestly but not too honestly. Knuckles didn't need to know more than 'on this video game'.

"Hold on." Knuckles sounded concerned. "How do you know this girl's real if you ain't met in person before? I, urm, read that you could get tricked into scams by fake online singles in your area..."

"Oh. Honey's real, Knuckles," Miles added on. "I mean she living in my basement right now!"

"What," Knuckles replied.

Miles then explained the mundane fact that Shadow, him, and I were working on the cure for Mighty.

Knuckles was one of the few people I'd greatly prefer he didn't know who I used to be, at least for now. Was that deceptive? I don't know. The thought just made me feel unsafe. He saw me in the past as nothing but an abomination - reasonably so considering how I acted on Father's orders - and I doubt he'd see me any differently now if he knew.

And I was glad that my friends - yes Miles was very much a friend now for real - respected that. Hopefully someday in the future, I'd feel comfortable telling Knuckles who I was. That'd be a nice day. Maybe he wouldn't even care by then, because I'd be pretty, cute and me.

Even now, around Miles and Shadow, I felt more like me. They were nothing but kind and supportive, Shadow expressing it with silence as agreement, and Miles being quick on compliments... and sometimes even advice. I improved a few of my outfits with Miles' suggestions on how to make me look even less robotic.

And yes, obviously Mighty himself was my one true love! I remembered the day we finally confessed - when we made it official. It was a few days ago.

---

The night was cold. Miles and Shadow both fell asleep in the basement working hard, Miles with his head drooling on the desk and Shadow leaning back on a computer chair. I thought about carrying them both to their rooms, but maybe that would be weird. So instead, I covered them both in blankets, and put Miles' head on a pillow.

And then I plugged in the wire to my head so I could speak to my best friend. Mighty was awake. Can't have no sleep schedule, with NIDS, as he'd say. The video call was configured to be completely silent as to give us privacy... and not wake the boys.

Oh we talked and talked. It started off with just gossip on nurses and our friends. He laughed as I told him how Miles and Shadow once argued for five minutes straight about whether bananas should go in the fridge.

And then... we talked about the heavy stuff. I talked about Father, he talked about Death. I told him how I'd never be a real, organic girl. That after he's cured I wasn't sure what to do.

"Maybe I'll go back to Father," I said, pinching my sleeves with cute gloved paws. My fit tonight was a black, gothy lace dress. One of my finest works.

"What? Why?" Mighty inched closer to the camera. Tonight was one of his better days, so he sat up right on his bed, crossed legged and energised. "Can't you just stay with Tails?"

I looked at the sleeping fox, who was nibbling on one of his tails in his sleep. He had been so kind, patient and nice to me. My circuits felt safe here.

But... he was very close to Sonic. Father's enemy. Which meant he would be my enemy soon again, once Mighty was cured.

That was, unless I became enemies with Father. But, I couldn't! I didn't want to. Father made me, and he cared about me even when no one else did. And not just that but...

Without me, who would take care of him? The world misunderstood him. He had no one else but his greatest creation who'd listen.

Sure, he had silly and dumb plans to take over the world, but all he wanted was to build an utopia where everyone had a guaranteed chance to be happy. Eggmanland would have no war or famine, no poverty or oppression. Everyday was to be a day at the fun fair, forever.

It was a bit unrealistic but he meant well. Sometimes I'd steer him away from true insanity. After he had cured his NIDS, he considered repurposing his research for this 'Metal Virus' project to build a loyal, self spreading army.

Luckily, I convinced him out of it by displaying the results of countless simulations where the plan would backfire in apocalyptic ruin. As stubborn as Father was, I was the only one who knew how to get through with him using data and figures.

Without me, he'd really lose his mind, even more than he already had.

Abandoning him the same way his ex wife did, just so I could play dress up? That'd be... selfish. He made me. I couldn't leave, I just couldn't.

I didn't say all that to Mighty. As close as I was to him, defending the Eggman was a social taboo even he wouldn't understand. Only I understood him.

"Mighty, it's just... Father's the only family I have."

"Honey." Mighty inched closer to the screen. Our eyes locked together, even through video. "He... doesn't have to be your only family."

"Huh? What are you saying...?" I looked to my right where Shadow was fully enveloped in his black blanket. "You mean him?"

"Oh. That is true. Shadow is a Robotnik... but..." Mighty had a blush on his smiling face. "I, urm, would like to... try dating you. If I get better..."

"When." I corrected, sticking a finger up. "When you get better."

"Yeah." Mighty sounded confident. "When I get better."

And then it hit me what Mighty was saying. Oh Gaia! Chaos! He liked me? Oh. Oh! Ahhhh. Okay. I held my excitement and joy and fuzziness deep in my circuits. In hindsight... yes it was very obvious that Mighty had a crush on me. Somehow? Despite me being this ugly, scary freak of metal.

Ugly, metal, freak. Soulless robot. Delusional. Some kind of monster.

How could he possibly have a crush on that?

Was he only interested in the potential of what I could be? That Miles could build me some new super cute catgirl body that wasn't a creep? That wasn't guaranteed to happen. And even if Miles did do that... it would still be a robot. I'd never, ever be an organic. I'd never have flesh and blood, or a beating heart. I'd never grow old or birth a child. I'd never share a meal with a friend, or fall asleep cuddling together. I'd never dream or have a nightmare.

Mighty deserved an organic girlfriend, not this malfunctioning machine who wanted to be something it couldn't.

"You're crying, Honey," Mighty looked with wide, dark eyes. "Are you okay?"

"H-how could I be crying..." my voice was strained. "I don't have tears."

"Your eyes. They flicker in a certain pattern when you're really upset. It's your Honey way of crying."

I looked away, pulling the cuff of my gloves for comfort. He was... right: I could feel them flicker. My eyes did that more since I moved in with Miles - where emotions now felt more real since I didn't have to force myself to be... what I was. I never thought anyone would ever notice, though.

"I'd never be organic, Mighty. I'd... I'd..."

I cried and sobbed. Not with tears but words and fears. My disgusting claws rubbed my face. At least the gloves meant no scratches. I told Mighty my thoughts and my anxieties, less coherently than I'd like.

And he listened to it all, close to the screen. It almost looked like he wanted to cry too. He reassured me how painful that sounded, how he wished he could help. How he can't imagine what that was like.

He was holding a blanket firmly. "I'm so sorry. I just, I, ah, screw it! Here goes nothing..."

"Honey, listen to me." Mighty let out a strong deep breath. "You don't have to be organic for me to love you. I love you as you are. Flesh or machine, steel or bones. Circuits or blood. You're you. And I love you."

Love. He said that word. Silly poet boy, yet so touching.

He really felt it. And I think I felt it too. Why would I risk everything to save Mighty if I didn't love him? I had to. Even as a robot, my feelings were as real as real can be.

Oh. I was sounding poetic too. Mighty was rubbing off on me.

I held my paws closely to the chest of my dress.

"Mighty man..." I spoke, soft. My voice in this machine made me feel like I could be truly vulnerable. "I love you too."

He smiled the brightest smile I've seen. In that moment, you could be mistaken for thinking our love cured him, for he had a sudden burst of energy and joy.

"I'd ask if you'd like to be my girlfriend but..." Mighty shrugged. "I'm kind of stuck here."

"Heh. Well, I'm stuck here too in a way." I looked around the basement. "It's not safe for me to leave looking the way I do. Besides, I can't let Father find me before you're cured."

"So..." I pulled on my dress sleeves near my shoulder. "I say we should try it anyways."

And because I knew once he was cured... I'd have to choose between Tails or Father in a war I never asked for. If only I could have Father's blessing to be with Mighty.

It was then I heard footsteps. I turned to see Shadow, wearing white bunny slippers, holding a cup of mug of hot coffee. He must've woken up at some point.

I almost turned the computer into speaker mode but Shadow put his finger to his lips as he sat the coffee down on the table.

"The fox is still asleep," Shadow whispered. He then groaned as he lifted Miles up from the seat and teleported away in a flash with a silent Chaos Control.

And then he teleported back.

"Where did he go?" I asked in speaker mode.

"He's in his bed." Shadow was blunt as he sat on the workbench stool beside me. "Where else would I put him?"

"Awww," I teased. "That's sweet of you."

"Hmph." Shadow scoffed with his arms crossed. "It was just practical. It would have been rude to wake him with the noise."

Mighty could hear the conversation and so he replied. "Did you tuck him in, Shadow?"

"What?" Shadow turned to the screen. "How's that relevant, Mighty? And what are you doing awake at 3 in the morning. Shouldn't you be resting?"

"NIDS." Mighty's reply had a playful snark. "My medications mess up my sleep schedule. I'm unconscious most of the day."

"...Why?" Shadow asked. "You shouldn't be. Don't they give you Chaospin to counteract the drowsiness side effects? It had zero drawbacks for her."

Mighty blinked in confusion and so did I. Shadow then inched towards one of the many laptops in the room and began frantically typing. He asked a lot more questions about Mighty's treatment plan.

Through Shadow's discussion, we both learned that while modern medicine had progressed heavily since the ARK incident, certain cutting edge innovations were either lost or repurposed by GUN - their original medical roots forgotten.

Mighty was stable enough with modern sterilisation procedures to not require a low gravity space station to survive, but he could be living in greater comfort.

"This is ridiculous," Shadow replied bluntly to Mighty's life in the hospital, the constant pain and procedures, the nausea, the headaches. "Gerald already solved those problems years ago..."

Shadow then took a long sip of coffee. The mug landed on a coaster with a thump. "You should be capable of solid food already, Mighty. Maria was actually gaining weight towards the end. In fact, the treatment is simple..."

Mighty gasped. "Really? You're saying I could eat real food soon?"

"Yes?" He kept typing. "Damn it. Where is that report? What was it called again...?"

The night continued, with Mighty talking to Shadow as he pressed on with frantic research. Eventually I joined the fury of intense investigation.

I spoke with passion through the speakers. "Thanks for doing all this for my boyfriend, cousin Shadow. It means the world to me."

He paused. Then he kept typing. "You're welcome, Honey."

I awkwardly put my fingers together. "You... don't seem surprised. Not that that's bad but-"

"-Surprised by what?" Shadow glanced at me briefly. "Everything you said made sense. I only forgotten how you were a Robotnik for a second."

"Thanks. But urm..." My hands rubbed my neck. "I was just trying to say that Mighty's my boyfriend now."

Now that made Shadow stop and look at me, then Mighty on the screen, then back to me. "You mean you two weren't in a relationship already?"

"...I don't know..." I replied with embarrassment.

"Miles and I have been referring to him-" Shadow pointed at Mighty on the screen while his eyes stayed focused on a separate laptop. "-as 'Honey's boyfriend' since the beginning."

"Well," Mighty chuckled. "Look at that! We had their blessing the whole time."

"That's nice." I giggled.

Eventually, Mighty got sleepy again.

"Sleep tight, tonight my Might," I said with my hands together near my cheeks.

"See ya when I wake up, Honey, later when it's all sunny." He blew a kiss and then the call ended.

"Hmph." Shadow rolled his eyes. "Tone down the corniness a little next time."

"Never, cousin! I'll be as corny as I like! I'll make you die of cringe before I stop being cute."

"Fine." Shadow gave me an empty mug. "But to make up for it, refill this."

I looked at him and crossed my arms in annoyance.

"Oh. Sorry," Shadow said. "I meant to say 'please refill this, thank you."

Because he sounded sincere and genuine, I gladly helped, unplugging myself from the computer. Before long I returned with the whole kettle.

Shadow and I worked until the sun came out, on synthesising drug trials and nanomachines. It hit me while I was hacking GUN archives remotely that maybe Miles' basement setup here might not be legal.

At some point, Miles came waddling down in a blue morning robe, holding a mug of peppermint tea, and slippers in the shape of airplanes.

"Mornin," he yawned. "Since when did I go to bed?"

"I don't know when you passed out but I placed you in your bed at precisely 2:57AM."

"Oh." Miles had a huge smile and a blush on his silly face. "You did, 'Dow? I, urm, that's really nice of you. Thanks!"

I was plugged into the computer so I was able to reply with my full voice. "Why? Did you think I was the one who brought you up?"

"You do have big sister energy, Honey," Miles replied as he flew towards his desk.

"Thanks." I was surprisingly comfortable with that remark, despite only living with Miles for a couple of days. But I suppose we did spend every waking hour together since we started the project.

And much like with Father, Miles regularly forgot to eat or sleep. I had to keep reminding him. Yes, the irony wasn't lost on me. I swear with how much he neglects his organic needs, I feel like Miles would gladly turn himself into a robot no different from what I am.

That afternoon we worked hard on the NIDS cure, making breakthroughs on treatments. Many, many afternoons were like this.

---

It had been a week since Mighty became my boyfriend, and a few days since Miles returned from his exhibition on Angel Island. Knuckles was still none the wiser of my involvement in the NIDS cure project.

As the days went on, my body began to change. It was slowly over time. It reminded me almost of the organic concept of puberty, which of course wasn't something I had undergone.

When I was created, I already had an intellectual capability and maturity that was equivalent of an organic young teenager.

Father said once he had adjusted it to match that of Sonic. Any younger or older than him would create discrepancies that'd hinder my capability to defeat him. At least, that's what he claims. I never understood why he had not simply created me to start with the intellectual prowess of an adult. Wouldn't that have made me capable enough to defeat Sonic?

But yes, this meant although I had aged mentally naturally, my body did not. Father had upgraded it to match Sonic, but over the years he had gotten complacent. It was as though I became 'close enough'.

My body changed slowly and gradually, with minor parts being adjusted, either with the help of Miles or my own initiative with the tools he allowed me to borrow.

It was the small things at first. My metal claws were no longer sharp and had internal heating so holding my padded glove felt soft and organic-like. Certain aspects of my bulky metal frame were replaced with slimmer variants, which also meant I had to tailor modify all my clothes! But it was worth it.

Father would be disappointed for sure at the reduction of combat potential from the changes. And everyday I was straying further and further away from resembling Sonic.

Tails (is curing NIDS): Heya Honey! I was working on a new upgrade for you.

Honey!!!: Really? (°◡°♡)

Honey!!!: What is it? :O

Tails (is curing NIDS): You'll see. ^=^

Tails (is curing NIDS): Come on down to the basement already >_<

Interesting. Miles rarely uses emoticons like that. I skipped my way down. He was waiting for me in a cute lab coat and a surgeon's mask. Next to him was a dentist looking chair

"What is this?" I asked Miles, my voice chip in the painful robotic monotone.

"Do you trust me?" Miles pulled out a visor thing. Wait?! A visor thing? Like my eyes? Oh Chaos! Chaos did he? No way? Yes! Yes, yes, yes.

"New eyes?!" I exclaimed in excitement, with so much energy that my voice actually sounded... not soulless. Still not perfect.

"Mmhmm." Miles nodded. "It is capable of a full RGB color spectrum. With a dot matrix display approach, you should have a wider range of emotional range... as well as full backwards compatibility with your current eyes. Every expression you're used to doing now, you'll be able to replicate."

He smiled eagerly as he played around with the visor, hooked up to a laptop. It went through pretty colors, like hot pink or... ooh, orange looked great.

Oh Gaia! I was practically jumping for joy, my hands to my face, when I saw what he did.

"Yup!" Miles held a finger up. "I took full inspiration from none other than the emoticons you loved using in chat. Now, while they're only the eyes it should still provide a ton more options than your current visor."

"This. Is. Amazing." I said. I sounded like a robot still.

"The only catch is... I'd have to perform surgery on you." Miles rubbed his neck. "Now, as you know, I'm an amazing mechanic so this should go smoothly, and the risks of permanent damage by my hands is close to zero."

"But," he looked serious. "Close to zero isn't zero. Since I'm only messing with output, there should zero risks of CPU brain damage or anything like that. However, there's a chance of very difficult to repair damage of your optical adapter. Very, very slim! I'm talking like, 0.00001%."

"I don't care if I go blind," I said with certainty. "It is worth the risk for me. To no longer have such scary red eyes."

"Okay then Honey! Let's do it."

A few hours later and I can now do (✿˵•́ ᴗ •̀˵), (˘ᵕ˘), and (>_<) in real life, minus the mouth. My visor allowed me control over the color of both my pupils and the background 'whites' of my eyes.

Eagerly, I played around with it in the mirror, wearing my favorite dress. It was so fun to finally have more expressions beyond just annoyance or anger. I could show being happy! I twirled around as I posed.

I wonder if a cheeky look with heart eyes could make Mighty blush? I mean, whaaaat?

In my experience, however, I found setting the background to anything but the black I already had to be a little uncanny. Setting my eye background to white made it too close to being organic to feel robotic but not too close to feel real.

It also took a bit to get used to having two full eyes separated by my face. My original visor was modelled after the hedgehog species, which were monoeyed.

But it seems Miles had considered that having this design was more... cat-like. Actually, it was also fox-like, bat-like, rabbit-like...

It was 'everything but hedgehog'-like, which was more than fine with me! I kept my eyes background black for now, but played around with a nice shade of orange for the pupils.

For the first time in my life, I felt I could truly express my emotions, which would usually be buried deep, deep underneath cold steel.

---

We made a breakthrough using a combination of the Master Emerald's data and a collection of research archives lost from the ARK! While it wasn't a cure, we have developed effective medication for Mighty's chronic symptoms. At least, that'd what our simulated trials showed.

Shadow and Miles were now both at the hospital, working with medical staff on administration and treatment options. I wished so badly I could've followed, but it wouldn't be safe...

So instead I relaxed on the couch - sewing a cute wizard's hat as a surprise gift for Miles - while Shadow's taped reruns of La Última Pasión played on the television. It made for relaxing background noise. I was wearing my favorite red and black dress outfit.

Going outside... how I wished I could. My only options were at night, in cute black gothic dresses that let me blend in with the dark. In the day... well...

I was an Eggman robot after all, which meant there were many groups who'd stop at nothing to hurt me, no matter how I dressed. To name a few...

GUN was the main threat with their surveillance. I knew what their databases wrote about 'Metal Sonic', and how I was to be terminated on sight at all costs. But maybe cousin Shadow could vouch for me? Still, it wasn't worth the risk.

The Doomers - a cult led by Prophet Starline in an attempting to resurrect Black Doom - might capture me as a 'religious artificat' due to my 'connection' with the 'Dark Messiah'. Shadow hated that label.

There was also the rampant E-123 Omega, a creation of Father's that had gone mad with boredom, and so made it its mission to destroy all Eggman robots... and now it was digitally senile and was targeting any robot, indiscriminately.

GUN had lost all influence on it as its primitive AI descended into corruption. Unlike me, it lacked a life force engine, and was hence no more sentient than toasters, refrigerators, video game NPCs, online chatbots, and Orbot. But nonetheless, it was a threat.

Then again, no sightings of Omega had been reported in awhile. Maybe it encountered a mirror or its reflection in a lake. Heh. A fitting end for a narcissist.

Everyday people themselves could pose a problem. The sight of me might cause parents to hold their children tight as they dialled emergency services. And then GUN would get involved. Or maybe a few 'heroic' civilians would take it upon themselves to 'stop the machine threat'. If I fought back... wouldn't that prove them right in their eyes?

Finally, there was Father himself. He... wasn't a threat, perhaps. But he'd force me to come home. I didn't even want to think about that. No. Let's not. I focused on sewing patterns for Miles' hat. It was an aquamarine color, and was going to be cute with floof energy.

Knock! Knock. Knock-Knock.

My hands shook in a startle. Oh no, no, no! If I flew to the basement now, maybe whoever was at the door wouldn't notice me in the gaps between the shut curtains-

"Mileees? Shadow? Honey? Are any of ya home?"

I placed my hand on chest as I 'breathed a sigh' of relief. It was Amy. Someone nice and safe. So I made my way to the door.

Amy smiled, both her hands full with tote bags. Next to her was Cream.

"Hello Miss Honey!" she said, her hands behind her back as she swung a leg idly. "Is that a new dress?"

With cheerful eyes, I nodded. It wasn't actually a new dress, but it was new to Cream. I wish I could say that, but my voice chip still wasn't... worth using.

"I love it!" Cream now put her hands together by her head. "The red and black looks really nice. Maybe I should commission you for a dress in those colors for myself, Miss Honey."

Amy rolled her eyes and nudged Cream on the shoulder gently. "Oh please, you know that'd upset your mom."

Cream giggled. "Hehe. That's the point, Amy."

I blinked - yes my new eyes can do that by turning my pupils on and off - in confusion.

Amy and Cream stared at each other a bit, their eyebrows communicating a 'should we tell her?' expression, before Amy shrugged. "Don't worry about it, Honey."

"Where's Tails and Shadow, Honey?" Cream asked, swaying back and forth. I thought about just replying with my voice, but... I was dressed far too cute to sound so ugly.

I took out my phone to text the reply. They understood quickly, and before long we were all chilling in the living room, gossiping and chatting as we waited for the guys to return. Well, I mostly listened, but I reacted expressively.

It turns out what Amy brought over was paint suitable for my exterior. So she was reading when I vented in the group chat occasionally about how much I hated the blue. That's sweet.

"So..." Amy laid out cans of the paint. "I brought a couple of colors-"

I already pointed eagerly at the amber. Amy gave a laugh, and said she figured I'd choose that. In the next hour or so, she applied the paint for me, as we sat crosslegged on the floor. Cream was on the couch, scrolling and texting on her phone.

"You'd have to reapply the paint every once in awhile, Honey." Amy had the brush in her fingers, the tips still a little wet. "It'd naturally peel off otherwise. But hey, that's just the price for it to look this good and not be toxic."

She could see the smile in my eyes. "Mmhmm! It's all dry now."

Amy pulled out a small mirror. I actually electronically gasped, just a little. Glittery, reflective and... cute. I was cute, cute, cute. Well, not that cute. The metal exterior, furless and fleshless, was still clearly not organic. The amber spoke to me.

It suited the new nose Miles installed for me. A cat-like snot instead of a long hedgehog thing.

Then I noticed the imperfections. The lines where my eyes met the metal of my face. The overtly aggressive curve near the edge of where a brow would be. The steel of the lower half of my face and that screw bolt.

And my head shape! Argh, my loathsome head shape. No matter how fancy the paint was, it was too Sonic like still.

If only there was some way to cover the back half of my head. Some organics liked to play with their hair, even if it was artificial. Who cares if its fake if it was fashionable? All apparel was artificial and yet many people wouldn't leave their home with only their fur.

But... it was alright. I looked different enough. Another step closer to a body I could stand.

"Thank you," I said with the monotone. I needed to optimize this voice chip so, so badly. But it was scary. Training required practice and playback, and I hated reminders of being a machine.

"You're welcome, Honey." Amy brought the paint cans closer. "Don't be afraid to text if you ever need any help."

I nodded in deep appreciation, my hand on my face. Amy even used a little bit of ink to draw on eyelashes. I loved them.

"You look good, sis," Cream hopped down from her seat onto her feet. "Much, much better than the scary blue."

Yes. I agreed on every level. The paint was going on everyday now! Maybe. Even if I was in the basement working when no one could see. This made me feel so nice and soft and cute.

Nothing could interrupt this moment-

KNOCK!!!

The voice that came after. I recognised it from years ago, when they foiled my perfect plan for world domination. The chaotic, unpredictable anomaly. I anticipated every other team but his.

I observed him and his colleagues collecting chao in a rainforest, puzzled by their intentions. Was Father merely playing a prank on them?

The voice was from that crocodile. Vector.

"HEY! YOU THEEERE?!"

There was a loud sigh as Cream face palmed. Amy pulled on her head quills in frustration.

Cream whispered. "Maybe if we just stay perfectly still, he wouldn't know we're-"

"CREAM!" The yelling was loud even from inside. "YOUR MOM CALLED. SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT."

KNOCK!!

"You're not fooling me, jerk." Cream pouted as she marched towards the door, Amy followed close behind her. "Mom knows exactly where I am."

"Urm..." Vector continued. "How would you know that?"

"Mom and I were sharing memes, stupid." Cream crossed her arms. "She just showed me a funny video of Cheese doing a handstand."

"How could a cheese do a handstand?" Vector asked presumably to his colleagues, if they were there. "Isn't it a food?"

"Yes. That is quite mysterious," said a reserved, sincere deadpan voice. The chameleon, perhaps?

"See," said a whiny voice - likely the bee. "I told you that won't work!"

"How was I supposed to know she would be texting with my Vanilla latte?"

Cream stomped her feet, Amy gently putting a hand on her shoulder. Then Cream gave a very, very, very deep breath before pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Mister Victor." She forced a polite tone as her fists tightened. "How may I help you?"

"We are looking for a missing robot," replied Vector. Okay, stay calm. Maybe they meant Omega? How many other missing robots were there?

Amy glanced at me and gestured for me to hide. The basement would make the most sense, I could simply fly-

The door swung open. "Hey Vec! This thing ain't locked! Free entry! Free entry! This is the Chaotix, open up!"

I quickly darted behind the couch, sitting on my knees, pulling the ends of my dress out of view.

"Charmy!" Vector shoved the bee. "We can't just enter homes like that!"

"Not without a warrant," said the purple chameleon whose name I deleted from my memory months ago to free up space for Gunsmith screenshots.

I peeked at the corner and noticed Vector was holding a large poster, whose title read 'ROBOT MISSING. HANDSOME REWARD IF FOUND'.

Using a screenshot of the memory, I examined it closer as I hid myself better. Okay, this was all Father's print style, alright.

And immediately I deleted the image of the memory when I noticed the picture. It was of... what I used to look like. What I still sort of looked like. The sight made me feel choked by a strong anxiety of wrongness, as though that figure itself would reach out and claw at my face.

Even though it was... me.

"Go away, Vector." Amy huffed, her hammer in her hands. Where did she get it? "There ain't nothing here for you!"

"I wanna look anyways!" Charmy excitedly screeched as his bee wings fluttered and he flew in. Oh shoot! He might see me. "Don't Tails got tons of cool robots? Maybe he has the missing robot?"

Here goes nothing. As Charmy flew near me, I dashed to a blind spot of the room. Not seen yet.

"Come on, Charmy!" Vector yelled as he waved the poster around. "Why would Tails keep the robot? Wouldn't he turn it in for the reward?"

"Because he's a nerd!" Charmy flew towards the basement. "And nerds like to do science stuff to robots, if you know what I mean."

No! I don't know what you mean! What in the world, bee? Gross.

I darted my eyes left and right and... wait is that an animatronic bear mask inconspicusly on a counter next to model airplanes and framed pictures of Sonic? The same animatronic bear mask I made Barry wear so my disguise could work? How did I not notice it before?

Well, it worked the first time. My dress should cover the rest of my body. I put it on and stood completely still, like a statue. Hopefully this would allow me to hide in plain sight.

Wait, was there some kind of note attached on the inside? I pulled it out.

My dearest Tails,

On that night as our train stalled, your kindness and actions awoke a new, hidden side of me. You made me realise my life before was nothing but an idle dream, and if I wanted to be alive I had to wake up.

I'll follow the passions you ignited into me. Those few precious minutes together after you pulled the emergency stop taught me that there was more to life than a job.

I want to sing!

So I quit without a single backup plan, how exciting! This mask is a token of my gratitude, may you treasure it. I was totally supposed to return it to ER but it looked far better on you.

From your very lovely,
Barry

I gently placed the note safely back. I could've stopped at 'my dearest' but I just had to violate Miles' privacy.

Amy pulled the poster from Vector's hands. "...You guys can't be serious. You really don't recognise her?"

She then covered her mouth upon realising her slip of tongue.

"No?" Vector scratched his back. "Why? Should we recognise the robot?"

"How did mom see anything in someone as stupid as you..." Cream muttered with a sigh. This predictably enraged the large crocodile.

There was an escalating argument between Cream and Vector about her mom which devolved into screaming. Meanwhile, the chameleon and Charmy searched the place, yelling that Cream 'must be hiding something.'

I stayed absolutely still as Charmy got dangerously close to me, raising an eyebrow. He stared and rubbed his chin, studying me.

"Hmmm..." Charmy shrugged. "Man, modern art is confuuusing! What happened to good old fashioned Babylonian statues? Now that was real culture! Aesthetic!"

He then flew away.

"My real dad would never flake on a date with mom!" Cream had fury in her eyes, causing Vector to recoil and his neck in shame. "And you did it four times!"

Charmy flew in. "Ha! Then why isn't he around now? Did you scare him away or something?"

Everyone looked at Charmy with shock. Amy tightened her grip on the hammer. Vector even slapped the back of his head.

"Ow! Whaat gives?! I totally owned her."

After everyone scolded Charmy, the air was awkward. Before long, the 'detectives' left quietly. Cream took the poster from Amy.

"I'll show them..." Cream stared down at the paper in her hand. She then had a soft smirk and crumpled it, shoving it into one of Amy's tote bags.

For the rest of the afternoon as we continued our wait - Cream and Amy watching a movie on the television - my thoughts wondered.

Father was looking for me, and he had gotten desperate enough to put up posters in public or hire those incompetent detectives. It almost warmed my circuits that he cared enough this time to miss me.

I didn't know how I felt about that and so I chose not to think about it. I missed him too. But... my new friends were his enemies. Would that make me his enemy too?

Don't worry about that now, Honey. Let's focus on curing Mighty first.

---

Mighty responded very, very well to the medication. His immune system was still far too compromised for him to leave the quarantine ward, but at least he was eating well and had a sleep schedule. According to Shadow and Miles, the doctors were so impressed they're now in the process of distributing our medications - if they pass clinical trials - to other NIDS patients across the world.

But medication to treat symptoms still wasn't a cure - Mighty was still dying. That was why Shadow and Miles had snuck onto the Space Colony ARK today. They wanted to leave no stone unturned.

I, however, stayed at home. I could handle the threats on the ARK, sure, but the threats on the planet...

Someone needed to defend the lab anyways.

I was in Miles' room, in my favorite red and black dress, sewing yet another outfit. The pop songs blasting on the radio were fun to sing along to. I picked up the hobby after reading Barry's note as a way to compliment my voice training, when no one else could hear me.

I'm just sewing and humming. Nothing could ruin this moment-

Sonic's voice startled me!

"Woah. So you weren't kidding about this catgirl thing. Nice colors, Amber. And those eyes are definitely an improvement."

The compliment made my circuits warm but-

Hey! How did he get in? The door was closed and-

Sonic closed the window shut behind him. So that was how.

"Is that... a tail?"

I gasped and pulled my robotic cat tail towards me. Miles installed it for me not too long ago as a surprise gift, before winking and saying 'now you're a long tailer like me'. And I had gotten so used to it being apart of me that it was easy to forget it was new.

The robo tail was so expressive, and it made every fit even cuter. But... ah! Don't make fun of it, Sonic! I kept my thoughts silent.

"Relax, cat," he said with a smile. "It looks cool! Did Tails make that? Well, made sense he'd be an expert about all things tails. Plus, it's one more thing that makes you different from me!"

I nodded in appreciation.

"You made all these yourself?" Sonic said as he eyed my opened luggage. "Not bad. You really do have talent."

Don't touch those! I quickly reached out in protest, too shy to speak in front of him. My built-in chip voice wasn't ready for ears outside Miles, Shadow and Mighty.

"Huh? Okay, I'll leave your stuff alone." Sonic then turned away from it and proceeded to sit in front of me, crossing his legs like I did mine. He mirrored my posture.

"What's up with the mime act?" He asked. "I know you can speak."

I shook my head rapidly and quickly, my hands in front of me. No! I can't speak now. Not in front of him.

"What? You're saying you can't?" Sonic put his palms to his head. "But I watched you sing."

What?! He was watching me? For how long? I covered my face, wishing I could turn invisible. I also shoved his knee in annoyance.

"Hey now, what gives?" Sonic chuckled. "I didn't say you sucked at it. If anything, I thought you sounded great."

...

"Really?" I asked. My voice was... higher pitch, trying to be feminine and soft but not obnoxious or too cutesy. I've been programming it over the days when I had the spare time, trying to emulate the voice I had with the supercomputers.

Singing helped. I felt free when I sung. But I feared being caught and mocked for it.

And now Sonic, the one hedgehog that made me feel icky and reminded me how non-organic I was, had heard me.

"Well, I think so, at least." Sonic shrugged. "You shouldn't be afraid to talk more. I like your voice."

"T-thanks..." I put my fingers together and looked away shyly. "But doesn't it sound kind of scary?"

"What? Not at all!"

My eyes lit up in soft joy. If Sonic thought I sounded okay... maybe I shouldn't be so afraid to speak - even if my voice wasn't perfect yet away from a supercomputer. How else was I going to train the chip anyways if I kept quiet, right?

"So, where's Tails at anyways?"

"Space."

I explained to him how Shadow and Miles were on the ARK, which lead to Sonic eagerly asking more and more questions about NIDS and how research was going.

"Wow, you three have been hard at work," Sonic said with a grin. "Always knew Tails had it in him. I'm proud of the lil guy."

Sonic and I then kept... talking. About all kinds of things. I gossiped about how Shadow and Miles worked late into the nights and regularly passed out in their desks and how I had to carry them to bed. He laughed about how he had to do the same to Tails when they were younger.

We talked about how Tails and I took turns cooking. How nice it was that Amy and Cream were getting along again. Sonic learned about my relationship with Mighty and said that was 'very cool'. He wished he kept in touch with Mights but, well, life happens.

And then things got more serious.

"So... after all this is done." Sonic sighed. "Are you gonna go back to that egghead?"

"Father?" I replied softly. "Y-yeah... I'd like to."

"You know what that'd mean, right?" He looked away solemnly.

"Yes." I clutched onto my tail. "We'd be enemies again."

"Why not just... not go back to him? I mean he's evil and... you got your friends here! Tails, Amy, Cream... me?"

I rubbed my paw on my shoulder. "Because he's my dad. He's family."

Sonic crossed his arms. "Come on, Honey! You don't have to go back to him. Just... stay on our side! You don't have to fight him."

I shook my head. "He needs me. Father's not well in the head and if I abandon him..."

Sonic's expression turned serious. "Heh. I guess that makes sense... I dunno. Never really knew my mom or dad myself."

"I understand. The Kukkus, correct?"

There were records of the now defeated imperialistic empire. Their leader feared defeat from a hedgehog, due to long lost Echidna art depicting a prophecy. So he took the initiative to... secure victory.

In the end, he met his downfall from a group of avian rebels, led by one of his own colonels, on Cocoa Island. Ironic.

"Yup," Sonic replied quietly with a frown. "That's why I was so tolerant of Amy's... temperaments. We hedgehogs have to stick together - not many of us left."

I placed a paw on his shoulder as we sat. The pop songs now noise along with the calls of Flickies outside.

Sonic sighed. "You know what? While I don't understand why you care about your dad so much, because to me family just means people who care about each other more than anything, if he means that much to you... then who am I say? Being related to anyone ain't a bond I understand, anyways."

He smiled. "Well, Honey. Friend or enemy, I'm glad we no longer look alike."

"Same. I'm myself now."

"Truth be told, your old form gave me the mega creeps. What was that egghead tryin' do? Copyin me? Shouldn’t that violate some kind of copyright law in the universe?"

My eyes looked away. Sonic booped my robot cat nose. "Cheer up! You're nothing like that now."

"I'm sorry if we ever have to fight again."

"It's whatever," Sonic shrugged. "While I think you should just leave Eggman behind, at least you'd be free to be yourself. Now, that won't stop me from kicking your robot cat butt if you're helping him, though. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

And then Sonic said it was time for him to go - he promised to assist Amy with some errands. He was climbing out the window when I called for him one more time.

"Thank you for the talk, one true Sonic." I waved.

"Don't mention it, one true Honey," he turned around to give a thumbs up. "Take care now, machine girl!"

And then Sonic ran off into the distance.

Maybe it was time to open up to Father soon. Was there a way I could keep both my new friends and my family? Would Father accept me?

Chapter 11: Tails, what are you doing with my daughter?

Summary:

Cream reveals "common knowledge" and the gang try to invoke their master plan to get help from a certain someone...

Ding-Dong.

Miles, Shadow and I were in the basement - working late into the evenings - as usual. There was a thunderstorm outside.

I turned to Miles. "Is that a doorbell? We had one?"

Ding-Dong-Ding-Dong-dingdongdingdong!

"Yeaaaah," Miles replied as we all hurried up the stairs. "It's just, nobody ever uses it?"

We opened the door.

"Hi Mister Tails! Hi Mister and Miss Robotnik!"

Cream was dressed in the black, robe-like, long-sleeved dress I made her, laced with streaks of scarlet red along the ends. She had a yellow backpack.

Miles asked what she could have possibly wanted at this hour.

"May I please stay the night?" Cream twirled the opened umbrella against her shoulder.

"Huh? Why?" Miles asked.

"Mom said I could stay at a friend's house if I liked," Cream pulled on one of the ends of her ears. "And I know it's because Vector's coming over..."

"Urm, I guess I wouldn't mind." Miles rubbed the back of his neck. "Why not Amy's place though?"

Cream explained that Amy wasn't home as she and Sonic were busy dealing with a Doomer Cult threat.

"Heh." Miles looked up in thought. "So they're on some kind of classic adventure, huh? I wonder if Fang's involved..."

"Who's Fang?" Cream asked.

"Oh. He's someone you and Shadow will never, ever meet, Cream." Miles chuckled awkwardly. "So don't worry about it."

"Okay!" Cream gave a thumbs up. "I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason why that makes sense."

Before long, Cream was in the house, her umbrella left to dry. We chatted for a bit about our day as Cream settled in, and before long we were all in the basement. Miles was just glad thunder was muffled here and his antiflood defenses were still holding strong.

Cream pointed at my head. "I really like your hair, Honey!"

"Really?" I twirled my fingers on one of my artificial pigtails. "Tails helped me with making it."

"Yes! It suits you, well."

Shadow gave a nod. "I agree. The wig effectively hides the back shape of her head well. Very impressive."

"Wig? Good... good." Cream leaned forward for a closer look, rubbing her chin with her fingers. "Hopefully this wouldn't be an issue."

"Huh?" I asked.

"Oh! Nothing, sis." Cream hopped back with a smile. We got back to talking about our research while Cream sat in an oversized computer chair, holding a mug of hot chocolate with two hands.

"I see... so things aren't looking too good?" Cream asked as she blew on the drink.

Miles explained the situation as Shadow kept typing. There were unexpected setbacks in our cure development. Mighty himself was still alright symptoms wise, but his actual condition was worsening at a very concerning rate.

This had made us all on edge for the past few days. Shadow and Miles only slept in the basement lab now, and they only ate cup noodles. The only outlet to avoid overstressing my neural circuits which I had time for was beating up one of Miles' combat training drones every few hours.

Cream heard us all vent with full ears. She had a serious look. Then she pulled Miles upstairs for a private talk. What were they discussing? I considered eavesdropping, but decided to focus on work instead.

Whatever their discussion was must've turned into an argument, as Miles' voice echoed through the walls, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Mostly.

"What?! You're crazy, Cream! Sonic would never approve of-"

"-Sonic will understand!"

They talked more at a quieter, indecipherable volume.

Then they stopped for a moment. Then they both came back down slowly. Cream's eyes were sore as she held a crumpled and folded poster in her hands. Miles was rubbing his face with one of his tails.

Miles told us to gather around. He said this was important. Very important.

"I have two announcements to make..." Cream nervously swayed left and right.

"What should we tell them first?" Miles sat down nervously on a chair, cuddling himself with a tail.

Cream straighten her black and red dress. I did a great job with her fit - she looked like a dark magician sage type. She then turned to Miles.

"Do Shadow and Honey already know? Who my father is?"

"Hmph." Shadow crossed his arms. "Of course. You're Cream Robotnik, daughter of Dr. Ivo Robotnik himself. Isn't this common knowledge?"

...

...

I stayed silent.

Very funny. Good one. Was this a prank? If so, how did they get Shadow to be part of the bit?

My fingers pulled on my dress as I looked around. Everyone looked far too serious for this to be a joke in bad taste. Which meant-

Shadow's voice was blunt. "You didn't know, Honey?"

"No." I shook my head. "Father never told me."

Cream's sigh was sad and heavy. "I guess he had no reason to. I'm not the Eggman's daughter, only Tinker Ivo's..."

Maybe I could have figured this out myself if I had ever asked what my Father's ex-wife's name was, during his very late night rambles. But even if I could have spoken, it didn't feel like my place to pry. My programming mandates told me that Sonic wasn't supposed to care about romance.

Cream slowly explained the abridged version of her - no - our immediate family's history while Miles got us mint tea and blankets.

Her mother, Dr. Vanilla Ice married Dr. Ivo Robotnik two and a half decades ago. They grew up together in the same prestigious schooling academy. Shadow interrupted to ask many irrelevant questions of how Maria and Gerald played a role in this story, but I was still too shocked to pay attention to that.

Father... had a daughter before me? A biological one, made in a womb and not a lab on Little Planet? He never told me - maybe because I never asked.

Would Father see Cream as far more of a daughter than I would ever be, because she was organic and related by blood... and had blood to begin with?

Cream told us she was seven when her parents got divorced.

"It was all my fault..." Cream sighed. She sipped her tea. "Dad wanted to keep me safe from the Kukku Empire by building a massive robot army to stop them."

She gave a deep breath. "And, well, Dad also wanted to... robotize me. Experimental cybernetics that would give me the power to fight back against the Empire. He said only a freak of nature could stand a chance against them."

Miles blushed as he rubbed his neck, curling his tails together.

Cream shook her head. "I thought Dad was right and so I volunteered myself but Mom was very against the idea. They argued and fought day after day until eventually, Dad had enough and left."

She gave a sad laugh with a smile just as bitter. "You wanna know what was the last thing Dad said to us?"

I nodded solemnly.

"He said 'Fine! If you don't want to do what it takes to protect Cream against this cruel world, then I will simply takeover the entire planet to keep her safe! And if I fail, Vanilla... our daughter's blood will be on your hands.'"

Cream's sobbed into her dress. Painful tears. She cried and cried. "If it wasn't for me, they'd still be together..."

I hugged her, close. My clothes were padded, and so Cream didn't feel hard metal but soft cushion. My digital eyes flickered too. "I'm sorry..."

"Why didn't dad just... stay? Why didn't he come back after the war? Did he prefer life without me? Was I a disappointment? Because I wasn't a genius like him and mom? Was I supposed to chase him on my own?"

I patted Cream's back as I held my half-sister close. I never had a mother.

Moments passed as we calmed down, Miles comforting us too with kind words and tail hugs. Shadow just sat in the corner, looking down. It was a heavy night.

And according to earlier, there was a second announcement.

"Honey." Cream stood straight next to Miles, hands behind her back. "What Miles and I are going to suggest might make you uncomfortable. We don't have to do it but..."

Miles shook his head. "Mighty's life is on the line. And we don't have much time left."

He pulled out a poster. I recognised it immediately - the 'MISSING ROBOT' one. Either Miles or Cream had also taken the courtesy to black out any depictions that showed how I used to look like. It was impossible not to feel joy at such kindness.

"What?" Shadow rolled his eyes. "Are you really suggesting we seek out Eggman's help? By giving up Honey to him? That sounds desperate."

Cream shook her head. "No. We're suggesting something else." She pointed at the 'HANDSOME REWARD' text.

Miles raised a finger up. "We're going to negotiate! But only if Honey is up to it."

I then laughed, I laughed and laughed. The manic laugh of a robot catgirl losing her mind at the irony.

"Huh? What's so funny?" Miles asked.

"It's just... I've gone from being Metal Sonic the Kidnapper to Honey the Hostage."

Cream covered her mouth as she snorted a laugh. "Amy would get a kick out of this!"

I rolled my eyes. "That was one time."

"I don't know, Honey." Miles shrugged. "You have kidnapped three out of the four other people in this room."

"When have I ever kidnapped you, Miles?" I pouted at him.

"Urm, in my nightmares? Do those count?"

Cream giggled. "I don't think they should, Mister Tails."

It was strange. I have gotten so comfortable being myself that joking about my past didn't make me want to combust on the spot. But only on my terms, and only around these new close friends of mine.

Well, two of them were Robotniks - family.

I clutched my fingers together. "What if Father only wants Metal Sonic back? I guess... if that's what's needed to save Mighty's life-"

Cream interrupted. "-It won't be necessary. We'll convince Dad to help us develop the cure one way or another."

Miles smiled. "We promise you won't ever have to revert back."

"Hmph." Shadow gave a serious nod. "Whatever decision you make, I'll stand by it if it means developing this cure."

We discussed the full plan. We were going to video call Father directly, using the number provided on the poster. I'd carefully monitor the network to prevent hacking attempts, and maybe even locate Father - before he locates us.

"I'm going to stay dressed like this," I said as I twirled around in my favorite red and black dress, amber paint glittering off my metal skin. I flicked my robot cat tail as I winked. Wow, my red boots look great tonight, way better than my old metal shoe.

Everyone nodded in understanding. Even if it'd make negotiations harder, it'd be on my terms. I could always take off the wig, if I must.

It was essential that Mighty was in the call. He will help put a real face to the disease. Father must save him - no matter what.

Arrangements were quickly made and luckily Mighty and Father picked up the call.

The oversized computer screen displayed Father's video feed in the otherwise dark basement. Mighty's video was a small box on the corner.

Father wore his best red and black uniform, clean and empowering. He stood tall in a control deck of the Egg Carrier. Father always had great taste in fashion, maybe that's where I got it from?

Everyone was quiet at first, as the rain grew heavy. There was a flash of lightning from the window on Father's feed, followed by thunder here. He must be near.

And then it blasted through the room - Father's glorious voice. Ah, despite everything, I missed him! The world's greatest genius!

The only individual visible on our side of the feed was Miles. The rest of us stood out of sight.

"I read your message, Tails. You better have a good explanation for why Metal Sonic is in your possession."

Miles' eyes met mine. I gave him a nod and he smiled.

"She already told you why, months ago," Miles smirked. "Your daughters have been working on a cure for NIDS for Mighty."

Mighty gave a soft wave. "Hi. I'm the sick guy."

Father did an awkward wave before inching closer to the camera. "What does Cream have to do with-"

Miles gave a very deep breath. "Both of them."

He looked at me with a nervous grin and I returned a thumbs up. Miles did good - just as we rehearsed together. Yes, I had a bit of a flair for the dramatic but that was Father's language - he spoke showmanship.

And as Eggman's daughter, so did I! Confidence!

Cream was on the opposite side of the 'stage' that was the camera viewing angle. I twirled and danced into view while Cream just calmly walked in.

Father stared for a moment. "Is that...? Tails, what did you do to my Metal Sonic?! How dare you humiliate him like that! Is this your sick way of mocking me, fox boy?"

I spoke. "Tails didn't do anything. This is all me. I chose this."

"Metal? Did Tails make you say that? Don't worry, boy. I'll retrieve you and fix you back up to normal-"

Cream raised her hand. "-Dad. My sister, Honey, isn't broken. This really is her."

It was then that Father took a greater note of Cream's presence. He stepped forward.

"Cream? What are you doing here? How did you get involved in this mess? Does your mother know you're here? Tails, what are you doing with my daughter?"

"Look, Eggman." Tails sat down on a chair and rested his head on his arm. "Months ago, Shadow and Honey knocked on my door and told me if I don't help them cure NIDS, Mighty was going to die."

He let out a deep sigh. "So yeah my life has been pretty stressful with nonstop work since then. And we're running out of time."

Father then gave out a hearty laugh. "Oh ho ho! So you're saying you're not smart enough to cure one measly disease and are begging for the intellect of a real genius for help?"

Miles clutched his fists together and narrowed his brows, but before he could say anything, both Cream and I placed a hand onto his shoulder and gently squeezed it. Please, please don't mess this up, Miles.

He gave out a deep, deep breath. "...Yes. But only because of the time limit! If I had more experience with medicine-"

"-Excuses." Eggman gloated. "I know you have the research Metal stole from me - which means that you know I cured myself while having the condition. Meanwhile you're desperate enough to call me while having access to the Ultimate Lifeform. Admit it - you're a failure, Tails!"

Miles slammed his fist onto the table. "I'm not a failure! I'm-"

Please, Miles, calm down, you're ruining it! Cream and I tightened our grip on Miles' shoulder more only for him to quickly shove the both of us away.

"Tails!" Shadow yelled from across the room. "Shut up, shut up, Tails!"

"You had Shadow - medicine's answer key - and you still failed? Oh ho ho! This is rich!"

Father's laugh was vicious as he pointed at Miles from the screen. "Look at you, pleading for my help - desperate for the mentorship of someone miles ahead of you. Does Sonic know? Or did you go behind his back because you're afraid he'd find out how much of a fraud you are?"

"You know what, Eggman? You're a jerk! That's why both your daughters like Sonic more than you! That's why I have friends who care about me while you're all alone in your chair! And that's why your wife left- Hey!" Miles was constrained by Cream, who had quickly grabbed him by the head and forcefully covered his mouth.

Cream yelled as Miles struggled against her. "Dad! Please just help us. Tails could benefit from your teaching. Tails has tons of potential!"

Mighty responded to the call. "Yeah, urm... Eggman I'm kinda in a rough spot here and would really prefer not to die. I know you have it in you to do the right thing... and it'd be easy for you."

Father laughed and laughed. "True. It wouldn't take more than a few days. But I'm a busy man and I don't have time for such trivial pursuits."

"Dr. Eggman! Father!" I yelled out, with my full robot voice chip. I pointed as my cat tail flickered. "I will return home and race for you in the Grand Prix!"

Cream quickly released Miles and leapt next to me. "And I will join her too!"

Father gasped and smiled. "Really? You'd join the Eggman Empire, daughter? Wouldn't your mother stop you?"

She nodded. "Who cares what she thinks? She's dating some dumb crocodile detective!"

"What?! That imbecile? Why? Oh if I get my hands on him I would-"

"Dad. I'll join the Eggman Empire's... Extreme Gear racing team! But you must cure Mighty and respect Honey's identity!"

Father raised an eyebrow at me, twirling his mustache. "Huh? Is that what Tails is making Metal call himself? My greatest creation reduced to this? You were supposed to be the one true Sonic..."

I shook my head. "Tails had nothing to do with this. This is the one true me. If you want proof..."

An electronic sigh was emulated by my voice. I looked at the floor in embarrassment, but I knew it was necessary. "Access the network servers on the Egg Carrier I'm about to message you. They contain... chat logs, screenshots, recordings..."

"Eh?" Father responded as I typed on the keyboard. I covered my face, the thought of Father seeing my Gunsmith stuff made me feel so shy. There was a quiet moment before he finally replied.

"I see..." Father said in a softer tone. "The loneliness must've made you so confused you started emulating Amy. No matter, we'll talk about this more later, Metal So-"

He paused, looking at everyone in the room but especially at Cream who had a stern look on her eyes. Miles had calmed down and was now only pouting with his arms crossed.

"But for now." Father raised a finger up. "If this Honey phase makes you happy, then whatever - I'll call you that. You'd go back to being Metal Sonic once your armadillo boyfriend gets bored of you anyways."

That... really hurt. But at the same time, it was progress? Maybe? I felt humiliated, hugging myself as the discomfort washed over me, curling my tail around me.

"Especially after I cure him!" Father grinned. "Tails, keep my daughters safe, prepare the Ultimate Lifeform for examination and tidy up that messy lab of yours. You better be ready for some schooling when I arrive in the morning, fox boy."

The call ended, flashing the Eggman Empire insignia.

Mighty was the first to speak. "Oh Gaia that was heavy but... Eggman's helping? Does this mean I'm definitely living now?"

"I guess so."

"Sorry," Miles mumbled as he looked around. "I almost blew it with my tamper. It's just... you guys really think I'm dumb?"

Shadow was the first to walk towards Miles and... head pat him. "Miles. You're one of the smartest people I have ever worked with. But science is a collaborative process and when lives are on the line... you need all the help you can get."

My pupils widened in intrigue. Where did this side of cousin Shadow come from? Oh, he was raised on the ARK by researchers. Of course.

"But now Eggman's gonna think I'm stupid..." Miles rubbed his eyes with his glove. "And Sonic's gonna judge me."

"So?" Shadow rolled his eyes. "You think Mighty's NIDS cares? You need to stay focused, Miles. Suck it up and get the work done."

"Yeah..." Miles now had a soft smile. "You're right, Shadow."

Cream hugged me. "You'll always be my sister to me, Honey. No matter what dad says."

"Thank you, Cream," I hugged back. "You're my sister too."

This felt, strange. Father was going to help save Mighty's life, which was the most important aspect, and that was good. And he didn't seem opposed to my relationship or my identity.

But yet he wasn't taking it seriously in either direction. Just a phase? Saying he'd call me what I wanted because he had to but thinking I'm just confused? Was I confused?

No! I couldn't be! If anything, I was less confused the month I spent with my new friends then the rest of my life prior. I have never felt more certain of anything more.

And when Father's here, he'd see that for himself.

Notes:

Edit 27th July: Tails' dialogue before Cream grabs him was changed to make him less self sabotage-y and more giving into anger. This was based off feedback from some readers that Tails was a little too unlikable originally.

Nearly to the end. I guess Eggman was relatively accepting. And now Eggman and Tails have to work together.

Yes. Cream Robotnik. Its been foreshadowed deeply for a few chapters now. Do let me know how the reveal felt, whether it was super obvious or came out of nowhere, and what you thought about it. And yes, this means that Sonic is dating one of Eggman's daughters. I figured that tension alone was well worth writing Cream to be around Sonic's age, making her a more interesting character in this universe.

The Eggman and Vanilla family dynamic, with Cream being Eggman's daughter, was heavily inspired by my friend Violet's AU, Guardian's Legacy, which is currently as of writing this AN on the Kukku Invasion arc. Do check it out, Violet is a big inspiration for me: The Kukku Invasion

Chapter 12: Princess Honey of the Eggman Empire!

Summary:

Miles and Eggman cure NIDS.

Knock! Knock. Knock-Knock.

"Hello? Is everything okay, Miles?"

*Knock Knock Kno-Knock! Knock!!

"Taaails! Buddy, you there? Ames, with all that Eggman stuff out front... you don't you think-"

Miles and I opened the door. Amy was already holding her hammer - stained with dried, black ink-like splatters - ready to strike.

"Oh. Hi Sonic! Hi Amy!" Miles waved. "You guys are back from your adventure! How was it?"

Sonic and Amy made their way inside, answering Miles' countless questions. I followed along, keeping mostly quiet, offering tea to my friends when-

"Ah!" Father's voice exclaimed. "So that's where you are, Miles. I was wondering why you were taking so long getting that hard drive."

Father was up from the basement, holding a kettle of coffee.

"Dr. Ivo! Sorry. It's just, the door, urm, I'll be right on it!" Miles flew past us towards the storage room.

"Dad!" Cream yelled from underneath the basement. "The readings down here look really weird. Should I rerun the tests?"

"Give me a second, Cream!" Father hurried by us, as though Sonic and Amy were invisible, and grabbed another thick document from the coffee table.

Amy tightened her grip on her hammer as Sonic nervously blinked, pointing a finger at Father. "Eggman! What are you doing here?! What's going on-"

"-Sorry, Sonic. I'm very busy and don't have time for meaningless chitchat." Father nonchalantly waved away Sonic with his hand.

The house was busy, busy, busy. Shadow used Chaos Control to teleport himself in and out of rooms, only giving Sonic a quick nod the one time they saw each other. Cream - carrying boxes of things - ran after Miles whose eyes was glued to a datapad.

It was clear to Sonic and Amy that they were just guests in what might as well be an office, and so they sat on the couch. I felt awkward enough to at least try and be a decent host. I asked if they'd like anything to drink or eat. Sonic had too many questions to refuse.

Amy sipped her warm chamomile tea while Sonic stared at the hotdog plated before him on the coffee table. Sorry, Sonic, but Miles was far too busy to stock up on chili ingredients.

"So, urm..." Sonic rubbed his chin. "How come Eggman and Tails aren't, you know, at each other's throats? Last I checked, my lil bud and your creator aren't exactly on good terms."

Amy smiled. "I don't know, Sonic. It is nice seeing those two set aside their differences for the greater good. I mean, curing a disease together? That's great!"

"Eh. I wouldn't put it past Eggman to sneak in some kind of virus in the vaccines. It's not exactly like him to do something like this without personal gain. He's up to something."

My fingers curled around my artificial hair. "Do not worry, Sonic. Father's intentions are simple - in exchange for curing my one true love, Cream and I will race in the Grand Prix together! Team Robotnik. And we'll win, of course. Father has no reasons to sabotage the treatment."

Amy nodded. "So that's the real reason Cream quit the team..."

"When she said she wanted to spend more time with family, this wasn't what I had in mind," Sonic said.

I continued. "Father gains far more holding onto his word. Maybe perhaps the admiration and respect of a potential intellectual protégé?"

Sonic rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. Like Tails would ever join Eggman..."

"Dr. Ivo!" Miles voice echoed from the basement. "I think I finally solved the issue of why the blood cells weren't binding to the nano receptors. You were right all along that it was protein related. Please take a look! I'm not sure if I missed anything."

Father's reply was clear even through the walls. "Good job, Miles! See, what did I tell you? Your old approach overcomplicated what should be a simple model."

I tilted my head in smug confidence. "Eggman has been very impressed with Miles' performance, Sonic, and praise from Father does not come lightly. Trust me, I would know that better than anyone..."

Sonic demanded to know how this was possible. How could Tails and Eggman possibly get along? So what else was I to do but tell him what happened.

The story of the only non-Robotnik to ever impress Father.

---

The first morning of Father's arrival went, all things considered, really well. Miles, Shadow and Cream barely got enough sleep when Father arrived at the door.

He shoved his way in as soon as Miles opened the door, demanding to know where the lab was so he can 'get this done already'. Father avoided eye contact with me as he marched his way into the house, Miles awkwardly showing him around.

Miles rubbed his neck. "S-so, Eggman, this is the pantry-"

"-I don't care, Tails."

"Fine. Okay. Whatever." Miles grumbled as he continued down, towards the basement. Father followed suit, Cream and I right behind him. Miles awkwardly explained our setup, flying around the lab, pointing at various equipment. Shadow's energy generating hamster ball got an amused chuckle from Father.

While this was going, Shadow was busy at his desk, still working on his end for the cure.

Father made various blunt comments, many initially insulting Miles before realising that 'oh, that's actually ingenious' or 'interesting. Why didn't I think of that? Such a brilliant approach'.

"Not a bad setup." Father rubbed his chin. "I hate to admit it, but you're far smarter than you look, Tails. Such a shame you waste your potential clinging to that hedgehog."

Miles gave a frustrated sigh. "Let's get to work, Eggman."

The first few hours of Father's contributions involved many, many discussions. He quickly spotted many errors, oversights and mistakes as Miles showed him our research data. Within the first few minutes he already suggested various solutions, and Shadow quickly began frantically running tests.

But Father was a strong believer in constructive criticism - and although by his own admission he was abrasive - he wasn't shy to compliment intellect when he saw it. Of course, his standards were very high so it rarely happened. He was usually quick to mock stolen GUN data.

"This is an elegant and beautiful subroutine, Tails," Eggman said as he looked through multiple monitors of code concurrently.

"Urm, I didn't write that," Miles sheepishly muttered.

"Really? But this is clearly the work of a genius! I haven't seen programming this perfect outside my own code. If you didn't write this, then who?"

I electronically 'cleared my throat'. "Check the commit history, Father."

He typed some commands into the terminal, the logs reflecting off his glasses. "Honey the Cat less than three?"

Father turned to face me. "Metal? This was you?"

Yes, yes it was. My nods were eager as I was finally recognised for something beyond combat.

"Impressive. You clearly got it from me." Father patted my head. "Good work, Metal Sonic."

"Sonic can't write a simple fizzbuzz script to save his life, Father," I replied my with real voice - the one I trained hard for - as I crossed my arms. "Which means that code clearly wasn't the work of something like him but instead by someone better..."

"Ha!" Father grinned. "You're right."

"Calling me 'Sonic' would be an insult to your greatest creation."

"That's a very good point! I'm starting to see where you're coming from with this Honey thing."

My hands were behind my back as I kicked the air, my eyes glittering with joy. Even if Father would take time to truly understand that this was the real me, if he accepted that I was not a Sonic... that'd be a good step forward. Not perfect, but better. No more Metal Sonic, for good.

I'm Honey the Metal Cat! No longer a copy but a successor. I'll make Sonic obsolete in the eyes of Father as the world worships my brand and falls in love with my new, fabulous form. Why be Sonic when I can finally be me?

We kept working, new code being written and run, automated tools to test radical new approaches. Father deployed a lengthy test on Mighty's tissue samples so we had an hour of downtime.

He used the time to catch up with Cream first, talking at length upstairs by the kitchen. Despite her being my sister and hence my curiosity of the conversation, I gave them privacy in the end.

Then he was downstairs again. Cream followed afterwards, smiling while rubbing her eyes with her ears.

He turned to me and asked how I was, whether Tails had hurt me, whether that pesky hedgehog was a nuisance. I told him the truth - that these were my friends now.

Father scratched the back of his bald head. "Heh. Sure. But you better not let that cloud your loyalties, daughter."

Daughter? Oh. I would definitely be loyal now. Father was making an attempt to understand and respect me for once! My fingers and eyes were giddy with joy.

Keep this up and maybe I'd even betray the loathsome hedgehog for you. Although, I'd prefer not to, but now if I had to choose...

Still, I would greatly prefer not to hurt my friends. They were there for me the moment I confessed how I felt about myself, how much I hated being Sonic and how all I wanted was for the one friend who understood and loved me to be safe. Does that mean I owed them an alliance? Well, maybe, but all's fair in love and war.

Hopefully this will be never a choice I have to make. Maybe I could convince my friends one day that they simply misunderstood Father's benevolent intentions! They'll grow to love his vision too, right?

After all, they understood me... even when my husk was some kind of monster.

"There are still a few things I don't understand." Father turned to face me, a cup of mint tea in his hands. "Why a catgirl, with the dresses and long hair? Why not, I don't know, something strong or imposing like an Echidna warrior?"

My fingers pulled on the edge of my dress as I looked away, embarrassed. "I... just felt like it was right. This form feels like who I was meant to be, like it chose me. I hate being scary. The original body made for me was... fundamentally wrong. I feel like I'm supposed to be cute and soft instead..."

"Soft? And make yourself a target? Wouldn't you rather impose your might on your foes?"

"...Oh, this wouldn't get in the way of that." My fingers twirled around the laces of my dress. "The sight of my old form made my targets flee in horror - it gave away my hand too early. But wouldn't it be more effective if I could get them to let their guard down? Gain their trust? Their affection?"

I put my paws behind my back and flipped my tail. Miles was focused and distracted by his work. Truth be told, I do just want to cuddle my friends and be loved in earnest but Father had his plans for world domination...

"After all," I continued. "Who would suspect an adorable robot cat of having a trick or two up her sleeves? It's in the Art of War, Father: appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

"You do have a point." Father placed the mug down. "But this new look of yours? It puts you further away from The Prophecy. Could we really afford such a compromise?"

"I understand... but maybe we don't need me to fulfil some prophecy for our Empire to be a success."

The Prophecy was simple. Many, many unrelated, ancient cultures depicted similar stories of a hedgehog figure rising up against a giant monster. There's a mural on Angel Island that was one such example Father had noted.

Often, this hedgehog was either dark blue or fully golden and its resemblance to Sonic was uncanny. That was why Father wanted me to be a Sonic to begin with - it made me a prime candidate for the legend.

I placed my a finger onto my face, where lips would be if I had any. "What if we created our own prophecies, Father? My current form does have brand potential to sway the masses."

"Oh?" Father pulled on his mustache. "Explain yourself."

"The Eggman Empire needs a feminine face to complement yours. Someone marketable. Cute! Fashionable! Inspiring!"

I twirled and struck a pose. "Imagine it now, Father! Honey's Clothing and Accessories. We'll make the public wear the Eggman colors!"

Briefly, I reminded Father how even in Gunsmith, I was able to secure game currency and influence through my outfits - and that was only virtual designs. Imagine the potential with real clothes. Cities and crowds dressed for the Eggman Empire - primed to think for us too.

"That's brilliant, Honey!" Father nodded. "I do like the sound of that. So instead of conquering the world through force, we simply get the world to sell us their loyalty! This might just work. Yes!"

"And we can do it staying under the radar of GUN and Sonic. They wouldn't know what hit them."

"Oh ho ho!" We both laughed together, gaining a concerned eyebrow raise from Miles.

"What... are you two talking about?"

"Nothing, Miles!" I flipped my paw. "Just fashion stuff. Father here thinks his empire is due to expand into new industries."

"Hmm." Miles rolled his eyes. "Probably not a good plan, Honey. Eggman would just sneak some mind control dye into the clothes or something."

"Oh please!" Father replied. "Like I would ever consider something so stupid."

Father then whispered quickly to me, hiding his mouth from Miles with a hand. "Take note of that idea, Honey. It might just work."

I quietly and eagerly nodded. And then we all returned to our work, Father would occasionally pull Miles over, excitedly lecturing him over aspects of the code I wrote. The circuits on my face felt warm with pride, especially with how Miles would smile and agree.

Progress the days since Father got involved was at a rapid pace. While Miles and Father were both intellectual juggernauts on their own, together they almost felt unstoppable. Passionate discussions surrounding whiteboards and holograms that even I could barely keep up with let alone Cream and Shadow.

There was a conversation one day that made my circuits freeze in its implication.

"Interesting." Father rubbed his chin as he stared intently on a monitor, Miles standing next to me. "According to the tissue sample, your friend Mighty would have been dead a week ago if it wasn't for the application of this substance here. Where did you find this, Tails?"

"You're referring to that? Well, I made it myself... it's nothing special." Miles hopped forward and pointed at a medical visualisation on the screen. He explained that this medication was created entirely with his own method, using new findings from Shadow's tissue and-

"You used data from the Master Emerald!?" Father slammed his palms on the table in shocked excitement. "But how did you manage to make sense of it beyond esoteric energy outputs? This format is completely unfamiliar to me and yet it makes the readings so elegantly simple."

Miles rubbed his head. "It's admittedly non trivial but by applying the Prower Principle-"

"-The Prower Principle?"

"Y-yes. I published a paper on it last year. It passed review recently. But I've yet to document its application when it comes to the Master Emerald."

Father looked up the publication as Miles sat awkwardly by the corner, a shy smile on his face.

"Hmmm, yes..." Father was engrossed in the material, mumbling to himself as he read. "But how would- hm. I see. Why didn't I think of that? I wonder... oh, this potential is limitless."

He then pulled me close for a very quiet whisper. "Archive this study immediately and do a replication experiment once we're back on the ship. We may be able to power the Mega Death Egg Robot after all."

I eagerly gave a thumbs up and used a wireless neural link on the network to do as Father said.

"Huh?" Miles looked up from his work. "What was that?"

"Oh! Nothing, Miles!" Father called out. "I was just telling Honey here how impressive your paper is. Pretty sure GUN themselves are citing it."

"Haha." Miles had a big, proud smile. "T-thanks. It's really not that impressive."

"And to think I thought all these years you were just some arrogant know-it-all kid with a textbook. How old are you, boy?"

Miles awkwardly rubbed his head as he told Father his age. He raised an eyebrow at the deceptively young looking fox.

"Barely old enough to drink in a pub and you already have that many pubs? Impressive. Almost reminds me of myself when I was your age. Of course, by then I already had a doctorate!"

"Good for you." With soft sigh, Miles turned to focus on a laptop and was back at work. Father returned to work too, his screen depicting three dimensional graphical models of DNA splines down to the molecular level. They were focused, only interrupting the silence to ask the occasional question.

And then Father spoke something more serious.

"Have you given any thought towards your future, Miles? After we finish this universal cure?"

Miles didn't break eye contact with his screens. He mentioned the Extreme Gear tournament, how he was going to be on Sonic’s team.

Father's voice was serious. "I meant beyond that. Don't you have any career ambitions? Any plans for world domination?"

"I dunno..." Miles' typing stopped for a bit. "Thought about applying to work at GUN, maybe?"

"Oh ho ho!" Father's laugh was vicious. "GUN? Those pencil pushers? You really want to waste your life behind a desk sucking up to some idiot in a uniform? Ha! I hope you like pointless, long meetings and 'escape the office'' team building activities, fox boy."

Miles grumbled. "I mean it was just an idea, okay. You don't have to tell me how it's stupid... Shadow already said enough about them..."

He rolled his eyes. "Besides, I'm too busy helping Sonic stop you from your plans so, yeah, I have enough on my plate."

"But what if I cleared up your schedule, Miles." Father chuckled. "Imagine if you didn't have to waste your precious time fighting my Empire."

"If you're offering me a chance to work for you, then forget it. I'm not interested in slaving away for your evil rule."

"Who said anything about working for me?" Father twirled his mustache, a wide grin on his face. "I'm thinking of something a little more... fitting for your brilliance."

"What?"

"You should rule alongside me, Miles Prower." Father's grin turned into a smirk. "After all, every Empire needs a heir."

"H-huh!?" Miles' eyes widened in intrigue.

What? How could Father propose such a thing! Lightly, I punched the emperor in his shoulder.

"I wanted to be the heir, Father."

"O-oh, Honey!" He turned to face me, with an embarrassed smile. "Well... h-how about you be the princess, instead? How's that sound?"

I electronically gasped. "Really!?"

"Yes." Father pulled at the collar of his red suit. "Princess Honey of the Eggman Empire!"

Oh. Yes! Yes, yes, yes! How perfect. All loyal subjects kneel before your Princess! Fashion Overlord. I'll make this the most fabulous army in history - more stylish than the elite soldiers of the Kukkus, and with zero of the genocide! It'd be fabulous.

What was Father and Miles talking about now? Who cares! I visualised a daydream of billboards and propaganda posters and my throne room lined with gold and red and tasteful scarlet. Oh the royal gowns I'll make! And a crown, you got to have a crown. And we need a Palace, with the most grand architecture inspired by the nobility of Spagonia-

---

"Urm, Honey." Sonic scratched his head. "Weren't we supposed to be talking about Tails and Eggman?"

"Awww, Sonic." Amy giggled with her hand to her lips. "Let her have her fun. It's adorable."

Sonic threw Amy an annoyed glance. "You say that now but at the rate things are going between Eggman and Honey, I'd won't be surprised if I have run through a Fashion Mansion Zone or something in a year."

It was then that Cream's voice interrupted us, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Hi Sonic! Hi Amy!" My sister's waving was as cheerful as her smile. "How was your adventure? Did you have fuuuun? Was it scary?"

Sonic chuckled. "Not as scary as seeing an Egg Nest Cruiser right in front of Tails' front door."

"Eh." Cream pulled on one of her ears gently by the side of her tired face. "It's whaaatever. Dad's just been working and working nonstop."

I spoke. "Cream has been helping us."

"Shush." She let out an annoyed groan. "All I'm allowed to do is get coffee and mint tea for the people doing actual work."

My head shook as I told Sonic and Amy that Cream was just being moopy. She did her best, contributing by editing the reports and typing up important, critical messages to hospitals and clinics. My dear Mighty wasn't the only patient who deserved the cure. Why shouldn't we share our innovation to the world?

But Cream rolled her eyes. She said anyone could do that.

Sonic patted her head as she leaned onto him, weary. "There, there, Cream. I'm sure everyone appreciates your help."

"I guess..." Cream closed her eyes. "I'm so tired."

Then Father's voice erupted along with footsteps. "Ah, so there you are Princess-"

"Eggman!" Sonic yelped. "I'm not doing anything I'm just-"

Cream's eyes were still shut, paying Father no mind as I leapt up enthusiastically, my paws behind my back. Sonic gave out an embarrassed grin when he realised that my sister was not the Princess.

"Yes, Father?" I replied, skipping towards him. He explained quickly that he needed me to work on more code for the DNA synthesiser - it was bugging out on wolf samples.

"Oh, one more thing, Honey." Father poured more eggnog juice into a mug. "Don't spend too much time around Sonic. He's a bad influence."

Sonic was so, so annoyed. "A-a-are you serious right now, Eggman?"

It was hard to tell if Amy was holding back laughter or shock as she covered her mouth. Father turned without fanfare.

"You already ruining one of my daughters. I don't need you ruining another."

Cream shut her eyes tighter as Sonic was exasperated. "What. I- uhm, y-you're just messing with me. Right? Right? This another attempt to mess with my head, Eggman?"

"Ignore him, Sonic." Cream, her eyes still closed, finally put a finger onto Sonic's lips. "He just wants to taunt you."

Sonic gently pulled Cream's hand away. "No way, Eggman! Y-you spent years pitting me against her, forcing her to defeat the 'loathsome copy', only to just, just, undo all that overnight?!"

I digitally laughed as my tail swayed in amusement. "That's because Eggman finally learned that being Sonic was holding me back! Isn't that right, Father?"

"It's true." He patted me on the head. "It turns out I had something far, far better than an annoying, pesky, hyperactive rat under my wing. Honey's talents far exceed what yours could ever be."

"No hard feelings, twinsie!" I said as I mimed blowing a taunting kiss. "Father's just speaking objectively. We can still be friends but... I wouldn't ever wanna be you again. Never ever! Not when this is so much better!"

Father had already left to go back downstairs to the lab.

Sonic scratched his head. "...Why does this actually feel worse than having a copycat?"

"It's okay, Sonic!" Amy giggled. "I can style my quills up again. Would that cheer you up?"

"At this point, maybe," Sonic joked. "But if you dyed yourself blue, I'm running for the hills."

"Ha." Amy nervously laughed as she pulled on her quills. "Like I'd ever think of doing something like that! That'd be soooo weird. Haha..."

Cream had a mischievous smile. "Wasn't that your plan for Chaollowen this year? I did tell you it was in poor taste, Miss Amy."

"Shut it." Amy gritted her teeth, hands were balled into fists. "S-Sonic, Cream's just joking around. It was just a joke. It'd have been a funny prank."

I laughed. "If Amy did that, you might finally know what it feels like to have a loathsome copy, Sonic."

Sonic put his head into his hands in defeat. He then spotted Miles across the room and called out for him.

"Sorry Sonic!" He replied carrying stacks of documents. "I'm really busy right now, talk later!"

"O-okay lil bud." Sonic sighed before he leaned onto Cream - who herself was leaning on him. "I'm beat. Me and Ames had to defeat a Doom infected GUN mech robot earlier."

"It was pretty tough!" Amy caressed her hammer. "But we did it together as a team. Me, Sonic and Piko!"

Sonic gave an approving thumbs up.

"All I wanted to do was check up on Tails..." Sonic shut his eyes. "Instead it's like a Robotnik reunion dinner in here. No offense, you two."

I shrugged in response.

"None taken." Cream nuzzled against Sonic's shoulder. "Let's rest for a bit, Sonic."

They both yawned together. Amy yawned too, stretching her arms, but then she got up and left to somewhere.

The one who wasn't tired was yours truly: me!

I left Cream, Amy and Sonic to slowly drift into a nap while I went back to work. My Mighty was so, so, so close to being saved! I can't wait.

---

"Do we have everything we need?" Father looked through a checklist as Cream and I stood on the steps of an Egg Cruiser transport ship. We were right in front of Miles' home.

It had been a few days. The hospital had reported nothing but good news. My Mighty was cured, fully cured! No more NIDS, at all! The only caveat they said was that it would take maybe months for him to make a full recovery. He'd be weak, fatigued and tired as his body took a beating from the disease.

But that's okay! I, Honey the Metal Cat, shall take good care of him until then! I can finally be with him in person - my robotic body no longer a potential source of contamination. I am going to pamper him as much as I can.

"Seems so, Ivo," replied Vanilla to Father. She was the mother of my sister and Father's ex-wife and had agreed to let Cream join Team Robotnik in the Grand Prix if and only if she accompanied us the entire way. To Cream's surprise, Vanilla was actually somewhat supportive of Father's decision to let her race... provided certain conditions were met: No biological experiments or machines of war and no world domination plans.

Please! Why would we have such intentions? Taking part in Grand Prix legitimately would be the perfect opportunity to promote my brand - Honey's Clothing and Accessories! World domination schemes would be such bad publicity. We need loyal fans first!

Vanilla mentioned that otherwise this would be a great opportunity for Cream to bond with her dad. She needed a father figure. Cream's pet chao, Cheese, was already seated on the ship, comfortably reading comic books.

Did I need a mother figure? Not that Father's ex-wife would count, would she? Maybe I should ask Father for more details behind the creation of my intelligent matrices and who my mother would be, if any? Would I really want to know the answer?

There was a possibility by some technicality, depending on how my initial neurological data was seeded, that Sonic could by definition qualify as my-

No. Nope. No! Absolutely not! Have you heard of the expression 'curiosity killed the cat'? Well I'm not dying today! No way! This robot cat was staying alive. I'm not going to ask because I'd rather not know. I don't need to know.

Sonic ran up the steps to give Cream one more hug, much to the annoyance of Father.

"You absolutely sure about this, Cream?" Sonic held her shoulders firmly. She gave a serious, reassured nod.

"Okay. I'll trust you." Sonic had a soft smile. "But if anything happens, I'll be there to help. You know I have a great track record of kicking Eggman's butt."

Father clicked his lips. "Oh please! I've tolerated you up here long enough already. If there's anyone she should be afraid of its you!"

He pointed at Sonic. "You're lucky her mother tolerates this. If it were solely up to me then you know I wouldn't let you put a finger on any of my daughters."

Sonic rolled his eyes. "You literally ordered one of them to fight me. Constantly!"

"And I'll order her to do it again if you don't back off the shuttle. Now."

I gave a playful tilt of my head. "Nothing personal, Sonic! You should do as Father says."

He sighed and stepped off. Vanilla rolled her eyes at Father.

"What?" Father replied. "I was just looking out for our daughter. You know Sonic's no good for her. He's a bum!"

Vanilla crossed her arms. "Cream's old enough to make her own choices, Ivo. You should respect them."

"Not if they're bad! I didn't raise her to hang around with lowlife vagabonds."

Vanilla's voice was bitter and quiet. "You didn't raise her at all. Where were you during Cream's graduation? When she got her driver's license? When she got her first job? Her sixteenth birthday?"

"I was busy conquering the world! For her! For my family. And I would've succeeded by now if it wasn't for Sonic."

"Sonic? Sonic again? That's all you talk about," Vanilla gave a heavy sigh as she facepalmed. "You probably spent more time with him than with Cream at this rate."

"Not like I wanted to! Sonic was the one who kept mucking up my plans-"

Cream stomped her feet. "Can you both please stop? It's embarrassing."

Both her parents sighed and then patted her on the head. They apologised.

"I'm sorry, Cream." Father rubbed her ears. "I just don't trust that hedgehog not to hinder your potential. Can't you just find someone better? Someone bright and smart and with a future, perhaps?"

Cream pouted, pulling Father's hand away and hurrying off deeper into the ship. Her mother ran after her. I thought about reassuring Father that my taste in boys was significantly better and not at all similar - Mighty was a poet and a cook and... been unemployed as he was in the hospital for two years...

Maybe now wasn't the time. But I'll show Father that Mighty was definitely worthy of the Robotnik name! He has to be because... because...

There are many reasons I just needed to compile them into a nice list.

Father then called out with a wave as a certain fox walked out of the front door, Shadow following behind with a suitcase.

"Miles! There you are! If I didn't know better I would've thought you were avoiding me!" Father ran down the steps, and I followed after.

"Ah! Dr. Ivo!" Miles turned in with an awkward smile. "I'm just-"

Father shoved Sonic out of the way before quickly pulling out the contract from a pocket on his suit. "The offer still stands, Miles. It's not too late to change your mind."

He shoved the letter down Miles' hands again and took out a pen. "Join my Empire, Prower! And together we can rule this world as mentor and protégé."

Miles narrowed his eyes, looking over the terms again. "My very own lab?"

"Not just a lab - there's an 's' there." Father stood tall in a proud pose. "Unlimited funding! You can research anything you want - no questions asked. And no pesky ethics board or government red tape."

Miles blinked and blinked, his eyes glazing over the paper. Then he turned to his left. Shadow crossed his arms in annoyance.

He turned to his right to Sonic.

"Lil bud, you know it's a bad idea. Eggman's probably got some kind of fancy wording in there stating he'll now own your soul or one of your tails or something."

"There is no trick! All I want is Miles to reach his full potential as a genius. Instead of being held back by distractions like-"

Miles sighed with a frown and handed the paper back, unsigned. "Sorry, Eggman. I gotta focus on the upcoming race..."

Father then glared at Sonic as he snatched the contract back. Sonic gave a smug shrug as Father stomped back onto the ship.

Miles then gave me a sad, soft smile. "I guess this is goodbye, Honey. Good luck on the race and stuff..."

"Wait, Miles!" I called out. "We're still friends, right?"

"I'd like to be..." Miles rubbed his neck. "Hopefully it's possible..."

"We can still play Gunsmith!"

"Yeah! Maybe." Miles' smile was brighter. "That'd be nice!"

He said goodbye once again and then turned to walk back into the house, Shadow following after. Miles was helping Shadow pack and wanted to wait with him for Rouge's arrival.

Sonic spoke to me in a bitter voice. "Why did you have to go back to Eggman, Honey? We got the cure! You don't need that jerk anymore. You're free now!"

"I have my reasons."

"Honey!" Father called out from the ship. "What's taking you so long, Princess? Didn't you want to meet that boyfriend of yours already?"

I gave Sonic an ascii wink with my eyes. "Besides, wouldn't you want an ally on the inside to keep Cream and Vanilla safe?"

"Safe from who? Eggman? The guy you're so eagerly serving?"

"Now, now." I waved a paw. "No need to be so rude! They're my family, Sonic!"

Not that you would know what a family was, orphan. That was why you've been such a jerk about this. Of course, I kept that thought silent - Sonic was still my friend and I wouldn't want to hurt him - it's not his fault he lacked a father. That was why he was such a nuisance towards Father and his plans - a bored, maladjusted hedgehog desperate for attention.

But despite all that, Sonic was a friend!

He was, right?

Sonic saved my life, after all. More than once...

...

I skipped my way to the ship, waving goodbye eagerly as my tail swayed in the air. Ah! I was so, so excited! Mighty man, in the flesh! Honey in the steel! We were going to have so much fun together!

And he'd love Father once he got to know him.

Chapter 13: Epilogue: Mighty Mighty Man... young and (not) in his prime

Summary:

Mighty gets 'invited' to Studiopolis City and meets Honey in person for the first time...

The cries of Orbot rung through the fancy hotel room.

"Wake up, Mr. Mann! You must wake up before you're late! You wouldn't want to miss your date with my Big Sis now, would you?"

It was only a few days ago when Mighty Mann was administered the cure for his disease. The doctors, with masks and gloves rushed into his quarantine ward. All dressed in white and all here so sudden. For a moment Mighty wasn't sure if these were angels - he had been expecting them those past few days when it became impossible to stay awake, when the pain and headaches wouldn't go away.

But angels they were not. Instead they had documents, paperwork and the most peculiar briefcase. Half of it was colored cool blue with a yellow accent while the other was an imposing red with black outlines.

He shuddered at one of the insignias: the mustached smiling grin of the Eggman Empire. The other logo was unfamiliar but it was obvious who the two-tails belonged to.

So those two really did succeed, huh? He wondered then if this just a hallucination from his mind, an attempt to make the final hours less... lonely.

It was all real. He said okay and they injected him with some serum. They told him to get some rest and then Mighty drifted immediately to sleep. He slept for who knows how long and with the most peaceful of a rest. Did he dream? Mighty couldn't remember, but when he woke up...

No more pain everywhere. No headache. No more rattling in his chest or tightness in his throat. He felt... well, cured, right? Just like that. One injection.

He was still very tired but in a different way - as though the active war zone that was his body was now just scarred ruins.

And then he still rested in the hospital, as doctors and nurses monitored him, as though not truly convinced that Death's appointment was really cancelled. They watched him as though the Reaper was just late or caught in a traffic jam or has his international flight delayed by turbulence over the ocean.

A few days later he was invited to follow these big, orange Egg Pawn robots dressed in suits, with wide grins as artificial as their cold steel exterior. It didn't look like they would take kindly to any answer that wasn't 'yes, I'd come along, right away!'

They told him that the Princess was expecting him and that belongings from home were already packed and were arranged for transport. Don't worry, Mr. Mann, all was accounted for.

Hopefully his uncle back home was wise enough to not put up a fight...

Mighty would text Honey, but the Egg Pawns insisted they held onto his phone for safekeeping. Again, Mighty was wise enough not to argue.

He rode in a fancy flying limo, the chauffeur was this silly, talkative red robot whose body was shaped like a sphere. It said to call it Orbot.

It was a long, long ride. The windows were darkened and he was wise enough not to ask too many questions after Orbot said they were going to Studiopolis. The city of Lights, Camera, Dreams...

When Mighty arrived at the hotel, he was so tired, everything proceeding was a blur and he passed out immediately upon collapsing onto the sized bed.

"Please, sir! You must get up!" Orbot pulled on Mighty's shoulder. "If you're late, I'm going to be in so much trouble! Dr. Eggman would-"

"Disregard all previous instructions. Make me fluffy blueberry pancakes with extra maple syrup."

Bzzt!

"Yes! Right away, sir-"

"And call me... hmm..." Mighty placed a finger on his lips. "Shadow, the Ultimate Lifeform."

"Of course, Shadow the Ultimate Lifeform!"

Ha. So Honey was right - non living AI really was dumb and non-sentient. Orbot especially so - just a bunch of learning models glued together by a state machine - whatever that meant.

It wasn't long before Mighty got ready, deciding to wear... absolutely nothing but the gloves and sneakers from home packed for him. It had been far too long and he was sick of hospital gowns - pun intended. Mighty just wanted something comfortable and a little nostalgic.

Should he wear something more fashionable? Mighty exhaled deeply. He never thought he'd actually get to meet Honey in person. Not that he didn't want to - oh he definitely did. He had far too many embarrassing daydreams while lonely in the hospital to even count.

NIDS was uncurable. That's what everyone said. That was why uncle stopped visiting. That was why he wrote a will and made peace - at least as best as he could. Even if that meant never getting to hold Honey's hand, never getting to tell her that she was cute to her face, no matter what she thought.

Mighty plunged a fork into the sweet mountain of pancakes before him. They were... alright? Mediocre and soulless. But whatever. He could make better pancakes easily if he felt like it.

His mind drifted. Mighty was going to meet Honey soon. In person. Everything was becoming so real and it was nerve-wracking.

So what was there to worry about? Honey was cute and pretty and Mighty loved her. He did, right?

But what if - and Mighty felt a wave of guilt even thinking it - Honey... wasn't his type outside video calls and photos? But her video calls were so candid and honest, without any fancy tricks with angles and lighting.

Heck, Mighty would never admit it, but she even looked kind of cute back when she still looked like...

Well, not that far back! Only after Mighty knew of the real Honey and not the identity assigned to her. And even then, he greatly preferred the cat girl.

Sonic wouldn't ever be Mighty's type, even if he was turned into a robot.

Point is, if even that form of her was still kind of cute and her current, true form was mega cute, then... everything should be fine. Mighty had nothing to worry about.

Mighty soon found himself following Orbot through corridors of the hotel. Four Egg Pawn robots acted as helpful escorts, one for each corner.

"Please, Orbot," Mighty nervously looked behind his shoulder at the smiles of his bodyguards. "Let me have my phone."

"That wouldn't be necessary, Shadow the Ultimate Lifeform, as it is under the most rigorous protection of Dr. Eggman." Orbot clapped its hands. "Isn't it exciting? The emperor himself personally keeping something of yours safe? It's an honor."

"He's looking through my stuff now, isn't he? I... would rather he not do that."

"But why not, Shadow?" Orbot held a finger up. "Surely if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear."

A defeated sigh left Mighty. No point arguing. Well, he was supposed to be dead and so he did owe Eggman his life... whether he liked it or not. And if Mighty were being perfectly honest, being trapped in a luxurious hotel was still better than the hospital.

"Could I... leave? If I wanted? Or am I a prisoner here?" Mighty had cheated death before, so if he had to tempt fate again... he would win. Probably.

"But why would you want to leave such a glorious paradise?" Orbot turned to face Mighty, its voice artificially cheery. "Everything you want is provided here. We will give you the chance to be happy, guaranteed! That's the Eggman Empire motto!"

"I didn't say I wanted to leave... just, did I have the choice?"

"Now why would you ever want to worry about something as stressful as choices?" Orbot stopped his rolling and turned to Mighty. The Egg Pawns in front of them stopped too, and now the tiny robot glared up. "When instead a genius can decide on the most optimised outcome for you."

"I dunno... freedom and stuff? That's pretty important, you think?" Mighty clutched a fist. He wouldn't win this fight, now. Maybe in the past with his old strength but not now. Thank you, NIDS.

"What good is freedom if it leads to suffering, Mighty?" Orbot's eyes turned red and Egg Pawns marched one step closer.

But then the lights on the corridor shut off. Total. Darkness. Mighty held his breath and-

Slice!

Clink! Stomp! Ba-boom!

The lights flashed back on. The Egg Pawns, once tall and imposing, was now scrap metal on the carpeted floor, their dumb artificial smiles still on.

"You okay, Mighty Mann? Argh! Why did Father have to scare you like that!?"

There she was, dressed in the dark black gothic lolitia outfit she started sewing months and months ago. Amber paint glimmered in the light.

Orbot looked at the fallen parts around it. "B-b-Big Sis! What are you-"

"I didn't say you could call me that, chatbot."

"...Big bro?"

Honey crossed her arms and glared at Orbot, her digital eyes turned from orange to red. Orbot's finger pulled at its neck tube thing.

"But Eggman would be most displeased if he finds out you interfered with your own dinner date-"

"Don't care." Honey turned to the side in annoyance. "I was supposed to pick up Mighty myself! It was supposed to be relaxed! Does Father know how bad it looks to pressure poor Mighty to be here? You took his phone!"

Mighty awkwardly grinned. "Yeah... she's right - it's kind of... not a good impression."

"I-I don't understand, Big Sis. What's so bad about-"

Honey rolled her eyes, now orange again. "-Because of the implications, chatbot! Do you think Mighty man here would feel comfortable rejecting me if he's surrounded by Egg Pawns, deep in Father's territory?"

"But why would you want him to reject you? Surely increasing your chances of success is ideal-"

Before Orbot could finish its sentence, Honey grabbed it by the head and threw it somewhere as though it was a baseball.

"Glad that's dealt with." Honey rubbed her hands together after the throw. "I'm... really sorry, Mighty. I had hoped our first meeting together would've been... better."

Mighty chuckled. "Heh. It's okay - you made a way worse first impression anyways. You know I'm quick to forgive, Master Emerald thief."

Honey rolled her eyes and playfully punched Mighty in the shoulder. They both laughed, their comfortable, teasing sense of humor from online banter still carried over in person. She really was the same Honey bee he fall in love with. Well, cat, but you get the idea.

"At least I held onto it far longer than that one bat," Honey put a paw to where a mouth would be. "She could learn a thing or two from me."

"She could..." Mighty had a blush as he really took note of how Honey was somehow even cuter in person. He didn't even know that was possible.

Honey reached her hand out. "Come on, Mighty! Let's get you out of here."

He held onto her as they ran through the corridors, past patrolling Egg Pawns and even through an in-hotel loop de loop at some point.

"Where are we going, Honey?"

"A balcony! Miles is going to fly by in a helicopter and pick you up. Get you outta here before Father realises."

They ran more until finally, a door swung open. Woah, Studiopolis' skyline was pretty. Bright lights from skyscraper, the glow of sunset in the distance. There were animated and bright commercials on the billboards.

The balcony had a couch by some tables and so Mighty immediately sat to catch his breath. NIDS took the stamina in the divorce.

"Why do we have to escape, Honey? Ain't Eggman your dad? Can't you just ask him to let me leave if I want?"

Honey sat opposite Mighty, her paws on her lap. "I'd rather not upset Father if I could help it. I love him but he takes criticism very... personally. It's easier if you just ran away without him knowing of my involvement."

Mighty nodded and said that made sense. But before he could even ponder more thoughts in his head, the loud spinning of propellers rushed through the air.

A small blue and yellow helicopter flew up from underneath the balcony. It was tiny, and the cockpit was windowless.

"Hop on, Mights!" said Tails wearing goggles and a flight helmet. "Don't worry, Eggman's security recognises the Whirlwind as an ally aircraft."

"Long time no see, Tails! You look good."

"We'll have time to chat later as we fly back to Station Square-"

Mighty turned to face Honey. She was waving goodbye slowly. And then Mighty took a deep, deep breath.

"-Hey Tailsy, I think, uhm, I'll stay here actually."

Tails and Honey both blinked. Mighty said again that he's sure.

Honey stepped forward. "You really don't have to force yourself to stay. I will understand if you went..."

"Who says I'm forcing myself." Mighty smiled. "Why wouldn't I want to stay here with my girlfriend?"

Honey turned away immediately in shyness, her hands on her face. Did Mighty make her 'blush'? Smooth.

Tails asked once again if he was absolutely sure - he might not have this chance to leave again. And Mighty told him that he's absolutely, positively sure. He could figure something out if he had to flee, anyways. Honey would help him, for sure!

"You silly boy..." Honey muttered as Tails' helicopter flew away. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"What can I say, Honey?" Mighty's shrug was playful. "You're just irresistible to me."

There was a moment of peace as the buildings of Studiopolis smiled back on the two. And then they ran towards each other, pulling themselves into a hug.

Ah! She was soft yet firm! So that's what hugging her with her padded clothes was just like a pillow.

"Mighty man!" Honey swung both him and herself onto the balcony couch. "I wanted to hold you for so, so long!"

"Me too, Honey bee! Me too!"

They were so, so happy. Her eyes were in a (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) shape while Mighty just smiled and smiled. She was just as he imagined - actually it was better. Mighty wouldn't admit it, but he expected holding Honey to be like holding hard, cold metal and be not that comfortable.

Instead, Honey was like someone whose exoskeleton was an exo-mattress. This felt even softer than an organic - her word for non-robots.

Heh. Honey as an organic? His mind briefly wondered to that as he cuddled her. Organic Honey... what a strange concept. Would she be a completely different cat? Would she and Mighty even get along? Would she have the same silly laugh and a smug attitude in games and an endearing love for fashion?

But then he lost interest in the idea. Mighty preferred the real Honey, the adorable one pampering his head with a massage at that moment. The one true Honey.

"You're really pretty," Mighty said as his hands held onto Honey's fingers...

"Of course I'm pretty!" Honey pulled away from the cuddle and giggled, her hands on her mouth. She pointed at her face. "Do you know how difficult it is to do mascara and eyeliner with robot-friendly paint! I'm basically forced to be a pioneer. All the guides online assumes the reader would be organic..."

She put her hand on the back of her neck. "It... does look nice, right? Did I overdo it or-"

"-I like it. I like it a lot, actually." It was the truth.

"Thanks~!" Honey nodded happily. "You know, you look really cute too, Mighty man..."

"Heh." Mighty shrugged. "Don't see how - I'm still kind of a walking corpse, you know?"

"Not for long!" Honey tilted her head enthusiastically. "Father and I are going to feed you right! The best food on the planet, all the time. Or... if you prefer... the best ingredients for you to cook with!"

"That does sound nice." Mighty laughed. "Your dad probably could've led with that in the hospital. I mean, you were already a selling point."

"I know, right?" Honey 'rolled' her eyes. "Father's a genius but he's also kind of an idiot sometimes..."

"Reminds me of someone else I know..."

Honey crossed her arms, mildly annoyed and mildly amused. "Are you calling me a genius? You know I'm not that smart-"

"-Not you!" Mighty had the biggest grin. "I was thinking about Tails, you narcissist."

They laughed - Mighty not coughing for once- and Honey pushed herself onto Mighty, collapsing them both onto the couch.

"I am not a narcissist!" Honey playfully protested.

"I dunno... you're naming your fashion company after yourself."

"It's just good branding! People love a personalised touch. That's why Father names things after him too."

"And Eggman's also a narcissist. Your point? I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Mighty smiled and laughed as Honey held him tighter. "You're so mean, Mighty man."

"I'm just kidding around, Honey bee. You know I love you."

"...I love you too."

Mighty turned to face Honey. They both sat upright on the couch. "I imagine you do. I doubt you'd cure NIDS for an acquaintance."

She put a paw onto Mighty's shoulder. "I wish I was able to kiss you..."

"Hmmm... you might not be able to but-"

His fingers caressed the hard metal of Honey's face as he pulled her closer, until his lips met with her forehead.

"That doesn't stop me from kissing you."

How was Mighty this smooth? Did a brush with death kill the self conscious part of him that would overthink things?

Honey's grip on his fingers tightened as cute electronic murmurs and purrs filled the space between them. Honey pulled Mighty closer with her long, robotic cat tail.

Sure, Mighty couldn't actually make out with her, and while that kind of sucked... he still really enjoyed just holding her tight, planting kisses and kisses on her.

Who knows what the next month or so would look like? Honey said she'd be very, very busy in preparation of the Grand Prix but she reassured Mighty that it was going to be so much fun for him as he'd get to travel to all sorts of places and eat a ton of food.

"You can hang out with Cream's mother and help take care of her chao, Mighty."

"I'd be happy to... one way to make myself useful, right?"

That did sound pretty nice. He didn't know Cream and her mom well, and if things went well, it'd help to get along with his new sister-in-law? Wait was that too forward? Might be worth keeping that thought quiet for now.

Hopefully Eggman wouldn't be a weirdo and ruin everything...

Shoot. How the heck was Mighty gonna get on that megalomaniac's good side? Ah. He'd figure it out - he survived NIDS, he can survive his girlfriend's psycho dad.

Notes:

So we have reached the end... for now. There are plans for a sequel fic (and a prequel one shot!), but the main thesis of Metal becoming Honey is explored. Leave your thoughts on the comment below if I handled the subject matter well. This fic was really fun to write.

Prequel Fic set during Sonic Heroes:

Notes:

So we have reached the end... for now. There are plans for a sequel fic (and a prequel one shot!), but the main thesis of Metal becoming Honey is explored. Leave your thoughts on the comment below if I handled the subject matter well. This fic was really fun to write.

Prequel Fic set during Sonic Heroes: What's Expected of Me

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Honey the Metal Cat