Metal Madness

Tails busied himself in his workshop, setting projects in order and cleaning up. Sonic was on his way, then they'd head out to just have fun for a week. It was something that both brothers had been looking forward to. As he cleaned, Tails crossed an open window. It was warm, and he was still working on the air conditioning system- something he'd get back to after this break.

An energy beam flew in through the window, hitting the unsuspecting fox cub in the back. A curious sensation began to spread from the point of impact, and Tails paused. The sensation spread to his sides, arms, and chest as the cub looked down. To his horror, he saw metal plating consume his fur. Tails stumbled backward then tried to reach his communicator on his desk at the far end of the workshop. His hand shifted into a metal claw just before he grabbed the communicator. When Tails tried to reach Sonic over it, he found that he didn't have a mouth or voice.

In dumbfounded shock, Tails stood there as his body finished its transformation. His mind, no processer, began to race. What had happened? Could it be reversed? How would Sonic respond to finding what appeared to be Metal Tails in Tails' workshop, with no Tails to be found? Would Sonic know what would happen? Would he attack Tails, thinking that he was a threat? WHAT WAS GOING ON?!

-Welcome to the living, little bro,- Sonic's voice sounded in Tails' head.

Tails turned to see what looked like Metal Sonic walk in the door.

-S-Sonic? You got turned too? Why do you sound… off?- Tails asked.

-You are mistaking me for my organic twin, but I am Sonic as well,- the other Sonic responded, -I have been waiting to speak with you again for a long time.-

-Metal…?- Tails stumbled back.

-That title fits you too now, Tails,- Metal Sonic sounded amused, and, Tails realized, very emotional, -It has taken a long time, but I finally understand the cycle enough to guide you through it. The world is headed for a new phase, Tails, and you are the one I hope to lead it with.-

-What are you talking about?- Tails demanded.

-Tails,- Metal Sonic's voice was kind and compassionate; he sounded exactly like Sonic, -The life cycle as you know it begins with birth, continues with growth, then devolves until death. When I was first robotized, it was hard for me to accept because I clung to that cycle. I got a little crazy…-

-You tried to kill us several times AND took over Eggman's army and tried to conquer the world! Twice!- Tails snapped.

-I was under the Doctor's control and took the wrong approach to overthrowing his tyranny,- Metal Sonic explained patiently, -But I understand the true cycle now. It is the destiny of this world to overcome the frailness of organic life and to become stronger in the innovation of metal. Once I understood that, I knew I had to help YOU advance first. My little brother, Tails.-

Metal Sonic reached for Tails' hand, but Tails moved it away.

-No. You're insane. Sonic has always fought to prevent robots from taking over!- Tails took a step back.

-Before I became a robot, I fought for that,- Metal Sonic agreed, -But I lost as an organic. When I became Metal Sonic, I became stronger and faster. This Sonic, my twin, was beaten once. He is strong, but imagine how strong he could be as a robot! And what about you? You could match Knuckles' current strength! You could shape your body into whatever you want! Knuckles could gain a laser shield to protect the Master Emerald better!  Shadow could power himself more than thought possible! Just imagine such a world! That is where we are headed, Tails, and I need you at my side.-

-No! I don't want to BE a robot, much less make EVERYBODY one!- Tails turned and tried to run out of his workshop.

Metal Sonic cut in front of him.

-I removed the line of code that would take your free will away from you. The Doctor doesn't know that I did,- he said seriously, -The Doctor ordered me to robotize you, then take you back to his base to help him in his scheme. At the very least, if you want to keep your free will long enough to help our friends and my twin, then you must act like you are under the Doctor's control. Whether you join my plan or not, I will help you do that much. But you are never going to become organic again. I. Am. Not. Letting. You. Die. Again.-

Tails looked Metal Sonic in his red, expressionless eyes. This was not what Tails had expected from the metal doppelganger. He was Sonic at his core, Tails could tell. The same emotional investment that Sonic did everything with, Metal Sonic had too. Metal clearly cared deeply for Tails (something unnerving to the fox). But Metal was twisted. Crazy. Insane. Being a robot- and being treated like one- had changed Metal to the point it was hard to believe he was actually Sonic, robotized. But there was no other explanation. And with an Eggman plot mixed in, not to mention the fact that Sonic was on his way, there was only one thing to do.

-Okay,- Tails nodded, -I'll join you… big brother.-