Chapter Text
Knothole
The rest of the Freedom Fighters were just hanging out, waiting for any word, when they heard the Tornado's engine approaching. Everyone ran out to see it coming in for a landing in the hangar.
"Sonic!" Sally cried. "You're back!"
Sonic and Tails hopped out of the plane.
"How'd it go?" Sally asked.
"Piece of cake," Sonic replied. "Snively never stood a chance."
"Robotnik left him in charge?" Hope questioned. "Why would he do that?"
"Apparently, Eggman's trying to find the Little Planet so he can retrieve Metal Sonic," Tails answered.
"Good luck with that," Amy scoffed. "It goes to the Special Zone when not over Mercia."
Sonic stretched, letting out a yawn. "Well, I need a chili dog and a nap. If anything else happens, beep me."
He went to his shack at that. Once he was gone, Tails' face fell.
"Sally, we need to talk about Sonic," he insisted. "Privately, if you don't mind."
Seeing the look in his eyes, Sally nodded, leading Tails to her room in Freedom HQ. Once they were inside, Tails got right to the point.
"Sonic's losing it, Sal," he said bluntly.
"Losing it?" Sally questioned.
"That Chaos lighting he has?" Tails began. "It's tied to his emotions, and it kept turning black. It happened when we were fighting Commander Brutus, and he attacked me. Sonic blew his stack, and... ripped Brutus' arm off with his bare hands."
"What?" Sally gasped.
"That's not all," Tails went on. "I found a Chaos Emerald in a spike pit and jumped in to get it. Sonic acted like I had just chopped my hand off. I mean, he knows I can fly. I was perfectly safe."
"This is bad…" Sally let out. "Damn… I didn't think he'd spiral this badly so quickly."
She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "It started with either what happened to Uncle Chuck, or the Angel Island mess, that much I know."
"Wherever it began, he's slipping badly," Tails insisted. "We should have brought it up sooner."
"Maybe we should try to talk with him," Sally suggested. "I only pray to Aurora he'll listen."
Lost Labyrinth Zone
Meanwhile, Metal Sonic and Eggatha approached the entrance to the Lost Labyrinth.
"The Lost Labyrinth," Eggatha noted. "I heard that the unworthy are killed if they fail the tests. And cheaters are severely punished."
"Then it seems I will have to clear these trials fair and square," Metal mused.
They approached the door, and it was at that moment the holographic form of Tempo appeared.
"To those who seek the treasure of the Labyrinth, know that only those who prove themselves worthy will live to see it," he informed them.
"Oh, my gosh!" Eggatha exclaimed. "An Ancient hologram!"
She rushed forward, her jaw on the ground. "I've never seen a functional hologram before!"
Tempo was silent for a few moments, then cleared his throat before going on. "But if you believe yourself pure of heart, mind, and soul, you need only pass three trials. The Trial of Intelligence, the Trial of Darkness, and the Trial of Water. Complete these trials, and the treasure is yours. Fail them, and you will join all those who have come before you and failed."
"You reacted…" Eggatha realized. "You're sentient. By Aurora, you're an artificial intelligence! So cool!"
"Yes, that's a good approximation for what I am," Tempo admitted, somewhat irked. "Now, do you want the treasure or not?"
"Right, right," Eggatha nodded. "Sorry. What's your name?"
"It's… Tempo."
"Sorry, Tempo," Eggatha replied, taking Metal's hand. "We'll do your trials now."
"Very well. Good luck." With that, Tempo disappeared.
"C'mon, Metal! Let's go!"
Eggatha pulled Metal along, and the two soon found themselves in the maze.
"The Trial of Intelligence… is a maze?" Metal asked.
"I love mazes!" Eggatha declared.
"Let's tread lightly here, Agatha," Metal warned. "From what the Ancient said, any error could be fatal."
"Right. I wonder how a maze could be fatal though," Eggatha pondered. "Unless dead ends literally kill you."
They made their way along, soon coming to a fork in the path. Eggatha led them down one, only to reach a dead end. Metal looked up, immediately yanking Eggatha back as the boulder came smashing down.
"I believe that answers your question," Metal said simply.
"Yep," Eggatha nodded. "And considering we're standing on a thirty-degree incline, we should run."
They took off at that, the boulder following. More boulders began falling as Eggatha began looking around.
"Metal!" she shouted. "Get us on top of the boulders!"
Metal grabbed her, running his jet engine and flying on top of the one pursuing them. Once they were on top, Eggatha saw they were level with the wall.
"Of course!" she realized. "The intelligent thing to do is get on the wall and away from the boulders!"
"Hold on to me."
Metal jumped up with her in tow, the two landing on the wall.
"We should remain up here on the walls while we make our way to the exit," Metal said.
"Good idea, Metal," Eggatha agreed. "That way we can't be accused of cheating."
They carefully made their way along the wall, soon making it to the exit where the torches sat.
"This must be the Trial of Darkness," Eggatha deduced as she tightened her grip on Metal's hand. "Don't tell Uncle Robotnik, but I don't like the dark."
Knothole
Sonic entered Freedom HQ to see his friends assembled, sitting in chairs.
"What's going on?" he asked. "Did something happen? Is Eggman back?"
"No, Sonic," Sally informed him. "This is an intervention."
"Intervention?" Sonic asked. "For what?"
"For you, idiot," Knuckles snapped. "In case you haven't noticed, we're worried about you."
"I told them about the black lightning, Sonic," Tails said.
"What?" Sonic demanded. "Tails, it was fine! I had it under control."
"This time, maybe," Chris answered. "Sonic, we're all worried. You've been slipping for a while, and we all share some of the blame. We should've spoken up about it sooner."
"And louder," Kat tacked on. "Sonic, if this is about me and what I did-"
"No," Sonic cut her off. "You didn't do anything."
"Well, this all started somewhere, sugar," Bunnie pointed out.
"Was it your Uncle Chuck?" Amy asked.
Sonic winced at that, which was all the answer she needed.
"So that just got the ball rolling," Antoine deduced. "Perhaps the Death Egg was merely icing on the cake."
"I'm not losing anyone else to Eggman," Sonic said adamantly. "It's as simple as that."
"And what if you lose yourself in the process?" Sally demanded. "Sonic, you're not well. You need help."
"I've been looking up therapists, and I think I found one that could help you," Rotor offered.
"Thanks for the offer, Rote, but I'd rather chop my head off than have it examined," Sonic replied bluntly.
"Sonic, please be reasonable!" Keith pleaded.
"I'm going out for a run," Sonic declared. "Let me know if you find anything on Eggman."
He bolted out of the room at that.
"Well, that went better than I expected," Shortfuse remarked, sighing. "Stubborn jackass."
"He has to change the way he's been doing things," Mina insisted. "Can't he see where this is taking him?"
"He's on a downward spiral," Kat noted. "And I'm worried it's gonna take something drastic to snap him out of it."
Hope glanced worriedly at the direction the Blue Blur went. "Sonic…"
Lost Labyrinth Zone
Metal and Eggatha rode the mine cart through the dark tunnels, torch in hand.
"This is kinda fun," Eggatha mused. "Like a roller coaster. You ever been on a roller coaster, Metal?"
"I can't say I have," Metal admitted.
"It's a lot of fun," Eggatha replied. "Maybe I can take you to an amusement park. Oh! Or we can go on some of the rides on Uncle's new Eggmanland!"
"First, we might want to jump."
Metal grabbed her, flying out as the cart reached the end of the track. They went rolling, landing on the other side as Eggatha laughed.
"That was awesome!" she declared.
They stood up, looking around and seeing a big red fuse.
"I assume we're supposed to light that," Metal mused.
"Sound logic," Eggatha took the torch, lighting the fuse. "Fire in the hole!"
Metal grabbed her and held her close as he put up his Black Shield, mere seconds before the dynamite exploded. The shield dissipated, clearing the path.
"Alright, now the Trial of Water," Eggatha noted. "Probably a good thing I came. Tempo might consider you being a robot cheating."
"Sound reasoning," Metal took her hand as they made it to the water's surface. "Take a deep breath."
Eggatha took as big of a breath as she could, and the two dove in.
Robotropolis
Snively stood before a vid-screen in the citadel, Robotnik talking to him as he worked in the Special Zone.
"So, let me get this straight," Robotnik began. "You lost the Seven Eggatha created, failed to retrieve the power source, and let Sonic and Tails defeat you and destroy the E.G.G. Station?"
"It's not my fault the Seven failed!" Snively objected.
"Oh, really?" Robotnik asked. "Then why did they register unauthorized tampering with their designs?"
Snively stiffened at that.
"I'm far from stupid, Snively," Robotnik informed him. "It's because of your little modifications the Seven were destroyed." He shook his head in annoyance. "There seems to be no limit to the ways you find to disappoint me."
"She's a twelve-year-old girl!" Snively snapped. "I had to improve her designs! Tell me, Uncle Ivo, what makes her so damn special compared to me?!"
"She does as she's told," Robotnik said simply, listing the reasons on his fingers. "She makes genuine contributions to our cause. Her designs are original and legitimately useful. Whereas you, Snively, are only with me until someone or something gives you a better offer. Isn't that how you've coasted through most of your life?"
Snively choked on his words at that.
"If I'm honest, the only reason I didn't kick you to the curb the second Agatha showed up was because she asked me not to," Robotnik went on. "If anything, you should be grateful to her for protecting her worthless brother."
"Worthless?!" Snively shrieked.
"I'll admit you're useful, and brilliant in your own right," Robotnik continued. "But your arrogance far outstrips your competence. Now, I have work to do. Do yourself a favor and just stay in the citadel and out of trouble."
The communication ended at that. Snively fumed, kicking the chair in a rage.
"Who does he think he is?!" he roared. "I'm the reason his Death Egg even got off the ground in the first place! I came here, giving all my valuable time to him, and this is the thanks I get?!"
He grabbed the chair, throwing it. "Well then… we'll play it that way. You will regret belittling me like that, Uncle. Mark my words."
Lost Labyrinth Zone
Metal surfaced, bringing a gasping Eggatha up and dragging her to dry land. She coughed and sputtered, struggling to regain her breath.
"How did Sonic handle that?" she pondered.
"It's a mystery to me as well," Metal admitted. "He hates water."
Eggatha stood up, ringing out her dress and hair before adjusting her glasses. "So… is this it? Did we pass?"
Tempo appeared at that. "Indeed you did. You have proven worthy of the Fregosi Sapphire."
"Oh, hi Tempo," Eggatha greeted. "Wow, you must be all over the place. Where's your central processing unit?"
"Hold on, Agatha," Metal told her before turning to Tempo. "What is the Fregosi Sapphire?"
Tempo gestured to the altar where it sat. "A treasure of the Ancients, created through extensive research into the Chaos Emeralds by our people. The Fregosi Sapphire contains great power, and with it comes great responsibility."
"Whoa…" Eggatha let out. "Metal, that's just what you need!"
"My thoughts exactly." Metal went to the altar, taking the Fregosi Sapphire.
The Sapphire glowed, spreading up Metal's arms before being absorbed into his body. He was surrounded by a magenta aura before looking at his hands, shuddering.
"Incredible…" he let out.
Eggatha watched Metal's transformation, then turned back to Tempo.
"So now that we have the sapphire, what happens to you?"
"Now, my purpose is fulfilled," Tempo answered. "I shall rest for all time."
"But that's not fair," Eggatha insisted, thinking for a moment before snapping her fingers. "You never did answer my question about your central processing unit."
"It's beneath the altar," Tempo replied. "Why do you ask?"
Eggatha scurried over to the altar.
"Because I'm taking you with us," She pulled some tools from her belt and began carefully removing the paneling around the processor. "So what if your purpose has been fulfilled? You can find more to do out of life. Besides, a working Ancient AI? Historians and researchers will bend over backward to learn more about you, your culture, everything."
Tempo thought it over before nodding. "Sound reasoning. Very well."
Eggatha removed the processing unit and Tempo shut off. She also went over to where he had been and removed the holographic display node.
"Hello new pet project," she gushed, gathering the tech in her arms. "Ready to go, Metal?"
"Yes," Metal nodded as he looked at his hands, chuckling. "When next we meet, Sonic won't know what hit him."
Knothole, one month later…
Sonic paced around the main room of Freedom HQ, eager for any word on Robotnik. The group watched over him in concern.
"Boy, he's really going nuts, isn't he?" Sticks pondered.
"And that's coming from you," Shortfuse remarked.
"Exactly!" Sticks said with a nod.
"He's antsier than a Pocky (1) in a Devil Dog den," Bunnie noted.
At that moment, Hope came out, carrying her laptop.
"You'll never guess what I found out from Agatha," she informed them.
"You've been in contact with her?" Keith asked.
"We started messaging not long ago," Hope explained. "She's working on some ancient hologram named Tempo."
Tails stiffened at that, and Sonic went white before darting over.
"Did you say Tempo?" the hedgehog asked.
Hope nodded. "Yeah, that's what she calls him."
"That was the name of the Ancient hologram that controlled the Lost Labyrinth trials!" Tails exclaimed.
"Huh," Hope remarked. "She said she got it from a labyrinth. I really should have made that connection sooner. Anyways, enough about that. We were chatting and she apologized for the spotty reception because 'the Special Zone's unique properties make IMs difficult'."
"She's in the Special Zone?!" Amy shouted.
"Yeah," Hope nodded. "I asked her what she was doing there, and she sent me this."
She turned the screen to show a selfie of Eggatha flashing a peace sign. Behind her was the Little Planet, which appeared to be surrounded by a new version of the Death Egg, albeit with a glass mouth around it, and with a quarter of it still under construction.
"Eggman found the Little Planet in the Special Zone?!" Sonic shrieked.
"And from the looks of it, he's using it as the core for a new Death Egg," Hope went on.
A new message then popped up on the screen. Hope went pale.
"'We'll be done soon,'" she read aloud. "'Can't wait to see you. Tell Sonic Metal's excited to fight him again.'"
Everyone let out horrified gasps at that.
"He did retrieve Metal Sonic!" Sally cried.
"That's gotta be how Eggatha got Tempo!" Tails realized. "Metal must have gone through the trials and taken the Fregosi Sapphire!"
"This is bad," Kat let out. "This is really, really bad."
"With the Little Planet powering it, there's no telling how powerful the second Death Egg will be!" Rotor cried.
"Then we better get moving before Eggman finishes it." Sonic insisted.
"Right," Sally grabbed a Warp Ring, handing it to Sonic. "You're the one who's been there. Let's go."
Sonic opened his mouth to object, but Sally shook her head. "Do not give me that, Sonic. The Death Egg is back. Metal Sonic is more powerful than ever. You're letting the rest of us come with you as backup, and that's the end of the matter."
Everyone looked ready to fight. Sonic sighed in resignation before tossing the ring.
"Just pray to Aurora we stop it in time," he said. "I am not living through that nightmare again."
They all ran through, but Kat stopped just before going in, squeezing Sonic's hand.
"This will be different," she promised, assuring both Sonic and herself.
Sonic nodded, then they ran in, the Warp Ring closing up behind them…