Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Tale Of Tails ❯ Fox Hunt ( Chapter 4 )

Legal Stuff:

I don't own any of the characters in this story. They are the properties of their respective owners.

Author's Notes:

What's going on with Tails? You may find out if you read on…

Chapter 4: Fox Hunt

It was morning of the next day, and after breakfast, and the story of Metal-2 and Metal Tails, someone commented on how the real Tails missed the food. This led them all to try and see if the fox was hungry. When Sonic saw that he wasn't in his lab, he grew worried. Walking back to the others, he posed a question.

Sonic: Anyone know where Tails is?

Scotty: He's not in his lab?

Sonic: Nope. And I didn't see him anywhere else, either.

Knuckles: Well, this is unusual. Normally, it's Metal that disappears.

Metal-2: <glares at Knuckles>

Knuckles: Hey, it's true!

Sally: Knock it off, you two. We've got to find Tails.

Sonic: Easier said than done. He could be anywhere.

Billy: Possibly even outside the city, if his project did certain things.

Scotty: I'll be happy if he's still on the planet. Now, let's go see if we can get him back.

Sonic, Scotty, Knuckles, and Metal-2 left the building, and split up, searching for Tails. Each searched various parts of the city. Metal-2 scanned all around for traces of Tails's life signs. He picked up a faint signal, and decided to head toward it. Landing on the ground, and surprising a small crowd of people, he figured out that it was coming from underground.

Metal-2: Most unusual. …<sigh> It doesn't matter. I have to follow this lead.

He found a subway entrance, and went underground. He carefully entered a subway tunnel, weary of the direction the trains went and when, and followed them until he neared the signal. It was dark in the tunnels, but here in a large maintenance room, there was light. Metal-2 walked in, cautiously, and saw Tails working on a huge machine. It was very big, extending from the floor to the ceiling. The machine was cylindrical in shape, and had a thick glass tube near the middle of it. Tails closed a panel on the machine, and stood up, never having seen Metal-2 come in.

Tails: Hello, Metal.

There was something odd about his voice; it lacked feeling and emotion. He turned to face a surprised Metal-2. The fox was wearing the gear he had developed before.

Metal-2: Tails! Are you okay?!

Tails: Trust me, I am better now than I ever was.

Metal-2: Everyone is worried about you. Let's go home.

Tails: I'm sorry, but I cannot do that. I must complete my mission.

Metal-2: Mission?

Tails: Don't you see? It's all so very clear to me now.

Metal-2: What's wrong with you? And what mission?

Tails handed Metal-2 a small, odd-looking device that fit on Metal-2's head.

Tails: Put this on and everything will become clear.

Metal-2 put his hand on Tails's shoulder, and looked into the fox's eyes. They looked unusual; dull somehow.

Metal-2: Tails, tell me what's going on here. Why are you doing this?

Tails: Many reasons. But it was you that set all this off.

Metal-2: Me?

Tails: Yes, my friend. Now, put this on.

Metal-2 looked at the device, considering it. He looked at Tails, noticing the odd equipment the fox had on.

Metal-2: What is this?

Tails: It is the gateway to perfection.

Metal-2: What?!

Tails answered by putting the device on Metal-2's head himself. The robot reached to take it off, but stopped before his hand even touched it.

Tails: Yes…Soon, you will understand.

Metal-2: What's…happening…to me?!

Metal-2 stumbled backwards in pain. He fell to the ground, shaking. Tails just watched. After several seconds, the robot stood up again, silently.

Metal-2: I understand.

In Metal-2's mind, he saw the light again, and reappeared in what should've been his city. But something was wrong. Many of the buildings were on fire, and orbs of light were everywhere. Metal-2 was on the ground, and stood up, holding his head.

Metal-2: Ugh…What happened to me? This can't be…What's going on here?

There was a familiar voice from behind him.

Metal Tails: I'm getting lucky, that's what!

Metal-2 quickly turned around as Metal Tails landed in front of him.

Metal-2: This is impossible! I destroyed you!

Metal Tails: Ha, that's what you think. It was all an act.

Metal-2: What?!

Metal Tails: That's right. I faked my death and snuck aboard your mind before the link was severed.

The memory of seeing something flashed before Metal-2.

Metal-2: So, it was you. What are you here for?

Metal Tails: Thanks to you, my body's trashed. So, I figured I'd just commandeer this body. But, you were tougher to break than I expected.

Metal-2: That must be why my head felt strange. Did you cause all these fires?

Metal Tails: I wish. But that might hinder me when I'm in power, so no, the damage isn't my fault. You can blame those balls of light for that. They showed up just a minute ago, right before you did.

Metal-2: The device…It must be the cause of all this!

Metal Tails: Whatever it is, I'm gonna take this opportunity to take you over. All I have to do is get past those lights and I'll have control f this body. And then…

Metal Tails made a beheading motion with his hand.

Metal Tails: Your `family' gets a sneak attack.

Metal-2: No!

Metal-2 rose to fight, and they began to combat each other. Meanwhile, the lights spread, damaging and changing the buildings as they did so.

Meanwhile, on the outside, Tails walked toward his machine, and pressed a button on it. The device began to glow, and the thick glass tube lowered into the device. Several oddly shaped pieces of machinery attached by wires and cables descended from the ceiling of the inside of the machine. They attached themselves to Tails's hands, head, body, ankles, and tails, and lifted the fox up into the device.

At that moment, Sonic walked into the door, and saw what was going on. The glass tube rose back up, attaching to the ceiling of the machine. Tails was now completely enclosed inside of it, and wires and cables extended from the top and bottom of the machine. They attached to the various pieces of equipment on Tails as a strange green liquid filled the tube. A scuba-like device attached to Tails's muzzle, covering it and attaching to another device that covered the fox's eyes. The same device plugged his ears. His right eye was covered, and the left had a glowing yellow glass panel covering it.

Sonic: Tails! Metal, what's going on?!

Tails: <voice over speakers> Bring him to me.

Metal-2's eyes flashed a bright red as he turned to face a shocked Sonic. The robot grabbed Sonic by the shoulders.

Metal-2: The leader wishes to speak with you.

Sonic: Metal…Let go of me!

Metal-2 forced Sonic closer to Tails.

Tails: Ah, Sonic. The mighty leader will soon realize my genius.

Sonic: What are you talking about? And what's going on here?! I want answers!

Tails: I will not let you stop me. I am in control now, and nothing can stand in my way.

There was a look of horror on Sonic's face.

Sonic: I don't understand…

Tails: I expected as much. Tell me, how did you get here?

Sonic: Some people told me they saw Metal come down this way. Now, you tell me what you're doing!

Tails: You will understand everything very soon. Metal, show him.

Metal-2 took a small syringe from an opening in the machine. He held it in front of Sonic's face.

Sonic: <gasp> Tails…What…What is that?

Tails: Modified nanorobots. They will change you mind. Inject him, Metal.

Metal stuck the needle in Sonic's shoulder, and injected the tiny robots. They quickly found their way to the hedgehog's brain, and altered the nerves in such a way that they could control the brain, and therefore, the entire hedgehog.

Sonic: Argh…I…

There was a long pause as Sonic closed his eyes. Metal-2 removed the syringe, and after a moment, Sonic opened his eyes. Their natural shine was now gone, as well as he looked up at Tails.

Sonic: I see. With you as our leader, we will control the planet and all will be perfect.

Tails: Exactly. No more wars, no more fighting. No more struggle between good and evil. Never again will anyone suffer losing their family as I have. Bring the others here, and we will use them to spread the nanytes.

Sonic & Metal-2: As you command.

They left the room, leaving Tails in the tube. The two drones headed for the refuge base. Inside Metal-2's mind, the fight had slowed between Metal-2 and Metal Tails.

Metal Tails: Why don't you just give up now?

Metal-2: Because I cannot let you hurt my friends!

Metal Tails: News flash! While we're in here duking it out, your body is on its way to harm the entire world!

Metal-2 thought about this for a moment, analyzing the signals he had received through his remaining link to the outside.

Metal-2: What are you suggesting?

Metal Tails: I'll make you a deal. I'll help you overcome these nanorobots if you put me back in my core and put the core back in my body.

Metal-2 considered the offer, and the fact that Metal Tails probably had every intention of deceiving him. Still, it was the only chance he had, so…

Metal-2: …<sigh> Very well. We work together…for now.

Metal Tails: Then let's get these things!

The two robots, in an uneasy peace treaty, flew off together and attacked the glowing lights. Each was destroyed after a single hit, but they seemed to come faster than they could be killed. Still, they fought on as Sonic and Metal-2 neared the refuge base…

Man, Tails has really taken a turn for the worst. How will this one turn out?

Stay tuned!

And please review!