shardbond | FINAL CONFRONTATION

Throughout this week, you all have been hard at work preparing for your final confrontation with the person behind all of this - Neo Metal Sonic. His fleet of ships has taken over the skies, and Tails has been working on a means to get you safely onto the correct one. Given that you've all been called into the workshop today, it seems like it's finally time.

"I've got the correct coordinates and we're ready to go. We'll all be joining you in this fight."

Sonic nods and continues, "Let's avoid a repeat of last time, yeah? I'm still going to try to keep his attention on me since the plan is still the same - you guys have gotta knock the Master Emerald outta him!"

"You all have had some practice with your powers and with what the Master Emerald can do, so you should be better prepared for this fight. Still, remain on guard!"

Tails flicks the device to life and a portal opens. Unlike the rings, this one doesn't show where exactly you'll be going. "Everyone ready? Let's put an end to this."

You arrive in the interior of one of those ships - the long hallway you're in is made of thick, dark silver steel, with absolutely nothing in the way of décor. The way behind you leads to a door - gated shut, with seemingly no way to open it from this side - while the path ahead of you leads up a small flight of stairs to what can only be described as a throne. It is simplistic in design and still made of that dark, practical steel without any adornments or embellishments, but it provides Neo Metal Sonic a height advantage to loom over you, something he couldn't really manage on most of you without taking to floating.

He sits in the chair now, red eyes fixed on all of you. One elbow is propped on the arm of the chair and his chin leans against his hand, giving off the air of "bored monarch" that he's probably going for.

"So you've arrived. You've kept me waiting."

He gets up then, rising to float as he had before, sparks of that familiar green Chaos Energy flaring to life around him. "Let's not waste any more time. I'll destroy you all here and now. And you," his eyes flick to Sonic, "will trouble me no further."

"Does it even really count when I'm not the version of Sonic you've fought before...?"

"Silence." Sonic shrugs and Neo Metal Sonic dismisses him, turning his attention back to you all. "You all have caused enough problems for me. Once I've crushed you all, nothing will be able to stop me."

NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I meant what I said - I am willing to try and help with the programming situation, if he wants it. To remove his overriding directive only.

[He, at least, is not in the practice of mind-controlling his fellow robotic tools. If Neo is going to pose a problem afterwards, they'll just have to deal with it then, same as anyone else.

As to taking him somewhere, though...Turo doesn't even know for sure where he's going after this, honestly. He's going with More, which is enough for him, but the exact destination wasn't settled.]

[Dorothy nods her head at Turo.]

I was thinking of offering something similar, though...it would involve a slightly risky trip back to my own world to grab someone who was able to deactivate my NIMPH, and was integral in building Eden as a whole in the first place. But I know Cecil; she's brilliant and I've trusted her for decades now.

If you can manage it, I think that would be splendid. That is, of course, like you said--if he wants that. He...does deserve to have some say in the matter, I believe.

I won't do anything to him without his permission. Not like that.

[If they all vote to banish or kill him, Turo's not going to fight anyone over it, but he won't have reprogramming someone else on his conscience. Not after it's happened to him so many times. That's a hard line.]

[Neo Metal Sonic looks up, flickering gaze going between Turo and Dorothy at the conversation. He's following, but he doesn't speak for a moment.]

...I want my freedom. I'll allow it.

[He couldn't (or maybe wouldn't) release that last shackle binding him even with the power to do so, but he has to be the one to decide instead of leaving it up to anyone else. So there's his answer, as difficult as it was to come to it.]

[Ah. Turo's a little touched, actually, to be trusted with something so vital...even if Neo Metal Sonic doesn't exactly have a wealth of options right now.]

Very well. I'll take a look when we can get away from here, and let you know what I think and what I plan to do before I do it. You can read the code first.

[All considerations that were never present for his updates. As much as Neo Metal Sonic has done to all of them, the thought of becoming the Professor to someone else is petrifying.]

Understood. Know my decision will not change, regardless.

[It's a lot of trust to place in someone, but it isn't as though there are many options. Still, hearing that...]

...You have my thanks for both that and the consideration.

Of course. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make it easier for you. It -

[He hesitates. Despite his sympathy, he doesn't consider Neo Metal Sonic anything like a friend. Maybe he could someday, but not right now. Still, if he's trying to help him, connections obviously do help.]

It frightened me very badly, when I realized my creator was changing my programming without my knowledge. I hated updates and maintenance. I do not wish to replicate that.

[...]

It is not an entirely unfamiliar experience. I anticipated as much after my recent defeat. Were I to return home, I have no doubts the Doctor would remove all memories of my "rebellious" phase.

[So like. Yeah. He both gets it and hates it! Mood.]

Mm. I always just played along. For all the good that did me.

[The Protocol's mere existence means that the Professor didn't trust him to protect the time machine, no matter how compliant and servile he made himself. Maybe he would have been better off just openly rebelling. Turo can't countenance the vast majority of what Neo Metal Sonic has done, but killing Dr. Robotnik...?

He crouches down to watch Viktor's repairs, content to leave this to the resident engineer.]

I was always too afraid of being made to agree.

[He's quiet, eyes on Viktor's work rather than Turo.]

...You have my thanks. For... trying to understand.

[It isn't something he's been offered before. He didn't know how much it would mean to him.]

...you're welcome.

[Does Neo Metal Sonic deserve it? Turo would like to think everyone does...but, admittedly, that doesn't mean Neo Metal Sonic deserves it from them in particular. He's the one who is here, though, and he does think he can understand.]

[Dorothy...actually doesn't expect that, if she's going to be honest. She starts a bit, hearing him speak up, but...

...Well. A warm smile crosses her face and she looks to Turo, and then back to Neo.]

You'll be in good hands; he's taken care of me before, you know. I wouldn't say that of just anyone.

[...]

Thank you, for trusting us.

[His eyes flick down to the deck and remain there even after she's done speaking.]

...Thank you for reaching out a hand.

[One more time, for good measure.

Neo Metal Sonic will remember this.]

FINAL CONFRONTATION

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