Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Life Bestowed ❯ Have Courage ( Chapter 12 )

Legal Stuff:

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

Author's Notes:

This is it, folks. The ending, which I have written and re-written, revised and edited. Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Have Courage

There wasn't much time left as Billy made his announcement to everyone.

Billy: There. It's ready; everything is programmed in. At least, I think it is…I can't help but feel I've forgotten something.

Tails: Are you sure about this?

Johnny: Yes. This is something I have to do.

Johnny walked up the ramp toward the glowing room inside. Before stepping into it, he stopped suddenly, and turned around. He saw his friends; his family; all watching him and wishing him well.

Johnny: You all know there's a chance I'll lose my free will if I do this. If that's the case, I want you to…to destroy me.

The words were painful for him to say, and they hurt the others as well. Johnny stared at the floor, and Scotty ran up and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Scotty: Johnny, I don't know if any of us could bring ourselves to do that.

Johnny: You must. If I don't come back, then I want to take this chance to say goodbye.

They all looked at him in horror, and Tails took his hand.

Tails: No…Please, promise me you won't leave us!

He looked down at Tails, remembering how he was one of the first to really trust him; one of his first real friends. It hurt him that he felt he couldn't fulfill the fox's wish.

Johnny: I…I can't promise anything…but I will do my best to maintain control.

He looked out across the room, and his eyes fell on Amy. A strong feeling gripped him, and after a moment of thought, he walked back down the ramp, and went up to her. There were tears in her eyes, and he laid his hands on her shoulders, kneeling down to see her face better.

Johnny: Amy…I may not get the chance to do this again…

Amy: Then don't go…Don't turn back…

Johnny took her hands, holding them gently. They looked into each other's eyes. Tears began to well up in his.

Johnny: I have to. This living body has given me many memories, but it's not who I am. I can't live a lie. Please don't make this any harder than it already is.

Amy: <sigh>…I know…

He softly stroked her forehead, and wiped her tears away. Johnny held the back of her head with one hand while holding her hand with the other. He paused for a moment, deciding to go ahead and tell her the truth.

Johnny: Amy, my precious rose, my delicate flower, my beautiful sweetie, I want you to know that…that I love you. I love you with all my heart.

She looked up at him, wondering why she wasn't surprised. Then she knew why; she had suspected it all along. It had been so obvious, but she had never really said anything about it.

Amy: Metal…

Johnny paused for a moment, surprised that she had used his real name. The others were similarly shocked; but they were speechless at Johnny's comments. Thin tears began to roll down his cheeks.

Johnny: I always have, ever since we first met. When I first saw you, I remember a strange feeling came over me. I ignored it then, but now I realize that it was love.

He gently pulled her in close, and they stared into each other's eyes. The world seemed to fade away as he moved closer and kissed her on the lips for the first time. Amy threw her arms around him as Johnny did the same, and they hugged each other tightly, not wanting to let go. There was a loud noise from somewhere behind them all, and the others reacted with fear, knowing their enemy was returning. Johnny and Amy held each other, still locked in the kiss, ignoring the outside world as best they could. There was a second noise, and it reminded them of the danger they were in. Still, they did what they could to make the feeling last forever. But that couldn't happen, and they knew it. Johnny held the back of her head as Amy slowly rubbed the sides of his face. A third noise, and the ground rumbled. Eventually, slowly, Johnny and Amy released each other, and Johnny stood up. Their surroundings faded back into view, and they smiled sad smiles at one another.

Amy: I love you, too.

Johnny: Thank you, Amy…Listen, if I don't come back-

Amy: No…you will, you'll come back. I know you will.

Johnny: <sigh>

Johnny slowly nodded, closing his eyes. He wasn't sure what would happen, and didn't want to make any promises, but he knew that, for her sake, and perhaps his own, he must make it back.

Johnny: All right…I promise you…I will return.

Another noise, closer this time. Tails looked at the timer on the computer screen. There were only a few minutes left.

Tails: If you're going to do this, now's the time!

Johnny: I have to go now.

Johnny and Amy looked at one another, sadly. Amy did her best to burn his appearance in her mind; to never forget him. Johnny did the same, and wished he had been a machine then, so he could have a perfect image of her saved for all time. He gave her a final kiss on the forehead, and stepped back.

Amy: Come back to me, Metal. Don't leave me alone.

Johnny slowly nodded, and then turned around. He ran up the ramp, and faced the others again.

Johnny: Wish me luck.

Tails: Be careful in there.

He raised his thumb into the air as he backed into the brightly lit room. The door closed, and everyone waited with anticipation. Their enemy was drawing nearer. Billy flipped the switch, and the machine activated with a loud, churning noise. Inside, Johnny couldn't see anything, and was lifted into the center of the massive orb by some unseen force. The hedgehog began to glow, feeling power run through him. It was warm and friendly at first, but then there was a sharp pain. Johnny felt a burning feeling as his flesh began to tear and separate, disappearing into nothing. At the same time, pieces of metal appeared and connected, taking the place of the skin. Johnny screamed with the intense pain of it all. It was heard outside the chamber.

Amy: What's…What's happening to him?

Billy: You don't want to know.

Johnny felt the pain draw inwards, attacking his organs. He could feel his body shutting down as parts of it ruptured and disappeared. More pain followed as his innards were replaced by machinery. He felt his brain being dissolved and replaced with a computer core, and his heart was torn apart as a nuclear generator took its place. Muscles became motors, nerves turned into sensors. The pain began to stop as Johnny slowly lost the ability to feel it. This relaxed him a bit, but not much. Outside, Billy noticed a problem on his monitor.

Billy: Oh my…It seems that energy from a chaos emerald is also being fed into the machine…

Tails: A chaos emerald? What will that do to him?

Billy: I don't know…It might not do anything, or it could be something terrible.

Tails: That's not good.

Amy: What's wrong? Will Metal be all right?

Billy: I…I can't be sure…

Back inside the super roboticizer, there was a surge of energy as his generator activated and sent power throughout the body. His computer came online as the last bits of living tissue became a cold titanium alloy. The robot, Metal-2, awoke while the glowing and light faded from him and the room. He was lowered to the ground inside the huge machine. Metal-2's red eyes glowed brightly. But something was different about him. The chaos energy had turned his blue parts black, and his entire body was shiny. His arm blasters were larger, un-retractable, and his shoulder lasers were also bigger. There was now a four-barrel missile launcher on the side of each leg. He began to glow with a whitish energy as his red eyes searched the room. Metal-2 had somehow been given a super form. His killer instinct had taken over, and his only thoughts were to destroy Eliminator, and that nothing or no one else mattered. He speedily walked to the exit of the machine. The door opened, and he found everyone outside it. The robot stepped out and looked at them all.

Scotty: Metal… Is it…you?

Metal-2 ignored him, and took to the air, and there was an explosion from one side of the room. A thick cloud of dust cleared away to reveal Eliminator. The massive mech stood in the doorway it had created, looking at them. Metal-2 stared at the machine, full of hatred. He flew off toward it.

Metal-2: YOU!

Sonic: Metal! What are you doing!

Tails: What happened to him?! He's all black and shiny!

Sonic: I'm not sure, but if I didn't know any better, I'd say he's gone super.

Sally: But…is that…possible?

Billy: It must've been the chaos energy!

Tails: Where's the emerald?

Billy: It's in a chamber beneath the super roboticizer. Let me try to raise it.

Billy began to work with the computer as Metal-2 squared off with Eliminator. The hedgehog robot tackled the machine, damaging its body. Eliminator returned fire with a volley of missiles. There was a large explosion when they all hit Metal-2. The smoke cleared, and the robot was unhurt by the explosives.

Metal-2: You call that an attack?!

Metal-2's shoulder lasers were more powerful now, and he fired two blasts at Eliminator. The robot blocked the hits with its right arm, and fired all four of its huge shoulder lasers at Metal-2. The blasts shoved Metal-2 higher into the air, but the robot was undamaged.

Sonic: Man, Metal's really into it!

Billy: I've got it!

The chamber beneath the super roboticizer rose up as Metal-2 and Eliminator continued to fight. Billy rushed down to the chamber and plucked the emerald from its spot. He ran over to the others, and showed them his prize.

Billy: Take a look at this!

Scotty: So that's what caused him to go super.

Billy: Yes, it would seem that the generator's energy was boosted and tainted by the chaos energy as it was fed into Metal.

Sonic: So I was right? He's actually in a super form?

Billy: It would appear so.

Amy: Oh be careful, Metal!

Metal-2 flew down, and landed a devastating kick to Eliminator's face. The robot's entire head was crushed and destroyed. Metal-2 back-flipped down to the ground in front of Eliminator, who was motionless for a few moments. It then raised its chaingun , and began to fire at Metal-2. The shots bounced off of the robot as it walked up to Eliminator. Metal-2 stared at the machine, waving his finger in the air.

Metal-2: You don't get it, do you? The chaos energy has affected my mind…you could say that I'm crazy.

Eliminator fired another blast from his four massive shoulder lasers. Again, there was no damage. Metal-2's fingers twitched slightly as he stood, glaring at Eliminator.

Metal-2: You don't attack a crazy person…unless you've got a death wish. But it's too late to go back now. You're fate's been sealed.

Metal-2 flew up into the air again, and fired his arm blasters at Eliminator. The shots tore through the chaingun, disabling it. Eliminator fired all of his shoulder turrets at Metal-2, and the barrage of lasers sent the robot into the wall far on the opposite side of the room.

Tails: How can it operate without a head?!

Sally: It must've been some sort of decoy…

Eliminator's spider-like legs moved as he approached the crew. Scotty took out his sword, and activated it. The others began to back away as the robot drew nearer. A plasma blast from Eliminator's right arm hit just in front of Scotty, and the blast knocked him backwards.

Sonya: Scotty, get back here!

Scotty saw that it would be suicide to go against Eliminator on his own, so he slowly backed off. He reached the crew just as Metal-2 roared by overhead, flying into Eliminator and knocking it down. The mech stood back up, recovering from the hit as Metal-2 flew just in front of him.

Metal-2: Get up so I knock you down again!

Eliminator was soon on his feet again. Metal-2 fired eight missiles, four from each leg. All eight impacted Eliminator's shoulder weapons, destroying them and leaving only shattered remnants. The robot aimed his plasma blaster at Metal-2, and fired. The shot hit Metal-2, but had no effect. Eliminator fired several more times, each one useless. Metal-2 only stared at Eliminator, and then grew tired of being hit. He grabbed Eliminator's right arm, and twisted and tore it, ripping it away. Holding it by the fingers, Metal-2 swung the heavy arm into Eliminator, letting go of it as he did so. The arm impacted with tremendous force, shoving Eliminator into the back wall.

Tails: This is getting out of hand! Guys, we have to do something!

Sonic: There's nothing we can do, buddy. We just have to sit and wait.

Metal-2 flew down, hovering a few yards in front of Eliminator. He stared at the machine, eerily.

Metal-2: You ever been hit by an impact laser? It hurts. Real bad. But don't take my word for it; try one yourself!

Metal-2 relaxed his body as it was surrounded with a white energy. Power began to flow to his jet engine, and became concentrated a few inches in front of the turbine's intake. A ball of white power with an ever-changing rainbow of colors around the edges gathered and grew as surrounding atomic energy from the air was drawn in.

Amy: What is that?!

Scotty: I'm not sure, but something tells me it's gonna hurt.

Metal-2: I'm not happy with you. Nobody ticks off Metal-2 and lives!!!

The energy grew larger and brighter as rings of energy were sucked into the vortex-like sphere of power. The crew had to cover their ears as the noises from it grew louder and louder. It was like a roaring tidal wave and it echoed through the room. Eliminator's scanners malfunctioned as they attempted to analyze the situation. Metal-2's entire visor glowed a bright red as he crossed his arms above his head.

Metal-2: SAYONARA!

Metal-2 threw his arms back and struggled to keep his torso in the same position as the energy erupted forwards in a beam of whiteness that was painful to look at. It slammed into Eliminator's chest, and the entire mech was forced backwards into the wall. The laser became unstable as its energy began to gather on Eliminator. Finally, it collapsed, and a massive explosion tore the machine's armor away from the rest of it, and damaged the internal frame heavily.

Metal-2: How was that?

It terrified Amy to see him like this; it was the polar opposite of the one she knew and loved. But there was nothing she could do, except watch. Eliminator was all but finished as Metal-2 flew up to it.

Metal-2: Not so high and mighty now, are you?

Eliminator fired his lower right arm, the only remaining functional weapon. A long-range laser shot at Metal-2. The robot dodged, and the laser hit the ceiling, causing a small explosion. That gave Metal-2 an idea. He flew down and grabbed Eliminator's left-front leg. He dragged the robot away from the wall, and began to swing him around in a circle. The heavy mech picked up speed as Metal-2 spun him. He lifted into the air, and spun Eliminator with one hand. Setting his sights on the super roboticizer, he made one last, powerful swing, and hurled Eliminator into it. The mech crashed through the wall of the super roboticizer, damaging it greatly. Eliminator blew up when he hit the other internal wall of the machine, setting off a chain reaction of explosions.

Scotty: Uh-oh! Guys, we've got a problem!

Sonya: Let's get out of here!

The base began to rumble and shake as the explosions spread. The self-destruct had not activated yet, but the base was beginning to fall apart anyway. Pieces of pipes and panels of metal fell from the ceiling, crashing to the ground far below. Metal-2 stared at his accomplishment as everyone except Amy began to run for the door. She just looked at Metal-2, shocked at the devastation he had caused. Could this still be the one she loved? Metal-2 landed on the ground as his chaos energy faded. He returned to his normal, blue self. Sonic and the others stopped in front of him, seeing the change.

Tails: Metal…Are you…you?

Metal-2: …Affirmative.

Amy: Metal!

Metal-2: Amy!

They ran to each other, and hugged again. Metal-2 rubbed her head as she buried her face in his arm. The robot looked down at her, and knew he still cared deeply for her. Remembering his earlier thoughts, he took a snapshot of her with his optic devices and would keep it for as long as he was functional. His sensor network activated, and he could feel her warm fur.

Amy: I was so worried about you! Are you okay?

Metal-2: I feel better now than I ever have before.

Billy: Uh-oh…

Sonic: What is it?

Billy: I just remembered what I forgot…The emotion chip-I didn't program it into the process!

Scotty: But then…How is it that Metal still loves Amy?

Before anyone could answer, they were reminded of the need to escape by several chunks of debris that fell and hit the ground at nearly the same moment. The explosions and shaking grew more violent as the enormous super roboticizer shook and began to break loose from its supports. They all ran for the door, and suddenly Amy screamed. Everyone turned around and saw that a pipe had fallen from the ceiling and landed on her. It had already been bent, so most of its force hit the ground, but now its weight rested on Amy.

Metal-2: I'll get her! The rest of you get out of here!

Scotty: Be careful, Metal!

The others ran for the exit as Metal-2 rushed over to Amy. He threw the pipe off and knelt down to her. Metal-2 held Amy's head in his arms, and could sense that she was weakened.

Metal-2: Amy! Are you hurt?

Amy: A little…I don't think I can run…Go on without me…

Metal-2: Never.

Metal-2 carefully picked her up, Mindful of her injuries, and activated his jets. They flew out of the room as the entire ceiling collapsed behind them. The super roboticizer fell from its perch, and hit the ground, causing a massive explosion. Fire filled the room, and rushed out into the hallway where the others were running. Outside, everyone except Metal-2 and Amy had already made it out. They activated the Freedom Eagle, and took off.

Sonya: Are you sure we should just leave them in there?

Scotty: They'll be fine. Trust me, Metal would never let anything happen to Amy.

Back in one of the base's large corridors, the fire breathed down their necks, chasing them relentlessly as Metal-2 avoided falling obstacles, drawing nearer each second to both his escape and his doom. Outside, the Eagle was already in the air, and had pulled a safe distance away from the base. They all watched the exit, hoping to see Metal-2 and Amy escape somehow.

Scotty: Come on, Metal, get out of there…Where are you?

They could see that the entire fortress was going down as fires and explosions ripped through it. It began to lean to one side as it lost altitude. The wave of destruction was nearing the outer edge of the fortress, and there was still no sign of Metal-2 and Amy.

Tails: I'm worried, guys! I don't think they made it…

Sonic: Don't talk like that! We can't give up hope.

After a few seconds that seemed like forever, they saw a bright blue flash streak across the sky, out of the exit. It was instantly followed by a roaring flame that lashed out at it, trying to reclaim its prey.

Sally: Look! They made it!

Metal-2 and Amy had escaped from the base, and the robot slowed to a hover in the air, turning around to watch the fortress crash. They were safely away from it as it began to go down. Metal-2 held Amy in his arms, and looked down at her. She returned the look, and their eyes met.

Amy: Metal…You saved me again.

Metal-2: Did you really expect any less?

Amy: <giggles> Thanks. So is it true? Do you still love me now that you're a machine?

Metal-2: Yes, very much so. Even without my emotion chip, I somehow feel it.

The Freedom Eagle was heard descending behind them. They all watched as Robotnik's flying fortress hit a small, uncharted island in the lake, crashing hard and breaking apart. Fires and explosions erupted from it everywhere as it dug into the dirt. A massive chunk of the entire base bent and tore as it was forced into the island. The entire fortress began to collapse in on itself as the inertia of its own mass broke the frame and compacted the base as it continued to dig in. Finally, it stopped, and there was calm for a moment before the self-destruct kicked in. The main generator ruptured, and a massive explosion from it tore apart the frame and caused the base to fall apart into separate sections, some of which fell and crashed to the ground. Metal Sonic had already made his escape, and was nowhere to be seen.

After a while, Metal-2 turned around in the air, and saw the others inside the Eagle, waving at them both. The robot flew around to the side of the helicopter, and entered through the door that was opened to them.

Tails: Metal! Amy! Are you two okay!?

Metal-2 and Amy looked at each other happily.

Metal-2: We are just fine.

They closed the door, and Billy flew back to the ground where Tails's Veritech was. They all hopped out after landing. Scruffy and Keylo weren't there, and they were all surprised to find the Veritech had been repaired. Tails examined the work, and approved of it.

Tails: This is great…but who could've done it?

There was a whooshing noise from behind him, and Tails turned around just in time to be tackled by someone that rushed out from the nearby trees. The two rolled across the ground, and Tails soon found himself lying on his back. Standing next to him was a brown fox with a yellow dress and blue hair. She looked down at tails, and the orange fox took a moment to recognize her.

Tails: KEYLO?!

Keylo: That's my name!

She pulled Tails up off the ground, helping him to his feet. Keylo then hugged him tightly, nearly choking the fox.

Keylo: Oh, it's so good to see you again!

Tails: <choking> Nice to see you, too, Keylo, but I'd like to breathe if you don't mind…

She let go of him, and the others soon got over the surprise of seeing her as well.

Sonic: So what brings you here, Keylo?

Scotty: Is your uncle with you?

Keylo: We came here to see Tails, and yes, he's with me.

Scotty: Really? Where is old Scruffy?

The gray fox snuck up behind Scotty, and tapped him on the shoulder. Scotty turned around, startled. Scruffy had a grin on his face as he spoke.

Scruffy: I'm right here, and I'm not old.

Tails: Uncle Scruffy!

Tails ran up to his uncle, and hugged him. It was a short one, though, as Tails had many questions.

Tails: So how'd you two get here, anyway?

Scruffy: Well, we stopped by your base up in New York, and borrowed some technology. That reminds me-Keylo, give the scientist his machine back.

Keylo: Right away!

Keylo quickly found Billy's transporter, and brought it to him. The echidna accepted the device, slightly confused. Tails moved on to his next question.

Tails: Did you see who fixed my Veritech?

Scruffy: Yeah, I saw the guy that did it.

Tails: Where is he?

Scruffy: You're looking at him.

Tails: You fixed it? But how?

Scruffy: We fixed it, actually. Keylo was a big help. Anyway, I learned a lot about how war machines worked when I was young. It was pretty clever of you to use two MA 1-6 (v) thrusters like that.

Tails: You recognized them? I thought I was the only one who knew how those worked.

Scruffy: I guess it's a fox thing.

Keylo: Hey, the doctor wanted me to tell you guys that he was worried about you.

Billy: Oh my goodness! I forgot all about him! I hope my teacher will forgive me!

Billy rushed into the Freedom Eagle, and turned the engines back on. He was determined to get home as soon as possible. The others weren't quite as concerned about worrying those at the Refuge, but they still recognized the need to get back.

Scotty: You guys can catch up on the way home. I think we'd better get aboard; it looks like Billy's ready to leave without us!

Sonic: I'll fly your plane home, Tails.

All: YOU?!

Sonic: What? Hey, I was the first owner of the original Tornado, remember?

Tails: Yes, but you haven't flown in years, and the Veritech is far more complicated than a simple biplane!

Sonic: Relax, I'll figure it out.

Tails: Sonic, for once I have to stop you. I'm sorry Keylo, Scruffy, but I need to fly my jet.

Scruffy: I understand.

Keylo: Yeah, you go ahead.

They all got aboard their aircraft, and Scruffy and Keylo got to ride in the Eagle. They all took off, and Scruffy's repairs to the Veritech worked perfectly. They were finally on their way home…

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So what did you think? The epilogue's next, so stay tuned! And please review!