My chest grew tight and my heart felt tightly strung between my rips. With incessant pounding in my ears, I watched two red eyes flash to life on the screen.

“M–Metal.” I stammered.

His pupils focused on me. He slowly sat up on the table, his two red pupils burrowing into my soul. The engine in his chest made a slow vrmmm as he looked at me.

“Are you… are you–”

In a flash Metal Sonic had jumped up from his chair and had me pinned to the concrete by the throat.

“GIVE ME SONIC!” His voice boomed. “LET ME KILL HIM WITH MY OWN BARE HANDS!”

I swear I had done everything right, unless…

No. I accidentally wiped his drive.

There was a possibility I could take this version of Metal down and simply put his components in another body, although fighting Metal may destroy everything I’d need to repair him. And after all the work I did, I wasn’t even sure I could get him back together again without seemingly wiping it all away.

I changed up my hand to blast him, although for some reason I couldn't bring myself to shoot.

Barely able to breathe but not fighting back, I squeeked. “He’s dead.”

Metal Sonic froze, the grip of his hands loosening as his pupils dilated. Those two red, piercing eyes stared straight through me into his own mind. After a moment, what sounded like a sharp breath came through his speakers.

He shook his hand off me. I gasped, coughing repeatedly in trying to get oxygen back into me. I didn’t exactly need oxygen to survive, with my chaos energy and all, although when I was not prepared, lack of it was quite painful. Especially the choking.

His voice sounded robotically crisp and crackly at the same time, probably from the ancient speakers I was forced to use. Metal stared down at the hand he had choked me with, only the false sound of panting coming out of him.

“...Metal?” I asked once I had finally caught my breath. Breathing hurt, but not from the lack of oxygen; he had bruised my entire throat, including my trachea.

Metal turned back to me and flinched.

“I… I hurt you.” Metal jolted at the sound of his own voice.

“How… what happened? You didn’t seem like you for a second…”

“A safety protocol, probably. Eggman never liked Mobians tampering with his things.” There was a disgusting hiss at the end of his words. 

“Understandable.” I touched my neck and flinched. “Man, you’re strong.”

He glanced down to himself, touching his throat. “You… actually gave me a voice? Why?”

It hurt to hear him ask why, as if he didn’t deserve to have a voice of his own. “You’ve been silent for so long… Are you happy?”

Metal didn’t respond for a moment. He stood very still, staring out into space. I was surprised that he wasn’t happy, or at least had to think about it first.

“Yes.” He said. “I am free.”

I was surprised when he hugged me. I wasn’t expecting it at all, especially because he had been so closed off all the time.

I gave him a light pat on the back, a smile creeping across my face. It was nice, hearing him with a voice.

“You should stick around for a long time. I replaced all your components.”

I heard a gasp. “How…”

“There were a bunch of diagrams in the archive.” I explained. “And I made back-ups in case something went wrong. Sure, the components don’t work quite as well from age, but at least you’ll last for a good deal longer than originally.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Metal squeaked. “And after I’ve hurt everyone you loved…”

“Let’s not think about that right now. That was in the past.” I lifted him off my body. His eyes were large, although it was hard to pinpoint what emotions he was feeling. “So, Metal, what do you want to do, now that you have your own voice?”

“I… I don’t know. It’s strange, having a choice.” Metal explained. “Robotnik never gave me choices.”

My lips tightened at the mention of Eggman’s name. “Yeah, that makes sense. I worked with him once as well.”

“I remember that.”

“But he’s long dead now. No one can stop you from doing what you want.” I told him.

I didn’t want it to come across as if I didn’t care, but I wanted him to know that holding on to it would only make it worse.

I knew. From personal experiences.

“Chaos, I wish I could strangle him!” He fumed. “It’s what he deserves after refusing me agency!”

I nodded. “I know, it’s hard. It’s difficult to forget. It haunts your dreams, I know.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “But we’re survivors, and we have lasted to the end of the world. It’s not the end, though; there’s so much more that we can do.”

We made our way outside. It was night; there was a gap in the nuclear clouds above, and the moon could be seen.

“Do you think there are any other people up there?” Metal asked me listlessly. “That are still alive?”

“Yes. Of course there are.” I nodded.

I had a new mission. No,we had a new mission. Together.

Using our combined strength to help the powerless.

Just like Sonic.

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Hello! Thanks for reading my fanfic!

Sorry about the crazy upload schedule, I’ve been really busy lately, with both personal endeavors and original works. I’m not sure if I’ll put my original stories up on here, but if I did, would you be interested in reading them?

I also have a Metal Sonic fic in the works! I’m trying to write it all before uploading so I can have a consistent schedule for y’all.

Have a wonderful day! Don’t forget to drink water!

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