(Flashback) Egg Fleet - Fallout

[Val]

It was over. Dawn had broken and the storm that’d consumed the entire fleet had abated. That thing they called Metal Sonic had devolved from a colossal monster into something that resembled the blue hedgehog and now lay inactive on the deck of the ship.

Shadow stood glaring down at the cobalt metallix, arms folded across his chest. This robot was the one posing as Dr Eggman the entire time. Every time he, Rouge and Omega had encountered him on their way here, every time Shadow had tried to learn about his past it was Metal Sonic mocking him and lying to him. He would know why.
Glancing about, those that’d gathered were dissipating. Rouge had run off with that red echidna, Omega was clearing out the rest of the Doctor’s forces. Shadow needed to take Metal Sonic somewhere private where they wouldn’t be interrupted but that’d mean getting down to the surface somehow.

[bunnikkila]

It was late.

Or rather early, Cream supposed; either way the rabbit was tired, hungry, waterlogged and oil-smeared, and really - she just wanted to take her Chao and go home. Amy had already left in pursuit of Sonic, and Big... well, Cream wasn't sure what Big was up to really, but he seemed to be contentedly heading off with Froggy. With the detectives off to their own devices, that just left Cream - and one other lone figure.

She walked up to the black hedgehog, standing still and silent a moment with her hands clasped in front of her and two Chao orbiting her head. Then she cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Er... Mister Shadow?" It was Shadow, right? Cream vaguely remembered hearing of him before, and was certain that was what his friends had been calling him. "Are... are you all right?"

[Val]

Shadow perked a brow as he eyed the rabbit girl. She’d been carrying a Chaos Emerald to offer to Sonic. She didn’t seem all that intimidated by Metal Sonic’s transformation despite looking so young.
His eyes drifted to the pair of creatures hovering about her. Whatever they were, they were loyal.
“I’m looking for a way back down to the surface.” He replied, turning his attention back to Metal Sonic. “There’s some questions I want answered.”

[bunnikkila]

"Oh!"

Cream peeked toward the ledge a moment. No problem for her, Big seemed to be already drifting down on her umbrella, and Amy... well, she wasn't sure how Amy was getting down, but she seemed to be gone all the same. She could see the issue for Shadow, though, with his teammates also already off on their own.

Well, she should help whenever she saw an opportunity, right?

"Actually, Mister Shadow... I can help you with that!" She paused, toeing at the metal hull they were standing one, and then spoke up again in a slightly more diffident tone. "What kind of questions? Maybe I can help there too...."

[Val]

How did she think she could help? She was only a child and smaller than he or Metal Sonic. Shadow had to think back, trying to recall anything he may’ve seen as to how this rabbit girl could help. He vaguely remembered seeing she, the pink hedgehog and the large cat flying when they were all distracting Metal Sonic but…that couldn’t be right, surely.

In answer to her second question the black and red hybrid grabbed Metal Sonic and lifted him from the ground. “I want to know why he did all this…and why he lied to me.”

[bunnikkila]

“Oh.”

Cream tipped her head to one side, considering.

“Well... I guess I can’t help with your questions... but I can help you get down!”

She tucked her legs under her and sprang up, her large ears flapping against the air as she hovered; the two Chao both rose slightly to keep their position near her head, and Cream beamed at Shadow with hands clasped.

“I’ve never tried carrying a robot! But, even together you’re smaller than Big, and besides - going down is a lot easier than going up! So, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

[Val]

He couldn’t help but smile, even if only slightly, in return to the rabbit girl’s infectious grin. So she –could- fly. Curious.
Shadow hooked an arm about Metal Sonic and hauled him up before offering a hand to Cream. The pair did seem lighter than the load she’d already proven unbelievably capable of carrying so this shouldn’t be much trouble. Still, encountering someone so willing to help was…new. Did she perhaps want something from Metal Sonic for herself?

[bunnikkila]

Cream took Shadow's hand in both of hers, rising slightly to lift his feet from the ground. Nothing she couldn't manage, even tired - especially on a downward trip, where she needed only worry about not plummeting too swiftly. Once Shadow and Metal Sonic's weight felt secure beneath her, she started off, dipping low once they cleared the platform and headed steadily down.

"Was there somewhere you wanted to go, Mister Shadow? Or is it all right to go close to where I live? I can bring you something to eat if you like!"

Only polite, after all - surely the hedgehog was tired too! Come to think of it, he might want to come inside and dry off, too. Or would that be too pushy to suggest, she wondered... well, she'd have to ask her mother about it anyway. Not that she thought Vanilla would turn him away, but it was only polite to make sure her mother was on board too!

Speaking of politeness...

"Oh - I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself. My name is Cream!"

[Val]

This girl was strange. So eager to be hospitable…though now that she’d brought it up Shadow had become aware of a niggling pang in his stomach. He hadn’t eaten anything since at least the jungle.
Looking down at the cobalt robot under his arm, Shadow wanted to be taken back to the canyon, to the wreckage of the huge blimp he, Rouge and Omega had fought “Eggman.” Where they’d fought Metal. Where he’d found the torn apart scraps of a robot that looked just like himself. He wanted to make Metal Sonic see that destroyed robot and explain what it was…But the canyon was a long way away. In the end he supposed it didn’t matter. Metal Sonic would know about that robot copy and he would answer what Shadow wanted to know.

“We can go wherever you want…” He answered at last. Shadow had been looking down the entire time. The rolling clouds obscuring the view of the land below, the endless blue sky. He’d felt something…familiar…about this view when he first arrived at the Doctor’s fleet and now again.

“You aren’t afraid of Metal Sonic trying to hurt you, are you, Cream?” The thought struck him for some reason. Something about this view made him worry but not for himself.

[bunnikkila]

"All right then! It shouldn't take very long!"

Cream dropped steadily lower as she few, shivering briefly as they dipped into the clouds. It wasn't that she was really going to get much wetter after the storm, but the vaporous droplets did chill a bit; at least flying was just strenuous enough to prevent her from getting too chilled.

"Trying to hurt me?" she echoed when Shadow spoke again. The rabbit thought that over a moment, humming under her breath. "Well... Mister Metal Sonic is a little... he's not like the other robots, is he? He is scarier than they are...." A lot scarier, come to think of it. "But... I guess... it's a little too late to worry about it right now, isn't it...." This was stated rather matter-of-factly; after the battle, and after agreeing to bring them down... the time to flee was passed long ago. "Anyway. Cheese and Chocola are here. They'll help me." She peeked down at the black hedgehog, giving him a beaming smile. "And you're here too, Mister Shadow! I trust the three of you more than I'm afraid of Mister Metal Sonic, just like I do Amy and Big! So - even if I'm scared, that's okay."

[Val]

The ebony hedgehog’s attention snapped up to the smiling girl as he just stared blankly at her. She trusted him? Was that why she’d left her friends to help him get the answers he wanted? She admitted to finding Metal Sonic scary so...why? Did she know him?
“Have we met before?” He asked uncertainly. A question, in hindsight, he should’ve also asked that blue hedgehog back in the jungle but they were in a hurry at the time.

Possibilities gnawed at Shadow’s mind about who he may’ve been, how he and Cream may know one another, why Metal Sonic would’ve sealed him away at that remote base. He was impatient to land and finally get some information from the battered robot, one way or another.

[bunnikkila]

"Met?"

Cream hummed thoughtfully, then shook her head.

"I don't think so, Mister Shadow. We ran into almost everyone else... and I already knew Mister Sonic and his friends. But I don't think I've met you before now."

She was quiet a moment.

"But... you already helped everyone once. And, you were worried about me being scared! So I can tell you're a good person."

They'd broken through the cloud cover as she spoke, the ground approaching steadily; as they descended a small cluster of houses came into view, one of them almost certainly belonging to Cream's family. The rabbit proceeded to a small meadow near the settlement, lowering them until Shadow's feet touched earth amidst a cluster of small flowers. She hovered a moment to be sure he was standing firm and then flapped a few feet away to land herself, hands clasping.

"Now! I'm going to get you something to eat, and let my mother know we might have a guest! Would you like to come with me, or would you rather talk to Mister Metal Sonic here?"

[Val]

“Hm.” Shadow scoffed, glancing around the peaceful area, so alien to anything he’d seen since being freed from that capsule. “Your mother may not appreciate me showing up like this. Go…Let her know you’re safe.”

‘I can tell you’re a good person.’ She’d said…how could she know what kind of person he was, she’d just met him. He’d dismiss it as nothing but a platitude if not for the fact that she’d said that was why she wasn’t afraid.
Shadow stared off into space for a moment as he considered this. Rouge and Omega had deferred to him many times on their way to the Egg Fleet, trusting in his capabilities but…being a good fighter didn’t make him a good person. What did it mean to be a good person?
He only stopped when he noticed the aching pain in his chest and quickly chased away any thought on the topic. He had questions to be answered first.

Marching over to a nearby tree, the ebony hedgehog slumped the battered metallix down and propped him into a sitting position to begin searching for an access panel.

…This would’ve been easier with Omega to do it for him…

[bunnikkila]

Cream hesitated only briefly before nodding.

"All right, Mister Shadow."

She smiled, tilting her head at him.

"I'll be back with food soon. And if you do want to come inside I'm sure it will be all right!"

That said, the rabbit scurried off over the damp grass, turning back once to wave to Shadow before vanishing into the cluster of houses.

[Wren]

As if coming when called, Omega trudged past the squishy rabbit and back to the metallix, contemplating his 'brother's' form and what exactly they were going to do with him.

"I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. WHY NOT DESTROY THE THING THAT TRIED TO DESTROY US? IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATIFYING."

Looking over Metal Sonic again, he processed it again, whirring and clicking his little processors. Scanning-- AI functioning, recognized. Unresponsive, likely by will.

"...THOUGH MORE GRATIFYING WHEN THEY CAN FIGHT BACK. DO YOU WANT ME TO TAP INTO HIS SYSTEM AND FORCE A REBOOT?"

[Val]

The sound of the approaching robotic arsenal caused Shadow’s head to spin in his direction. When had he…Evidently Omega was more stealthy than he appeared. Just as well as he was getting nowhere jumpstarting Metal Sonic.

Rising to his feet and taking a step back, Shadow folded his arms and nodded to the disabled robot in indication for the fellow automaton to give it his try.

“You can destroy him after I get some answers. He was impersonating the Doctor the whole time so he was the one claiming I had no past.”

[Wren]

"I SEE. WELL THEN..." Omega's sensors began to run into full processing mode, needing no cord to jumpstart the process on Metal Sonic. After all, they were highly advanced robots -- they barely needed a charger. He sent a jolt of energy through Metal Sonic's body through his vice grip.

"TIME TO FACE THE MUSIC. WAKE UP, AND WE MAY BE MERCIFUL."

This is where he'd wink as if to say 'no, of course not.'

[Jammerlee]

With a soft whirr Metal's harddrive jolted to life. His ring-shaped eyes slowly lit up with a soft red as the world blinked into focus. At first, all he saw was his own clawed hand resting in the grass... and then his eyes slid upward, and he saw Shadow and Omega standing over him.

...

Nope.

He shut back down.

[Wren]

"HE IS TRYING TO AVOID SPEAKING TO US. MORE DRASTIC MEASURES WILL BE NECESSARY."

Ever one to emphasize his point, his gun-arm whirred to life right next to Metal's head, as if ready to shoot. Omega... had no concept of chilling out, or putting on a non-threatening facade.

"RISE, IMPOSTOR."

[Jammerlee]

With a mechanical sounding groan the metallix's eyes dully flickered back on, barely lit against their black backdrop. He glanced up into the barrel pointed toward him, but otherwise refused to budge.

[Wren]

"TARGET IS CONSCIOUS, SHADOW. PROCEED WITH THE INTERROGATION."

For once, violence was working! But who knew for how long?

[Val]

Finally he was going to get some answers, if not about his past then at least answers about why Metal Sonic had seen fit to mislead him all this time.

Stepping forward, the red and black hedgehog glared down at Metal. “Why did you lie to me about my past?” He asked pointedly.

[Jammerlee]

Metal Sonic's digital eyelids went half mast. Nope, nope, nope. With a whirr of gears, he turned his head away without answering.

[Val]

Shadow scoffed as Metal refused to answer. He was acting like a child. “You can’t ignore me forever. You lost, Metal Sonic. Time to answer for what you’ve done. I want to know what you know about me. Why was I asleep on that base? Why did you try to deceive me?”

[Jammerlee]

The metallix... simply continued to ignore Shadow. Not even his barely glowing irises moved this time.

[Wren]

If Omega had the ocular sockets with which to roll any eyes, he'd have done so by now.

"IF I MAY PROVIDE... INCENTIVE."

Omega proudly showed off his collection of missiles by shifting his front panel to the side. Honestly, any excuse to boast was a good one. "YOU ARE NO GOOD TO US ALIVE IF YOU AREN'T TALKING. I HOPE I'VE MADE MY POINT CLEAR."

[Val]

Omega’s point went unchallenged by the hedgehog at his side. Though Shadow wondered if Metal Sonic, knowing the information he had was valuable, would call their bluff…a bluff he had no doubt Omega would fulfil on. Either way a stalemate would get them nowhere. Tightening his hands into fists, he thought how to get any kind of leverage on Metal.

“Perhaps if you won’t talk, we should take you to the Doctor. I’m sure he’d be interested in hearing your explanation for all of this, and I’m confident he’d have an easier time getting you to talk whether you want to or not.”

[Jammerlee]

Metal's eyes flickered, his digital eyelids going half mast.

"Just destroy me."

[Wren]

"... DO YOU THINK HE IS HIDING A SELF DESTRUCT BOMB? OTHERWISE I WOULD HEED HIS CALL FOR ANNIHILATION."

After all, Omega didn't need to be told twice when it came to wanton destruction. Especially when it came to an Eggman metallix.

[Val]

A gloved hand rested on Omega’s bulky forearm to indicate he wait a moment before engaging in his favourite pastime.

“So because your attempt to destroy Sonic failed, you’d rather simply be destroyed? Maybe we should take you back so you can face the music. It’s hardly fair to allow you to escape judgement so easily.”

Seeing the broken robot now, Shadow thought back to less than an hour ago when the skies were darkened by his huge draconic form. All that power and ambition now lay slumped against a tree lazily wishing his own end. He looked…pathetic.